Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Completely agree and would also add that he seems to have created a new found culture of caring and respect among the players, also all certainly look to be enjoying playing under him. Furthermore at this early stage I think most of the younger and less experienced players have come on a bit, whether that’s to do with him or the influence of the new recruits remains to be seen.
So far the group wants to play for him and there’s no telling what they could do with a couple more quality players and a bit more depth.
A few more good wins will cement his future and see us turn a corner.

This might sound silly but I think the next 2 games are important, winning both will go a long way to giving the team some belief that they are a better team now, lose them both and like previous seasons dread could set in and losing becomes a habit all over again.

 

[Lestronge]

He could, but if you watched the interview he was very clear that his preference is to go home.
He even said he'd like to leave on good terms and return in 10 years. His mind seems set on a return and no doubt his agent has feelers out.

Or it could be a dude wishing for a train that’s not coming for a long time / if ever .
I want to retire tomorrow and spend my days at the pub and the beach . Doesn’t mean it’s happening …

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think he's struggled to bed down a combination with his half because O'Brien's constantly chopping and changing with his selections. furthermore, I think he's been playing with the shackles on at Newcastle.

in England he was offloading at will, using late footwork at the line and sitting halfbacks on their backsides. he could even thread the needle with a short kick. at Newcastle he just runs at an outside shoulder and doesn't deviate from the tramline. I think he'd be incredible next to Galvin.

Yes and Benji if he's to be the good coach we hope he will become will see this and give him more freedom to bring out the best in him, just need the price not to be outrageous.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Agree- he hasn’t been consistent and seems a bit of a show pony and flat track bully to me. Rather a hard working tough player like Bullemore.

Mmm just looked at his profile on the Manly site bigger than I thought 110kg, offer him and KPP a contract, see if one of them takes the bait.

 

[bptiger 0]

Just a side note , I have worked out why we got the last two wooden spoons, it was all papa fault , he is bad luck , he goes to the unbeatable panthers and they are Now 1 from 6 and rooted to the bottom .
Not saying any of the above is true just thought I would share that 🤔

 

[Red88_Tiger]

I saw Brad Arthur interviewed this morning after Leeds won their Super League game. He basically said he wants to return to Sydney to be close to his family.
So if we eliminate Penrith, Parra ( They won't want him back), Saints( I can't see them dumping Flanno), Roosters , Sharks, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs where the coaching situation seems stable that only leaves Wests , Manly (likely to play finals so probably not) and Newcastle.
Pressure is now up on Benji and O'Brien
Disclaimer: I love Benji and don't want it to happen.

Townsville is only one flight to Sydney
Way closer than the uk

 

[426Tlgerland]

I was all for Flanno or Brad Arthur , but club has given Benji a go so he should get this year and next year , after that I would say results at end of 2026 will dictate outcome
Top 8 this year would set him in stone for next year and also assist with future signings , mid range this year probably ok but would def need top 8 next year even top 6

 

[Nonotmeagain]

I think he's struggled to bed down a combination with his half because O'Brien's constantly chopping and changing with his selections. furthermore, I think he's been playing with the shackles on at Newcastle.

in England he was offloading at will, using late footwork at the line and sitting halfbacks on their backsides. he could even thread the needle with a short kick. at Newcastle he just runs at an outside shoulder and doesn't deviate from the tramline. I think he'd be incredible next to Galvin.

He's struggled because of better opposition and a lack of skill to compensate with the rise in intensity and class. Put him in Melbourne he'd be better put him with a struggling outfit and he'd perform accordingly.

 

[Canadian Club]

Exactly this. That is why I bet my bottom dollar we are still a big player for Kobe Hetherington as a middle priority and contingency will suss out Adam Elliott & Tyson Frizell also if Hetherington falls through. Just my opinion.

Plus we'd have to be a good chance at Kai Pearce-Paul and I reckon a smokey depending on what happens at Broncos with cap is Jordan Riki, I think Teddy23 or someone mentioned this a while back.

Then the likes of Pheonix Godinet & Tame Havea Jr can develop properly with good role models above them.

There's also no magic number in which a player will be ready, even the highly touted ones. Some make their mark in the NRL at 19 like Nanai or Samuela. Others take a few years. Suia Wong was highly rated an expected to be an NRL starter at 19, but has only started to kick on this year at 22 years old. Then you have the guys like Blore who are highly rated but unfortunately due to injury spend the early part of their career uable to play, stalling their development. Then there are the Schusters of the world... Point is anything can happen and clubs need to be flexible and diligent with development

The game also changes quickly. Style of play and even body type and skill level required changes in positions. Look at the lock position in the late 2010s as opposed to now.

 

[boonboon]

I do find it funny people think that backrowers performing worse the Seyfarth at better teams are somehow great signings who will replace him and be so much better

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I do find it funny people think that backrowers performing worse the Seyfarth at better teams are somehow great signings who will replace him and be so much better

How do you know that the 2 mentioned would not be an improvement BB.

 

[hodgo]

I kinda disagree with alot that don't rate kpp. To me he is exactly what we need. A second rower that can create and gets his arms free alot. We have enough work man need someone with x factor on the edge

 

[liltiger]

Who ever we do bring in needs to base their game on Defence. Imo they can be useless at gaining metres and scoring tries, as long as they can take a dirty hit up and have rock solid defence I'll be happy. We just need guys to shore up our line. We need a heinghton or Fulton type player, 80 minute tackling machine.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

They are missing JFH pretty bad also

Think To'o is also a massive out lose so go forward without them both.

 

[hsvjones]

I think with the whispers around that Dogs are shopping Mahoney I this extending TDS should be a priority. (Gus can denies it as much as he wants). Dogs would love to get TDS and that would help getting Galvin over there IMO.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Jye Linnane to Warriors from Knights. Nephew of Steve Linnane.

MSN

 

[Snidest 0]

who gives a rat's - its the internet, log off ,get outside n smell your roses. Grow up stop bagging people out for their thoughts. I LOVE GOSSIP ,being a bored monkey that likes to chatter,shreach n wave its limbs about - you hearing me

Yay for scurrilous gossip!

The Daily Mail online is still there for that bullshit if you want it...

Or try you local medical centre where I am sure they still have a pile of old Who Weekly rags to peruse!

 

[Snidest 0]

Luai did OK without Cleary.
Cleary not doing to well without luai?
Don't hear much about that from the expert commentators?

Check the stats - not the "expert commentators" opinions...

 

[Snidest 0]

I saw Brad Arthur interviewed this morning after Leeds won their Super League game. He basically said he wants to return to Sydney to be close to his family.
So if we eliminate Penrith, Parra ( They won't want him back), Saints( I can't see them dumping Flanno), Roosters , Sharks, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs where the coaching situation seems stable that only leaves Wests , Manly (likely to play finals so probably not) and Newcastle.
Pressure is now up on Benji and O'Brien
Disclaimer: I love Benji and don't want it to happen.

Yeah nah - not interested in Jake & Matt Arthur taking up cap & roster spots...

 

[Jolls]

Benji's future always gets back to results...
Personally I dont applaud the way he was appointed, and having got over that Im confused by competing trends of senior players not wanting to play for him(most of whom are struggling at their new clubs btw)..and offsetting that hes a bit of a drawcard for younger players...at the moment...whilst theres hope
This year:s result will determine his future
Top 10 result he retains Galvin and attracts more to build on
Bottom 4 he loses Galvin...maybe Luai
Wooden spoon and its over

I agree that results will determine his future and the way he was apppointed was a sham; however, he is the current coach. The point I was trying to make is that that many were stating that he had no idea. Instead of looking at it pragmatically they looked at the results and came to a results based conclusion. What we are seeing over at the Riff, and at the Chooks (until last night) was experienced coaches that have been lauded for their coaching ability struggling to get lineups riddled with stars to perform when they have had a few personnel changes. All of a sudden they can't coach?

We, the royal we (Wests Tigers Forum) regularly jump to conclusions too quickly and don't bother doing any analysis to support these conclusions. I asked on many occasions for those quoting the Benji can't coach line to back up the assertions, and nothing came of it. I asked, not because I was a supporter of him, but because I am unable to get to training to see how they are preparing etc to make my own observations. What I could see, from performances on the weekends, was a team that could do well, in patches, and sometimes for an entire 80 minutes (very rare). So I wasn't sure if it was the ability of the coaching staff or the quality of the roster that was the issue.

Results will determine if Benji stays or goes, but it is clear that Benji and his coaching staff are on the right track. We are still a few roster spots short of a crack at the title - but we have definitely turned the corner as a club.