Benji 2025 and Beyond

[Gazman]

I was Luke warm to his appointment but gave him the benefit of doubt , as a rookie coach I don’t think I have seen a worse first attempt when comparing to other rookie coaches were appointed recently even Johnny Morris and Payton made a good fist of their first attempts. But as other posters have said here if he is sacked would he keep trying to get another gig as a coach , I doubt it, which then leads me to assume this is a tick box on his career resume and would be open to a shove if the performances don’t improve.

 

[weststigerman]

2026 IMHO.

We need some coaching stability.

Massive focus on defence required.

Not if the incumbent can’t coach. He told us all how he focused on defence in the off season. He failed miserably.

Last year is on him too even if he was hiding behind Sheens.

 

[Telltails]

Benji wants this club to succeed. There is no joy in coaching a bottom dweller club and not many rewards. Don't believe for a minute he is there for any reason other than he thinks he can make difference.
Whether he lasts the distance to see that through is anyones guess at this point.
Good teams one year can be crap the next and visa versa under the same coach.

 

[Tucker]

Benji wants this club to succeed. There is no joy in coaching a bottom dweller club and not many rewards. Don't believe for a minute he is there for any reason other than he thinks he can make difference.
Whether he lasts the distance to see that through is anyones guess at this point.
Good teams one year can be crap the next and visa versa under the same coach.

Punt him. It’ll be less painful to do it now

 

[Tucker]

Not if the incumbent can’t coach. He told us all how he focused on defence in the off season. He failed miserably.

Last year is on him too even if he was hiding behind Sheens.

100%. Spitting facts that many can’t handle for some reason.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Punt him. It’ll be less painful to do it now

Better off putting a very experienced coach as his assistant

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

To be fair to Benji. Never seen such a relaxed coach in my time on the planet.

 

[Tucker]

Better off putting a very experienced coach as his assistant

Why?
When do clubs ever do that?
Cut the chord, the experiment failed.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Benji has earned at least 10 rounds next season. He got us Luai.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

They want to sign and play for him......high calibre players.

Trouble is with the new interpretation of the rules his most experienced players are getting sent and binned.

We've been competing in patches in pretty much every game this year.....the 12 men stints have cost us.

Going have to employ suitable wrestling coaches.

 

[Saturnalia]

Maybe now that the season's over they can organize a training session.

 

[batboy]

for some reason.

You didn't see his flick pass in the 05 Grand Final?

 

[Tucker]

You didn't see his flick pass in the 05 Grand Final?

That is relevant how?

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

He became coach

 

[batboy]

That is relevant how?

Dunno, Been living off it for 20 years?

it’s not relevant (to me) but he’s got a fairly free ride with most fans of this club no matter what stunts he pulls…
I use that as a reference as I feel most only remember his highlights reels…
And not the reality of how it was week to week in his time here…

 

[Tucker]

Dunno, Been living off it for 20 years?

it’s not relevant (to me) but he’s got a fairly free ride with most fans of this club no matter what stunts he pulls…
I use that as a reference as I feel most only remember his highlights reels…
And not the reality of how it was week to week in his time here…

Ahh got ya.
Yes that is certainly the case.

 

[batboy]

Ahh got ya.
Yes that is certainly the case.

Don’t get me wrong….
He’s a club legend, franchise player - changed the game and won us a comp and gave us some crazy memories..
No doubt…

But he’s also done some things that aren’t as palatable…
For the most part, I feel like the club was working for him — and he just did what he liked with no consequence.

 

[Tucker]

Don’t get me wrong….
He’s a club legend, franchise player - changed the game and won us a comp and gave us some crazy memories..
No doubt…

But he’s also done some things that aren’t as palatable…
For the most part, I feel like the club was working for him — and he just did what he liked with no consequence.

I’m a Benji fan. As a player, he is still my favourite.
Never met the guy but he appears a nice man to boot.
He isn’t a coaches arsehole. That was evident last season and the geniuses decided to rissole his mentor a year early and let him drive the vehicle on his own. The problem is it’s not a car…it’s a 4 trailer road train and he only has a boat license.

 

[batboy]

I’m a Benji fan. As a player, he is still my favourite.
Never met the guy but he appears a nice man to boot.
He isn’t a coaches arsehole. That was evident last season and the geniuses decided to rissole his mentor a year early and let him drive the vehicle on his own. The problem is it’s not a car…it’s a 4 trailer road train and he only has a boat license.

I’d add he’s silly (cocky) enough to think he can pull it off without doing the work.
There’s confidence - but that’s not confidence, it’s negligence…

Also wonder how much of moving on Sheens was the higher ups and how much as the under studies…
They did it to him once, I reckon they got him again…

 

[Feline Carrier]

They've moved him on before. Twice.

The media will take his side. Who gives a shit if we actually sign a coach who had coached in the NRL in the last 5 years and actually served an apprenticeship.

We will squander a good recruitment period to keep a "club son" who has shit on us twice before when things didn't go his way.

I'd have thrown the kitchen sink at Unca Wayne. He had an affinity for Benji and could have worked with him for a future in coaching. A stupid move not to entertain it.