Coach Benji 👑

[Droppy05]

Whose fault is that? He could have done an apprenticeship if he wanted to.

No one's fault. Just a desperate club for a quick solution.

 

[balmain boy]

Can’t recruit ? At what point prior to his appointment , were we getting early 20s talent well respected with massive upside from other clubs ; who didn’t have a stain against thier name ?
I’m looking at turuva , averillo ,the Fainus , KPP , I succinctly remember a time where we recruited Brandon Wakeham , Jackson Hastings and the ghost of BJ Leilua past (not all same year) and thinking if you squint maybe we win some games) .
Or peak Cleary when we chucked millions at McQueen , matulino , packer, Reynolds and Mbye .
I think you’re on drugs with that comment mate . Same for the can’t negotiate . Which talent have we gone after and not got ?
You could say he’s loyal to players who he shouldn’t be ; exhibit A this AD bullshit . I’d agree with you .
But guys like you have been waiting in the wings for ver since Madge got axed death riding Benji . Let’s be serious …
And sorry but Madge is a blister of a coach . He turns up when all the hard work is done .
And that’s pretty offensive , but it’s true . You work with it really well for a while , feels good even … you even get the work done even better . But at some point that blister is bursting and you’re left with intense pain and big infection you need to get rid of .
I genuinely think Benji has done the leg work . The team is there . He’s definitely the right “Manager” for our club .
We now need much better day to day coaches implementing better strategies.
Ben Teo as 2ic is a good choice . A guys with probably as big of a career as Benji , definitely as big of an ego , and a new voice in the locker room .
I’d also look at Shane sultana moving up , if they can’t find someone more credentialed . With the amount of disruption to his team lists every week , he generally has that team humming , especially in attack.
You could say that’s more of the same , but I don’t think so . He would have zero input to anything going on in the nrl system .

WTF do it actually think Benji has done? Assembled the worst roster in the NRL. With the least depth. With no quality players coming through the grades whatsoever.

Recruitment doesn't just cover NRL, it covers all grades, and that's a concept we haven't understood for a long time. And even then how many signed for Luai moreso than Benji?

The players Benji has signed are signed for either way too long, way too much money, or both. Benji has recruited a squad with zero X factor. No speed. No power. No skill. Just a bunch of average Joe's who (supposedly) work hard. You don't win matches without game breakers.

We're now going to end the season on an 11 match losing streak. It's pathetic, abysmal. Embarrassing.

The best thing Benji has done is get rid of Luai the fraud. I haven't been off Benji until just recently. Tactically, as a player and a coach Benji has always been useless. It's not part of his makeup. Everything's pure, off the cuff instinct. I thought he could at least motivate the boys but the last few months have shown that the boys don't actually play for him, they don't give a stuff about the club or Benji. Benji's complete failure to at least establish a culture where the players bust their asses every game is unacceptable. Now that he's succumbed and given in to player power absolutely no one respects him. That's a massive issue.

Then you look at the horrendous way he's mismanaged the development of Latu and Makasini and all the work the club will need to do to try fix their bodies and confidence.

So what leg work has he established exactly?

No plan, no talent, no staff worth keeping.

Our future has never looked bleaker...

 

[Pringle Gold]

No one's fault. Just a desperate club for a quick solution.

It’s really Pascoe, and the hats fault along with the HBG reps on the board. They made the insane decision to appoint him.

Benji also has to shoulder blame because of his arrogance and lack of insight.

 

[diedpretty]

It really is , especially when you consider that the supporter base of the club is a fantastic and loyal supporter base and can still pull good crowds in spite of everything that has happened over the years.

I would love to see Benji lead the club out of the dark and back to success but I am not sure that he is operating in an environment that is conducive or supportive to that kind of success...How if theres a faction of the majority owners that want to blow up the joint venture and rebirth as Wests Magpies... Which by the way would be a bad idea. The tigers brand is a massive asset to the club

Unfortunately the fate of Balmain Tigers and the Rozelle leagues club debacle has really played into the current state of affairs..

Could something happen that pegs back Wests 90% ownership over WT... Not sure how else the JV could move into better territory..

🙏

LOL - for just an " interested observer " you sure jumped on the kick Wests bandwagon pretty quickly. Its total bullshit that HBG exists only to destroy WT and bring back the magpies.

 

[diedpretty]

G'day
It looks like a tricky situation from all angles. Balmain Tigers RLFC are effectively backed into a corner

I would be thinking along the lines of - what sort of leverage do the fans have.. In terms of being able to push for change. Especially if organised and large in numbers..

I guess those community rallies at Pratten park were angling in the right direction..

This is so fake - own up who are you

 

[426Tlgerland]

Its the football club that need to say we don't want him here and they would then need approval from HBG to cough up.

Its the football club who make the decisions, granted with limited resources but they're the ones who should be copping more of the flak.

The football club is basically HBG , and the football club will do exactly what HBg says they want them to do , if you think this football club board is running things think again , same as our CEO , he will do what he is told by HBG , he is only a puppet , these guys on the board of HBG are grubs

 

[diedpretty]

Todays team will be a real indication of Benji and his staff.

you certainly have your finger on the pulse. we have the bye.

 

[mtd#2]

Next weeks team will be interesting.

Will Benji do whats best for the development of players like andrews and Roberts and let them play out the season in the nrl?

Or will he be under pressure to give the KOE side every possible chance to compete in finals?

 

[Joel Helmes]

Wests Tigers management/ownership is like have an addiction or being in an abusive relationship.

Until you accept your reality, accept you have a problem, you won’t be able to change.

I detest having to have this conversation over and over, but until significant change is made in the way the club is governed, history will just keep repeating and repeating.

It is unsustainable. We have, without doubt, the worst ownership and governance in the NRL.

Unfortunately, the only way to make the change needed will be when fans eventually withdraw all financial support for the club and it falls to its knees.

 

[Lestronge]

WTF do it actually think Benji has done? Assembled the worst roster in the NRL. With the least depth. With no quality players coming through the grades whatsoever.

Recruitment doesn't just cover NRL, it covers all grades, and that's a concept we haven't understood for a long time. And even then how many signed for Luai moreso than Benji?

The players Benji has signed are signed for either way too long, way too much money, or both. Benji has recruited a squad with zero X factor. No speed. No power. No skill. Just a bunch of average Joe's who (supposedly) work hard. You don't win matches without game breakers.

We're now going to end the season on an 11 match losing streak. It's pathetic, abysmal. Embarrassing.

The best thing Benji has done is get rid of Luai the fraud. I haven't been off Benji until just recently. Tactically, as a player and a coach Benji has always been useless. It's not part of his makeup. Everything's pure, off the cuff instinct. I thought he could at least motivate the boys but the last few months have shown that the boys don't actually play for him, they don't give a stuff about the club or Benji. Benji's complete failure to at least establish a culture where the players bust their asses every game is unacceptable. Now that he's succumbed and given in to player power absolutely no one respects him. That's a massive issue.

Then you look at the horrendous way he's mismanaged the development of Latu and Makasini and all the work the club will need to do to try fix their bodies and confidence.

So what leg work has he established exactly?

No plan, no talent, no staff worth keeping.

Our future has never looked bleaker...

theres not a simple thread of fact in your post . It’s all hyperbole and ranting . Everything I said prior to it is based in actual fact .
I have zero idea if he can coach , but recruitment what you’re saying is straight up bullshit .
And as for the madge stuff . It’s true . You and Tucker have been sucking off one of the biggest myths ever since he left . He will get fired mid year next year (which I predicted the day he got hired - win a prem .. will destroy the team afterwards because everyone hates him ) .
Simply put , any chance of really strengthening our depth has gone , as the nrl expands to 20 teams … which will get announced in the next few months for 2029 .
We chose one of the worst times ever to be extremely shit .
This is my biggest issue with you . Everything you say is sensationalist and it’s hard to take seriously . You also never EVER EVER EVER offer a solution to any of your bitching . Whether it’s about the nrl coaching , recruitment and retention or bitching and moaning because your son or nephew or friends kid didn’t get picked for wests tigers junior team .
Have your opinion . Have your rant … BUT STFU if you’re not going to follow it up with a solution and idea .
Because ultimately if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem . And just another dude walking down the street holding a pitchfork … and if you understand the analogy you’ll know how futile and ultimately stupid that is .
So i ask one more time . What is your solution?

 

[Telltails]

It’s really Pascoe, and the hats fault along with the HBG reps on the board. They made the insane decision to appoint him.

Benji also has to shoulder blame because of his arrogance and lack of insight.

Keiran Foran zero experience thrown into the job in the same situation - massive ego arrogant - apparently not ??? - and was the considered the next coming with a pretty handy roster to work with - until things shift and change.
No one goes into coaching to feed their ego they are bigger targets than anyone for being attacked challenged and targeted. They do it to try and make a difference. Benji has got the sh#@test gig in the NRL and everyone with an ounce of football knowledge knows it - that's the biggest influence over his predicamrnt just like those before him

 

[Tigrr2]

Tell me one player who has improved in 2026 apart from Twal maybe? I cant think of anyone else?

 

[Lestronge]

Wests Tigers management/ownership is like have an addiction or being in an abusive relationship.

Until you accept your reality, accept you have a problem, you won’t be able to change.

I detest having to have this conversation over and over, but until significant change is made in the way the club is governed, history will just keep repeating and repeating.

It is unsustainable. We have, without doubt, the worst ownership and governance in the NRL.

Unfortunately, the only way to make the change needed will be when fans eventually withdraw all financial support for the club and it falls to its knees.

What’s your solution man? You guys have been saying the same shit over and over for weeks now .
I’m sick of reading it . It’s every thread . I’m just as off this club as anyone , but this is next level ridiculous .
Fire Benji ? Cool ! You reckon the team is shit now …. Wait until march . So if the club has hitched its wagon to Benji , which it has … whether you agree or don’t .
Then what’s some other ideas to get Benji and the team winning .
For me I love the idea of Ben Teo at defense . I’d look to get Shane sultana higher in the club , as he seems to have that magic dust for winning footy matches .
Attacking coach is much harder . Because that’s the person I think would be the one to supplant Benji . And it would take a very secure coach to hire his potential replacement . I’m not sure Benji is that guy.
I genuinely think the issue is 2 running halves . One who runs his outside men into touch , skips back in , and the other who can’t pass the ball and doesn’t really seem to value setting other people up to score .
Watch the KOE especially when Latu and Javon played together and there’s 2 halves whose first option is run … sure , but it’s very very very closely followed by the second option of putting someone through a gap.
And , from my experience , there’s nothing better than doing some trickery , which you meant to do , whether it’s a faint , or dummy inside to put someone over .
Even identifying a weak defender and telling your half to engage them for a no looker inside , and you go through untouched . There’s nothing better. I genuinely don’t think our nrl halves feel this way , and they prefer to be the guy stepping 3 blokes to score . And ultimately in the nrl that rarely gets you tries .
The guys in KOE definitely think this way . Issue is they’re both very young , ones an arm grabber because he needs another offseason in the gym , the other has a technique that has been outlawed .
I wouldn’t blood them yet for whole games . But I’d definitely blood them for the cowboys , not the roosters and depending on which team the panthers field ie. if it’s thier KOE team then them as well.
That’s my actual solution. We need to get Sukkar making better choices defensively . Same for Masi . He’s 18 he will get there . We have the right choice made for right centre already . Averillo will be good . So we have the right edge sorted KPP, averillo , Tito . And the left edge sorted Fainu , May , Masi .
We need a ball playing lock . IM telling AD that’s him . We have the backup dummy half in Brailey who I would have gone after .. Twal goes to 10 next to May 8 . We get Leniu from the roosters .
So a bench of brailey , Pole , Leniu ,( Sukkar/Roberts/ young gun forward / Lanyon as a 13, as we need to transition away from usual suspects, a backup half not madden , and whichever of our many outside backs we have who are doing real well in the 2 feeder teams.
Depth of Seyfarth , Sione , whoever doesn’t get the job of Roberts , Sukkar , Lanyon , young forward , and I’d bring in an old head like Lawrie from St George to add experience in KOE. Chuck in all the young guns killing it in KOE and that’s already a fair top 30.
We screwed up this year in 2 ways . We didn’t sign a backup 9 , and we didn’t sign an edge backrower . We also over estimated guys like Geyers ability . And even Murray . I’d keep Charlie Murray btw for KOE.
These are actual solutions .
TLDR ;
Assistant coaches in Teo and a reputable attacking coach ; also promote Shane sultana to an nrl assistant coaching position as well .
Give the keys to Latu and Javon . Javon has 10 more try assist than the next bloke in any level of 2nd grade whether Q cup or KOE . Teo needs to work hard on thier techniques .
Sign - Leniu , serviceable half who can implement a system maybe the third may , another edge backrower, a Blake Lawrie type to lead the KOE pack around . I really like the 2 signings we made already .
Masi spends the year on the wing as well .

 

[Lestronge]

Tell me one player who has improved in 2026 apart from Twal maybe? I cant think of anyone else?

No one . They all got injured or suspended at critical moments in thier season, and with the off field stuff with luai , there was no resilience in the team.
Real talk —- the team was built around luai and him galvanising the group and providing the leadership and backbone . When he walked , he lost the group , and one by one everybody’s head dropped .
Benji chose the wrong leader … and the heir apparent AD, IMO , proved to be a whiny , egotistical little [This word has been automatically removed] . Regardless of how I feel his apology was sincere . Not a leaders areshole . And everyone else not named api doesn’t have the runs on the board or the temperament for it(I’m looking at you Terrell) . Once we resign Samuela , which I’m confident we do, I make him the captain, I tell api mate you’re our club captain , we love you , but you don’t need the headache , and I completely change the leadership group . I put Tito and Twal in there as well . And Bula .(he’s a million dollar player and here for the foreseeable future , force him to be a leader ) ,
Guys like Seyfarth and AD , had thier chance , no one was following them . We need new voices .

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Tell me one player who has improved in 2026 apart from Twal maybe? I cant think of anyone else?

Pretty much the only player that has improved under Benji.

 

[Pringle Gold]

Keiran Foran zero experience thrown into the job in the same situation - massive ego arrogant - apparently not ??? - and was the considered the next coming with a pretty handy roster to work with - until things shift and change.
No one goes into coaching to feed their ego they are bigger targets than anyone for being attacked challenged and targeted. They do it to try and make a difference. Benji has got the sh#@test gig in the NRL and everyone with an ounce of football knowledge knows it - that's the biggest influence over his predicamrnt just like those before him

Yeah I don’t disagree that he has the hardest job in the comp and the clubs issues run far deeper than the coach.

But can Benji coach? Just because there are other issues doesn’t exclude Benji from criticism or scrutiny.

He’s shown he can’t coach. He’s not the only problem but he’s one of them.

 

[TheEnz]

I know its another 2005 player, however I wonder what it would take to get Scott Prince on board as an assistant coach. probably more than what our owners are willing to pay.

 

[Lestronge]

I know its another 2005 player, however I wonder what it would take to get Scott Prince on board as an assistant coach. probably more than what our owners are willing to pay.

He’s doing a pretty good job with the broncos girls . Hard to judge because of how good thier team is . I genuinely think we need an external attacking coach . Benji to overseer as he genuinely gets the culture but guys in the coaches box who can offer alternate points of view .

 

[innsaneink]

I know its another 2005 player, however I wonder what it would take to get Scott Prince on board as an assistant coach. probably more than what our owners are willing to pay.

Dont think he really like Sydney...and he copped a fair bit of crap when he signed with the Titans...turning up to post match functions with minders dwarfing him

 

[mtd#2]

If we can jag ben teo and ben hornby as assitants, it will definitively help