Good thing we didn’t IMO, look at Dragons fans complaining about his son every week. That would be us if he had taken the job.
Benji 2025 and Beyond
- Thread starter GNR4LIFE
- Start date
king_sirro
Well-known member
Its hard to know too much from the outside, but for me the way he handles the media is impressive. When he talks about the philosophy and approach to each game it makes sense and seems to be on the money. He isnt the people pleaser I thought he might be and isnt afraid to get dirty. Players seem to respect him. I actually think his ideas and approach seem right. The problem is you learn over time all the little details that the top coaches install into a group culture, mindset, standard settings etc. The no stone unturned type stuff which I feel a rookie can't have a true grasp of. I would really like to find a way where Benji steps down as head coach but stays on with the club. I could see him being great with someone like Brad Arthur but it could only work if Benji swallowed his ego completely
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Tom Shines
Well-known member
Balls or a large ego/ arrogance to think he could do the job with zero experience?
As Dirty Harry used to say …”a good man always knows his limitations “…
king_sirro
Well-known member
Thank God we didn't get Flanagan.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
From what we see he is obviously a good man manager and still seems to maintain great relationships with the players even when wins are few and far between ….
However, if we are being honest, He seems to struggle with game planning, selections and in game decisions particularly around the bench … unfortunately he has been running the joint a couple of years now and the improvements in this part of the job don’t seem to be coming as quickly as I would like …. If this part of the job doesn’t improve then eventually he is on borrowed time regardless of those other qualities you mention
I agree with that because even though i did not feel that Benji was the right choice (Sheens seemed determined to get the job at all costs imho and Benji was the "sweetener" for after),i feel that changing coaches which what we always do when we want to put the blame on someone is a really bad idea.We need to show stability and continuity at the club and keeping Benji is the only realistic way we can do it BUT he needs very strong assistant coaches and unequivacle support from them.
StarswithStripes
Well-known member
Ans last night we all saw what that looks like.
tig_prmz
Well-known member
Other than Ciraldo, people were interested.
Flanno was available, maybe Hasler too.
Otherwise, there could have been other assistant coaches we could have taken a swing at.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Hasler and Flanno might be available again.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
There are always people interested … even if it’s at the worst team, these blokes tend to have ego’s and think they can have success anywhere
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Don’t be surprised if one of them might just end up being our next coach … bringing back an old ex premiership winning coach …. They did that with Sheenius only a couple of years back
then I guess we can throw Arthurs and Richo’s mate Willie Peters is in with a shout ..
Plenty of options
Benji appears to be a good man manager, I agree with most his bench and team selections are on the poor side. He needs to refresh his assistants and a great "game strategist" someone that is happy to be away from the spotlight. Whilst I hate the guy I think Jason Taylor has helped Ciraldo with game plans etc.
I just can't think of anyone
I just can't think of anyone
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Im a fan of giving Benji 2026 and if roster and ladder position don’t improve, then make the change. From afar he needs a better attack coach as an assistant.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
I’ll reserve judgment for now …last night better be the rock bottom for this season … they were well beaten by a pretty weak side with plenty of their own problems …if the wheels come off over the next few weeks …
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Roosters will probably score 40 on us.
weststigerman
Well-known member
Benji mentioned a few times he’s learning on the job.
Last night felt like Benji had no idea what he was doing and kept trying different combinations until something worked.
Most WT fans knew:
Moving Api to half was a bad idea given TDS spent the week meeting other clubs
AD was the obvious halves partner
Staines is a safer option than Laullili or Mason
Benji was unstructured and a risk taker as a player, this does not work in coaching.
Last night felt like Benji had no idea what he was doing and kept trying different combinations until something worked.
Most WT fans knew:
Moving Api to half was a bad idea given TDS spent the week meeting other clubs
AD was the obvious halves partner
Staines is a safer option than Laullili or Mason
Benji was unstructured and a risk taker as a player, this does not work in coaching.
Roar_Power
Well-known member
Get Brad Arthur in as assistant coach and that way we have someone to take over when Benj is pushed out the door in 2026. He has lost me a little over the last month.
I hope that's all. Don't be surprised if it is a whole lot more after last night's effort. They played like uncoached A graders for the first 45minutes. I don't know after that, because I just could not stomach to watch any more.
weststigerman
Well-known member
If Payten becomes available, that’s who we should target to replace Benji.
Cowboys are going ordinary but he had them consistently playing finals and turned the Warriors around before that.
I guarantee you our attack won’t be the pass the parcel style we currently use.
Cowboys are going ordinary but he had them consistently playing finals and turned the Warriors around before that.
I guarantee you our attack won’t be the pass the parcel style we currently use.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I wouldn’t say no to the big hombre. It’s all about timing though. If Richo is stubborn and insists on Benji seeing it through to 27, Payten might have another gig by then. Assuming he’s sacked in the first place.
