Coach Benji 👑

liltiger said:
Agree. I honestly cant see them punting him. It would be ironic though if they had to fork out $4 million to pay him out plus another million odd a season for a real coach and in some way put pressure on HBG that they finally decided to sell the joint.
Click to expand...
They wouldn't care. Its other peoples money theyre spending.
 
Jedi_Tiger said:
he tried for both roles apparently

and he has dealt with pathetic boards like parramatta during salary cap independent governance from nrl.
Click to expand...

I keep asking this question … are the owners going to pay Benji not to coach…and a new coach at the same time ? Probably cost them another $1m a year …

The NRL might have to make them ..
 
Aussielion said:
The big thing for Benji this year is that the rest of the season is a relatively soft draw. If they fail to win a game from here which is a strong possibility, he would have to be under the pump in 2027 from game one.
Click to expand...
If the club is really interested in getting to the finals next year benji has to GO , over the last 10 weeks he has failed to fix our defence as well as our attack , if our so called starts are not happy about benji getting sacked and they want to leave , let them go and start again and this time pay what there worth not way over
 

Why are we falling in a heap?​


If you take a step back and look at the situation you can get an understanding of what Benji and the club were trying to achieve in 2026. The continual club turmoil, the poor culture and attitude, lack of discipline and standards - this all needed to be addressed. Api, Luai and Tito to bring some recent winning expereince and training ethos to the club, flooding the joint with winning players to get some "Tiger DNA" into the joint, hard training focussed on leadership and developing future leaders. Benji had a plan.

I'm sure it briefed really well and, if you look at it objectively, from a planning perspective it had great merit - a plan to develop a club spirit and point the team in the right direction.

You also can't say that it wasn't working. While anyone with half a footy brain could see that depth was probably going to be an issue for us, making the bottom of the 8 was a reality and the team was playing for each other. Those first 8 rounds were a team playing for each other - doing the extras, making that tackle, getting off the line, playing injured etc. But it fell over in a heap. Why?

The thing about leadership is that it has to be real. You can teach leadership principles and you can educate individuals about what leadership is and they can make changes to their own outlooks and philosophies; however, it is extremely rare that individuals can change their character.

I thiink @Lestronge mentioned something about "leaders eat last". It is a good practical example of what leaders should do, but eating last is really lip service unless it truly is in your character. It is something that you can learn, it looks like leadership, it smells like leadership, but unless you live the principles behind it the actions are nothing more than window dressing.

And, from looking at our performances over the last five or six weeks our "leaders" had plenty of window dressing but no substance.

I went to the game on Saturday, and chose to go their by myself even though I had an offer from a Mate, who is a Saints supporter to go with me. I chose to go by myslef as I wanted to watch the team, not so much the game as the result was pretty much what I expected. I wanted to watch the off ball things, the drive, the communications, the frustration.

What I saw gave me a pretty good insight into what is likely to be happening inside the four walls. Laui was not leading by example and inspiring players, he was frustrated and "angry". The body language was not there, the intent was not there from nearly all bar Api (who was trying to lead by example). The players, for the most part, were going through the motions. When I chatted with Javon after the game he was deflated - just made his NRL debut and was not riding a wave of euphoria. Why?

The team feels betrayed, not that they will admit to it I'm sure. Benji, Luai and Api had them believing in themselves and that if they put their mates first then their mates would put them first. They all bought into the plan, until the leaders weren't eating last.

Injuries made it harder, Team first, "Tiger for Life," Luai signs for the Chiefs. AD is no longer playing for the team but kicking for himself, trying to solve problems by rushing out of the line, the use of the shoulder in defence becomes arm grabbing, Twal losing his head, discipline eroded across the park, May makes plenty of runs but lacks effort. The players are feeling betrayed, not by the coaching staff, but by themselves. They aren't tanking and they train hard, but subconsciously, they aren't palying for earch other. They aren't putting their mates first, that extra effort is now a burden and turns from a try saver to an arm grab. I don't think many of them could look themselves in the mirror today, with the exception of possibly Api, and think that they put their mates first on Saturday, or over the last six or so weeks to be fair.

I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders.

Like the decsision by Benji on AD or not, that is irrelevant, but Benji made the decision because he thought it was the hard right decision to get us back on track. To inject some spark back into an almost lifeless team. AD's personal decision in respose to being moved was morally corrupt. When the team needed leadership most, Doueihi chose to show his true character (although I think it had already been on display). He claims to be making a statement, and he has, my mates needed me and I'm not there. AD is a pea heart - he chose the easy wrong instead of being the leader he is happy to shout that he is.

At the moment we are cooked. Training harder and looking to our juniors is not going to solve the problem.

The solution is not something that you can just flick a switch and achieve. Benji needs to identify our new leaders and inculcate a sense of ownership into that group and the team. AD can not be part of the system he has turned his back on his "mates". Luai has also turned his back on his mates and is part of the problem; however, his "business decision" can potentially be overcome. I think a hard discussion needs to be had.

If handled in the right way we could salvage the season and finish on the up.

In my view: Luai needs to step down from the Captaincy role; voluntarily. Benji probably needs to have the chat to facilitate it; but he should be making the decsion for the benefit of the team. He needs to anounce the decision and he needs to explain why. This will elevate his leadership status and re-gain respect within the playing group. They will begin to listen again when he talks about mates first etc.

My gut feel is that Sam F is the key and probaly steps up as co captain with Api or perhaps Twal, but I'm not sure if he has the personality. Regardless of the decision it has to be someone who is committed to the club long term (may be just what is required to lock Sam F up). I think he is someone who can legitimatley eat last and be respected.

An investment in leadership is the short term fix. Add to that some depth and we shoudl be back on track; however, the real investment we need to make is in the character of the players we bring on. While footy has become a business and individuals will be forced to make decisions for themselves and their families, genuine leaders can navigate this by being transparent and not making gradiose staements like "Tiger for Life". They simply need to be genuine and putting their mates first while they wear the Black, White and Gold. Because true leadership is not for show - real leaders always eat last because they put their mates first.

We need to be selecting our squad based on ability, but also on character. It is an old saying but true - a champion team will always beat a team of champions!
 
Jolls said:

Why are we falling in a heap?​


If you take a step back and look at the situation you can get an understanding of what Benji and the club were trying to achieve in 2026. The continual club turmoil, the poor culture and attitude, lack of discipline and standards - this all needed to be addressed. Api, Luai and Tito to bring some recent winning expereince and training ethos to the club, flooding the joint with winning players to get some "Tiger DNA" into the joint, hard training focussed on leadership and developing future leaders. Benji had a plan.

I'm sure it briefed really well and, if you look at it objectively, from a planning perspective it had great merit - a plan to develop a club spirit and point the team in the right direction.

You also can't say that it wasn't working. While anyone with half a footy brain could see that depth was probably going to be an issue for us, making the bottom of the 8 was a reality and the team was playing for each other. Those first 8 rounds were a team playing for each other - doing the extras, making that tackle, getting off the line, playing injured etc. But it fell over in a heap. Why?

The thing about leadership is that it has to be real. You can teach leadership principles and you can educate individuals about what leadership is and they can make changes to their own outlooks and philosophies; however, it is extremely rare that individuals can change their character.

I thiink @Lestronge mentioned something about "leaders eat last". It is a good practical example of what leaders should do, but eating last is really lip service unless it truly is in your character. It is something that you can learn, it looks like leadership, it smells like leadership, but unless you live the principles behind it the actions are nothing more than window dressing.

And, from looking at our performances over the last five or six weeks our "leaders" had plenty of window dressing but no substance.

I went to the game on Saturday, and chose to go their by myself even though I had an offer from a Mate, who is a Saints supporter to go with me. I chose to go by myslef as I wanted to watch the team, not so much the game as the result was pretty much what I expected. I wanted to watch the off ball things, the drive, the communications, the frustration.

What I saw gave me a pretty good insight into what is likely to be happening inside the four walls. Laui was not leading by example and inspiring players, he was frustrated and "angry". The body language was not there, the intent was not there from nearly all bar Api (who was trying to lead by example). The players, for the most part, were going through the motions. When I chatted with Javon after the game he was deflated - just made his NRL debut and was not riding a wave of euphoria. Why?

The team feels betrayed, not that they will admit to it I'm sure. Benji, Luai and Api had them believing in themselves and that if they put their mates first then their mates would put them first. They all bought into the plan, until the leaders weren't eating last.

Injuries made it harder, Team first, "Tiger for Life," Luai signs for the Chiefs. AD is no longer playing for the team but kicking for himself, trying to solve problems by rushing out of the line, the use of the shoulder in defence becomes arm grabbing, Twal losing his head, discipline eroded across the park, May makes plenty of runs but lacks effort. The players are feeling betrayed, not by the coaching staff, but by themselves. They aren't tanking and they train hard, but subconsciously, they aren't palying for earch other. They aren't putting their mates first, that extra effort is now a burden and turns from a try saver to an arm grab. I don't think many of them could look themselves in the mirror today, with the exception of possibly Api, and think that they put their mates first on Saturday, or over the last six or so weeks to be fair.

I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders.

Like the decsision by Benji on AD or not, that is irrelevant, but Benji made the decision because he thought it was the hard right decision to get us back on track. To inject some spark back into an almost lifeless team. AD's personal decision in respose to being moved was morally corrupt. When the team needed leadership most, Doueihi chose to show his true character (although I think it had already been on display). He claims to be making a statement, and he has, my mates needed me and I'm not there. AD is a pea heart - he chose the easy wrong instead of being the leader he is happy to shout that he is.

At the moment we are cooked. Training harder and looking to our juniors is not going to solve the problem.

The solution is not something that you can just flick a switch and achieve. Benji needs to identify our new leaders and inculcate a sense of ownership into that group and the team. AD can not be part of the system he has turned his back on his "mates". Luai has also turned his back on his mates and is part of the problem; however, his "business decision" can potentially be overcome. I think a hard discussion needs to be had.

If handled in the right way we could salvage the season and finish on the up.

In my view: Luai needs to step down from the Captaincy role; voluntarily. Benji probably needs to have the chat to facilitate it; but he should be making the decsion for the benefit of the team. He needs to anounce the decision and he needs to explain why. This will elevate his leadership status and re-gain respect within the playing group. They will begin to listen again when he talks about mates first etc.

My gut feel is that Sam F is the key and probaly steps up as co captain with Api or perhaps Twal, but I'm not sure if he has the personality. Regardless of the decision it has to be someone who is committed to the club long term (may be just what is required to lock Sam F up). I think he is someone who can legitimatley eat last and be respected.

An investment in leadership is the short term fix. Add to that some depth and we shoudl be back on track; however, the real investment we need to make is in the character of the players we bring on. While footy has become a business and individuals will be forced to make decisions for themselves and their families, genuine leaders can navigate this by being transparent and not making gradiose staements like "Tiger for Life". They simply need to be genuine and putting their mates first while they wear the Black, White and Gold. Because true leadership is not for show - real leaders always eat last because they put their mates first.

We need to be selecting our squad based on ability, but also on character. It is an old saying but true - a champion team will always beat a team of champions!
Click to expand...
Love it @Jolls need you in there as GM of Football.
 
Jolls said:

Why are we falling in a heap?​


If you take a step back and look at the situation you can get an understanding of what Benji and the club were trying to achieve in 2026. The continual club turmoil, the poor culture and attitude, lack of discipline and standards - this all needed to be addressed. Api, Luai and Tito to bring some recent winning expereince and training ethos to the club, flooding the joint with winning players to get some "Tiger DNA" into the joint, hard training focussed on leadership and developing future leaders. Benji had a plan.

I'm sure it briefed really well and, if you look at it objectively, from a planning perspective it had great merit - a plan to develop a club spirit and point the team in the right direction.

You also can't say that it wasn't working. While anyone with half a footy brain could see that depth was probably going to be an issue for us, making the bottom of the 8 was a reality and the team was playing for each other. Those first 8 rounds were a team playing for each other - doing the extras, making that tackle, getting off the line, playing injured etc. But it fell over in a heap. Why?

The thing about leadership is that it has to be real. You can teach leadership principles and you can educate individuals about what leadership is and they can make changes to their own outlooks and philosophies; however, it is extremely rare that individuals can change their character.

I thiink @Lestronge mentioned something about "leaders eat last". It is a good practical example of what leaders should do, but eating last is really lip service unless it truly is in your character. It is something that you can learn, it looks like leadership, it smells like leadership, but unless you live the principles behind it the actions are nothing more than window dressing.

And, from looking at our performances over the last five or six weeks our "leaders" had plenty of window dressing but no substance.

I went to the game on Saturday, and chose to go their by myself even though I had an offer from a Mate, who is a Saints supporter to go with me. I chose to go by myslef as I wanted to watch the team, not so much the game as the result was pretty much what I expected. I wanted to watch the off ball things, the drive, the communications, the frustration.

What I saw gave me a pretty good insight into what is likely to be happening inside the four walls. Laui was not leading by example and inspiring players, he was frustrated and "angry". The body language was not there, the intent was not there from nearly all bar Api (who was trying to lead by example). The players, for the most part, were going through the motions. When I chatted with Javon after the game he was deflated - just made his NRL debut and was not riding a wave of euphoria. Why?

The team feels betrayed, not that they will admit to it I'm sure. Benji, Luai and Api had them believing in themselves and that if they put their mates first then their mates would put them first. They all bought into the plan, until the leaders weren't eating last.

Injuries made it harder, Team first, "Tiger for Life," Luai signs for the Chiefs. AD is no longer playing for the team but kicking for himself, trying to solve problems by rushing out of the line, the use of the shoulder in defence becomes arm grabbing, Twal losing his head, discipline eroded across the park, May makes plenty of runs but lacks effort. The players are feeling betrayed, not by the coaching staff, but by themselves. They aren't tanking and they train hard, but subconsciously, they aren't palying for earch other. They aren't putting their mates first, that extra effort is now a burden and turns from a try saver to an arm grab. I don't think many of them could look themselves in the mirror today, with the exception of possibly Api, and think that they put their mates first on Saturday, or over the last six or so weeks to be fair.

I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders.

Like the decsision by Benji on AD or not, that is irrelevant, but Benji made the decision because he thought it was the hard right decision to get us back on track. To inject some spark back into an almost lifeless team. AD's personal decision in respose to being moved was morally corrupt. When the team needed leadership most, Doueihi chose to show his true character (although I think it had already been on display). He claims to be making a statement, and he has, my mates needed me and I'm not there. AD is a pea heart - he chose the easy wrong instead of being the leader he is happy to shout that he is.

At the moment we are cooked. Training harder and looking to our juniors is not going to solve the problem.

The solution is not something that you can just flick a switch and achieve. Benji needs to identify our new leaders and inculcate a sense of ownership into that group and the team. AD can not be part of the system he has turned his back on his "mates". Luai has also turned his back on his mates and is part of the problem; however, his "business decision" can potentially be overcome. I think a hard discussion needs to be had.

If handled in the right way we could salvage the season and finish on the up.

In my view: Luai needs to step down from the Captaincy role; voluntarily. Benji probably needs to have the chat to facilitate it; but he should be making the decsion for the benefit of the team. He needs to anounce the decision and he needs to explain why. This will elevate his leadership status and re-gain respect within the playing group. They will begin to listen again when he talks about mates first etc.

My gut feel is that Sam F is the key and probaly steps up as co captain with Api or perhaps Twal, but I'm not sure if he has the personality. Regardless of the decision it has to be someone who is committed to the club long term (may be just what is required to lock Sam F up). I think he is someone who can legitimatley eat last and be respected.

An investment in leadership is the short term fix. Add to that some depth and we shoudl be back on track; however, the real investment we need to make is in the character of the players we bring on. While footy has become a business and individuals will be forced to make decisions for themselves and their families, genuine leaders can navigate this by being transparent and not making gradiose staements like "Tiger for Life". They simply need to be genuine and putting their mates first while they wear the Black, White and Gold. Because true leadership is not for show - real leaders always eat last because they put their mates first.

We need to be selecting our squad based on ability, but also on character. It is an old saying but true - a champion team will always beat a team of champions!
Click to expand...
Always bring some rational when it feels like their is nowhere to go ; good work Jolls
 
Jolls said:

Why are we falling in a heap?​


If you take a step back and look at the situation you can get an understanding of what Benji and the club were trying to achieve in 2026. The continual club turmoil, the poor culture and attitude, lack of discipline and standards - this all needed to be addressed. Api, Luai and Tito to bring some recent winning expereince and training ethos to the club, flooding the joint with winning players to get some "Tiger DNA" into the joint, hard training focussed on leadership and developing future leaders. Benji had a plan.

I'm sure it briefed really well and, if you look at it objectively, from a planning perspective it had great merit - a plan to develop a club spirit and point the team in the right direction.

You also can't say that it wasn't working. While anyone with half a footy brain could see that depth was probably going to be an issue for us, making the bottom of the 8 was a reality and the team was playing for each other. Those first 8 rounds were a team playing for each other - doing the extras, making that tackle, getting off the line, playing injured etc. But it fell over in a heap. Why?

The thing about leadership is that it has to be real. You can teach leadership principles and you can educate individuals about what leadership is and they can make changes to their own outlooks and philosophies; however, it is extremely rare that individuals can change their character.

I thiink @Lestronge mentioned something about "leaders eat last". It is a good practical example of what leaders should do, but eating last is really lip service unless it truly is in your character. It is something that you can learn, it looks like leadership, it smells like leadership, but unless you live the principles behind it the actions are nothing more than window dressing.

And, from looking at our performances over the last five or six weeks our "leaders" had plenty of window dressing but no substance.

I went to the game on Saturday, and chose to go their by myself even though I had an offer from a Mate, who is a Saints supporter to go with me. I chose to go by myslef as I wanted to watch the team, not so much the game as the result was pretty much what I expected. I wanted to watch the off ball things, the drive, the communications, the frustration.

What I saw gave me a pretty good insight into what is likely to be happening inside the four walls. Laui was not leading by example and inspiring players, he was frustrated and "angry". The body language was not there, the intent was not there from nearly all bar Api (who was trying to lead by example). The players, for the most part, were going through the motions. When I chatted with Javon after the game he was deflated - just made his NRL debut and was not riding a wave of euphoria. Why?

The team feels betrayed, not that they will admit to it I'm sure. Benji, Luai and Api had them believing in themselves and that if they put their mates first then their mates would put them first. They all bought into the plan, until the leaders weren't eating last.

Injuries made it harder, Team first, "Tiger for Life," Luai signs for the Chiefs. AD is no longer playing for the team but kicking for himself, trying to solve problems by rushing out of the line, the use of the shoulder in defence becomes arm grabbing, Twal losing his head, discipline eroded across the park, May makes plenty of runs but lacks effort. The players are feeling betrayed, not by the coaching staff, but by themselves. They aren't tanking and they train hard, but subconsciously, they aren't palying for earch other. They aren't putting their mates first, that extra effort is now a burden and turns from a try saver to an arm grab. I don't think many of them could look themselves in the mirror today, with the exception of possibly Api, and think that they put their mates first on Saturday, or over the last six or so weeks to be fair.

I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders.

Like the decsision by Benji on AD or not, that is irrelevant, but Benji made the decision because he thought it was the hard right decision to get us back on track. To inject some spark back into an almost lifeless team. AD's personal decision in respose to being moved was morally corrupt. When the team needed leadership most, Doueihi chose to show his true character (although I think it had already been on display). He claims to be making a statement, and he has, my mates needed me and I'm not there. AD is a pea heart - he chose the easy wrong instead of being the leader he is happy to shout that he is.

At the moment we are cooked. Training harder and looking to our juniors is not going to solve the problem.

The solution is not something that you can just flick a switch and achieve. Benji needs to identify our new leaders and inculcate a sense of ownership into that group and the team. AD can not be part of the system he has turned his back on his "mates". Luai has also turned his back on his mates and is part of the problem; however, his "business decision" can potentially be overcome. I think a hard discussion needs to be had.

If handled in the right way we could salvage the season and finish on the up.

In my view: Luai needs to step down from the Captaincy role; voluntarily. Benji probably needs to have the chat to facilitate it; but he should be making the decsion for the benefit of the team. He needs to anounce the decision and he needs to explain why. This will elevate his leadership status and re-gain respect within the playing group. They will begin to listen again when he talks about mates first etc.

My gut feel is that Sam F is the key and probaly steps up as co captain with Api or perhaps Twal, but I'm not sure if he has the personality. Regardless of the decision it has to be someone who is committed to the club long term (may be just what is required to lock Sam F up). I think he is someone who can legitimatley eat last and be respected.

An investment in leadership is the short term fix. Add to that some depth and we shoudl be back on track; however, the real investment we need to make is in the character of the players we bring on. While footy has become a business and individuals will be forced to make decisions for themselves and their families, genuine leaders can navigate this by being transparent and not making gradiose staements like "Tiger for Life". They simply need to be genuine and putting their mates first while they wear the Black, White and Gold. Because true leadership is not for show - real leaders always eat last because they put their mates first.

We need to be selecting our squad based on ability, but also on character. It is an old saying but true - a champion team will always beat a team of champions!
Click to expand...
You mentioned Tiger DNA - right now we have Magpie DNA...a club who holds a chain smoker up as their most decorated player (Tommy).
 
Jolls said:
I'll keep checking the mail but I don't think Shaun is about to ask. HaHa
Click to expand...
Well maybe he bloody should. I loved to hear someone at our club break it down, although there was a little AD bias coming through but generally I reckon you are really good at the balanced approach, and putting the eye test to the sword.
I know the saying about listening to the fans and all, but seriously it’s not rocket science.
@ShaunMielekamp meet @Jolls
Just have a chat with him would ya.
 
Jolls said:
I have another r

2 1/2 years before I can even vote so you will need to infiltrate the organisation earlier than that if you want change.
Click to expand...
Whadya mean 2.5 years to vote?
Is there a vote waiting list?
I’ve been a member for 9 years and did not member up this tenth year. They fkd up my auto renewal and I thought how unprofessional is this club? I give them a direct feed line to my account to suck money from once a year for a hat and bumper sticker and they fkd it up? Some snotty botch called and I said not today and then crickets. Free money every year? It’s a struggle but T4L Jolls. 😎
 
Jolls said:

Why are we falling in a heap?​


If you take a step back and look at the situation you can get an understanding of what Benji and the club were trying to achieve in 2026. The continual club turmoil, the poor culture and attitude, lack of discipline and standards - this all needed to be addressed. Api, Luai and Tito to bring some recent winning expereince and training ethos to the club, flooding the joint with winning players to get some "Tiger DNA" into the joint, hard training focussed on leadership and developing future leaders. Benji had a plan.

I'm sure it briefed really well and, if you look at it objectively, from a planning perspective it had great merit - a plan to develop a club spirit and point the team in the right direction.

You also can't say that it wasn't working. While anyone with half a footy brain could see that depth was probably going to be an issue for us, making the bottom of the 8 was a reality and the team was playing for each other. Those first 8 rounds were a team playing for each other - doing the extras, making that tackle, getting off the line, playing injured etc. But it fell over in a heap. Why?

The thing about leadership is that it has to be real. You can teach leadership principles and you can educate individuals about what leadership is and they can make changes to their own outlooks and philosophies; however, it is extremely rare that individuals can change their character.

I thiink @Lestronge mentioned something about "leaders eat last". It is a good practical example of what leaders should do, but eating last is really lip service unless it truly is in your character. It is something that you can learn, it looks like leadership, it smells like leadership, but unless you live the principles behind it the actions are nothing more than window dressing.

And, from looking at our performances over the last five or six weeks our "leaders" had plenty of window dressing but no substance.

I went to the game on Saturday, and chose to go their by myself even though I had an offer from a Mate, who is a Saints supporter to go with me. I chose to go by myslef as I wanted to watch the team, not so much the game as the result was pretty much what I expected. I wanted to watch the off ball things, the drive, the communications, the frustration.

What I saw gave me a pretty good insight into what is likely to be happening inside the four walls. Laui was not leading by example and inspiring players, he was frustrated and "angry". The body language was not there, the intent was not there from nearly all bar Api (who was trying to lead by example). The players, for the most part, were going through the motions. When I chatted with Javon after the game he was deflated - just made his NRL debut and was not riding a wave of euphoria. Why?

The team feels betrayed, not that they will admit to it I'm sure. Benji, Luai and Api had them believing in themselves and that if they put their mates first then their mates would put them first. They all bought into the plan, until the leaders weren't eating last.

Injuries made it harder, Team first, "Tiger for Life," Luai signs for the Chiefs. AD is no longer playing for the team but kicking for himself, trying to solve problems by rushing out of the line, the use of the shoulder in defence becomes arm grabbing, Twal losing his head, discipline eroded across the park, May makes plenty of runs but lacks effort. The players are feeling betrayed, not by the coaching staff, but by themselves. They aren't tanking and they train hard, but subconsciously, they aren't palying for earch other. They aren't putting their mates first, that extra effort is now a burden and turns from a try saver to an arm grab. I don't think many of them could look themselves in the mirror today, with the exception of possibly Api, and think that they put their mates first on Saturday, or over the last six or so weeks to be fair.

I don't think Benji has lost the playing group; the playing group has lost their leaders.

Like the decsision by Benji on AD or not, that is irrelevant, but Benji made the decision because he thought it was the hard right decision to get us back on track. To inject some spark back into an almost lifeless team. AD's personal decision in respose to being moved was morally corrupt. When the team needed leadership most, Doueihi chose to show his true character (although I think it had already been on display). He claims to be making a statement, and he has, my mates needed me and I'm not there. AD is a pea heart - he chose the easy wrong instead of being the leader he is happy to shout that he is.

At the moment we are cooked. Training harder and looking to our juniors is not going to solve the problem.

The solution is not something that you can just flick a switch and achieve. Benji needs to identify our new leaders and inculcate a sense of ownership into that group and the team. AD can not be part of the system he has turned his back on his "mates". Luai has also turned his back on his mates and is part of the problem; however, his "business decision" can potentially be overcome. I think a hard discussion needs to be had.

If handled in the right way we could salvage the season and finish on the up.

In my view: Luai needs to step down from the Captaincy role; voluntarily. Benji probably needs to have the chat to facilitate it; but he should be making the decsion for the benefit of the team. He needs to anounce the decision and he needs to explain why. This will elevate his leadership status and re-gain respect within the playing group. They will begin to listen again when he talks about mates first etc.

My gut feel is that Sam F is the key and probaly steps up as co captain with Api or perhaps Twal, but I'm not sure if he has the personality. Regardless of the decision it has to be someone who is committed to the club long term (may be just what is required to lock Sam F up). I think he is someone who can legitimatley eat last and be respected.

An investment in leadership is the short term fix. Add to that some depth and we shoudl be back on track; however, the real investment we need to make is in the character of the players we bring on. While footy has become a business and individuals will be forced to make decisions for themselves and their families, genuine leaders can navigate this by being transparent and not making gradiose staements like "Tiger for Life". They simply need to be genuine and putting their mates first while they wear the Black, White and Gold. Because true leadership is not for show - real leaders always eat last because they put their mates first.

We need to be selecting our squad based on ability, but also on character. It is an old saying but true - a champion team will always beat a team of champions!
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We don’t have a long term leader at the club , Sam F great player , no chance to be our leader , Twally , May , Turuva , etc etc , true leaders are in the mould of Cameron Smith , we need to find a Cameron smith as his players and the ref did what he wanted them to do , very very smart operator, API is only hear for a year or so and is half broken now so we need to find that leader , big voice , has brains , has footy brain , and can drive his idea or request to the limit , we don’t have anyone at the club now , it’s time to buy one
 
426Tlgerland said:
We don’t have a long term leader at the club , Sam F great player , no chance to be our leader , Twally , May , Turuva , etc etc , true leaders are in the mould of Cameron Smith , we need to find a Cameron smith as his players and the ref did what he wanted them to do , very very smart operator, API is only hear for a year or so and is half broken now so we need to find that leader , big voice , has brains , has footy brain , and can drive his idea or request to the limit , we don’t have anyone at the club now , it’s time to buy one
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Haywood looks the goods
But hes too young
 
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