Benji 2025

[batboy]

One thing has nothing to do with the other . They are not linked outside of where they sit on a timeline ie. one event followed the other .
Madge was fired in 2022 mid season for for poor results , and ultimately for alienating a playing group he coached .
This was evident at the end of 2021 after the farcical tiger town documentary. In fact the commentary around Madge’s sacking wasn’t that he didn’t deserve it , but rather that why didn’t they do it in the offseason what was the point .
The Benji stuff was a k we jerk reaction by fickle, incompetent management in response to losing all thier preferred candidates for the head coaching role , ciraldo being the most publicised st the time , but wolf and a few others who were considered high value also didn’t go far into negotiation .
The reason I give Benji rope is the way his job came about . He was asked would he do it , told that the necessary structures to support him would be in place , (they were and then they weren’t) , and ultimately has been set up to fail.
And he hasn’t lost the dressing room , in fact it’s pretty much the opposite . He has issues with some more intrinsic and strategic coaching techniques , of which I think Richo has identified , and as such Benji will be given an assistant with this knowledge .
They’re completely different situations , and to imply there’s been no change is just hilarious , and frankly stupid IMO. It’s emotional babble to a season where we could have gotten much more out of it .
I’m just not fickle like you .We’ve done nothing but set up Benji for failure . The whole experiment was predicated on a good foundation on which we haven’t provided . And you want to judge someone for falling over on uneven , treacherous ground to be him with ?
Please …. Next year will be the first year Benji will have the stable ground on which he should be judged as such . And if it’s anything like this year , we can’t move into the final year of his tenure . It wouldn’t be fair on him as much as the club and us as supporters .
Sack him now ? For who ? It’s just gibberish

How many other of the other 16 supporter bases are referring to the implementation of their head coach as an 'experiment'?
If expecting a highly paid head coach to have actually done it before in some capacity makes me fickle, I'll happily wear it.

 

[Tucker]

I don’t think there’s revisionism going on around Benji at all .
He was the assistant coach in 23 . Yes he was running the training but the ideas around who plays , when and where and the strategies being played were ultimately Sheens . I’ve no doubt though that Benji would have had way more influence than any other assistant would have had , because ultimately he was the one who would inherit the team .
I’m not defending anything , but we’ve made a plan and we have to stick to it . What’s the point in undercutting , if not to undermine .
2022 wasn’t hijacked btw . It was fumbled by the special 2. Really Madge should have been turfed in 2021 . It was a farce . If by that you mean it was hijacked ? Then yes I agree . But I don’t think there was some Machiavellian scheme in place to oust Madge . Just a poor club run by even poorer administrators

It was. I thought Madge should have been fired immediately following round 25 of 2021 when the last placed Doggies bent us over 38 blot. The fact he survived a highly publicised hit that was set up for him and came out of that with an extension, only to be fired 3 months into the new campaign is where the sabotage of that season occured.
Im not about undercutting a plan, although I certainly think it was a dumb plan to begin with. We need to look seriously at the possibility that we are wasting these recruits. Adding Klemmer, Api, Papali'i and Bateman to your pack and a winger fresh off a premiership victory in Staines, should not result in a last place finish. Unearthing some genuine young talent, whilst adding the Fainu bros, Olam and Sezer should not equal another one.

 

[BAGNF05]

It was. I thought Madge should have been fired immediately following round 25 of 2021 when the last placed Doggies bent us over 38 blot. The fact he survived a highly publicised hit that was set up for him and came out of that with an extension, only to be fired 3 months into the new campaign is where the sabotage of that season occured.
Im not about undercutting a plan, although I certainly think it was a dumb plan to begin with. We need to look seriously at the possibility that we are wasting these recruits. Adding Klemmer, Api, Papali'i and Bateman to your pack and a winger fresh off a premiership victory in Staines, should not result in a last place finish. Unearthing some genuine young talent, whilst adding the Fainu bros, Olam and Sezer should not equal another one.

Adding to what, Pascoe’s hero’s 😂

 

[Tucker]

Adding to what, Pascoe’s hero’s 😂

Adding to what we already had here including Stef, Joe O, Doueihi, Laurie, Pole, Blore, Twal and your mate Brooks.
Our rosters are improving every year yet we keep coming last.

 

[BAGNF05]

Adding to what we already had here including Stef, Joe O, Doueihi, Laurie, Pole, Blore, Twal and your mate Brooks.
Our rosters are improving every year yet we keep coming last.

Our roster took a leap forward when we finally offloaded the big four Pascoe frauds.

Paps, Api & Stef came along but unfortunately that coincided with a year played largely without halves. Brooks & Doueihi combined with Laurie was an uninspiring spine anyway.

2024 then became a holding pattern year when we signed Luai for 2025 and decided to blood 12/13 kids.

The roster has been in a state of flux but at all times has been among the worst in the league.

I thought we could have climbed up a few rungs this year but poor discipline and inexperience (these go hand in hand) cost us dearly. senior players in Sezer and Bateman and Naden were basically passengers and made the roster worse than it was on paper.

 

[Tucker]

Our roster took a leap forward when we finally offloaded the big four Pascoe frauds.

Paps, Api & Stef came along but unfortunately that coincided with a year played largely without halves. Brooks & Doueihi combined with Laurie was an uninspiring spine anyway.

2024 then became a holding pattern year when we signed Luai for 2025 and decided to blood 12/13 kids.

The roster has been in a state of flux but at all times has been among the worst in the league.

I thought we could have climbed up a few rungs this year but poor discipline and inexperience (these go hand in hand) cost us dearly. senior players in Sezer and Bateman and Naden were basically passengers and made the roster worse than it was on paper.

You are seriously reaching now.
Both rosters - 2023 and 2024 were good enough not to come last.
Neither were coached, trained nor prepared well enough to accomplish this.

 

[Jolls]

I dare say amongst his KPIs could be level of congeniality and willingness to take orders? They will always use the ladder. All Benji needs to do is go up one rung at a time and he’ll be safe providing he meets the first two.

I'm pretty sure that ladder was not relevant to Richo and Benji this year. They would have liked to finish higher to shut up us fans and the journos; but, too many times we continued to explore risky youth options at the expense of experienced NRL players. This year was definitely foundation building from Richos perspective and I expect a year of experimentation and evaluation for Benji.

I trust that 2024 really was us setting the platform for growth and not simply the same old same old. I truly think that under Richo the classic Wests Tigers days of poor roster, poor result sack the coach and start a five year rebuild are over.

We went one step further this year, sacked the board, developed a new strategic plan and stopped the leaks. I'm not enamoured with another spoon in the cupboard, but I do think Richo and Co have developed a map to navigate our way out of the the shitfight we are and will stick to it. Unlike the previous decade where we kneejerked our way into spoon heaven.

If Richo had a choice I doubt Benji would have been our coach. If most of us had a choice he wouldn't be either; he would be an assistant learning the trade. But Benji is the coach, he has a contract and they (Richo and Benji) have a plan to get us off the bottom of the ladder.

2024 was a free ride for Benji, but Richo has clearly identifed the need for more experience in the coaching ranks. I trust he has identified someone with an astute footballing mind and the courage to make the hard right calls to support the growth of the club and our coach.

We're still a few players short of a competitive side in 2025; but I think that we now have enough nouse to drag ourselves off the bottom of the heap.

 

[Lestronge]

How many other of the other 16 supporter bases are referring to the implementation of their head coach as an 'experiment'?
If expecting a highly paid head coach to have actually done it before in some capacity makes me fickle, I'll happily wear it.

Thanks Einstein! What’s your brilliant solution ? Axe him now …. For who ? The plan is in place . Either get on board , or don’t ! Either way STFU ! Enough . They’re not sacking him , and youre offering nothing new outside BuT he’s A RoOkIe! The same amount of wins as Ciraldo his first year . With the youngest squad ever . Was he perfect . No way ! But do I think he will be better for the experience yep . I’m going to back him , because he’s our coach and the players love him. Pretty much a thing no one said about Madge the whole time he was here outside of Hastings …
Also because there’s no other alternative .
At least Tucker offers insight and someone who’s had some thought behind his views . You’re just spewing gibberish over and over . Honestly … it’s tiresome to read

 

[tigermate]

if we lose the fist 5 games next year - i expect the drums around Madge to be huge.

regardless of his history with the club, new CEO even though he fired him at souths... we have a top 8 roster next year and madge wants to coach... no other sydney clubs will be looking for a coach.

 

[Glenji95]

if we lose the fist 5 games next year - i expect the drums around Madge to be huge.

regardless of his history with the club, new CEO even though he fired him at souths... we have a top 8 roster next year and madge wants to coach... no other sydney clubs will be looking for a coach.

After what happened last time Madge won’t be in consideration. We got worse each year under him and the players wanted him gone. History will repeat itself if Madge is brought back and I was one of his supporters. Him and the Tigers are done. Besides I think Richo had a hand in him being let go from Souths.

 

[TIGERS]

How about this?

I'm fine with Benji as our coach, but yes, 2025 is certainly the season where we stop talking about rebuilds, and 'the future' or consolidation. Honestly if its another abysmal season then that's probably enough for me and it'd agree its time to try someone else. I'd expect equal 10th (on points / wins) at the very least, and only less if we have an absolutely absurd injury situation.

BUT

Trying someone else doesn't mean getting 'Pascoe Fever' and turning away from becoming a development club and paying overs for discards again. As long as we stick to our newer approach, and we pick a coach in context of what the club needs and not merely by reputation alone, I'd understand making changes at that point if we're still languishing after 4 years of trying things a certain way.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Thanks Einstein! What’s your brilliant solution ? Axe him now …. For who ?

Brad Arthur, Nathan Brown, Madge, Jim Dymock all have more runs on the board. And that’s just off the top of my head

The plan is in place

There’s a plan? Citation needed

Either get on board , or don’t ! Either way STFU !

Wow. No one is allowed to question anything. And said in such an authoritative tone. As if you are auditioning for a role in the Korean People’s Army. Yes sir *SALUTE*

Enough . They’re not sacking him , and youre offering nothing new outside BuT he’s A RoOkIe! The same amount of wins as Ciraldo his first year

It’s pretty obvious they aren’t sacking him…yet. And Ciraldo had a pedigree when he was appointed. Big difference

With the youngest squad ever

How many times is this chestnut going to get dusted off. That’s no longer an excuse. How about the club focus on bringing in some experience? It’s not healthy for a club to consistently have the youngest squad in the comp. Yet some wear it as a badge of honour. It isn’t.

. Was he perfect . No way !

Does my head in when people bring perfection up as an argument to excuse failure. Nobody expects perfection. But that’s no excuse for incompetence

But do I think he will be better for the experience yep . I’m going to back him

It would be one thing if you were barking at people because you were defending his record, but he doesn’t have one to defend. You’re relying on blind faith, which makes your authoritarian stance pretty nonsensical

, because he’s our coach and the players love him.

Players loved Luke Brooks too. What’s your point? Also, just a point of order Mr Speaker, we did have two key players this year walk out on their contracts, and there was a lot of smoke that a third wanted out too. So take that FWIW

 

[yeahcaz]

if we lose the fist 5 games next year - i expect the drums around Madge to be huge.

regardless of his history with the club, new CEO even though he fired him at souths... we have a top 8 roster next year and madge wants to coach... no other sydney clubs will be looking for a coach.

God I hope not. I heard on a podcast he is desperate to coach again but honestly now his game and supposed hard nosed edge is great for rep football, club ? Eh.

If we were to look for a new coach I’d say Josh Hannay would be a constant name as would Brad Arthur but seems pretty set in stone he’s off to Perth. Heard big wraps on Fitzgibbons back room staff at the sharks who is daniel holdsworth & tony Grimaldi. Knowing our luck will end up with Anthony griffin

 

[Glenji95]

Brad Arthur, Nathan Brown, Madge, Jim Dymock all have more runs on the board. And that’s just off the top of my head

Brad Arthur just took up an extra year at Leeds so you wouldn’t get him until 26, that’s if he’s not already agreed to coach the Bears.

Nathan Brown has said he’s not interested in a head coaching role anymore. Besides he was never really that great.

Madge is done and dusted for us, we tried and it just wasn’t meant to be. Going from 9th, 11th then 13th should be enough to say not to bring him back. Besides the players eventually got tired of his hard methods we’ll lose more than we gain bringing him back.

Jim Dymock has only coached 8 games in his life as a first grade coach. He’s been assistant for a long time I know, but given he’s never taken a head coach job tells me that he’s not well rated, or he’s fine with just being an assistant and has no interest in a head coach role.

If Benji is gonna get the flick it’s very unlikely these guys come in to take it.

 

[crazycat]

Funny you're banging on that a 'proven' coach should have been punted 2 years early
- But the bloke who no one knows if he's got a clue what he's doing should be given a couple more years to 'work it out'....
Where's the logic in that?

What's it gonna take, Galvin, Pole also leaving to be coached elsewhere
(Just like Stefano has)? 10 and 0 next year?
How many chances does the bloke get.

I remember when Naden extended in 2022, Sheens banging on about how it was Benji's decision and what Benji was gonna do with him....
(Funny he didn't mention that would be play him in the halves in Ressies)
You might not get it or want to believe it, But he's been pulling the reigns since the decision was made....
And we're not improving...
We've actually got worse - With a much better squad.

The big thing that bothered me in hindsight...

Where is the Plan B.

We had a choice for assistant coach:
Shane Flanagan
Gardiner.

We Choose Gardiner when it was very very clear that Madge was struggling.
Give him a chance or no... Either two things happen:
He performs
OR
He flops.

Madge is fired and there is.... NO ONE!

Likewise Benji.
He has signed a bunch of players, got the team onboard and is the coach for 2025.
He may succeed and success is at least moving us up to 12th on the ladder, Yes we want a GF but lets be realistic.

Benji Fails? What's the fallback plan. I can only think John Morris.

We need a fallback plan. I don't know if it's Brad Arthur as I think he is poached for the new team. But our board should have a few options lined up at coach.

 

[Glenji95]

God I hope not. I heard on a podcast he is desperate to coach again but honestly now his game and supposed hard nosed edge is great for rep football, club ? Eh.

If we were to look for a new coach I’d say Josh Hannay would be a constant name as would Brad Arthur but seems pretty set in stone he’s off to Perth. Heard big wraps on Fitzgibbons back room staff at the sharks who is daniel holdsworth & tony Grimaldi. Knowing our luck will end up with Anthony griffin

Madge won’t be back at the club it just wasn’t meant to be. I wish him luck when he eventually does get a head coach job again for a club, but it’s not gonna be with us.

 

[Glenji95]

The big thing that bothered me in hindsight...

Where is the Plan B.

We had a choice for assistant coach:
Shane Flanagan
Gardiner.

We Choose Gardiner when it was very very clear that Madge was struggling.
Give him a chance or no... Either two things happen:
He performs
OR
He flops.

Madge is fired and there is.... NO ONE!

Likewise Benji.
He has signed a bunch of players, got the team onboard and is the coach for 2025.
He may succeed and success is at least moving us up to 12th on the ladder, Yes we want a GF but lets be realistic.

Benji Fails? What's the fallback plan. I can only think John Morris.

We need a fallback plan. I don't know if it's Brad Arthur as I think he is poached for the new team. But our board should have a few options lined up at coach.

If Benji gets sacked mid year Morris will be the coach at least for the remainder of the season. That’s the only fallback they would have at the moment.

 

[Telltails]

Players make and break coaches and Benji will be no different - regardless of who rates the squad and who doesnt. There were experienced coaches this season with much stronger rosters and depth, who had players performing last season who crashed and burned this season. Results determine the fate of all coaches regardless of any reputation, experience, or lack there of and there are no guarantees from one season to the next when it comes to player performance.

 

[BAGNF05]

You are seriously reaching now.
Both rosters - 2023 and 2024 were good enough not to come last.
Neither were coached, trained nor prepared well enough to accomplish this.

Started with very little depth and as favourites for the spoon, suffered bad luck with injuries and suspensions and ran last. You call it reaching. I call them facts.

 

[Lauren]

Started with very little depth and as favourites for the spoon, suffered bad luck with injuries and suspensions and ran last. You call it reaching. I call them facts.

I agree about the depth, we basically had to rely on players who were meant to play flegg.

Was reading an article about when Penrith were in a similar predicament. Even Gus conceded (then) that real progress would take years when a team is so young. It was a gradual process but look at them now.The following article discusses their success as a development club. Touching on how their development strategy has not only fostered sustainable success for themselves but has also strengthened other clubs by providing talented players.

The Panthers millionaire factory: $27m and counting for club’s brightest and best

Since the Panthers’ dynasty began in 2021, a host of players and coaches have left the club due to salary cap pressure – earning themselves seven-figure paydays in the process.

www.smh.com.au