Coach Benji

hammertime said:
Agree. He just doesnt have the options though. Who else is there? The only other option would have been Tristian and then shuffle if there is an injury.

Its a depth problem, not a benji problem.
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There's definitely a depth issue... But benji coming out and saying that yesterday was on him was weak as piss.... He should have been directing some responsibility back at the players..
 
Benji remains a huge challenge,and perhaps the biggest one of them all....but tbh the bloke who let us down most in recent games is Luai...hes brought stuff to the culture etc etc,which I appluad.....but a playmaker he aint .Still Robin not Batman
There are many other gaps and disappointments in this team,but were not paying them $1.2 mill per year like Luai
High energy...but not elite in skill factor
We keep losing games in the 2nd half thru lack of direction on field and no plan off field
Having lost to Knights/Titans /Souths ,eels/cowboys/Sea eagles etc...were very much spoon contenders next year unless something changes
Business as usual wont work
 
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hammertime said:
Agree. He just doesnt have the options though. Who else is there? The only other option would have been Tristian and then shuffle if there is an injury.

Its a depth problem, not a benji problem.
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Benji needs to plan a Mason replacement.
That experiment has failed in every position he has played in. He has had his chance. Back to KOE 2026.
Time to look beyond Mason and groom a hooker/lock type to relieve Api; And not let the side down.
Or a lock/centre type that can defend. There are a few that come to mind that need to be assessed. Lanyon, Haywood, Taai, Van Drie. All fast off the mark but need to develop muscle and stamina.
 
Leave Haywood to develop his game needs time in Flegg and KOe cup next season without been rushed into first grade.

Benji needs to look at what work and what did not work in First Grade, Koe Cup, Flegg

He needs to bring in fresh assistants in defence and attack, needs a new KOE coach, needs to hire a tackling coach, kicking coach, and more staff in the skills and development roles
 
The only
Tiger Stripes said:
Benji needs to plan a Mason replacement.
That experiment has failed in every position he has played in. He has had his chance. Back to KOE 2026.
Time to look beyond Mason and groom a hooker/lock type to relieve Api; And not let the side down.
Or a lock/centre type that can defend. There are a few that come to mind that need to be assessed. Lanyon, Haywood, Taai, Van Drie. All fast off the mark but need to develop muscle and stamina.
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TS keep in mind we have not yet tried Heath Mason as a 9.
You are right in saying he’s far too hesitant in attack and defence to be a good quality halve, but he has shown glimpses that when he is focused on running the ball without hesitation he has good speed off the mark and is dangerous.
The problem is he should have been tried at 9 this season in NSW Cup to know if he has potential in that position or not.
I like your call with some of our younger brigade that could become the versatile utility who can capably play 9. A few people including myself have mentioned Josese Lanyon, but your mention for Peter Taai and Van Drie are very interesting and have good potential.
Even younger than that Havea Jr and Lorima Cosgrave are also tough nuggety types with plenty of promise.
 
Vicious said:
The only

TS keep in mind we have not yet tried Heath Mason as a 9.
You are right in saying he’s far too hesitant in attack and defence to be a good quality halve, but he has shown glimpses that when he is focused on running the ball without hesitation he has good speed off the mark and is dangerous.
The problem is he should have been tried at 9 this season in NSW Cup to know if he has potential in that position or not.
I like your call with some of our younger brigade that could become the versatile utility who can capably play 9. A few people including myself have mentioned Josese Lanyon, but your mention for Peter Taai and Van Drie are very interesting and have good potential.
Even younger than that Havea Jr and Lorima Cosgrave are also tough nuggety types with plenty of promise.
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Mason isn’t even close to a NRL level player no matter what position he plays.

His passing game is bog ordinary as is his defensive efforts. He isn’t close to a 9 anytime soon. His decision making is terrible when rushed. They need to just pick a spot and let him play half a season in that spot and then earn a NRL position if he is good enough. He isn’t a utility quality player. The only thing he has going for him is maybe 1-2 direct darts a game but he needs far more than that to be a nrl player.

He hasn’t earned a spot in the team and that’s actually the biggest issue with our squad. We need to stop being a charity with handing our jersey and make players earn it.
 
I like what Benji is trying to do with our culture and it’s important that the players are backing him, which they are, but geez I wish he would bite the bullet and bring in an experienced coach to help him with playing tactics and structure, instead of his old mates from 2005.
 
For me …. as Im sure also for many of us on here ….. this season has been pain in the arse. And Benji has been a big part of the disease.

Im pretty sure that he is not capable to fix his shortcomings as a coach in one preseason and a half of 2026 season.

My suggestion would be to bring someone with experience like Brad Arthur in as assistant and if Benji doesn’t like it …. well that’s tough cookies.

A complete overhaul of coaching in pathways, particularly reserves is essential.

And what’s this crap about “it’s been a tough season for the boys” …. absolute nonsense from a coach that fails to be able to demonstrate ability to motivate, prepare a match-winning strategy and getting the team to required fitness levels.

And don’t get me started about disastrous recruitment decisions.
 
weststigerman said:
I think finishing with 3 losses in a row at almost full strength puts more pressure on Benji next year.

Nothing will happen until late 2026 at the earliest but I’d say any chance of an early extension is gone and he’ll have pressure to start well next year.
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Early extension....why...why....no other club will pinch Marshall from us....any extension for Marshall and any other coach or player needs to be EARNED...I'm sick and tired of giving our extensions with them being warranted.
 
mtd#2 said:
There's definitely a depth issue... But benji coming out and saying that yesterday was on him was weak as piss.... He should have been directing some responsibility back at the players..
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That’s his strategy for keeping the players inside. And it’s probably right, praise in public , chastise in private, except from what I hear he still wants to be one of the boys. Maybe that’s the Polynesian way ?
We can’t ask Sticky, Madge, Bellyache, Ciraldo, Ivan, Fitzy or Trent coz none of them are Polynesian ?
Hang on, have I stumbled onto something about successful coaches ?
 
Gazman said:
I am a big Benji Fan as a player though but still not sold on him as a coach. It’s a shame we didn’t persevere with Madge though
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I think if you ignore Benjis playing career and assess him a little more currently there’s not a lot to get you excited about !
Madge certainly has a solid resume across a variety of teams so he’s not completely useless !
Wigan, Souths, NSW, Broncos - not bad.
 
Coach Benji and his crew should look at Parra/Jason Ryles and learn what they do to get their average squad winning games.
 
Benji still can’t figure out how to use the interchange and makes far too many tactical errors as a coach.

I don’t think he knows what style he wants the team to play and some of his team selections have been awful.

We need to make the finals next year or I’d be giving him the punt. Most other coaches have to earn a head coaching position.
Benji was gifted one and we can’t afford to have him learn on the job.
 
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