OK, so let me play Devil's advocate here. I'm pretty sure that we can all agree that Benji isn't a dill. IF we can agree that then we can make an assumption that the team was provided with a workable game plan and there were discussions around the threat Melbourne would pose at home, coming off a loss. So at this point I expect we are all nodding north and south.
The team appeared relaxed pre game. I took that as a bad omen myself; however, a relaxed team could also be confident in the game plan and their ability to execute it.
In the early stages of the Melbourne game we matched them and may have scored had it not been for poor execution by an individual or two. Then momentum changed significantly. Broken field play after failing to compete for the ball, lack of effort by two players not renowned for their effort plays and a significant lack of posession and inevitably a 64 point blowout.
A 64 point blowout is a complete defensive breakdown. Either the system was flawed (which we know it isn't based on the previous ten games) , or players a fatigued and fail to execute the basic principles like line speed. Then communication starts to break down and the team mentally collapses.
The team started IOK, but the mental collapse on the field can't be controlled by the coach. That is on the on filed leadership team of Api and Luia. If the game plan isn't adapted on the field the situation can, and on this occsion did, deteriorate rapidly. Which leads to further fatigue, even worse decisions and the team completely folds under sustained pressure.
So lets look at a different game: In 2023, at Leichardt Oval, we defeated the Cows 66-18. It was Lick Bricks' 200th game for the club and saw Jahream score his first NRL try. Given how lowly Wests Tigers were, perhaps Payten failed to get the cows adequatey prepared for the game; however, it is more likely (and certainly from what I recal of the game, that we got a huge share of the ball and had the momentum and SOO representative players were given a bath by the wooden spooners.
So was Todd the issue, was it the lack of preparation or was it one of those game where the bounce of the ball and momentum came together to completely overwhelm the team? Given the Cowboys performances over a few season under Todd Payten you woud have to err on the side of caution and state that the team failed to perform. So what is the takeway here?
Even with a good coach and warnings about mindset, a systemic failure is usually a mix of high momentum, poor defence, mental weakness, and leadership issues. It’s not just one thing; it’s not always a culture, structural or coaching issue. It is highly likely that a sequence of events occurs that leads to fatigue that leads to opposition momentum that leads to more fatigue, then communication breaks down and in the end - complete mayhem.
Unless you are aware of how the team was prepared it is more likely that 64-0 drubbing has more to do with the dudes on the park chasing the pig skin than the blokes with the clipboards. I'm certinly not giving Benji a free ride as it was his responsibility to prepare them for the game; perhaps he could have done more - who knows unless you are involved in the day to day. What I am saying though is, based on what we know about how these types of blow outs tend to occur, that it is the players inability to adapt to the situation, combined with fatigue that has more bearing on the result than anything a the coach has failed to do before ball was kicked.
Very interesting thesis, thanks for crafting it, but i cant subscribe to it entirely for a couple of reasons. Reasonable minds can come to different conclusions.
Benji is a bit of a dill. He joins up with Tim and then puts his hand up to coach a poor roster without any experience. He should have done a proper apprenticeship and bided his time. His track record is appalling. Easily the worst coach in the NRL. If he was that talented as a coach, he should have done better last year.
Its his job to instill character and get as many players as possible playing at their optimum no matter the opposition. Hes failing miserably on that kpi. Good teams fight hard all the time. They dont get plastered into oblivion.
And lets not forget, if it is the players fault, then he recruited them!
He spent most of last year making excuses that he was a rookie. Well he wasnt bashful before he took the job.
It was his job to train then out of fatigue. Lots of coaches do it fairly regularly.
Weve got a young side, they should be physically adept to counter surges.
As for the culture, he hasnt built a winning culture. Hes relectant to hold players to account and he nevers calls them out. They know that as far as the public is concerned, they get a free ride.
He hates sacking players from the side. Its very hard to get sacked. No or very little accountability. All bets are off.
And my favourite argument, he said after the storm game that he screwed their preparation or "i will need to look at what i did." It was a full and unfettered admission. A confession that hes not where he needs to be.
Im not saying hes a bad person, he works hard but all that hard work....nothing especially great is coming from it. Thats another issue. Hes banging his head up against a wall.
Hes had months to prepare the players for combat and at times, they wont even get out of their fox holes.
I just havent seen enough to suggest his tenure should be set in stone. My feeling is that the team could respond better with another in command.
He can take a few years off and come back with a few notches under his belt.
No one likes to see him failing, floundering away, mouth wide open, arms waving wildly in the air...destroying his legacy as a superb player, pretty much for most of his incredible career.
And one that left the game in a better place than whence he found it. Rare and a gift.
But that doesnt always translate to the coaching lark.
Over to you maestro....
