Benji 2025 and Beyond

[liltiger]

I've mentioned this before, we don't execute at speed.

I saw one play at the spoobowl (an inside ball to mason) that was actually executed at pace. Everything else was in slow motion, stunted, or both.

This is a coaching issue. The halves don't look like they know what they're doing. The outside backs don't know what the halves are doing. The forwards don't know which one of them is getting the ball from Api.

It's just disjointed.

It's like they only see each other on gameday.

I put that down to the fact we havnt really had a permanent set of halves togeather. Between Seizer being suspended and experimenting with Sullivan and Fainu theres no continuity in the halves.

 

[batboy]

I put that down to the fact we havnt really had a permanent set of halves togeather. Between Seizer being suspended and experimenting with Sullivan and Fainu theres no continuity in the halves.

You could....
But I been watching it for too long to blame the halves (Again - Or Still)

Seyfarth runs a line, makes a break and scores a try the other week (For the first time in his life)
- We carry on like a future Immortal...
Watch us off the Ball - Spectators most of them.

How often do you see a line break or someone poke their nose through and there's no one there...
they're not there - Because they don't practice it, They don't have those efforts in their game.
We don't attack with Defence (Like the 16 other teams)

We're permanently in captains run mode - Worse still, We keep lumping it on one bloke to fix.
You can only push shit uphill for so long before it starts rolling back all over you.

 

[twentyforty]

You could....
But I been watching it for too long to blame the halves (Again - Or Still)

Seyfarth runs a line, makes a break and scores a try the other week (For the first time in his life)
- We carry on like a future Immortal...
Watch us off the Ball - Spectators most of them.

How often do you see a line break or someone poke their nose through and there's no one there...
they're not there - Because they don't practice it, They don't have those efforts in their game.
We don't attack with Defence (Like the 16 other teams)

We're permanently in captains run mode - Worse still, We keep lumping it on one bloke to fix.
You can only push shit uphill for so long before it starts rolling back all over you.

Far too many times. Think it’s one of the reasons we lost Stefano.

 

[tigeress]

Give Benji a chance with this sort of line up, excluding any other signings. If we fail to be in the running for the 8 close to the end of the season in 2025 then reexamine.

1 Bula

2 Skelton
3 Olam
4 Turuva
5 Luke L


6 Galvin
7 Luai


8 Hunt
9 Api
10 Klemmer
11 S. Fainu
12 S.Pole
13 J.Bird


14 Seyfarth
15 Twal
16 L.Fainu
17 S.Fainu

A team is only as good as their coaching staff. Benji needs to accept that he needs help (a lot of it !) and get the best assistant coach that he can. Please Benji or whoever, its time for the complacency to stop at Wests Tigers, we've just about had enough !

 

[crazycat]

A team is only as good as their coaching staff. Benji needs to accept that he needs help (a lot of it !) and get the best assistant coach that he can. Please Benji or whoever, its time for the complacency to stop at Wests Tigers, we've just about had enough !

100% agreed

Benji needs a strong assistant and someone who can get the coaching 101 stuff down.
We don't have that.

 

[jrtiger]

irrespective of what you think of Marshall, the facts are these.

- the roster is improving
- the kids will be another year older
- Richardson has said "there will be no excuses in 2025"

Richardson was talking about seeing similarities in the 2002 Panthers side that won the comp the year after last week. he won't be as patient next year.

if Marshall starts the season 2-6 or worse I think he'll be gone.

 

[batboy]

irrespective of what you think of Marshall, the facts are these.

- the roster is improving
- the kids will be another year older
- Richardson has said "there will be no excuses in 2025"

if Marshall starts the season 2-6 or worse I think he'll be gone, and I'm someone who thinks he can still succeed.

Roster is improving?
On what basis....
WE CAME LAST!!

And then we lost Stefano, Bateman and Papali'i....

Jerome is an upgrade on what we have at 7.... I see minimal improvement elsewhere.
Any team in the comp wouldn't swap 2 Royce Hunts for Stefano (Evident by Stefano going to the comp favourites and the other to the Wooden Spooners)
Anyone watching Turuva this year has seen him be mostly monstered with the ball....
The others are unproven at week to week NRL.

To claim the Roster is improving is.... Hopeful (At best)

 

[jrtiger]

Roster is improving?
On what basis....
WE CAME LAST!!

And then we lost Stefano, Bateman and Papali'i....

Jerome is an upgrade on what we have at 7.... I see minimal improvement elsewhere.
Any team in the comp wouldn't swap 2 Royce Hunts for Stefano (Evident by Stefano going to the comp favourites and the other to the Wooden Spooners)
Anyone watching Turuva this year has seen him be mostly monstered with the ball....
The others are unproven at week to week NRL.

To claim the Roster is improving is.... Hopeful (At best)

look at what we have and what is coming. I don't think it's hopeful at all, and if we get Horsburgh and/or Hetherington and improve our back row depth then it gets even better.

Skelton > Staines
Montoya > Tupou
Luai > Sezer
Bird > Bateman
Hunt > Utoikamanu
Turuva > Faataape

based on the past four months, Stefano is one of the softest players I've ever seen pull on our jersey, and there's been hundreds. useless in contact, pathetic out of yardage and his attitude has been completely unprofessional. the only player we're going to miss is Papali'i. Bateman was defensively solid, but Bird is just like that with more attacking upside and less brain explosions, providing he stays on the field.

Turuva is an immensely talented footballer and tough as nails. sure he gets whacked coming out of yardage but constantly makes more metres per carry than anyone in our backline.

 

[batboy]

look at what we have and what is coming. I don't think it's hopeful at all, and if we get Horsburgh and/or Hetherington and improve our back row depth then it gets even better.

Skelton > Staines
Montoya > Tupou
Luai > Sezer
Bird > Bateman
Hunt > Utoikamanu
Turuva > Faataape

based on the past four months, Stefano is one of the softest players I've ever seen pull on our jersey, and there's been hundreds. useless in contact, pathetic out of yardage and his attitude has been completely unprofessional. the only player we're going to miss is Papali'i. Bateman was defensively solid, but Bird is just like that with more attacking upside and less brain explosions, providing he stays on the field.

Turuva is an immensely talented footballer and tough as nails. sure he gets whacked coming out of yardage but constantly makes more metres per carry than anyone in our backline.

2 of those players haven't been announced.
One of the (non announced) players doesn't have a fixed position at the club he's spend 3 seasons at,
But you have him better than an international back rower (If he comes - of course)

Turuva is better than the QLD reserve grader we've been Playing
- But has been underperforming as much as Stefano of late (no mention of it here though?
Staines has won a comp, Skelton has play 7 NRL Games....
Fantasy Footy is fun and all but don't get too carried away.

Stefano has been crap, I agree.... If the boss lets kids bludge, they'll bludge - Happens in any industry....
Given 2 props to choose from for the next 3 years
- No head coach is picking a 29 yr old - 20 minutes a game Royce Hunt
over Stefano.... NONE!!
And neither would you have before he signed for the Storm.
He's just not a better player, You saying he is - Doesn't make it so....

Either way, Your post is fantasy....
Half the players you've named aren't here yet and not all are greater than as you claim.

Catch you this time next year with next years similar post....

 

[426Tlgerland]

irrespective of what you think of Marshall, the facts are these.

- the roster is improving
- the kids will be another year older
- Richardson has said "there will be no excuses in 2025"

Richardson was talking about seeing similarities in the 2002 Panthers side that won the comp the year after last week. he won't be as patient next year.

if Marshall starts the season 2-6 or worse I think he'll be gone.

Well I hope we get an assistant who can take over if Benji is punted as Morris is there now and again we are last , and I’m sure if his input was just brushed by Benji Morris would have walked already ,
We need an experienced coach to mentor him , Hook or Similar would help , see what Richo comes up with .
Andrew Johns also to help the halves twice a week for 2 or 3 hours per hit out , put the polish on Luai and Galvin & Latu .
James Grahame to work with the forwards and harden them up , again 2 x per week for 2 or 3 hour sessions

 

[twentyforty]

irrespective of what you think of Marshall, the facts are these.

- the roster is improving
- the kids will be another year older
- Richardson has said "there will be no excuses in 2025"

Richardson was talking about seeing similarities in the 2002 Panthers side that won the comp the year after last week. he won't be as patient next year.

if Marshall starts the season 2-6 or worse I think he'll be gone.

How long does it take to assess a rookie coach has what it takes? particularly given surrounding circumstances.
The way I see it, Benji signed on for 3 years as HC and I think the beginning of his final year would be 26.
Like all incoming coaches he has turned over the roster (I can’t work with these tools). He’s getting everything he needs within the boundaries of our poor reputation which he is rightfully ignoring.
I think by the first 6 or so games of 26 the people who hired him (who ever they are) should know if they have the will to extend his contract another 3 years.

 

[jrtiger]

2 of those players haven't been announced.
One of the (non announced) players doesn't have a fixed position at the club he's spend 3 seasons at,
But you have him better than an international back rower (If he comes - of course)

Turuva is better than the QLD reserve grader we've been Playing
- But has been underperforming as much as Stefano of late (no mention of it here though?
Staines has won a comp, Skelton has play 7 NRL Games....
Fantasy Footy is fun and all but don't get too carried away.

Stefano has been crap, I agree.... If the boss lets kids bludge, they'll bludge - Happens in any industry....
Given 2 props to choose from for the next 3 years
- No head coach is picking a 29 yr old - 20 minutes a game Royce Hunt
over Stefano.... NONE!!
And neither would you have before he signed for the Storm.
He's just not a better player, You saying he is - Doesn't make it so....

Either way, Your post is fantasy....
Half the players you've named aren't here yet and not all are greater than as you claim.

Catch you this time next year with next years similar post....

so you think Bateman's 2024 output won't be bettered by Bird? what on earth are you seeing that I'm not?

Turuva's been rocks and diamonds sure, but he's also 22 and in his second full season. I'll back him to come good. you can rate Staines higher than Skelton if you want, but given yardage and ability in the air have been two of our major issues on the flanks I know who I'm picking.

based on current output, forget ceiling and perceived ability, Hunt shits on Stefano. does Hunt make the misses Stefano does? does Hunt meander into the defensive line? no.

see you next year.

 

[batboy]

so you think Bateman's 2024 output won't be bettered by Bird? what on earth are you seeing that I'm not?

Turuva's been rocks and diamonds sure, but he's also 22 and in his second full season. I'll back him to come good. you can rate Staines higher than Skelton if you want, but given yardage and ability in the air have been two of our major issues on the flanks I know who I'm picking.

based on current output, forget ceiling and perceived ability, Hunt shits on Stefano. does Hunt make the misses Stefano does? does Hunt meander into the defensive line? no.

see you next year.

You seem to be overlooking the obvious (I'd have thought) deciding factor....

Crap Club
Crap Culture
Crap Coaching

 

[jrtiger]

You seem to be overlooking the obvious (I'd have thought) deciding factor....

Crap Club
Crap Culture
Crap Coaching

this is a thread about Marshall’s short term future. you decided to blow it up over my opinion regarding the roster, which is tied to Marshall’s future.

this isn’t about club or culture, it’s about the head coach. get your head read.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

irrespective of what you think of Marshall, the facts are these.

- the roster is improving
- the kids will be another year older
- Richardson has said "there will be no excuses in 2025"

Richardson was talking about seeing similarities in the 2002 Panthers side that won the comp the year after last week. he won't be as patient next year.

if Marshall starts the season 2-6 or worse I think he'll be gone.

Yep I agree. How many times in the past have we made the coach the scapegoat without looking at everything around him.

I'm not saying Benji is without blame for some of his recruitment decisions over the past 15 months & some of his coaching strategy. But and this with a big BUT ... how much proper support has the club put around him to succeed before Richo came in.

Benji has had no leader or admin to guide him until this year (Sheens aside whose coaching record & strategy has been abysmal since 2011). Richo knows this & I am very interested to see what changes to the coaching structure Richo & Benji put in place over the next month.

He has not deviated from the plan this year to give opportunities & games to our top tier 19yos & those who have shown a desire, form & work ethic to succeed. Common sense tells anyone we are not going to win most games with the number of rookies in the team ... rookies don't have the defensive strength, consistency, mindset & resilience yet to aim up each week for 80 mins.

IMO the changes we will see in the football dept very soon will be the areas that Richo knows needs addressing & there will be some sort of experience brought in to help Benji develop as a coach. This is my opinion and common sense!

Have faith in Richo's know-how & give Benji a chance once he has the support he needs!

 

[Vicious]

No coach can get the desired results with a poor roster, with no depth to cover when players are unavailable and the roster including players with poor attitudes.
We have every reason to believe this is trying to be corrected ASAP to give Benji are fair chance with a decent roster for 2025.
Assuming we already have Jack Bird signed, we only need two quality middles and one quality outside back for our top 17 to be highly competitive and once we offload Jayden Sullivan we need a good experienced game controlling hakfback to help our NSW Cuo team to be competitive.

 

[Telltails]

You seem to be overlooking the obvious (I'd have thought) deciding factor....

Crap Club
Crap Culture
Crap Coaching

Wests Tigers supporter fatigue.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

No coach can get the desired results with a poor roster, with no depth to cover when players are unavailable and the roster including players with poor attitudes.
We have every reason to believe this is trying to be corrected ASAP to give Benji are fair chance with a decent roster for 2025.
Assuming we already have Jack Bird signed, we only need two quality middles and one quality outside back for our top 17 to be highly competitive and once we offload Jayden Sullivan we need a good experienced game controlling hakfback to help our NSW Cuo team to be competitive.

Maybe that's where Doueihi is going to play!!! Has the experience, big kicking game, voice & sees himself as a half. No spot in the top 17 atm for him.

 

[Tucker]

Wow the cope in here has begun early.

 

[hank37w]

Benji has been here for over 2 years. During that time decisions were made to sign and not sign players, to let others walk and to bring the youth through.
He was involved in these decisions and it’s resulted in a pair of spoons. The reserves he had to choose from for Friday night are a by product of the poor planning this club is renowned for when it comes to recruitment and player depth.
It is not poor Benji….it is we reap what we sow.
Will he have a stronger roster next year? Slightly\maybe.
Has the team improved as you claim? I don’t think so. They’ve just ended the worst defensive season in this clubs history and their attack wasn’t great either. Their discipline was very poor most of the year as well.
Are the signs positive? No. Getting flogged like that at home will not bode well for those still staying here. It may change the mind of others who are yet to re-sign to boot.
Luai must feel sick that he signed on here….probably just as Api did 2 years ago Id suspect.

Yes, and we were constantly told that we don't sign anyone that Benji did not want because this is Benji's team.

Admittedly it originally was all about it being Benji's team in 2025 when he was supposed to be handed the reigns as Head Coach but due to circumstances created by this club Benji was pushed into the head coaching role a year earlier than originally planned, but if you are being completely honest you would have to admit that the last 2 spoons are Benji's because he has effectively been the coach. (many would argue ineffectively)

Hopefully we snag a few more decent signings and are more competitive next season and for a change we actually do something about our defensive issues other than just talking about them.

I'll let this season go and begrudgingly give Benji the benefit of the doubt, but if there is not a dramatic improvement next year with "Benji's Team," then Club Legend or not, Benji will be on shakey ground and I can see Richo being pretty ruthless if things don't turn around dramatically.