Wests Tigers Deep Dive of the Week

Is there interest in doing a weekly "Deep Dive" to promote focussed discussion between games?

  • Yes, I would be happy develop a topic or two to get the ball rolling

    Votes: 5 23.8%

  • Yes, I would be happy to participate but not lead a topic

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • I am not likely to contribute; however, I would be interested in learning from the discussion

    Votes: 6 28.6%

  • Would prefer to watch paint dry

    Votes: 3 14.3%
  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .
TSP said:
Conversely, i think the coaching staff need to own quite a bit of it.

Why?

Because its their job to prepare the players mentally and ensure they dont have these lapses.

And if the players arent listening to Benji and not doing what hes asked, thats called "losing the changeroom" at least for that game.

On contrast, AOB owns everything that happens.

I dont know how many lessons Benji wants? Hes not a rookie anymore.

More big losses and id expect him to volunteer to walk. Its not a disgrace, a lot of good players couldnt handle coaching.

He'll go back to the media. We get a new coach and prepare things differently. Not the end of the world.

Rugby league is a sport of broken dreams, reflecting wider society. One of its attractions.
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guessing Richo still has you on ignore, Woofy pass the robot test
 
Merlot said:
guessing Richo still has you on ignore, Woofy pass the robot test
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Yeah in my case, the 3 day club cast iron, "bet your life" guarantee to get back to members is now closer to 300 lol.

I ask @Jolls why he thinks the club keeps lying to members and what he thinks we should do about it.

We are usually the only folk not to apologise to when things get really ugly.

Richo should have owned the storm result to us members too but he didnt want to. That showed a lack of leadership imho.

Of course, we like to own successes and big signings...and Brooksy in a finals match!
 
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TSP said:
Yeah in my case, the 3 day club cast iron, "bet your life" guarantee to get back to members is now closer to 300 lol.

I ask @Jolls why he thinks the club keeps lying to members and what he thinks we should do about it.

We are usually the only folk not to apologise to when things get really ugly.

Richo should have owned the storm result to us members too but he didnt want to. That showed a lack of leadership imho.

Of course, we like to own successes and big signings...and Brooksy in a finals match!
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so thats a yes ,i take it . Poor over paid Brooksy will never see a semi final nor will your words reach Richo's ears ,you comfortable about that
 
TSP said:
Yeah in my case, the 3 day club cast iron, "bet your life" guarantee to get back to members is now closer to 300 lol.

I ask @Jolls why he thinks the club keeps lying to members and what he thinks we should do about it.

We are usually the only folk not to apologise to when things get really ugly.

Richo should have owned the storm result to us members too but he didnt want to. That showed a lack of leadership imho.

Of course, we like to own successes and big signings...and Brooksy in a finals match!
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Woofy i guess is a turn coat and hiked it to belmore ,who could blame it,paid up WestsTigers membership clenched between teeth begging for forgivness for leaving the pack , blaming it on daddy, you , are you suitable to have an animal under your command ,if when woofy comes home a after a week of shaming his self during GF Dog s win
 
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TSP said:
Yeah in my case, the 3 day club cast iron, "bet your life" guarantee to get back to members is now closer to 300 lol.

I ask @Jolls why he thinks the club keeps lying to members and what he thinks we should do about it.

We are usually the only folk not to apologise to when things get really ugly.

Richo should have owned the storm result to us members too but he didnt want to. That showed a lack of leadership imho.

Of course, we like to own successes and big signings...and Brooksy in a finals match!
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think your both sick puppies
 
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Merlot said:
so thats a yes ,i take it . Poor over paid Brooksy will never see a semi final nor will your words reach Richo's ears ,you comfortable about that
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Well, its not really about me and Im not going all prince harry. My life wont really change whether he responds or not.

But i dont think its good for for club optics or for a club culture that the club kind of misleads people into becoming members.

The big sale point for membership is that you are supposed to feel like you are part of something. A sense of belonging.

But they substantially reduced the product in the package, they lie to you about responding and you get news about 1 milisecond before msm.

Ive got a couple of generic responses, but just pr about how great everything is.

So regarding membership, you dont really feel like you belong.

You feel the opposite.

We are piss poor at it. Its holding us back.
 
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TSP said:
Well, its not really about me and Im not going all prince harry. My life wont really change whether he responds or not.

But i dont think its good for for club optics or for a club culture that the club kind of misleads people into becoming members.

The big sale point for membership is that you are supposed to feel like you are part of something. A sense of belonging.

But they substantially reduced the product in the package, they lie to you about responding and you get news about 1 milisecond before msm.

Ive got a couple of generic responses, but just pr about how great everything is.

So regarding membership, you dont really feel like you belong.

You feel the opposite.

We are piss poor at it. Its holding us back.
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i agree, mostly almost, it is a shabby way ,The clubs overall tech response to supporters is not in line with the way some supporters expect . Far from it
 
TSP said:
Yeah in my case, the 3 day club cast iron, "bet your life" guarantee to get back to members is now closer to 300 lol.

I ask @Jolls why he thinks the club keeps lying to members and what he thinks we should do about it.

We are usually the only folk not to apologise to when things get really ugly.

Richo should have owned the storm result to us members too but he didnt want to. That showed a lack of leadership imho.

Of course, we like to own successes and big signings...and Brooksy in a finals match!
Click to expand...
TBH, the lack of communication frustrates me, but the over communication from the previous regime was worse.

I don't think the balance is right, too many fluff pieces from the media team as opposed to the stuff that matters.

I am a few hundred km from Sydney and have no inside links to the club so I get my feeds from all over the shop and as most of it is hearsay and rumour so that has to be taken with a grain of salt.

For mine, should we get some decent feedback and some good ideas from a deep dive it is something we could feed to the club in a respectful manner. Possibly addressed to Richo so he gets a feel for what this section of the fan base would like from its membership.

I expect that they already engage the fan base and create content that "meets the need". That content is aimed to meet a broad base. I think that those of us on this and the other WT forums are a small portion of the fanbase with a greater focus on the technical aspects of the game, club management etc. than most. So I guess what floats our boat may not be what the majority want to hear from the club.

Is the Ambush crew not already linked into the club as representatives of the fan base? Perhaps @cochise can give us some insights into how that is or isn't working.

I will pull something together over the weekend and we can see where it leads and make a decision with what we do with the result in due course.
 
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Jolls said:
TBH, the lack of communication frustrates me, but the over communication from the previous regime was worse.

I don't think the balance is right, too many fluff pieces from the media team as opposed to the stuff that matters.

I am a few hundred km from Sydney and have no inside links to the club so I get my feeds from all over the shop and as most of it is hearsay and rumour so that has to be taken with a grain of salt.

For mine, should we get some decent feedback and some good ideas from a deep dive it is something we could feed to the club in a respectful manner. Possibly addressed to Richo so he gets a feel for what this section of the fan base would like from its membership.

I expect that they already engage the fan base and create content that "meets the need". That content is aimed to meet a broad base. I think that those of us on this and the other WT forums are a small portion of the fanbase with a greater focus on the technical aspects of the game, club management etc. than most. So I guess what floats our boat may not be what the majority want to hear from the club.

Is the Ambush crew not already linked into the club as representatives of the fan base? Perhaps @cochise can give us some insights into how that is or isn't working.

I will pull something together over the weekend and we can see where it leads and make a decision with what we do with the result in due course.
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You make some good points.

Theres a class of members with higher expectations of engagement at the same time, the base level isnt being met.

For a start this 3 day response promise, we shouldnt make it unless we are serious about it. Its happened to me several times.

I can get through to a board member if i really needed to but its an admin issue.

Richo not responding to members direct regarding the storm, a lost management opportunity.
 
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TSP said:
You make some good points.

Theres a class of members with higher expectations of engagement at the same time, the base level isnt being met.

For a start this 3 day response promise, we shouldnt make it unless we are serious about it. Its happened to me several times.

I can get through to a board member if i really needed to but its an admin issue.

Richo not responding to members direct regarding the storm, a lost management opportunity.
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I completely agree with Richo making a the 3 day response statement and failing to meet it. Poor form.

I'm personally not as concerned about no statement from Richo after the flogging - he is not the football department. If that was to come from the club I would expect it to come from Benji and the two Captains.

Not that I have really heard other clubs messaging the fan base after a belting either. If we start to going downhill quickly that is when Richo would come into play as we would be talking about sacking coaches.

Same as the statement on the Poddy about signings in the next three weeks. Doesn't need to leak who we are talking to - simply a statement saying thee has been a delay in negotiations - expect an announcement in X. Probably would have been better to say nothing until he dropped the names.
 
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Based on the discussion here last week I have pulled together a position piece on what fans want from the club. I have pulled this together from what I have heard on the forum so the points are not necessarily my opinion, just a position to base a discussion on.

Deep Dive 6: Engaging the Wests Tigers Fanbase – What Do the Fans Want?

The Wests Tigers fanbase is one of the most passionate, yet long-suffering, in the NRL. The club has struggled with on-field consistency, front-office cohesion, and identity. Years of underperformance, coaching instability, and boardroom dysfunction have left fans frustrated — but still loyal. The Tigers consistently rank high in social media interaction and attendance figures (relative to performance), showing there’s an engaged base hungry for a reason to believe again.

There has been a distinct change of direction with the appointment of new leadership and the appointment of an independent board. Despite this positive change; engagement with the fan-base is still a contentious issue. The club has historically over-engaged with the media and this was seen as a detriment to the club. While the establishment of the Fan Representative Group is a step in the right direction elements of the fan-base now feel under engaged and that West Tigers Management has under-delivered on its “Members First” approach. So, what do the fans want?

1. On-Field Success and Effort. This goes without saying – after over a decade without playing finals football this is the primary driver.
  • Winning culture: Above all, fans want to see their team be competitive. Not necessarily winning the comp every year — but not being wooden spoon contenders either.
  • Effort-based performances: Fans respect grit. Even in losses, they want to see players giving 100% for the jersey — showing pride, aggression, and commitment in every tackle and run.
2. Clear Direction and Leadership
  • A vision from the top: Fans want to know what the club stands for and it is great to see Wests Tigers develop and, so far, stick to a plan that is led from the top. This vision has to include building the systems that enable ongoing success.
  • Accountability: When things go wrong, fans want someone to front the media and own it. Not generic PR spin — real answers.
3. Engagement
  • Members First: While the club does inform its members first, being informed seconds before the media makes a mockery of the concept. As does the CEO’s promise to respond to members; if it can’t be achieved don’t make the statement.
  • Team Updates. There are limited updates on player injuries and estimated return dates. Many other clubs are successful in updating their fans on injured players.
4. Game Day Experience
  • A home ground identity: Is it Leichardt? Campbelltown? Parramatta? While the quality of Leichardt and Campbelltown are recognised as being below standard a roadmap to a home ground identity would go a long way to meeting the needs of fans. Fans want consistency and a spiritual home.
  • Atmosphere over facilities: A shiny world class stadium is not necessary; what is needed is a tribal venue where passion rules.
5. Pride in Wests Tigers
  • Club identity: Who are the Wests Tigers? Fans want a proud, unified culture that isn’t always looking backwards to Balmain vs Magpies.
  • Heritage: Honour legends and history without clinging to the past. Celebrate West Tigers moments, not just Balmain ‘89 or Western Suburbs in the 70s.
  • Strong branding and merch: A modern look, consistent colours, and quality merchandise that fans want to wear proudly.
6. Media Presence and Transparency
  • Media-savvy club: Fans don’t love fluff pieces; they appreciate raw, behind-the-scenes access, training clips, mic’d up players and real engagement. Fans want to be able to hear questions asked of players in media releases. The quality of the mid-week media produced needs to improve – otherwise it is a waste of time for the club, it’s players and fans.
  • Honesty in messaging: Avoid corporate spin. Be real. Be vulnerable. Be hungry.
What Do the Fans Want?

They want to believe again!

Wests Tigers fans have been loyal; but patience has been tested. They want pride in their club, a sense of direction, players who fight for the jersey, and a reason to hope. Winning helps, sure — but so does transparency, identity, and respect. Don’t just say “Members First”; own it and live up to the promised engagement. Keep us informed and own the good and bad.

So WTF, we are a slice of the fanbase, what is it that you want?
 
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