Coach Benji 👑

[magpies forever]

Honestly I look at the teams in the top 8 and compare our individual players in each position in relation to their natural ability, skill level, fitness, strength and size, mental attitude- and there is simply no getting around the facts. Our guys are just not at the same standard.
The posts in here about early in the season when this player or that player was firing - realistically, match them up player for player, across the season. Blame Benji if you like but in my mind it’s blatantly clear we just don’t have the types of players to compete with the best clubs.
Winning games like those on the weekend when both teams have 17 players who are all at the top of their game and putting in 100%, comes down to elite players who can make something from the smallest break or create something from nothing. We simply don’t have those guys - not even one, yet teams like the Panthers or Roosters or Phins have 5 or 6.
I’m not saying we can’t make the finals because we certainly could but winning the comp - that’s going to take a different group of players.

I don't think we will ever get the best players as the major clubs always / regularly get. I think our limit on current roster and potential gets into the foreseeable future will be somewhere positions 6 thru 10. And even that would require better coaching, fitness, game plans, interchange usage, organisation in attack and defence. All that is on the coaching and fitness guys. We have been found wanting there without much change or hope at present.

Edit- also looking at rosters, think we are typical example of lower rung teams in lack of roster depth. It's really only top 4 or 6 that have great depth.

 

[Telltails]

Honestly I look at the teams in the top 8 and compare our individual players in each position in relation to their natural ability, skill level, fitness, strength and size, mental attitude- and there is simply no getting around the facts. Our guys are just not at the same standard.
The posts in here about early in the season when this player or that player was firing - realistically, match them up player for player, across the season. Blame Benji if you like but in my mind it’s blatantly clear we just don’t have the types of players to compete with the best clubs.
Winning games like those on the weekend when both teams have 17 players who are all at the top of their game and putting in 100%, comes down to elite players who can make something from the smallest break or create something from nothing. We simply don’t have those guys - not even one, yet teams like the Panthers or Roosters or Phins have 5 or 6.
I’m not saying we can’t make the finals because we certainly could but winning the comp - that’s going to take a different group of players.

Yep - I do this every year when people start the talk that we should be making the eight.
And it's always the same we fall short against at least 10 other teams in the competition in personnel, and to be any chance would have to keep our top squad on the field unearth an untapped talent , and hope that other teams falter and or get hit by injury.
There is far stronger teams than ours on paper that didn't make the eight this season- Brisbane Canberra and arguably Manly and Bulldogs all finalists last year. That leaves us around where we finished up.

 

[orange&black]

I don't think we will ever get the best players as the major clubs always / regularly get. I think our limit on current roster and potential gets into the foreseeable future will be somewhere positions 6 thru 10. And even that would require better coaching, fitness, game plans, interchange usage, organisation in attack and defence. All that is on the coaching and fitness guys. We have been found wanting there without much change or hope at present.

I think you’re right, our best hope is that with the right development and “culture” in place, plus all the things you mentioned, we are able to bring through a group of talented young players that want to stay and are elite compared to the players that are going around at the successful clubs. Almost like the next generation. The Panthers did this years ago - and once you have success then astute roster management and talent ID can bring in the additions you need.
In the meantime leadership and experience along with quality coaching are the keys to help develop those young guys.

 

[Jolls]

Yep - I do this every year when people start the talk that we should be making the eight.
And it's always the same we fall short against at least 10 other teams in the competition in personnel, and to be any chance would have to keep our top squad on the field unearth an untapped talent , and hope that other teams falter and or get hit by injury.
There is far stronger teams than ours on paper that didn't make the eight this season- Brisbane Canberra and arguably Manly and Bulldogs all finalists last year. That leaves us around where we finished up.

The Broncos are a clear indicator that money and talent are not pre-requisites for success. It sure makes it shit tins easier to win if you have the most money and the best players but attitude and desire is what gets results.

There has been change for the better at WT over the last few years; while the results are not on the board we have been inching towards improvement. We fell apart mid season for a number of reasons: round 1 bye, depth, coaching, off field dramas, but most of all attitude and desire through the hard part of the season.

We definitely need to have HBG tip in more cash to have us competing from a less disadvantaged postion and for Benji to have some stronger and more qualified support. However, I don't think that wins us premierships. Without the funding and performance levels we aren't attacting the highest calibre players that play the game in the same manner as the top four teams. We need to be revolutionary in our approach to the game, not trying to emulate what Penrith do.

So it Benji really the wrong coach? Do we need assistant coaches that come from systems that we don't have the player stock to emulate? Is the family first player centred approach wrong, or is it the genesis of the next revolution in Rugby League?

None of us know for sure - but what we need is a system that works for what we have. We had a working system at the start of last year but that proved to be unsustainable. But is was clearly a step in the right direction, we were able to win games in a fashion that other sides weren't based on attitude and commitment. Add a bit of talent, a hard head in the pack, and a pair of halves that enable play instead of hogging the ball or dancing in circles and we are another step closer to September footy.

This off season will be interesting: does AD walk, does he transition or does he play a similar running role at 6? Were do Latu and Javon fit into the picture? Does Schuster recapture his form and push someone into Reggies? How do Roberts and Aho fit into the squad? Can Terrell May play a more direct role?

We have some talent and starting to develop some depth. Not enough yet but itis not all doom and gloom.

 

[wstigers11]

The Broncos are a clear indicator that money and talent are not pre-requisites for success. It sure makes it shit tins easier to win if you have the most money and the best players but attitude and desire is what gets results.

There has been change for the better at WT over the last few years; while the results are not on the board we have been inching towards improvement. We fell apart mid season for a number of reasons: round 1 bye, depth, coaching, off field dramas, but most of all attitude and desire through the hard part of the season.

We definitely need to have HBG tip in more cash to have us competing from a less disadvantaged postion and for Benji to have some stronger and more qualified support. However, I don't think that wins us premierships. Without the funding and performance levels we aren't attacting the highest calibre players that play the game in the same manner as the top four teams. We need to be revolutionary in our approach to the game, not trying to emulate what Penrith do.

So it Benji really the wrong coach? Do we need assistant coaches that come from systems that we don't have the player stock to emulate? Is the family first player centred approach wrong, or is it the genesis of the next revolution in Rugby League?

None of us know for sure - but what we need is a system that works for what we have. We had a working system at the start of last year but that proved to be unsustainable. But is was clearly a step in the right direction, we were able to win games in a fashion that other sides weren't based on attitude and commitment. Add a bit of talent, a hard head in the pack, and a pair of halves that enable play instead of hogging the ball or dancing in circles and we are another step closer to September footy.

This off season will be interesting: does AD walk, does he transition or does he play a similar running role at 6? Were do Latu and Javon fit into the picture? Does Schuster recapture his form and push someone into Reggies? How do Roberts and Aho fit into the squad? Can Terrell May play a more direct role?

We have some talent and starting to develop some depth. Not enough yet but itis not all doom and gloom.

The Broncos just won a comp Jolls

 

[Jolls]

The Broncos just won a comp Jolls

100% and then finished on the same points as us with primarily the same talent and several million dollars more being given to the football department. The key point being that talent is not the be all and end all in the NRL (although is certainly helps a lot).

The point I was making is that we aren't competing in the same league if we try to play the same style as the top 4 clubs - we need to have a different approach and we need to take it one step at a time.

Benji may not be a great coach; but is bringing someone in from a system that is the same as the top 4 going to benefit us given our financial and roster postion in comparison to the top clubs. Benji had it right for the first 8 rounds but the tempo and plan was not able to be delivered long term. I'm sure they learnt a lot from it and we can take another step in 2027. Some depth is developing and with a bit of luck we will recruit some more KoE pushing for FG players over the off season.

I don't think it is as bleak as some are making it out to be, despite the postion on the table. I'm not saying that we will magically return to finals footy in 2027. I think that the foundation is there for us to develop.

Brisbane is just an example of great talent and poor attitude. The Warriors are a team of average talent with great attitude and you can see where they finished. There is hope.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Latu and Andrews,,, madden cannot tackle

Who wears number 7?

 

[Oldman]

I would like to see this club retain the junior players that they have identified and brought into their system instead of doing all the work and then the player leaves.
Starting back when Tedesco,Moses,Woods
All young players displaying ability and we couldn’t hold onto them.
For me it comes down to if the players are in a happy place, enjoying being around their teammates and coaching staff and by the way our young blokes walk out the door I don’t get the feeling that is what it’s like here.
Hopefully Benji is changing that BUT we have seen 3 other young players leave in the last 2 years Galvin,TDS & Luke.L
Time will tell I suppose 🤞

 

[Tiger Stripes]

We have to look at our conditioning too we were so fit then, need to work out how to be like that all year long

Can't understand how Yeo has a Pectoral tear and plays after about 4 weeks.
Our guys out from about round 7 or so; and for the season? See you in 2027. On full pay.
Is that our physio or slack rehab. Yeo reportedly worked 24/7 on rehab to get fit. And now playing!
Just asking the question.

 

[Telltails]

Can't understand how Yeo has a Pectoral tear and plays after about 4 weeks.
Our guys out from about round 7 or so; and for the season? See you in 2027. On full pay.
Is that our physio or slack rehab. Yeo reportedly worked 24/7 on rehab to get fit. And now playing!
Just asking the question.

Dont think he would be playing if wasn't a final. Same as Trindall playing with one arm. It wasn't too long ago that Maguire was accused of playing players with injury all through the media while at Wests Tigers - no biggy for other clubs -considered brave.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

This is the fear for me, all the knives out for Benji during the tough stretch this season.

If he fails as a coach where do we go from here, he can attract players, where are they going to come from if we start all over again and which quality coach would be dumb enough to come here with our track record.

I'm hoping his coaching comes good he's a club legend, the place would be in a dark hole if he fails.

Benji is known by every rugby league follower and;
1. Can attract players
2 Looks good on camera.
3. Speaks well.
BUT; as a coach there seems to be something lacking. How long do we persist with his L plates.
I think this was shown by the way he handled the Doueihi saga and Luai jumping ship.
IMO he is great for the club, but needs to be moved sideways, into a recruitment capacity somewhere; with all due respect to his efforts thus far.

 

[happy_tiger]

Can't understand how Yeo has a Pectoral tear and plays after about 4 weeks.
Our guys out from about round 7 or so; and for the season? See you in 2027. On full pay.
Is that our physio or slack rehab. Yeo reportedly worked 24/7 on rehab to get fit. And now playing!
Just asking the question.

I'm guessing one was a full tear and the other a partial tear

 

[wstigers11]

Can't understand how Yeo has a Pectoral tear and plays after about 4 weeks.
Our guys out from about round 7 or so; and for the season? See you in 2027. On full pay.
Is that our physio or slack rehab. Yeo reportedly worked 24/7 on rehab to get fit. And now playing!
Just asking the question.

It’s for finals to win a premiership
Don’t forget Taylan continued coming back to try & save our season, ended up with 3 shoulder dislocations

 

[Vicious]

It’s plain and simple, IF our highest paid players do not miss too many games from injury and play up to their contract value, we will make the top 8 in 2027.
To solidify this we need to recruit at least 1 NRL standard outside back and at least 1 NRL standard forward to ensure we have decent enough depth to have reasonable competition for positions and cover unavoidable injuries throughout the season.
It is up to Benji to get this right and ensure he gets the best out of all our players, in particular our highest paid players.
Many of our supporters ask for a strong middle, leader and enforcer type of player. We cannot recruit anyone who fits this description as we are paying big money for Terrell to be that type of player.
It’s likely we will also be paying Samuela big money, so he will have the responsibility of regularly providing quality, intimidation and x-factor on our left edge.
We are paying Jahream big money, so he is responsible for providing similar x-factor to all the other elite fullbacks in the NRL.
These players demanded the big money, now it’s time to produce in 2027, no more excuses.

 

[wstigers11]

Dont think he would be playing if wasn't a final. Same as Trindall playing with one arm. It wasn't too long ago that Maguire was accused of playing players with injury all through the media while at Wests Tigers - no biggy for other clubs -considered brave.

Ciraldo played Kiraz with literally a blown calf for meaningless games, no peep from the media