2024 Pre-Season

[Tucker]

Ivan Cleary started his first grade coaching career at 36 after 3 season’s out of the game. Just saying.

He coached NSWRL and won a premiership before attempting NRL head coach.

 

[Tucker]

5/10 to start should be our goal. It’s just about doable

Who have you pencilled in for 5 wins in our first 10 games?

 

[Needaname]

He coached NSWRL and won a premiership before attempting NRL head coach.

There you go, he started coaching 2 season after retiring. Same as Benji. Though 4 years younger.
Thanks for the info.

 

[Tucker]

There you go, he started coaching 2 season after retiring. Same as Benji. Thanks for the info.

That’s not the point.
The point is he had coached before he took on a head role

 

[Needaname]

That’s not the point.
The point is he had coached before he took on a head role

You just said he was a head coach of the 2004 Roosters NSW Cup team.
Which back then was a proper reserve grade team, not this rediculous set up we have now.

 

[Jolls]

He would have been better off heading back to park footy and captain coaching for a couple of years, then return to the club via reserve grade before taking over in firsts in his mid to late 40’s.

God help him.
Everyone currently talking him up will backstab him as quick as they’d look at him.
The players must standup this year and fight.

I agree wholeheartedly; but this hasn't happened. I like what I see and hear from him so far; but as you indicated in an earlier post he isn't facing pressure yet. The thing I'm taking way from the way he presents is that he has a plan and he is going to execute it. I applaud him for this approach - the risk is, and he has stated it himself, it is not a conventional plan. The things that are good so far:

Leadership,
Pushes back on the media when needed,
Players appear to be responding to him,
He is seeking responsibility.

The concern: is the unconventional something like Jack Gibson bought to Rugby League or something more akin to Paul Langmack's efforts?

Benji is pretty cluey and appears to be a student of the game. I trust that he has taken a bit of leadership and innovation from Jack, some analysis from Tim and some man and media management from Wayne. If he can string all that together we are in for a great ride.

I am a realist and don't expect miracles to occur overnight with a roster that has so many young and inexperienced components. I'm prepared to give him 24 to find his feet as long as the direction we are heading is up; and by up I don't mean 16th - I'm talking just 10-12th. I'm geared up for a real shot in 25 though.

 

[king_sirro]

He would have been better off heading back to park footy and captain coaching for a couple of years, then return to the club via reserve grade before taking over in firsts in his mid to late 40’s.

God help him.
Everyone currently talking him up will backstab him as quick as they’d look at him.
The players must standup this year and fight.

All the concerns you raise about Benji are legitimate, I don't think anyone can argue that. However, I'm perplexed about how often you want to state it, almost like your hoping he fails.

 

[Halbrowne61]

All the best in your future endeavours.
Hope the Coast treats you well Siro.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1727905157726519412

Just trying to remember how many games Sirro played for the WT. Now I know, nil.
Was a Balmain Tigers legend, like Benny, Blocker, Junior and co.
Let’s not get confused, and so we keep it real, Tommy, Joe Cool etc we’re not WT legends N either, they were Western Suburbs legends.
Now you can go through the lists since WT started and work out the legends in those lists.

 

[Mistymuzzle]

Just trying to remember how many games Sirro played for the WT. Now I know, nil.
Was a Balmain Tigers legend, like Benny, Blocker, Junior and co.
Let’s not get confused, and so we keep it real, Tommy, Joe Cool etc we’re not WT legends N either, they were Western Suburbs legends.
Now you can go through the lists since WT started and work out the legends in those lists.

Has been working for the WESTS Tigers for most of the lifetime of the Wests Tigers in a paid or unpaid capacity and works tirelessly for junior RL as well as WT for the last 24 years. That makes him a Wests Tigers legend in my books. Worked harder and longer than many others who would be given that mantle but Magpies fans on an internet forum have their panties in a bunch despite never putting in a day for the club.

But yes, never played a game for WT......nark away.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Has been working for the WESTS Tigers for most of the lifetime of the Wests Tigers in a paid or unpaid capacity and works tirelessly for junior RL as well as WT for the last 24 years. That makes him a Wests Tigers legend in my books. Worked harder and longer than many others who would be given that mantle.

But yes, never played a game for WT......nark away.

Totally agree he’s given a lot to the WT and yes, I was being specific about playing legend definitions.
I too, wish him well, being a true old Tiger, I remember watching him evolve in his early years through the grades and become a champion.
But a lot of the others DONT qualify, do they.

 

[tigerballs]

They may be thinking about mitigating this risk or reducing the blow to benji by putting a senior figure in the GM role.

I think John Morris is the key. A decent NRL coach in his own right, now without the pressure of the top job. Morris with the technical stuff, Benji with the PR. Might work.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I think John Morris is the key. A decent NRL coach in his own right, now without the pressure of the top job. Morris with the technical stuff, Benji with the PR. Might work.

Really hope it works 🤞🤞

 

[BAGNF05]

Has been working for the WESTS Tigers for most of the lifetime of the Wests Tigers in a paid or unpaid capacity and works tirelessly for junior RL as well as WT for the last 24 years. That makes him a Wests Tigers legend in my books. Worked harder and longer than many others who would be given that mantle but Magpies fans on an internet forum have their panties in a bunch despite never putting in a day for the club.

But yes, never played a game for WT......nark away.

What about that grand final try. Legend!

 

[Halbrowne61]

What about that grand final try. Legend!

Absolutely ripper but remember he was playing for Balmain, not WT.

 

[tony soprano]

I think John Morris is the key. A decent NRL coach in his own right, now without the pressure of the top job. Morris with the technical stuff, Benji with the PR. Might work.

Good point my guy forgot about him.

 

[BAGNF05]

Absolutely ripper but remember he was playing for Balmain, not WT.

10% of WT LOL

 

[Tucker]

There you go, he started coaching 2 season after retiring. Same as Benji. Though 4 years younger.
Thanks for the info.

You are a moron.
Thanks for confirming for us all.

 

[Tucker]

All the concerns you raise about Benji are legitimate, I don't think anyone can argue that. However, I'm perplexed about how often you want to state it, almost like your hoping he fails.

It was in response to a conversation being held that Benji looked like he wasn’t fully ready to retire when he did.
I don’t want him to fail.

 

[Bigscreentv]

Every coach as to start somewhere.

He has the attributes to be a good coach in my opinion. Sheens has mentored many coaches, he identified it too.

It’s a tough job for him but I hope it works out.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

“Sezer is too slow and old”

“Pole is not a 13”

“Sulivan can’t control a game”

“To’a can’t defend to save his life “

“Why are we persisting with Kepoa?”

“Nof, still jamming in after 10 years”

“Stef is soft”

“Bula and Api are our only good players”

Just getting in early 😛
I’ll be yelling most of these at the TV at some point during the 2024 season.
But also fully expecting to make the 8 ,the Benji era is upon us.we’re back 👌
License to thrill

Usually this sort of post is in jest, but I guarantee every one of those will get a run through the season. Some of them will be said daily. I bet even Bula cops it at some points.