Benji 2025 and Beyond

[BAGNF05]

Benji has my vote. Sorry not sorry to the haters.

I give him at least one more recruitment cycle, the team is competing and still has obvious holes in the forwards. If we can’t recruit to improve that next year, then he’s under the pump.

 

[mtd#2]

His coaching seems to be getting worse as the season goes on

We won 6 from our first 9 games.

Galvin, a player Benji decided to blood and build the team around, publicly comes out and says his career will be elsewhere for the benefit of his development.

Galvin was a central focus of the team. 4 time premiership winner Luai took a back seat to accommodate the coaches plan.

This was going to have a detrimental impact.. In my opinion, it impacted the eels, Souths and storm games.. The Eels and Souths games we could have won... (I still can't believe Moses wasn't sin binned or a penalty try awarded for that tackle on lauallili

Benji now has to adjust on the fly - mason and Luai or Latu and Luai?

Before this dilemma he had the right formula and I'd say 6/9 considering our last 3 seasons is a pretty special start..

He's not going backwards by any fault of his own. I doubt many coaches get through a drama like Lachy Galvin unscathed...

 

[coivtny]

So I've just had a post deleted but have no clue on what basis it was deleted. On the most part I applaud the mods but deleting messages without explanation is unhelpful. Also my post was hardly as incendiary as the posts exchanged a day or two ago between a couple of forum protagonists that went on for pages.

 

[TigerJunior4]

I like Benji’s coaching philosophies and he can obviously sell a vision to players and recruit but he simply doesn’t have the experience to be a successful head coach.

He doesn’t have the experience in establishing pathways and systems, doesn’t have the tactical nous required and hasn’t surrounded himself with exemplary assistant coaches or a coaching director/football manager that could relieve him of pressure and make up for his lack of experience/gap areas.

The Sheens/Benji five year plan was utter madness and probably the worst coaching decision any NRL club has made in the modern game.

We’re stuck with Benji though and will have to work through his flaws because we’ve simply got rid of too many coaches and we’ve got no coaches in the lower grades that can step into the role.

Sacking another coach before his contract is up would probably be the nail in the coffin for the Tigers. I couldn’t see any coach wanting to be here after that.

 

[mtd#2]

I like Benji’s coaching philosophies and he can obviously sell a vision to players and recruit but he simply doesn’t have the experience to be a successful head coach.

He doesn’t have the experience in establishing pathways and systems, doesn’t have the tactical nous required and hasn’t surrounded himself with exemplary assistant coaches or a coaching director/football manager that could relieve him of pressure and make up for his lack of experience/gap areas.

The Sheens/Benji five year plan was utter madness and probably the worst coaching decision any NRL club has made in the modern game.

We’re stuck with Benji though and will have to work through his flaws because we’ve simply got rid of too many coaches and we’ve got no coaches in the lower grades that can step into the role.

Sacking another coach before his contract is up would probably be the nail in the coffin for the Tigers. I couldn’t see any coach wanting to be here after that.

Help me understand because I genuinely don't know.

How much do coaches like Bennett or Hasler have on building pathways? I just can't imagine either would be doing that at their respective clubs..I also don't think it's the role of the NRL coach. There would be a role specifically for that. Sure Benji and the coaching team can help shape it from an influence perspective, but it's a totally different responsibility.

 

[innsaneink]

Way too early tonbe talkingnof sacking him.
We are going through a very rough patch right now...theres a.lesson here for everyone involved at the club and if they all learn from it theyll be better for it.
Theres no deep decline...three Ls in the trot is never good but there were good signs too bar Storm game.
We should be getting some injured players back very soon and hopefully we can start putting 60 70 80 minute games together and we will see more Ws.

 

[TigerJunior4]

Help me understand because I genuinely don't know.

How much do coaches like Bennett or Hasler have on building pathways? I just can't imagine either would be doing that at their respective clubs..I also don't think it's the role of the NRL coach. There would be a role specifically for that. Sure Benji and the coaching team can help shape it from an influence perspective, but it's a totally different responsibility.

Yeah it is hence why I think a coaching director/football manager is required to help Benji in this area.

My point is that I don’t think Benji is making the right selections with assistants and staff. Do you really think a coach like Payne is an adequate pick for State Cup or Matthew Betsey a good fit for head of football?

 

[TigerGene]

Richo must be losing patience. I dont think any coach gets us playing better. Is Luai really a 7 not so sure.

I think If benji gets sacked it will set us back further. Why cant benji get a good senior assistant like a hollbrook

Really good points!!!

Richo should have a long talk with Benji re:

1. Guarantee he sees his contract out provided an assistant coach, agreed by both, is appointed asap.

2. If Benji doesn’t work out as coach, move him to General Manager Football Operations and the assistant appointed takes over.

3. Move Luai to Lock should Latu/Mason or other combo work out over time.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Really good points!!!

Richo should have a long talk with Benji re:

1. Guarantee he sees his contract out provided an assistant coach, agreed by both, is appointed asap.

2. If Benji doesn’t work out as coach, move him to General Manager Football Operations and the assistant appointed takes over.

3. Move Luai to Lock should Latu/Mason or other combo work out over time.

I wouldn’t be moving a 4 time premiership winning half anywhere.

 

[BAGNF05]

I wouldn’t be moving a 4 time premiership winning half anywhere.

There were enough signs last week to leave Luai right where he is. Mason or Latu will do well next to him.

 

[TIGERS]

I like Benji’s coaching philosophies and he can obviously sell a vision to players and recruit but he simply doesn’t have the experience to be a successful head coach.

He doesn’t have the experience in establishing pathways and systems, doesn’t have the tactical nous required and hasn’t surrounded himself with exemplary assistant coaches or a coaching director/football manager that could relieve him of pressure and make up for his lack of experience/gap areas.

The Sheens/Benji five year plan was utter madness and probably the worst coaching decision any NRL club has made in the modern game.

We’re stuck with Benji though and will have to work through his flaws because we’ve simply got rid of too many coaches and we’ve got no coaches in the lower grades that can step into the role.

Sacking another coach before his contract is up would probably be the nail in the coffin for the Tigers. I couldn’t see any coach wanting to be here after that.

You could be right. It's too early to tell after 1.5 seasons and I agree in avoiding just sacking yet another coach. It's too early to say that he can't coach. He's doing it now pretty good. I think we are describing making the 8 and getting this infernal wait for finals footy over and done with.

Whatever happens I think it would be totally toxic for this club to burn another legend by sacking too quick or not seeing something through. He's got some things to learn, but I don't think they're things you pick up coaching in the lower grades either.

I don't think the 5 year plan really exists in real terms. I don't think its worse than appointing Jason Taylor or Mick Potter. Richo is a world class GM of football not just a corporate officer. John Morris is a fine and very experienced coach.

But if we keep recruiting better players like May and Turuva and they're coming mostly to play for Benji... Let's keep on with it

 

[crazycat]

Disagree. How else would you track improvements year to year?

Huge alarm bells on the defensive side of things IMO. Think the improvements in attack can be put down to better individual quality than last year because running the eye test over our attack, it is 🤢

Still huge alarm bells but we have improved massively in defense.

What's sad is... At the start of the year we were working really well with Skelton + Turuva at the wings. Having solid wings in defense meant our centers could depend on their outside players.

Skelton gets injured and that side of our defense crumbles.

Naturally melbourne gets that were running with a light pack and just goes straight through our middle. Heck once you pass that 5 round stage, coaches have watched your game and can pick up weaknesses.


Hoping Benji can finish strong OR that we can nab Brad Arthur as coach.

 

[HUNT 101]

You could be right. It's too early to tell after 1.5 seasons and I agree in avoiding just sacking yet another coach. It's too early to say that he can't coach. He's doing it now pretty good. I think we are describing making the 8 and getting this infernal wait for finals footy over and done with.

Whatever happens I think it would be totally toxic for this club to burn another legend by sacking too quick or not seeing something through. He's got some things to learn, but I don't think they're things you pick up coaching in the lower grades either.

I don't think the 5 year plan really exists in real terms. I don't think its worse than appointing Jason Taylor or Mick Potter. Richo is a world class GM of football not just a corporate officer. John Morris is a fine and very experienced coach.

But if we keep recruiting better players like May and Turuva and they're coming mostly to play for Benji... Let's keep on with it

Yep ,stick with Benji if he wasn't the coach and he was announced in a Andrew Johns type roll everyone would think it's a good move..if we avoid the the spoon it's a improvement and then if we get more quality players next year with the young fellas having a season under there belt we will be closer to the pointy end .

 

[TIGERS]

Hoping Benji can finish strong OR that we can nab Brad Arthur as coach.

Brad Arthur didn't make the finals with Parra until the end of his 4th season as a coach, and got a wooden spoon the following year after that.

 

[Lestronge]

Not sure if you are thinking of Adam Gee who refereed the 2023 Grand Final pretty much to the satisfaction of just about everyone, even rave revues by some.

He then fell out of favour, whether it was politics within the NRL or for what ever reason he just has not had a look in since, but Klown has just gone from strength to strength and like I said I can't stand the little p.rick.

Yep that’s exactly who I was thinking about . He was a good ref . Fell out of favour with the Cabal who are ruining the game .
I heard he actively disobeyed a directive from them , as he disagreed , and they’ve banished him . Pretty funny that when a new crop of refs not influenced by the Sutton brigade , which includes aitkins and the worst ref of all time Klein , start to emerge and excel , that 2 years later the same mediocrity is back on top .
And the young ones coming through . Are shit scared to actually make a decision , because the most technically right , even though it’s not within the spirit of the game , is the right decision apparently…. I’ve been screaming it for the the last 5-10 years .. the sooner there’s a clean out in who has the power in the ref ranks , the better off the game will be .
Getting rid of guys like Gavin Badger , Chechin , and not finding roles for gun past refs like Harrigan and Tim mander , but find ones for failed politicians who was a mediocre ref in his day … is just meh … the game is suffering because of this . It feels like the guys making decisions in the games have never actually played it . They don’t know what it feels like , so there for can’t empathise , and effectively adjudicate on the matches .

 

[Spartan117]

Cam ciraldo had a couple of rough years. Remember

Benji is smart and a hard worker, he does not have the squad yet.

We are building

Be patient,

 

[batboy]

Cam ciraldo had a couple of rough years. Remember

Benji is smart and a hard worker, he does not have the squad yet.

We are building

Be patient,

Strange Comparison....
Also had plenty of experience and the best mentor in the game.
Also not surrounding himself with his mates to help out

 

[Batmans Parents]

Strange Comparison....
Also had plenty of experience and the best mentor in the game.
Also not surrounding himself with his mates to help out

This. I was all for giving Benji until at least the end of next season but bringing in the dunce of our 2010 finals run, with no coaching experience, as an assistant coach was a joke. Not to mention bringing back Hodgo when he did nothing last time he was an assistant here and had done nothing since.

I can live with Morris as he has the experience and our defence has showed signs of improvement this year.

 

[Tom Shines]

I also hear the Wests Tigers development is fragmented and have zero connection to CoE. Reserves/Ron Massey are at Lidcombe, Jersey Flegg are at Liverpool, SG Ball/Matts are split between Campbelltown and Leichhardt. Everyone does their own thing with squalid resources. In contrast, Canterbury, Parra, Penrith, Warriors development teams all use the same facilities as NRL.

The COE for the pathways is being constructed at Campbelltown I believe, so this won’t be changing anytime soon

 

[Tom Shines]

Still separated from NRL. Great work!

Yep,.. they probably got some govt money to build it there no doubt, and it’s where most of the kids live so saves them a commute …

Perhaps the question was why put the NRL COE at Concord…. Although I understand that Council put up some money…. Unfortunately this club is unique …just look at the home games schedule