Benji 2025

TYGA said:
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.
Click to expand...
Still in need of some forwards to be competitive.
 
twentyforty said:
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.
Click to expand...
Check out Madges recent podcast with Matty & Cooper Johns. He briefly talks about his time with WT's. He says "That club could be anything but everything's got to align from the front office down to the players."
 
batboy said:
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....
Click to expand...
For starters only 1 player hasn’t been announced.
just another person blaming others for our players lack of intestinal fortitude, and true self evaluation. . Everyone of those players named is an upgrade on 2024 form .
YOURE evluting stef for the player you want him to be , not the player that turned up in 2024. He was soft , lacked commitment , and most importantly lacked leadership . Which is why he was included in our leadership team.
AND HUNT is the perfect stop gap , wrecking ball we need at the moment . We have heaps of get it down field , no frills forwards . Stef was meant to be that damaging forward and he turned into a comparison to Alex Twal.
we need grit in the forwards , guys who fight through contact , make tackles and show determination and calmness in adversity .
none of the qualities that our middles showed this year . You my friend , are the one is delusional . Football is won with steel ,and small wins escalating to big wins in attrition . if we are recruiting for an Ivan Cleary year pack , I’m ok with that . Because that team could defend , and they were in most games . None were world beaters . much Like the dogs this year . If you have quality from 1-7 , which we will for the first time in ages , next year , than you just Need a pack that’s up for the grind . Which is what our recruitment , and the players being mentioned as missed targets sure is pointing to. Which is why the penalty machine hetherington isn’t on our radar . Because my guess , is his game doesn’t contribute towards wins .
we recruited our star in Luai ,we have a strike edge who could play origin if a little raw, we have middles who can do a job , which is fine , and now we need collectively our pack to sync up , work together , especially in defence .
 
batboy said:
Canterbury....
That's within the last 15 days though (Not Years)
Click to expand...

Mate put your specs on, their cycle started in 2021 when Gould returned, (they won the spoon), and then they only won 14 games in the following 2 seasons.

Even tho the Bulldogs didn't have to cop any feral fedoras, or suffer our our abysmal recruitment rep.... so far all their improvement has yielded them is a single finals match that they lost, and maybe a few cheeky bumps before bedtime.
 
Benji is just an apprentice.

But would Api have resigned without his appointment?

And Luai? Probably the premier inform player at the moment.

Considering we have 3 spoons nobody apart from Steph headed to the exits.

We lost 16 backs during games this year....

Plus a similar amount binned.

Let's see how things go as things average out in those departments.
 
mtd#2 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Yes you can most definitely attribute the 23 spoon to him.
I attribute the 22 spoon to Sheens and his knifing of Madge after we just re-signed him, with no contingency in place. He and Benji spent 5 months preparing for 23 whilst Noddy was trapped under the bus with no help.
So Benji had that 5 months plus the whole preseason with Sheens by his side apparently planning and getting a crash course in coaching 101. It was clear Benji coached the side last year with Tim looking over his shoulder. Towards the end, he was in total control.
As for all the debutants this year….were they all required? Trying to make him the victim is quite sad mate. Open your eyes.
 
Tucker said:
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.
Click to expand...
batboy said:
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.....
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with the assessment of our 2024 performance; but, we are assessing it against the NRL ladder. Based on comments from Richo and the approach taken by Benji I'm not sure that the NRL ladder was a real metric.

What if we look at it from a different perspective.

New board takes over and does a strategic review. The strategic goal is to become a top 4 club with a greater focus on the south-western corridor. Benji has already been earmarked as the coach - Richo acknowledges this and the planning begins.

Without knowledge of the inner circle at Wests Tigers I can only make assumptions based on what we have seen and heard this year. Benji did not make selections on putting the best ro most experienced team on the paddock. Despite Naden's brain farts there were plenty of times he should have plyed in front of some of our other options. AD clearly wasn't up to playing centre but was given enough rope to hang himself, did so and was "put on ice". We played kids when we could have selected more experienced players. This all points to a decision to play the long game. Benji and Richo have both spoken about the plan and sticking to it. So what was the plan?

The intent is clear - to beome a top 4 Club. This is a cross department requirement so each are will have a plan to support this intent. If we focus on the football department, based on what we saw and heard in season 2024 we can make some good assumptions:

1. It is a multi year plan.
2. We plan to dig ourselves out of the hole on the back of our large nursery.
3. The 2024 start state was dictated by others - although Benji would have played a role.

So from this I expect that the plan in support of the intent to become a Top 4 Club is something like:

Purpose: Develop a systematic "Wests Tigers" approach to the development of teams, in all grades, that compete for a premiership every year.

We know that it is a multi year approach so I expect that the method sounds something like: This will be achieved through a three phase? approach with a supporting action.

  • Supporting action - Set the conditions for success (2024).
    • Establish a pathway (roadmap) to the NRL for each and every junior in the pathways system. Done
    • Assess the entire playing and coaching roster, with a focus on youth, to identify strengths to be supported and exploited and weaknesses to be mitigated (provide depth or are shifted on).
  • Phase 1 - Set the foundation (2024-2025)
    • Recruit quality players to mitigate identified weaknesses at NRL/NRLW level
    • Address clear deficiencies in depth
    • Institute a systems approach to recruitment, development and management of players and staff.
    • Develop a mix of youth and experience as the foundation for growth from 2025.
  • Phase 2 - Growth
    • Continued focus on the development, nutruring and mentorship of juniors in the pathways systems. Clear, documented milestones are monitored and pathways amended/terminated as required.
    • NRL/NRLW teams have enough depth to adequately manage injuries and suspensions while fielding competitive teams in all grades.
  • Phase 3 - Exploit success
    • Mature NRL/NRLW teams compete for premiership.
    • Exploit sucess of pathways program through the introduction of quality juniors into the system at low cost allowing $ to be spend on upgrading performing senior player and the introduction of high performing player from other systems to address player/coaching shortfalls.
Now this is a heap of assumptions and a stab in the dark at what the plan may look like - but if we relook at our 2024 performace based on this type of plan the achievement may even be a low pass. If the reports are correct:
  • The pathways to the NRL/NRLW have been developed for every player in the system
  • The playing and coaching rosters have been assessed and key deficiencies identified.
    • Luai, Taruva, Skelton, Hunt and Bird address key deficiences. We are still short of a competitive roster for 2025 but the off season hasn't arrived yet.
    • ICE and Stef moved on - freeing up cap space
    • Sezer's option not taken up freeing up top 30 positions (more to follow I expect)
    • Galvin, The Fianus, TDS, LL, Mason, Jorgenson have been identified as the foundation for the club going forward.
    • A new assistant coach to be appointed.
  • Despite winning the spoon for a third time - there is a significant difference in 24 to 22 and 23. The 2024 roster and selections were development focussed as opposed to focussed on ladder position. There appears to be a plan and for the first time in Tigers history we appear to be putting a plan into action with the intent of seeing it through.
So should we be happy with the 2024 result? Shit no, as Tucker's analysis of the 2024 stats show we were shit in many areas. Should we consider the season a failure? I guess it depends on what you are measuring. If you measure the intangibles I think 2024 was a big step in the right direction. Will we win a premiership in 2025? I doubt it but I think we just may be taking the first tangible steps to becomming a Top 4 club.
 
Last edited:
twentyforty said:
Let me simplify for you?
You can’t accurately judge a coach’s performance if he doesn’t have full control over his destiny.
Click to expand...
Bullshit….
Who hired all the numpties (the coaches best mates) with zero experience as assistants?
If there’s someone that’s always had this club by the short and curlys pandering to him it’s the coach….
And most of the fans / as is evident in the support for him here.
 
Jolls said:
I don't disagree with the assessment of our 2024 performance; but, we are assessing it against the NRL ladder. Based on comments from Richo and the approach taken by Benji I'm not sure that the NRL ladder was a real metric.

What if we look at it from a different perspective.

New board takes over and does a strategic review. The strategic goal is to become a top 4 club greater focus on the south-western corridor. Benji has already been earmarked as the coach - Richo acknowledges this and the planning begins.

Without knowledge of the inner circle at Wests Tigers I can only make assumptions based on what we have seen and heard this year. Benji did not make selections on putting the best ro most experienced team on the paddock. Despite Naden's brain farts there were plenty of times he should have plyed in front of some of our other options. AD clearly wasn't up to playing centre but was given enough rope to hang himself, did so and was "put on ice". We played kids when we could have selected more experienced players. This all points to a decision to play the long game. Benji and Richo have both spoken about the plan and sticking to it. So what was the plan?

The intent is clear - to beome a top 4 Club. This is a cross department requirement so each are will have a plan to support this intent. If we focus on the football department, based on what we saw and heard in season 2024 we can make some good assumptions:

1. It is a multi year plan.
2. We plan to dig ourselves out of the hole on the back of our large nursery.
3. The 2024 start state was dictated by others - although Benji would have played a role.

So from this I expect that the plan in support of the intent to become a Top 4 Club is something like:

Purpose: Develop a systematic "Wests Tigers" approach to the development of teams, in all grades, that compete for a premiership every year.

We know that it is a multi year approach so I expect that the method sounds something like: This will be achieved through a three phase? approach with a supporting action.

  • Supporting action - Set the conditions for success (2024).
    • Establish a pathway (roadmap) to the NRL for each and every junior in the pathways system. Done
    • Assess the entire playing and coaching roster, with a focus on youth, to identify strengths to be supported and exploited and weaknesses to be mitigated (provide depth or are shifted on).
  • Phase 1 - Set the foundation (2024-2025)
    • Recruit quality players to mitigate identified weaknesses at NRL/NRLW level
    • Address clear deficiencies in depth
    • Institute a systems approach to recruitment, development and management of players and staff.
    • Develop a mix of youth and experience as the foundation for growth from 2025.
  • Phase 2 - Growth
    • Continued focus on the development, nutruring and mentorship of juniors in the pathways systems. Clear, documented milestones are monitored and pathways amended/terminated as required.
    • NRL/NRLW teams have enough depth to adequately manage injuries and suspensions while fielding competitive teams in all grades.
  • Phase 3 - Exploit success
    • Mature NRL/NRLW teams compete for premiership.
    • Exploit sucess of pathways program through the introduction of quality juniors into the system at low cost allowing $ to be spend on upgrading performing senior player and the introduction of high performing player from other systems to address player/coaching shortfalls.
Now this is a heap of assumptions and a stab in the dark at what the plan may look like - but if we relook at our 2024 performace based on this type of plan the achievement may even be a low pass. If the reports are correct:
  • The pathways to the NRL/NRLW have been developed for every player in the system
  • The playing and coaching rosters have been assessed and key deficiencies identified.
    • Luai, Taruva, Skelton, Hunt and Bird address key deficiences. We are still short of a competitive roster for 2025 but the off season hasn't arrived yet.
    • ICE and Stef moved on - freeing up cap space
    • Sezer's option not taken up freeing up top 30 positions (more to follow I expect)
    • Galvin, The Fianus, TDS, LL, Mason, Jorgenson have been identified as the foundation for the club going forward.
    • A new assistant coach to be appointed.
  • Despite winning the spoon for a third time - there is a significant difference in 24 to 22 and 23. The 2024 roster and selections were development focussed as opposed to focussed on ladder position. There appears to be a plan and for the first time in Tigers history we appear to be putting a plan into action with the intent of seeing it through.
So should we be happy with the 2024 result? Shit no, as Tucker's analysis of the 2024 stats show we were shit in many areas. Should we consider the season a failure? I guess it depends on what you are measuring. If you measure the intangibles I think 2024 was a big step in the right direction. Will we win a premiership in 2025? I doubt it but I think we just may be taking the first tangible steps to becomming a Top 4 club.
Click to expand...
Phase 4. After 8 rounds. Lets talk.
 
batboy said:
Bullshit….
Who hired all the numpties (the coaches best mates) with zero experience as assistants?
If there’s someone that’s always had this club by the short and curlys pandering to him it’s the coach….
And most of the fans / as is evident in the support for him here.
Click to expand...
Gee mate you’re really hard to get through to with that Benji hatred high fence. When did I mention the current coach?
One big issue the club has is the level of input from board members who have very limited skill sets for their job and prefer others to have the same, so they can maintain their status. The coach (who ever it is) will struggle while they persist with this, yes even Benji.
All the coaches have a prime motive, to win, but it’s not the prime motive of the board. How can a club be successful with this conflict of interests?
We had a coach who won premierships in 2 countries, coached the kiwis to a World Cup victory against a red hot Australian side and with his first crack at Origin coached the Blues to a series win. But he’s not good enough for the NRL spoon team? 😂
 
twentyforty said:
Gee mate you’re really hard to get through to with that Benji hatred high fence. When did I mention the current coach?
One big issue the club has is the level of input from board members who have very limited skill sets for their job and prefer others to have the same, so they can maintain their status. The coach (who ever it is) will struggle while they persist with this, yes even Benji.
All the coaches have a prime motive, to win, but it’s not the prime motive of the board. How can a club be successful with this conflict of interests?
We had a coach who won premierships in 2 countries, coached the kiwis to a World Cup victory against a red hot Australian side and with his first crack at Origin coached the Blues to a series win. But he’s not good enough for the NRL spoon team? 😂
Click to expand...

He named himself batboy instead off batman
should tell you all you know, don't pay attention lol
 
TYGA said:
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.
Click to expand...

Only Galvin in the backline from the last round game.

Massive upgrade
 
AmericanHistoryX said:
Phase 4. After 8 rounds. Lets talk.
Click to expand...
If we aren't performing in 2025 Benji will be feeling the heat from us fans; but, that realy doesn't matter. The real issue is what is his performance being measured against by the club? Is it our position on the NRL ladder or how the long term plan is being executed and progressing?

We can make all the noise we want - but we aren't the ones with the ability to hire and fire!
 
@Jolls interesting argument. I have thoughts but too tired tonight to articulate. Will comment later on. Well presented though, 👍🏼
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 243 (members: 1, guests: 242)
Forever online: Tigergran, Geo
Back
Top