Joey Leilua #226

[mike]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

I didnt have any options either when this pandemic hit,I lost a business ,a partner and then a job...Iam doing my best to survive and come out the other side,I do wish I could play football at NRL level and demand the money that these guys get....but I wont belittle them for doing what they have worked hard for to support their families,it should also be noted Mike that football is a very short career,the most they can make out of it then the better for them...

I hope BJ becomes the weapon we need next year ..

I feel for you and I hope everything turns around for you.

Your last sentence is something we can agree on.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

Organisations have employee assistance professionals who are equipped to assist staff struggling with personal issues. From what you have written, he has a decision to make and talking it through with an independent party in confidence often can be of assistance in determining the best resolution. There is no right or wrong here, just what is best for him and his family.

 

[cochise]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

 

[mike]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

 

[cochise]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

All good mate, I just think his situation should be remembered when we look at his form at the moment. People deal with adversity in different ways and from the outside looking in he does not present as a person who deals with it well. He appears to be quite emotional and that is ok because I know if I was away from my family and with my history of mental health that I probably wouldn't be at my best for a while either.

I know how this covid situation has effected my mental health and I get to see my kids everyday. If I was in his situation would earning $800k or whatever he is on make it better? Probably not for me as it would make me more likely to stay in a situation that I don't want to be in and thus have the reverse and make it worse.

 

[jirskyr]

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Can't agree with you there mike, because it's not much of a choice if one side of the coin means giving up your livelihood. Sure, many Australians lost the ability to choose, but that doesn't mean the Australians with limited options aren't also struggling.

It's like physical or mental health. Just because there are people far worse off than you doesn't mean you aren't having a difficult time yourself and don't deserve sympathy.

The thing with league players, sure they earn a tonne of money, and in normal circumstances you know they need to make large sacrifices to be professional footballers. The compensation is the money and/or fame. But 2020 isn't normal circumstances, and for some folks the sacrifice is too big.

And for a pro footballer who has only ever been a pro footballer since 15 years of age, it's not as simple as immediately dropping tools and going and doing something else. Unfortunately as far as employment skills go, rugby league proficiency is particularly non-transferrable to other professions.

I can only have sympathy for all people in 2020 dealing with their own circumstances, from an event almost nobody on the planet was prepared for.

 

[TigerVinnie]

As some others have mentioned, I think we have bigger issues in other positions than BJ. He has deserved to be dropped this week but I have a lot of faith in him next season.

Maybe I am a glass half full type guy but I always try to look at this team without the Tigers fan glasses on:

- It is clear he is carrying extra weight, didn't help he didn't get a full pre-season under Madge. I think next year Madge should have him lighter and fitter.

- Unpopular to some opinions I don't believe attitude is an issue with him too, he takes a lot of dirty hit ups and is often seen showing a lot of emotion when playing. He is always visibly disappointed when a try is scored down his end. His emotions have got the better of him this year but if properly channeled he is a wrecking machine.

- He has seen little to no ball this year, it is either a cut out to Nofo, Benji skipping across field or getting late ball with nowhere to go.

- He probably does more for our attack than we see. A big body, with a great offload like BJ would draw a lot of defenders in naturally. This has probably opened up a lot of space for Nofo down that right hand sideline without BJ even touching the ball.

- I don't think we paid overs for him, maybe a little more than what he would have got at another club? but I feel people are over reacting. He has won multiple centre of the year awards, at his best he is one of the most damaging runners of the football. He brings a lot of X factor with him too. I have no doubt he would have picked up that 800K price tag at another club.

Was this his best year? hell no. But he was by no means the worst in our side. With a full pre season to get fit, new attacking structures in place, I have confidence in Madge to get the best out of him.

 

[gallagher]

I think he's been our best performed centre in the last 5 to 6 years.

 

[Russell]

As some others have mentioned, I think we have bigger issues in other positions that BJ. He has deserved to be dropped this week but I have a lot of faith in him next season.

Maybe I am a glass half full type guy but I always try to look at this team without the Tigers fan glasses on:

- It is clear he is carrying extra weight, didn't help he didn't get a full pre-season under Madge. I think next year Madge should have him lighter and fitter.

- Unpopular to some opinion I don't believe attitude is an issue with him too, he takes a lot of dirty hit ups and is often seen showing a lot of emotion when playing. He is always visible disappointed when a try is scored down his end. His emotions have got the better of him this year but if properly channeled he is wrecking machine.

- He has seen little to no ball this year, it is either a cut out to Nofo, Benji skipping across field or getting late ball with nowhere to go.

- He probably does more for our attack than we see. A big body, with a great offload like BJ would draw a lot of defenders in naturally. This has probably opened up a lot of space for Nofo down that right hand sideline without BJ even touching the ball.

- I don't think we paid overs for him, maybe a little more than what he would have got at another club? but I feel people are over reacting. He has won multiple centre of the year awards, at his best he is one of the most damaging runners of the football. He brings a lot of X factor with him too. I have no doubt he would have picked up that 800K price tag at another club.

Was this his best year? hell no. But he was by no means the worst in our side. With a full pre season to get fit, new attacking structures in place, I have confidence in Madge to get the best out of him.

I agree with what you say Vinnie - however I am not sure 800k was anywhere near his price tag.

From memory, thought it was something like 650K with Canberra paying part of that.

 

[Moh]

As some others have mentioned, I think we have bigger issues in other positions that BJ. He has deserved to be dropped this week but I have a lot of faith in him next season.

Maybe I am a glass half full type guy but I always try to look at this team without the Tigers fan glasses on:

- It is clear he is carrying extra weight, didn't help he didn't get a full pre-season under Madge. I think next year Madge should have him lighter and fitter.

- Unpopular to some opinion I don't believe attitude is an issue with him too, he takes a lot of dirty hit ups and is often seen showing a lot of emotion when playing. He is always visible disappointed when a try is scored down his end. His emotions have got the better of him this year but if properly channeled he is wrecking machine.

- He has seen little to no ball this year, it is either a cut out to Nofo, Benji skipping across field or getting late ball with nowhere to go.

- He probably does more for our attack than we see. A big body, with a great offload like BJ would draw a lot of defenders in naturally. This has probably opened up a lot of space for Nofo down that right hand sideline without BJ even touching the ball.

- I don't think we paid overs for him, maybe a little more than what he would have got at another club? but I feel people are over reacting. He has won multiple centre of the year awards, at his best he is one of the most damaging runners of the football. He brings a lot of X factor with him too. I have no doubt he would have picked up that 800K price tag at another club.

Was this his best year? hell no. But he was by no means the worst in our side. With a full pre season to get fit, new attacking structures in place, I have confidence in Madge to get the best out of him.

Very well said mate, top post.

 

[davey_farrell]

yes totally agree, he will be better next year as mentioned Benji always crabs across field giving him no room to do anything!!!

 

[Lauren]

More than understand why Madge separated them, but must admit I absolutely enjoyed watching the combos(Benji, LL and Joey) earlier in the year. There was a feeling the brothers elevated each other's effort and performance. It appeared that both were not just more highly competitive in attitude but were also having some fun with their game.
I know when I speak of being disappointed about Joey, it's more to do with my own expectations because we know he tends to talk himself up and has the skills to back it up, yet we only glimpsed it this year. However, can see it's not entirely his own fault.
He's the type of player we've admired from afar - for years - due to the confidence in his own ability.

 

[Tiger5150]

The other side of the Joey coin is would we have signed LL without him? LL has been one of the most exciting additions for a long time.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The other side of the Joey coin is would we have signed LL without him? LL has been one of the most exciting additions for a long time.

Considering we signed Lucy 2 months prior, I’d say yes.

 

[Tiger5150]

The other side of the Joey coin is would we have signed LL without him? LL has been one of the most exciting additions for a long time.

Considering we signed Lucy 2 months prior, I’d say yes.

Doh....

In my defense, who is to say that discussions weren’t under way behind the scenes?

Probably just my screw up though.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

As some others have mentioned, I think we have bigger issues in other positions than BJ. He has deserved to be dropped this week but I have a lot of faith in him next season.

Maybe I am a glass half full type guy but I always try to look at this team without the Tigers fan glasses on:

- It is clear he is carrying extra weight, didn't help he didn't get a full pre-season under Madge. I think next year Madge should have him lighter and fitter.

- Unpopular to some opinions I don't believe attitude is an issue with him too, he takes a lot of dirty hit ups and is often seen showing a lot of emotion when playing. He is always visibly disappointed when a try is scored down his end. His emotions have got the better of him this year but if properly channeled he is a wrecking machine.

- He has seen little to no ball this year, it is either a cut out to Nofo, Benji skipping across field or getting late ball with nowhere to go.

- He probably does more for our attack than we see. A big body, with a great offload like BJ would draw a lot of defenders in naturally. This has probably opened up a lot of space for Nofo down that right hand sideline without BJ even touching the ball.

- I don't think we paid overs for him, maybe a little more than what he would have got at another club? but I feel people are over reacting. He has won multiple centre of the year awards, at his best he is one of the most damaging runners of the football. He brings a lot of X factor with him too. I have no doubt he would have picked up that 800K price tag at another club.

Was this his best year? hell no. But he was by no means the worst in our side. With a full pre season to get fit, new attacking structures in place, I have confidence in Madge to get the best out of him.

Some well worded points but rebuff a few.
He had a 4 week suspension and was suppose to come back fitter as ever before and the word from Madge was he was going to be flogged into getting fit?

The 4 weeks he received as well not great that timing left us short those few weeks. (Although should have been 2)

He had a shocker last game on the back of the week prior as well, agree damaging player when really involved and can be an x Factor with speed and size.

Agree Marshall crabs across field but BJ could also go looking for the ball more, he made some mistakes the other game and then if i recall went in for some hard carries.

Well not an $800k player think it might have been around $600k and 3 years which i think that its a fair amount of time to value add. So he owes us 2 solid years and would not be surprised it Madge transitions him into the forwards at some stage although would have to be much fitter.

 

[happy_tiger]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

All good mate, I just think his situation should be remembered when we look at his form at the moment. People deal with adversity in different ways and from the outside looking in he does not present as a person who deals with it well. He appears to be quite emotional and that is ok because I know if I was away from my family and with my history of mental health that I probably wouldn't be at my best for a while either.

I know how this covid situation has effected my mental health and I get to see my kids everyday. If I was in his situation would earning $800k or whatever he is on make it better? Probably not for me as it would make me more likely to stay in a situation that I don't want to be in and thus have the reverse and make it worse.

Yes and No

When it comes to the crunch you only have to suck it up for 80 minutes


My 13 yr old daughters off to the State titles this weekend ...they are in isolation from us we might get to spend 5 minutes a day with her for 5 days ...I bet her form doesn't drop as badly as Joey's has from his best to worst game

 

[cochise]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

All good mate, I just think his situation should be remembered when we look at his form at the moment. People deal with adversity in different ways and from the outside looking in he does not present as a person who deals with it well. He appears to be quite emotional and that is ok because I know if I was away from my family and with my history of mental health that I probably wouldn't be at my best for a while either.

I know how this covid situation has effected my mental health and I get to see my kids everyday. If I was in his situation would earning $800k or whatever he is on make it better? Probably not for me as it would make me more likely to stay in a situation that I don't want to be in and thus have the reverse and make it worse.

Yes and No

When it comes to the crunch you only have to suck it up for 80 minutes


My 13 yr old daughters off to the State titles this weekend ...they are in isolation from us we might get to spend 5 minutes a day with her for 5 days ...I bet her form doesn't drop as badly as Joey's has from his best to worst game

He may have not seen his kids in a month

 

[happy_tiger]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

All good mate, I just think his situation should be remembered when we look at his form at the moment. People deal with adversity in different ways and from the outside looking in he does not present as a person who deals with it well. He appears to be quite emotional and that is ok because I know if I was away from my family and with my history of mental health that I probably wouldn't be at my best for a while either.

I know how this covid situation has effected my mental health and I get to see my kids everyday. If I was in his situation would earning $800k or whatever he is on make it better? Probably not for me as it would make me more likely to stay in a situation that I don't want to be in and thus have the reverse and make it worse.

Yes and No

When it comes to the crunch you only have to suck it up for 80 minutes


My 13 yr old daughters off to the State titles this weekend ...they are in isolation from us we might get to spend 5 minutes a day with her for 5 days ...I bet her form doesn't drop as badly as Joey's has from his best to worst game

He may have not seen his kids in a month

We've all done it ...and this was long before skype ..etc etc etc ...I'm not being harsh .....I've had my mental demons ..btu there is times in your life you just have to suck it up and think why are you doing this ...and the answer is the people you love

 

[cochise]

I just wanted to comment on BJ & the scrutiny & negativity he has been receiving lately on the forum. We all know that BJ is an emotional & extremely good footballer. He is unselfish when it comes to scoring tries, take a look at some of Nofoaluma’s tries, BJ could have easily beaten the defender, but instead passes onto his winger. Hence leading try scorer. However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter. People seem to have short memories of key moments in others lives. My question that I ask, where is BJs head at now? When we consider only a few weeks ago he took his young family to Canberra, when was the last time he got to touch, smell & see his family in the flesh? I know if I didn’t see my wife & kids for a set duration of time, my brain would probably not be in the right place at times - no matter what my income was. Anyway, whilst we adapt to living with COVID-19, others like professional sports people just maybe doing life a little tougher than other people like ourselves. Go Weststigers!

? Here have the world’s smallest violin. He gets paid a small fortune to be a professional footballer, more than many will ever see in their lifetime.

I’m a BJ fan but he got dropped this week and rightfully so, his performance against Melbourne was poor.

Mate I wholehearted agree with your comment about him being dropped, was definitely warranted.

However to imply that being paid a small fortune excludes you from being human and having emotions around things in your personal life is so far from reality it’s not funny.

He has a choice many never have. He can take the small fortune and suck it up or do something else like many have had to do during the Pandemic. He has a choice, a lot don’t.

Really?? So your saying his choice due to the pandemic is to either suck it up because his family and himself are struggling emotionally and take the small fortune or quit his job because of it. You realise how ridiculous that sounds don’t you?

Yes that’s exactly what I am saying. If it is too much do something else. Many have had to make that choice, many more don’t even have that choice. I would respect him regardless of which choice he makes. But come the violin card because he is a professional sports person and therefore we should give him extra consideration, because that is just ridiculous. Talk about privilege.

His profession pays way over odds, but it has no influence on humanity. Privilege is completely different.

Privilege:
Having special rights, advantages, or immunities.

How does that apply to a Samoan guy from Hurstville? I fail to see how this works. Enlighten me.

Earning capacity does not equal privilege.

Oh yes it does.

Does not

Tell that to the unemployed and to the businesses that have gone out of business and I’ll think you’ll get a different interpretation.

I’m unemployed.

Don’t expect any empathy from Mike

I have plenty of empathy for the unemployed and for those that have lost their businesses especially if they don’t have any choice about it. Many have lost everything often with little chance of ever recovering from it. I don’t have much empathy for the very well paid who have a choice on the path their lives take. If they didn’t have options, that would be different.

Mike,step back and understand we are living a new normal with the covid 19 pandemic...everyone is trying their best to survive..NRL players included,they have families as well as other loved ones that they are apart from for obvious reasons...they have work just as hard to be where they are,just because they are NRL players doesnt detract from them being human...we can all relate to that..

I understand the current climate only too well.

Sure they are human but they have choices, they don’t have to be away from their families, that is their choice. If it’s not working choose differently.

Hang on Mike they have to be in a bubble as per NRL protocol...Warriors come to mind and might I say they have gone above and beyond to give us a season of football...and you have the audacity to call them entitled and priviliged...

Trying to move the goal posts by talking about the Warriors now. I thought this was a Joey Leilua thread.

But anyway to use the Warriors as an example, for those Warriors that struggled with the bubble and missed their families. Well guess what they did? They took the choice and opportunity to go home to be with their families and they are to be commended for doing so.

RTS will probably play Union next year on a massive pay cut because he wants to stay in New Zealand to be with his family and good on him if that what he wants to do.

If Joey chooses his family over Rugby League then good on him as well if that’s the right decision for him and his family. Like I said Joey has choices, many, many others in Australia don’t.

Mate, this is the completely wrong way to look at it. Yes he can make a choice, he made the tougher choice for his family but better choice for his career. Having a choice doesn't take away the impact of the isolation. I know that if I had an employee living in his situation there would be extra support and consideration for their circumstances and if it effected their work levels I would be ok with that because of the situation they are in. That is what it is to be human and have care for others.

This was a reaction to the poster who bumped this thread telling the forum members how they should think and react to Joey’s situation. ‘However, I find some comments offensive as a Weststigers supporter’ was the poster’s comment that triggered my response. Seriously? Well boohoo. Then it escalated and got a little off topic after people responded. For that I am sorry.

As for Joey himself I hope he gets all the help he needs but at the end of they day it will be his choice on how he handles this.

All good mate, I just think his situation should be remembered when we look at his form at the moment. People deal with adversity in different ways and from the outside looking in he does not present as a person who deals with it well. He appears to be quite emotional and that is ok because I know if I was away from my family and with my history of mental health that I probably wouldn't be at my best for a while either.

I know how this covid situation has effected my mental health and I get to see my kids everyday. If I was in his situation would earning $800k or whatever he is on make it better? Probably not for me as it would make me more likely to stay in a situation that I don't want to be in and thus have the reverse and make it worse.

Yes and No

When it comes to the crunch you only have to suck it up for 80 minutes


My 13 yr old daughters off to the State titles this weekend ...they are in isolation from us we might get to spend 5 minutes a day with her for 5 days ...I bet her form doesn't drop as badly as Joey's has from his best to worst game

He may have not seen his kids in a month

We've all done it ...and this was long before skype ..etc etc etc ...I'm not being harsh .....I've had my mental demons ..btu there is times in your life you just have to suck it up and think why are you doing this ...and the answer is the people you love

100% but that doesn't negate the effects it has on you. Those effects are still there and he may have the skills to deal with those, but from the outside looking in it looks like he doesn't.