P
pearce_off
Guest
Dear Friends,
As you'll notice by my post count I'm more of a listener than a talker, but I have intently monitored your observations on our team on both this forum and the old forum for many years. Breaking with tradition, I feel the need to pen some thoughts on how I feel about yesterday….
I'm not saddened by the loss yesterday, I'm saddened that it represents a bitter milestone in our club's rich history. I believe it officially ended what has been an exciting era - the era where the tigers were "The Entertainers" of the NRL.
During that time, we flew in the face of convention. Our forwards were small but agile. Our defence was poor but attack was brilliant. We ran hot and cold. But through it all you always got the sense that if we could just "click" it would be amazing ..... and that happened brilliantly in 2005.
So I forgave Tim Sheens for all his perceived frailties. Yes, we rarely fielded a well drilled team, but they always had that sparkle in the eye that let you know something magical could happen. I was upset to constantly miss the eight but I knew if we did, we'd be "different" enough to worry the other contenders. People fear insanity - it is impossible to plan for. I loved the fact that my team was a bit insane.
I can understand how Tim Sheens has been put under little pressure by the club/media, because everyone loved the "Possibility" that only the Tigers could deliver.
We've had some low times since 2005, but everyone would agree, yesterday was the lowest...and I'll tell you why. Yesterday, the flame of "Possibility" was extinguished. This team isn't the Messiah - it's just a very naughty boy. I'm sad that we now have to change the team. We need to conform to the standard. Being different and a little bit insane has once and for all been disproved as a viable approach. This is what I'm most upset about. I won't see the miracle of 2005 again. We'll need to become more conventional. Big forwards, strict game plans, Precision kicking, play the percentages. None of this was important if the "Possibility" was alive and well.
I can't see the adding of a few select players changing things. A top shelf prop and halfback isn't going to change the underlying structure. I hate to say it, but we are all tip and no iceberg. We have to change the way we play and the game of league will be poorer for it. Playing the way we play, we can beat anyone on the day, but it won't deliver more than 12 wins a year. The dragons are the bench mark. They have a style that will guarantee them 14 wins a year before the season has even started.
No doubt the team will rally and string together some wins this year. But after yesterday, I felt like something died. I'd like to thank Tim Sheens for his efforts, and especially for the magic of 2005 (how we won, was almost as good as the fact we won). But I'm 19 hours into the new era for the Wests Tigers and I'm sad to think I won't see my team bet it all again ... and win. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for change - i'm just sad our style of play will never be rewarded with a Premiership (or finals series) again. I can't see Tim delivering the "conventional" approach that is an inevitable requirement. That really leaves him without a role to play at our club. Sorry Tim, I think this is the first time I've turned on you.
Anyway - thought I'd share. What are your thoughts? Are you more upset with the loss - or the death of "Possibility"?
As you'll notice by my post count I'm more of a listener than a talker, but I have intently monitored your observations on our team on both this forum and the old forum for many years. Breaking with tradition, I feel the need to pen some thoughts on how I feel about yesterday….
I'm not saddened by the loss yesterday, I'm saddened that it represents a bitter milestone in our club's rich history. I believe it officially ended what has been an exciting era - the era where the tigers were "The Entertainers" of the NRL.
During that time, we flew in the face of convention. Our forwards were small but agile. Our defence was poor but attack was brilliant. We ran hot and cold. But through it all you always got the sense that if we could just "click" it would be amazing ..... and that happened brilliantly in 2005.
So I forgave Tim Sheens for all his perceived frailties. Yes, we rarely fielded a well drilled team, but they always had that sparkle in the eye that let you know something magical could happen. I was upset to constantly miss the eight but I knew if we did, we'd be "different" enough to worry the other contenders. People fear insanity - it is impossible to plan for. I loved the fact that my team was a bit insane.
I can understand how Tim Sheens has been put under little pressure by the club/media, because everyone loved the "Possibility" that only the Tigers could deliver.
We've had some low times since 2005, but everyone would agree, yesterday was the lowest...and I'll tell you why. Yesterday, the flame of "Possibility" was extinguished. This team isn't the Messiah - it's just a very naughty boy. I'm sad that we now have to change the team. We need to conform to the standard. Being different and a little bit insane has once and for all been disproved as a viable approach. This is what I'm most upset about. I won't see the miracle of 2005 again. We'll need to become more conventional. Big forwards, strict game plans, Precision kicking, play the percentages. None of this was important if the "Possibility" was alive and well.
I can't see the adding of a few select players changing things. A top shelf prop and halfback isn't going to change the underlying structure. I hate to say it, but we are all tip and no iceberg. We have to change the way we play and the game of league will be poorer for it. Playing the way we play, we can beat anyone on the day, but it won't deliver more than 12 wins a year. The dragons are the bench mark. They have a style that will guarantee them 14 wins a year before the season has even started.
No doubt the team will rally and string together some wins this year. But after yesterday, I felt like something died. I'd like to thank Tim Sheens for his efforts, and especially for the magic of 2005 (how we won, was almost as good as the fact we won). But I'm 19 hours into the new era for the Wests Tigers and I'm sad to think I won't see my team bet it all again ... and win. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for change - i'm just sad our style of play will never be rewarded with a Premiership (or finals series) again. I can't see Tim delivering the "conventional" approach that is an inevitable requirement. That really leaves him without a role to play at our club. Sorry Tim, I think this is the first time I've turned on you.
Anyway - thought I'd share. What are your thoughts? Are you more upset with the loss - or the death of "Possibility"?
