Coach Benji 👑

[Jolls]

Whadya mean 2.5 years to vote?
Is there a vote waiting list?
I’ve been a member for 9 years and did not member up this tenth year. They fkd up my auto renewal and I thought how unprofessional is this club? I give them a direct feed line to my account to suck money from once a year for a hat and bumper sticker and they fkd it up? Some snotty botch called and I said not today and then crickets. Free money every year? It’s a struggle but T4L Jolls. 😎

This is the way I understand it form reading the constitution.

Member Eligibility to Vote

• The 3-Year Rule: A person must be a continuous general member of HBG or the Western Suburbs Magpies Football Club for a minimum of three consecutive years to be eligible to apply for an upgrade to a voting membership.
• Board Approval: Once the three-year threshold is met, the membership upgrade is not automatic; it must be officially approved by the board.
• Voting Restrictions: Approved voting members can only vote for or nominate candidates for a minority of the board positions (2 out of 7 seats), as the majority of power is legally tethered to the debenture pool.

Eligibility to be Considered for a Debenture

• Prerequisite Membership: You must already be an active, eligible general member of an HBG-associated club.
• Vacancy Requirement: Debentures are capped at a historic pool of 20 holders. A member can only be considered for a debenture when an existing holder resigns, passes away, or a vacancy otherwise opens. They cannot be assigned, sold, or inherited by relatives.
• Selection Process: When a vacancy occurs, candidates submit Expressions of Interest. A board-appointed Debenture Holder Selection and Review Committee vets the candidates before passing recommendations to the main board for final approval.

So from my read you have to have your snout in the trough with the debenture holders before you can become one. Which is what I was eferring to about having to infiltrate the system.

 

[Jolls]

We don’t have a long term leader at the club , Sam F great player , no chance to be our leader , Twally , May , Turuva , etc etc , true leaders are in the mould of Cameron Smith , we need to find a Cameron smith as his players and the ref did what he wanted them to do , very very smart operator, API is only hear for a year or so and is half broken now so we need to find that leader , big voice , has brains , has footy brain , and can drive his idea or request to the limit , we don’t have anyone at the club now , it’s time to buy one

Yes, if one was available to recruit that would be an option, but I don't see them hanging on trees for 2027. We already have a quiet lead form the front type of leader in Api for next year, and he is getting on. But we need Benji to develop a short term fix now. Without being inside the walls, Sam F, appeared (from what I saw on Saturday) to still have respect from the team. If his character is true he could become the the leader we need in the short term. Only those in the system truly know and the key to leadership is about character more than anything else - which was the point I was getting at.

Leadership itself is situational, a good leader adapts his style to meet the task at hand. This is where Api lacks; he is definitley a leader, but his style is to lead from the front. While this is effective on the field it is not the motivational style that is required at different times - someone who can step back at times and be one of the boys, but step in with authority when required. Someone who has empathy, but makes hard right decisions even when the easy wrong ones can possible still get the job done. There is a fine line for them to tread normally, when you are taking about professional athletes where egos can be a huge issue, you need to have strong character to be successful.

 

[BeeCeen]

Whadya mean 2.5 years to vote?
Is there a vote waiting list?
I’ve been a member for 9 years and did not member up this tenth year. They fkd up my auto renewal and I thought how unprofessional is this club? I give them a direct feed line to my account to suck money from once a year for a hat and bumper sticker and they fkd it up? Some snotty botch called and I said not today and then crickets. Free money every year? It’s a struggle but T4L Jolls. 😎

I think the 2.5 years to vote refers to being a member of Wests Ashfiled Leagues Club (HBG), not Wests Tigers?

 

[cqtiger]

All I know is that after listening to Wests Tigers TV coaches report that Rob Bechara Jr is not very smart. He starts off by saying “I’m not defending what AD did ….”

Then spends an hour defending AD.

 

[BeeCeen]

If AD just plays on with no repercussions for refusing to play, how does Marshall pull anyone else up in future for poor behaviour? What kind of example does that set for the juniors coming through? Sounds crazy.

 

[Jolls]

Well maybe he bloody should. I loved to hear someone at our club break it down, although there was a little AD bias coming through but generally I reckon you are really good at the balanced approach, and putting the eye test to the sword.
I know the saying about listening to the fans and all, but seriously it’s not rocket science.
@ShaunMielekamp meet @Jolls
Just have a chat with him would ya.

Yes, probably right about the AD bias, but he really pissed me off with his attitude the other day. I have no doubt that he is a good bloke and tries hard. I also have no doubt, in his own mind, that he believes that what he was doing was standing his ground on principle. However, to me it just showed his true character.

There are plenty here taking swings at Benji for his coaching ability and hiring yes men. I truly don't see it; he has shown that he can get the team on one sheet of paper and he has shown that he has integrity and moral courage.

Could the selection of assistants be better from a purely football point of view? Probably, but was that the purpose of the appointments. Were they good enough to have us playing winning football at the same time as developing something internally to build what we stand for? Well you would have to say up until round 8 yes.

I'm not sure that even with Bellamy and Bennet as assistants that the injury/leadership challenges would have been surmountable. We were heading in the right direction, now we need to get it back on track. It is no insurmountable, but there are some hard decsions to be made.

 

[Flippedy]

Thats why i often wonder if he was deliberately set up to fail. (Extension)
HB dont give a rats about WT

Ah ha, the tin foiled hat conspiracy theorist in me has been thinking the exact same thing Ink! Sign Benji long term because they know he can’t really coach, the team continues to fail miserably and they can go off into the sunset and play bowls or whatever it is they want to do with the club. Probably try and bring the Magpies back, because as you say, they don’t give a rats about Wests Tigers.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

If AD just plays on with no repercussions for refusing to play, how does Marshall pull anyone else up in future for poor behaviour? What kind of example does that set for the juniors coming through? Sounds crazy.

Good points man, at the very least he should pull his head in and play lock, if Benji plays him in the halves next game he's as weak as piss.

If the team didn't need him so desperately at the moment you'd dump his arse to reserve grade for the rest of the season.

 

[davey_farrell]

If AD just plays on with no repercussions for refusing to play, how does Marshall pull anyone else up in future for poor behaviour? What kind of example does that set for the juniors coming through? Sounds crazy.

Exactly!!!! Benji will just say he wasnt in the right head space so we have to respect that..blah blah blah

 

[Jolls]

Exactly!!!! Benji will just say he wasnt in the right head space so we have to respect that..blah blah blah

I do not think pandering to AD will fix the damage that has been done even if they can have a rational and open conversation about it. The stand down will be preceived as betrayal by the playing group; this is something that will not be overcome. He has burnt the trust.

 

[innsaneink]

Ah ha, the tin foiled hat conspiracy theorist in me has been thinking the exact same thing Ink! Sign Benji long term because they know he can’t really coach, the team continues to fail miserably and they can go off into the sunset and play bowls or whatever it is they want to do with the club. Probably try and bring the Magpies back, because as you say, they don’t give a rats about Wests Tigers.

I know its carzy and outrageous to think this way...but seriously that extension was crazy and outrageous...and everyone thought it too

 

[liltiger]

They wouldn't care. Its other peoples money theyre spending.

True but at some point they would have to justify it to someone.

 

[bigsiro]

@Jolls great post. .

I totally get what the club were trying to achieve in 2026 and, if I may infer, when they brought Benji in as coach. They knew he was inexperienced. But experience had counted for naught with higher-profile coaches we had. They also spoke about standards, but the results never followed and, ultimately, the players either stopped responding or revolted. Benji was brought in to be different: someone the players respected, someone they'd follow, and someone who could attract quality recruits. He was never going to turn a wooden-spoon roster into a perennial finals team in two seasons.

I like how you said, "I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders." I'll criticise some of Benji's tactics too, we've all seen some head scratchers. But as they say, culture eats strategy for breakfast. The best game plan in the world means nothing if the players don't have the commitment to execute it.
Culture cannot be an optional, it's the foundation everything else sits on. And if it is indeed the priority, difficult decisions become unavoidable. None of this puts Benji above criticism. Like every coach, he'll ultimately be judged on results. But how is he supposed to build a winning culture with players who undermine it, or with a roster lacking depth? Sometimes the hard call is the only call.

He fought off the Galvin saga: personal ambushes, media circus and all. The club stood by its principles and came out of it with its dignity intact. Tick.

Managed Luai's exit and the media storm around it. Huge call, terrific outcome for the club. Tick.

Now he's dealing with the Douehi debacle.

Add the HBG issues, the Richo situation, injuries and a lack of depth, and if that's not a trial by fire for a rookie coach, then what is?

In every instance, he's shown that values and standards dictate his decisions. That's exactly what you're talking about when you say leaders eat last.

He's the one fronting the media, accepting responsibility, absorbing the criticism, protecting his players and, frankly, protecting whatever little self-respect this club has left.

"That's called integrity! That's called courage! Now that's the stuff leaders should be made of." (Love me some Lt Col Slade).

So from my perspective, the calls on here for Benji to be sacked or to fall on his sword, particularly at this moment, and from our own fans no less, are inexplicable and frankly, disgraceful.

I know I'll make enemies on here for saying that. So be it.

 

[BeeCeen]

True but at some point they would have to justify it to someone.

I think that is the incredible thing about HBG: the people who get to vote for the controlling share of the board (5 of the 7 board members) are the debenture holders, not the general members who can only vote for 2 of the 7 board places. So the debenture holders control the board and get to decide what is or is not spent. And the only way that debentures get passed to someone else is if someone dies or elects to give one up. And then the people who get to decide who will get that debentures are... the board, which is controlled by the debenture holders.

So if the debenture holders want to minimally fund the Wests Tigers, or spend money doing something else, or not spend any money, they can.

 

[liltiger]

I think that is the incredible thing about HBG: the people who get to vote for the controlling share of the board (5 of the 7 board members) are the debenture holders, not the general members who can only vote for 2 of the 7 board places. So the debenture holders control the board and get to decide what is or is not spent. And the only way that debentures get passed to someone else is if someone dies or elects to give one up. And then the people who get to decide who will get that debentures are... the board, which is controlled by the debenture holders.

So if the debenture holders want to minimally fund the Wests Tigers, or spend money doing something else, or not spend any money, they can.

Its a closed system. They just play musical chairs but the players never change.

 

[Telltails]

The players have the coaches livelihood in their hands they all know it.
I believe this is all about saving face for AD - he may a few mates at this club who sympathize but he is not getting any from other players and or probably coaches elsewhere based on his actions. He is looking alot like Zac Lomax but not as good.
If he wants out he has to play some good footy and man up. Even his manager knows he is a hard sell after what happened on the weekend especially if he is looking for more money.

 

[liltiger]

I do not think pandering to AD will fix the damage that has been done even if they can have a rational and open conversation about it. The stand down will be preceived as betrayal by the playing group; this is something that will not be overcome. He has burnt the trust.

Now they have taken him back its destined Benji to be doomed as a coach. Benjis authority has been eroded. Next year when Benji says we stand for something now theres the f'n door. The guys will be thinking what about Adam. Moral of the story for the younger guys stuck in reserve grade is tell Benji to get buggered and youll be given a debut. I like Adam but he had to go. We are such an amature organisation in a professional comp. Other thing is aswell all the stuff in the media was leaked by Adams end. How do we know next time hes not happy things end up in the media again. Get him out. Set a standard.

 

[liltiger]

@Jolls great post. .

I totally get what the club were trying to achieve in 2026 and, if I may infer, when they brought Benji in as coach. They knew he was inexperienced. But experience had counted for naught with higher-profile coaches we had. They also spoke about standards, but the results never followed and, ultimately, the players either stopped responding or revolted. Benji was brought in to be different: someone the players respected, someone they'd follow, and someone who could attract quality recruits. He was never going to turn a wooden-spoon roster into a perennial finals team in two seasons.

I like how you said, "I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders." I'll criticise some of Benji's tactics too, we've all seen some head scratchers. But as they say, culture eats strategy for breakfast. The best game plan in the world means nothing if the players don't have the commitment to execute it.
Culture cannot be an optional, it's the foundation everything else sits on. And if it is indeed the priority, difficult decisions become unavoidable. None of this puts Benji above criticism. Like every coach, he'll ultimately be judged on results. But how is he supposed to build a winning culture with players who undermine it, or with a roster lacking depth? Sometimes the hard call is the only call.

He fought off the Galvin saga: personal ambushes, media circus and all. The club stood by its principles and came out of it with its dignity intact. Tick.

Managed Luai's exit and the media storm around it. Huge call, terrific outcome for the club. Tick.

Now he's dealing with the Douehi debacle.

Add the HBG issues, the Richo situation, injuries and a lack of depth, and if that's not a trial by fire for a rookie coach, then what is?

In every instance, he's shown that values and standards dictate his decisions. That's exactly what you're talking about when you say leaders eat last.

He's the one fronting the media, accepting responsibility, absorbing the criticism, protecting his players and, frankly, protecting whatever little self-respect this club has left.

"That's called integrity! That's called courage! Now that's the stuff leaders should be made of." (Love me some Lt Col Slade).

So from my perspective, the calls on here for Benji to be sacked or to fall on his sword, particularly at this moment, and from our own fans no less, are inexplicable and frankly, disgraceful.

I know I'll make enemies on here for saying that. So be it.

Agree Siro but as i posted elsewhere by taking Adam back i cant see how Benji comes out of this without losing some authority over the playing group. Its all great to have good relationships with the players but in the back of their minds they have to know Benjis the boss. Just cant see how he hasnt been undermined after this. I like Adam but i think he needed to go.

 

[Telltails]

Are they pandering to Douehi or has he come back knowing he screwed up. He is getting zero sympathy for his actions he got outed by Kimmorley. He has done more damage to his reputation than anything else that has resulted from events of last weekend.

 

[Jolls]

Now they have taken him back its destined Benji to be doomed as a coach. Benjis authority has been eroded. Next year when Benji says we stand for something now theres the f'n door. The guys will be thinking what about Adam. Moral of the story for the younger guys stuck in reserve grade is tell Benji to get buggered and youll be given a debut. I like Adam but he had to go. We are such an amature organisation in a professional comp. Other thibg is aswell all the stuff in the media was leaked byvAdams end. How do we know next time hes not happy things end up in the media again. Get him out. Set a standard.

I think that we will need to watch how this pans out over the next few days. AD's hs burnt any credits he had with the team. My gut feel is that the playing group will be divided and we will continue to flounder; however, if they sit down openly and candidly and bring it out as a team and lay it on th table warts and all, maybe there is somethign to be salvaged. It is a huge ask and I am certainly not expecting anything positive to come from it. Maybe some truths will come out; but more likely the resentment will fester.