Coach Benji 👑

[Telltails]

Cleary had possibly the worst roster in Tigers history (or close to it) and got us to the final day of the season for a nice 9th (in saying that I think his roster management was horrible and don't think we have ever recovered from it).

Maguire probably had the right idea. All the guys he targeted at the time (Lomax, Brimson, Latrell) all would of been huge, however none came into fruition as I just don't think he was a guy people wanted to come/play for. At Brisbane he inherited a nice roster and has done well. I think he can definitely coach.

Benjis appeal was he is likable and people wanted to play for him. Unfortunately now that results have been so far south, I think that appeal is gone. Forgetting this whole win/loss thing, and positions on ladder, I would say this year to me is the worst I have seen us play. We look dreadful. Our attack and defence I think both rank last in the comp.

Cleary also could not retain Moses Teddy or Woods and bought a whole lot of broken down players that screwed the cap, and then jumped as soon as a better offer came along.
Don't blame any of them because all have at least played finals footy and more and we continue to flounder at the bottom of the competition.

 

[fainty]

What about the likes of John Strange as an assistant?

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

I think the main problem is, apart from the pile on for Benji right now, that he's far from alone in these results as Tigers coaches go.

I see all these comments above "oh if only we give Brad Arthur a go" or "Holbrook has done wonders with Newcastle this year".

Yeah well Madge Maguire won a premiership before and after Tigers, and Ivan got Warriors to the GF before his Penrith dynasty and neither could make a dent in the Tigers will to fail.

And Brad Arthur missed the finals 6/11 seasons at Eels, including one wooden spoon and salary cap penalties in his fourth year.

Holbrook made 8th position with Titans, the only time they made the finals the 4 years he was there.

I don't think Benji is a myth or a fraud or any of that stuff - I don't even think he had a reputation as coach before he started. Some ppl dislike him for some reason, more than he deserves. If he coached Roosters or Storm he might find himself backing winners most weeks.

It's not about Benji IMO it's about the club. I don't know what the circuit breaker is because we've changed every lightbulb in the house. I have little confidence that sacking Benji gets us playing finals 2027, but nor do I think keeping him there has any better chance of Finals either.

I know that the people who will make the decision on Benji's future - they are mostly morons and aren't to be trusted.

So I supposed I just hang around in the background until we get our shit together.

Do you know I met my wife in 2011 after the Warriors knocked us out - we have teenage children now and Tigers haven't played finals once in that whole period. My kids have never seen Tigers play a Finals match, it's like some kind of myth or legend to them.

I feel for your kids and am saddened that they may never see our side climb that podium again.

Whilst ever our brains trust exists, there is no escaping the fact that they are left-sided-fixated.

Galvin
Luai
Latu
Javon
Averillo
and no one on the right except for the default Super Whinger Doooeee and guest appearances from Madden.
Now that Galvin is gone & Luai is on the way out, that frees up the left for Latu & Javon to fight it out. But here's the thing - Latu is not a halfback, never was, but is touted to be the guy next year despite not being given that developmental role at all for the past 2 years. And Doohee is not a halfback and frankly should be punted. PLUS, pretty sure Averillo is a left-sided player & not a halfback. Andrews is a left-sided five-eight who might be a chance to take the right-sided role. But then watch the media whinge about "Oh, they said Latu would be the half, blah blah" in order to create a stir in the ranks.

PLUS Pt 2 - Gee, it would be nice to have a halfback who sets plays up. We haven't had one of those since Scott Prince!

PLUS Pt 3 - And a proper Game Plan - Not: "The way we want to play", cos it ain't working, Bro. That's Benji's fault right there. Without a half who is not a hog but a schemer we are doomed. Dooee hogged it again tonight.

Short of playing the theme song to The Poseidon Adventure give the kids the 2005 Highlights DVD and put it on loop. 🐯 🐯 🐯 🍻 🍻 🍻

 

[Halbrowne61]

What about the likes of John Strange as an assistant?

Pardon my ignorance but who is John Strange and what are his credentials !

 

[TurnStyle]

Pardon my ignorance but who is John Strange and what are his credentials !

Think he is an experienced assistant at the Roosters, as well as being Ethan's dad. Seem to recall I think his daughter plays for the Roosters too?

 

[TigerBurnsy]

Pardon my ignorance but who is John Strange and what are his credentials !

He coaches roosters nrlw and I think he did blues nrlw aswell

 

[Droppy05]

ok fair enough, that's one - I just can't think of any - I reckon Matty Johns can coach but I don't think he'd want to even come over and kill his media career.

Like Benji did?

 

[Fainu Brothers]

What is Benjis game plan? High completion rates, which to be fair has been executed and hope we run over the top. Its not working, for the sloan break and kick back into the middle the bloke who sits out games over standards couldn’t even run back, just in case

 

[Tom Shines]

What about the likes of John Strange as an assistant?

I mean … is that a promotion for him?

 

[Tom Shines]

What is Benjis game plan? High completion rates, which to be fair has been executed and hope we run over the top. Its not working,

He has instructed them to play with this game plan regularly these past 2 years … I think the path to winning the game playing this way is very narrow for our team and rarely works … it’s too conservative and whilst stats like completion rates and time of possession might look good … the opposition is more than happy to grind away with us because we struggle to find points and normally will have a brain fade or two which the opposition takes advantage of to get on top …

During the early part of the year looking at the Cowboys and Raiders game … tbey threw the ball around a bit more and we’re not so much 5 hit ups and a kick … that wasn’t the only reason they won … they played much better in all areas, defence , line speed quicker play the balls. and had a much better attitude than now … but surely he needs to move away from the conservative attack …

 

[supercoach]

Over the years we have tried many coaches and 99.9% have failed miserably. So history tells you sacking Marshall probably is not going to change much.

In saying the above how are things going to change next year with the introduction of a new centre and possibly a few old journeymen and the same coaching set up. Personally I think we need to clean out the boys club completely, and that includes Benji. Bring in a hard man like Brad Arthurs and all new assistants. Things probably would not change in a hurry but it might just shake the place up and get everyone out of their comfort zone. At present we have a club that has made losing acceptable and winning a rare bonus

 

[diedpretty]

HBG got what they wanted,
a losing WEST TIGERS NRL SIDE.

But a winning MAGPIE team playing on there home ground at Lidcombe,

boring 😴😴😴😴

 

[Bellend]

What is Benjis game plan? High completion rates, which to be fair has been executed and hope we run over the top. Its not working, for the sloan break and kick back into the middle the bloke who sits out games over standards couldn’t even run back, just in case

Where is the defensive line and structure why do the same blokes rush up consistently, kicking game is pointless, and final 3rd has not changed.

 

[Papacito]

Yesterday the Dragons were coming off a pretty good win against the Sharks and have been in good form.

Except for a couple of bad individual misses in defence, we would have walked away with the points.

The reason we lost had nothing to do with the coach. He isn't spending the week telling guys to miss individual tackles.

The lack of heat from the media on Benji is because they're a little more realistic than fans and can see that we don't have a strong side.

Furthermore, the whole Luai drama has clearly had a very destabilising impact on some players. You can't blame Benji for that. Blame the previous CEO who signed him to a contract that was as flimsy as an old Kmart coffee table.

 

[diedpretty]

I do think the Luai saga was the beginning of the end for the season and for Benji. Although it was Richardsons fault for allowing those crazy get out clauses, the club and Benji should have blasted Luai for the fraud he is instead of sucking up to him. He should have been told he could leave then and there. I think the bs bros attitude he showed towards Luai fractured the playing group. Up until that signing the team was running 3rd. After the Luai defection they had 3 huge scores put on them before the bye and it was downhill from there. It was quite obvious the playing group had lost confidence in Benji and that seemed to be festering as the season continued. I really can't see any way back for Benji - had he shown some balls over the Luai incident things may have been different.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Terry Lamb also appointed Skandalis as goalkicker at one stage.

That said, he did manage some memorable wins, including beating the premiers in 2001 (Knights) and 2002 (Roosters), as well as the salary cap cheating Dogs in 2002 before they went on a 17 game winning streak.

On balance, Lamb did better with a much worse squad, including the likes of Balin Cupples, Trent Runciman, Glen Air, Luke Isakka, Nick Bradley-Koala, Ahmed Bajouri and Hassan Saleh. But in 25 years time if the Tigers are still around, we'll probably regard Tony Sukkar, Bunty Afoa, Junior Tupou etc in the same light.

Huh?? 🤔 you really are a nasty piece of work hey!! Sukkar played well . As did Bunty and Tupou .. maybe look at the dogshit halves work that never even draw a man in or create space or take a correct option when looking to apportion blame for our losses .. we absolutely cannot attack .. that’s not on the prop and the winger

 

[Gazman]

I have been checking results whilst I am still overseas travelling and shaking my head that we have regressed so far down the ladder . If I read a summary again this year on how we failed to live up to expectations and injuries and distractions were to blame ,I will put this down to the coaching structures as It will be more pure luck than effort we avoided the spoon

 

[supercoach]

Brad Arthur seems to be the new Geoff Toovey. People called for us to sign him for years. Before that it was Steve Folkes (RIP). Now it’s all about Arthur. It won’t happen.

He is just a coach that comes to mind that has a reputation as being a hard man who is available. Iam willing to try basically anyone who can set standards rather than talk about family first

 

[Furious1]

I do think the Luai saga was the beginning of the end for the season and for Benji. Although it was Richardsons fault for allowing those crazy get out clauses, the club and Benji should have blasted Luai for the fraud he is instead of sucking up to him. He should have been told he could leave then and there. I think the bs bros attitude he showed towards Luai fractured the playing group. Up until that signing the team was running 3rd. After the Luai defection they had 3 huge scores put on them before the bye and it was downhill from there. It was quite obvious the playing group had lost confidence in Benji and that seemed to be festering as the season continued. I really can't see any way back for Benji - had he shown some balls over the Luai incident things may have been different.

He may have been able to redeem himself, but he doubled down with the whole AD scenario.