Benji 2025 and Beyond

[TIGERS]

Im just curious how Liuai incoming is going to equate to less defense for us?

Its just a theory, I mean via superior game management. I expect to see a pretty healthy boost in some stats and metrics with an elite half in our team. Not miraculous, but healthy. Our raw defensive stats are grim this year but I don't think its simply down to effort areas or not knowing how to defend.

I'm expecting to see more possession, and possession in better parts of the pitch on average than the year before. Luai steers his side around at 52% percent even without Cleary.

And yes, as @BAGNF05 said, less attacking chances that go begging. Also for the first time in ages we have a half who knows and understands how to bring different players attributes' into the game to make more line breaks. Maybe some red hot last tackle decisions. Remember those?

It all adds up to less work in defence for us and more work in defence for our opponents, (in comparison to this year) Not saying its going make us minor premiers, but it just might tip the scales enough where we need it.

But again, its just a theory.

 

[batboy]

I disagree , yes bring kids throw , but u have to pick 2-5 not every Tom , dick and Harry , try to bring too many hurts the club , on top of that u have to have a team that is winning 65%to 75% of ur games , and have roll models in positions of the kids ur bringing throw .
We have bula , mason , Galvin the 3 latu brothers , and maybe 2-3 others , that’s more than enough, as u need time and patience to get them to 1st grade standard

THIS!!

I can’t believe this putting all the faith in the kids dribble I read here…
It’s like no one remembers 2014-2017…

The squad is full of kids that are costing us the same money as tried and tested NRL squads!!
We had one of the better crop of kids seen coming through at that time, and where did it lead us? With them all gone on to some level of success at other clubs and us forever rebuilding into 3 spoons.

All the talented kids aren’t gonna much if there’s no culture…
We’ve never had anything culture wise worth speaking on - I look at the way it’s going, and can’t help but think I saw this same cycle 10 years ago…

Surely I can’t be the only one?

Only difference back then, is we had a group of coaches who’d actually coached before…

 

[Tucker]

Brilliant analysis, shame you didn’t get to join in on the old Wests Tigers board. You’d have done well.

I’ve done pages of analysis on here big mouth.
Show me your analysis…should be good for a laugh.

 

[Tucker]

Luai currently enjoys a far superior setup. His back 3 consistently hit 550m a game. His prop rotation close to 450.
It’s wishful thinking he’ll make a big difference with our current squad.
He’ll have to break records with his kicking, and somehow get a kick chase happening, and then get them make their tackles.
Next season will be a struggle still.

 

[TIGERS]

I’ve done pages of analysis on here big mouth.
Show me your analysis…should be good for a laugh.

Copying tables of raw data and stats from websites and listing where wests tigers players are ranked isn't analysis Tucker. Nice colour coding tho.

 

[Tucker]

Copying tables of raw data and stats from websites and listing where wests tigers players are ranked isn't analysis Tucker. Nice colour coding tho.

What do you contribute?
Stating garbage with nothing to back it up?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Luai currently enjoys a far superior setup. His back 3 consistently hit 550m a game. His prop rotation close to 450.
It’s wishful thinking he’ll make a big difference with our current squad.
He’ll have to break records with his kicking, and somehow get a kick chase happening, and then get them make their tackles.
Next season will be a struggle still.

I think the theme of the off season will be as great as Luai is, he doesn’t solve the problem of us conceding 40 and 50 points every couple of weeks.

 

[innsaneink]

I think the theme of the off season will be as great as Luai is, he doesn’t solve the problem of us conceding 40 and 50 points every couple of weeks.

No... That's not generally what you buy an elite half for

 

[mtd#2]

2 spoons in a row?
yeah not much evidence is there?

Here's 5 bucks, turn it into 100, I'll give you an hour. By the way your time started 30 mins ago.

 

[Tucker]

Here's 5 bucks, turn it into 100, I'll give you an hour. By the way your time started 30 mins ago.

Number 1, that’s not the point being discussed - at all.
Number 2, it wasn’t short notice was it? He’s been around since mid 2022 in a coaching capacity. He’s had plenty of time to show what he’s got.

 

[TIGERS]

Number 1, that’s not the point being discussed - at all.
Number 2, it wasn’t short notice was it? He’s been around since mid 2022 in a coaching capacity. He’s had plenty of time to show what he’s got.

Plenty of time?

Show us an instance in the last 15 years where a comparable club has been completely revived within like 2 full seasons?

 

[twentyforty]

I can’t remember the last time we went into an offseason with a settled spine. A decent one too, Bula, Galvin, Luai, Api. And with solid depth to keep them focused, with Turuva, Staines, L Fainu, Da Silva. A 25 fourkin spoon will be unacceptable, barring injuries.

 

[mtd#2]

Number 1, that’s not the point being discussed - at all.
Number 2, it wasn’t short notice was it? He’s been around since mid 2022 in a coaching capacity. He’s had plenty of time to show what he’s got.

My point being you cant give him the spoon credit for year 1. Thats on Tim Sheens.
Year 2 he's played what 12 rookies?
Cmon bro.
Be realistic in your assessment.
He hasn't had the cattle.

 

[batboy]

Plenty of time?

Show us an instance in the last 15 years where a comparable club has been completely revived within like 2 full seasons?

Canterbury....
That's within the last 15 days though (Not Years)

 

[twentyforty]

Canterbury....
That's within the last 15 days though (Not Years)

In some ways it’s an unfair comparison. Our organisational structure operates differently. We have a completely different decision making process and blurred areas of responsibility which makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the coach.
The Dogs know when and who does the barking.
The funniest thing I heard was when the board told a journo Brooks was being dropped for the upcoming weekend game, but nobody told Brooks or the coach.
Offering some advice on departure…
”To be honest, I don’t really know who makes the decisions here,” Brooks told the media.
“Just everyone being on the same page and making the right decisions to go forward (would be in) the club’s best interest.”
100% Brooksy and thanks for having the courage to call it out.
Difficult to judge a coach’s performance, so I suppose you need to look at other areas relative to coach’s input? And that becomes difficult when you sift through the motivation of players.
Predominately two types of players..
1. those who are experienced and come for a lucrative contract based on previous performance.
2. Those who are looking for an opportunity to crack it for a first grade spot.
In any event though, it always comes back to the numbers.

 

[Tucker]

Plenty of time?

Show us an instance in the last 15 years where a comparable club has been completely revived within like 2 full seasons?

Why does that matter?
No club has ever been in a position like we have.
He has earned 2 spoons after having 6 months in 2022 to prepare. The fact he had not coached before is obviously part of the blame for our results.

 

[batboy]

In some ways it’s an unfair comparison.

No - it's an answer to his question....
A correct answer.

Dragons also a much better club this year than last.
Just because we don't move forward - We can't recognise when others do...

 

[batboy]

Why does that matter?
No club has ever been in a position like we have.
He has earned 2 spoons after having 6 months in 2022 to prepare. The fact he had not coached before is obviously part of the blame for our results.

Next year Tucker....
We'll be so much better next year.
AND
Lucky for us,
We're the only club in the comp that will be better next year.....

 

[TYGA]

Benji will have to perform next year there are no excuses. A few more recruits are needed.

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Olam
4. Bird
5. Turuva
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Pole
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Sam Fainu
12. Bateman?
13. Kobe Hetheribgton?
14. Twal
15. Seyfarth
16. TDS
17. Sione Fainu?

This team should not run last simple as that. Won’t make finals either tbh but time will tell who gets offloaded and signed over the offseason.

 

[Oldman]

Benji will have to perform next year there are no excuses. A few more recruits are needed.

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Olam
4. Bird
5. Turuva
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Pole
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Sam Fainu
12. Bateman?
13. Kobe Hetheribgton?
14. Twal
15. Seyfarth
16. TDS
17. Sione Fainu?

This team should not run last simple as that. Won’t make finals either tbh but time will tell who gets offloaded and signed over the offseason.

Still in need of some forwards to be competitive.