Coach Benji 👑

[pawsandclaws1]

We aren’t debating whether he is a fraud … we are debating whether his announcement that he is leaving the club in 18 months time led to the rest of the team deciding to drop their bundle and give up on the season …smells like BS to me ..and it didn’t happen when he did exactly the same thing at Penrith!

I have know doubt it impacted team morale. We had Luai with his arm out beckoning his players to follow him in lifting WTs from the doldrums. Early results were good but then it all fell apart. The loss of KPP and Sam Fainu didn't help.

 

[Tom Shines]

I have know doubt it impacted team morale. We had Luai with his arm out beckoning his players to follow him in lifting WTs from the doldrums. Early results were good but then it all fell apart. The loss of KPP and Sam Fainu didn't help.

Well ..I doubt they were happy about it …but as an excuse for such a dramatic collapse seems over the top and I don’t want it to disguise the real problem (s)

A number of players re-signed with the club straight away after his announcement…couldn’t have been too upset, but they are some of the players that have had the biggest drop in form

 

[Betterdays22]

We aren’t debating whether he is a fraud … we are debating whether his announcement that he is leaving the club in 18 months time led to the rest of the team deciding to drop their bundle and give up on the season …smells like BS to me ..and it didn’t happen when he did exactly the same thing at Penrith!

More of a perfect storm type situation I think. IMO Luai's announcement coincided with:
- Injuries to key players meaning we were forced to play 5 or 6 reserve graders. Our system, which relied on aggressive front loaded energy in the pack, the yardage game of our back 5 and creativity off our backrowers totally fell apart (especially with injuries to KPP, Fainu and Bula).
- The crackdown on the speed of the ruck, which we were benefitting from greatly, ended

The above is a mixture of bad luck, poor coaching and systems and the decisions of individual players and total loss of confidence and belief.

Then there are the obvious systemic factors: Identity, Funding, Stadiums and Management.

Put it all together that is where it all went wrong. Solutions will not be easy to come by.

 

[Tom Shines]

More of a perfect storm type situation I think. IMO Luai's announcement coincided with:
- Injuries to key players meaning we were forced to play 5 or 6 reserve graders. Our system, which relied on aggressive front loaded energy in the pack, the yardage game of our back 5 and creativity off our backrowers totally fell apart (especially with injuries to KPP, Fainu and Bula).
- The crackdown on the speed of the ruck, which we were benefitting from greatly, ended

The above is a mixture of bad luck, poor coaching and systems and the decisions of individual players and total loss of confidence and belief.

Then there are the obvious systemic factors: Identity, Funding, Stadiums and Management.

Put it all together that is where it all went wrong. Solutions will not be easy to come by.

There are also clearly problems with some players having bad attitudes and displaying a lack of effort… particularly the moment the club faces a bit of adversity and they aren’t downhill skiing anymore

I’ll also suggest they got the offseason conditioning program wrong and that might have been a factor in the injury list … the coach has also seemingly insisted on some players that look gassed now playing too many minutes earlier in the season …and other players being picked out of their best position consistently, weakening two positions instead of one ..

 

[Betterdays22]

There are also clearly problems with some players having bad attitudes and displaying a lack of effort… particularly the moment the club faces a bit of adversity and they aren’t downhill skiing anymore

I’ll also suggest they got the offseason conditioning program wrong and that might have been a factor in the injury list … the coach has also seemingly insisted on some players that look gassed now playing too many minutes earlier in the season …and other players being picked out of their best position consistently, weakening two positions instead of one ..

Yep, the problems are many and pretty obvious to see. Solutions are difficult without burning the joint to the ground and building it again which will take time and money, two things we don't really have access to.

Anyone thinking its a quick fix are kidding themselves.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He could have created a good niche for himself as a club ambassador, or even an assistant. Could have had the same relationship with the players. Would have been a lot easier to be on of the boys as an ambassador. Hell, he could have even participated in the odd training drill every now and then without raising eyebrows. Would have been a perfect role for him, and no one would have blinked. Instead, he’s bitten off more than he could chew, with not even an apprenticeship. And he’s slowly turning into a villain with how much this side is going backwards (Not that we were going that far forward to begin with). Every stint he’s had at the club has ended in the same manner with the supporters wanting to see the back of him. It’s staggering.

 

[Tom Shines]

Yep, the problems are many and pretty obvious to see. Solutions are difficult without burning the joint to the ground and building it again which will take time and money, two things we don't really have access to.

Anyone thinking its a quick fix are kidding themselves.

Well…the coach and most of the senior playing squad are under lock and key for years to come …so expect more of the same would be my guess …

There are limited options to explore ,,,but perhaps they should start with taking a look at the strength and conditioning program and getting Benji some experienced help ..Johnny Morris is leaving and he was the most experienced coach at the club

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

He could have created a good niche for himself as a club ambassador, or even an assistant. Could have had the same relationship with the players. Would have been a lot easier to be on of the boys as an ambassador. Hell, he could have even participated in the odd training drill every now and then without raising eyebrows. Would have been a perfect role for him, and no one would have blinked. Instead, he’s bitten off more than he could chew, with not even an apprenticeship. And he’s slowly turning into a villain with how much this side is going backwards (Not that we were going that far forward to begin with). Every stint he’s had at the club has ended in the same manner with the supporters wanting to see the back of him. It’s staggering.

Staggering? Not really. It's not surprising in the slightest.

 

[Betterdays22]

Well…the coach and most of the senior playing squad are under lock and key for years to come …so expect more of the same would be my guess …

There are limited options to explore ,,,but perhaps they should start with taking a look at the strength and conditioning program and getting Benji some experienced help ..Johnny Morris is leaving and he was the most experienced coach at the club

Yeah I would probably start with:
- New assistant coaches - Ben Teo and Ben Hornby top of my list
- 4 or 5 Brailey type signings. No more Cup veterans as NRL depth. More guys with genuine NRL pedigree who can't crack their club.
- Total review not just of S&C. Recruit the best and most experienced guys in S&C, Physio, Psych.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah I would probably start with:
- New assistant coaches - Ben Teo and Ben Hornby top of my list
- 4 or 5 Brailey type signings. No more Cup veterans as NRL depth. More guys with genuine NRL pedigree who can't crack their club.
- Total review not just of S&C. Recruit the best and most experienced guys in S&C, Physio, Psych.

What I expect will happen is the club will re-structure the roles of Craig Sandercock, Tyrone McCarthy & Shane Sultana as well as bring in ONE experienced, proven assistant coach. Not sure how the first 3 we evolve but some thoughts ...

Sandercock, I don't think they'll remove him from NRLW head coach but may give him an expanded role like as Senior Coaching Director, to help develop our coaches (Assistants, Cup & Flegg) to free up Benji to focus on fewer areas (NRL, recruitment).

McCarthy, not sure as he's recently been appointed as Pathways Coaching Director (+ pt Cup coach) and this is where he has a lot of experience. I do like his attacking structures in Cup so an Assistant Coach role not out of the realms of possibility.

Sultana, has the best record of any coach in our club the past 2 seasons except Sandercock. After this 2nd season in Flegg, I'd like him to be promoted to NSW Cup coach.

@jrtiger have you heard anything on coaches for junior reps next season?

 

[Betterdays22]

What I expect will happen is the club will re-structure the roles of Craig Sandercock, Tyrone McCarthy & Shane Sultana as well as bring in ONE experienced, proven assistant coach. Not sure how the first 3 we evolve but some thoughts ...

Sandercock, I don't think they'll remove him from NRLW head coach but may give him an expanded role like as Senior Coaching Director, to help develop our coaches (Assistants, Cup & Flegg) to free up Benji to focus on fewer areas (NRL, recruitment).

McCarthy, not sure as he's recently been appointed as Pathways Coaching Director (+ pt Cup coach) and this is where he has a lot of experience. I do like his attacking structures in Cup so an Assistant Coach role not out of the realms of possibility.

Sultana, has the best record of any coach in our club the past 2 seasons except Sandercock. After this 2nd season in Flegg, I'd like him to be promoted to NSW Cup coach.

@jrtiger have you heard anything on coaches for junior reps next season?

I remember Richo was talking about progression/development of coaches through the grades as being a goal so that would make sense if they head in that direction. At least 1 external coaching recruit has to be a priority though. Cowboys did a good job of it last year:

Cowboys bolster Football Department for 2026

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have strengthened its Football Department for the 2026 season and beyond with the additions of Assistant Coaches Blake Green and Paul Wellens, recently retired Cowboys prop Jordan McLean as Transitions Coach and the highly respected Don Singe in the newly...

www.cowboys.com.au

 

[wstigers11]

What I expect will happen is the club will re-structure the roles of Craig Sandercock, Tyrone McCarthy & Shane Sultana as well as bring in ONE experienced, proven assistant coach. Not sure how the first 3 we evolve but some thoughts ...

Sandercock, I don't think they'll remove him from NRLW head coach but may give him an expanded role like as Senior Coaching Director, to help develop our coaches (Assistants, Cup & Flegg) to free up Benji to focus on fewer areas (NRL, recruitment).

McCarthy, not sure as he's recently been appointed as Pathways Coaching Director (+ pt Cup coach) and this is where he has a lot of experience. I do like his attacking structures in Cup so an Assistant Coach role not out of the realms of possibility.

Sultana, has the best record of any coach in our club the past 2 seasons except Sandercock. After this 2nd season in Flegg, I'd like him to be promoted to NSW Cup coach.

@jrtiger have you heard anything on coaches for junior reps next season?

I’d hate to see them take Sandy away from the girls team after they’ve finally started to turn around.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

What I expect will happen is the club will re-structure the roles of Craig Sandercock, Tyrone McCarthy & Shane Sultana as well as bring in ONE experienced, proven assistant coach. Not sure how the first 3 we evolve but some thoughts ...

Sandercock, I don't think they'll remove him from NRLW head coach but may give him an expanded role like as Senior Coaching Director, to help develop our coaches (Assistants, Cup & Flegg) to free up Benji to focus on fewer areas (NRL, recruitment).

McCarthy, not sure as he's recently been appointed as Pathways Coaching Director (+ pt Cup coach) and this is where he has a lot of experience. I do like his attacking structures in Cup so an Assistant Coach role not out of the realms of possibility.

Sultana, has the best record of any coach in our club the past 2 seasons except Sandercock. After this 2nd season in Flegg, I'd like him to be promoted to NSW Cup coach.

@jrtiger have you heard anything on coaches for junior reps next season?

Plus I think we'll blow up our S&C dept and bring in a fresh Head of S&C. The club needs something significant to change and new fresh program may just invigorate the squad.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I’d hate to see them take Sandy away from the girls team after they’ve finally started to turn around.

That's why I don't think they will but he can do a lot more for the entire club in the key October to April period.

 

[Betterdays22]

I remember Richo was talking about progression/development of coaches through the grades as being a goal so that would make sense if they head in that direction. At least 1 external coaching recruit has to be a priority though. Cowboys did a good job of it last year:

Cowboys bolster Football Department for 2026

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have strengthened its Football Department for the 2026 season and beyond with the additions of Assistant Coaches Blake Green and Paul Wellens, recently retired Cowboys prop Jordan McLean as Transitions Coach and the highly respected Don Singe in the newly...

www.cowboys.com.au

Should add if Benji is not on board with any of the changes that need to be made, then he goes. It's simple as that.

 

[wstigers11]

- Total review not just of S&C. Recruit the best and most experienced guys in S&C, Physio, Psych.

Gus did this at the Dogs. Made Travis Touma an offer he couldn’t refuse.

 

[jrtiger]

What I expect will happen is the club will re-structure the roles of Craig Sandercock, Tyrone McCarthy & Shane Sultana as well as bring in ONE experienced, proven assistant coach. Not sure how the first 3 we evolve but some thoughts ...

Sandercock, I don't think they'll remove him from NRLW head coach but may give him an expanded role like as Senior Coaching Director, to help develop our coaches (Assistants, Cup & Flegg) to free up Benji to focus on fewer areas (NRL, recruitment).

McCarthy, not sure as he's recently been appointed as Pathways Coaching Director (+ pt Cup coach) and this is where he has a lot of experience. I do like his attacking structures in Cup so an Assistant Coach role not out of the realms of possibility.

Sultana, has the best record of any coach in our club the past 2 seasons except Sandercock. After this 2nd season in Flegg, I'd like him to be promoted to NSW Cup coach.

@jrtiger have you heard anything on coaches for junior reps next season?

no but I wouldn’t be holding out much hope.

 

[Telltails]

[QUOTE

He could have created a good niche for himself as a club ambassador, or even an assistant. Could have had the same relationship with the players. Would have been a lot easier to be on of the boys as an ambassador. Hell, he could have even participated in the odd training drill every now and then without raising eyebrows. Would have been a perfect role for him, and no one would have blinked. Instead, he’s bitten off more than he could chew, with not even an apprenticeship. And he’s slowly turning into a villain with how much this side is going backwards (Not that we were going that far forward to begin with). Every stint he’s had at the club has ended in the same manner with the supporters wanting to see the back of him. It’s staggering.

That's what we do - bag our own.
Benji will be fine and always respected by peers and students of the game for what he achieved.

His association with the club as a failed coach - unless something miraculous happens -;will be a reflection of the club just like all the players and coaches that have also failed while being associated with this club.

 

[BeeCeen]

Weird. I'd have thought as different minor entities Magpies and Balmain district clubs would have their own CEO's and report separately to HBG. Shaun would/ should be CEO for HBG and WT.

I think that Shaun is only CEO of Wests Tigers. HBG has its own CEO, Daniel Paton - https://clubmanagement.com.au/holman-barnes-group-names-daniel-paton-as-new-ceo/, and own board - https://holmanbarnesgroup.com.au/application-form/our-directors/ , which appoints the majority of the members of the Wests Tigers board.

 

[magpies forever]

I think that Shaun is only CEO of Wests Tigers. HBG has its own CEO, Daniel Paton - https://clubmanagement.com.au/holman-barnes-group-names-daniel-paton-as-new-ceo/, and own board - https://holmanbarnesgroup.com.au/application-form/our-directors/ , which appoints the majority of the members of the Wests Tigers board.

Thanks. Interesting, then who are the other 3? Crazy if it's Magpies, Tigers and that Central Coast soccer club. Surely thise 3 are delegated down the chain to minor CEO 's.