Marshall dropped

[Tcat]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

Yeah, imagine if Marshall was at the storm, who seem to follow are fairly strict game plan. Pretty Sure Brooks would be on notice this week and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a blinder is this week.

 

[Goanna57]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

After 5 years we are still looking for the right fit for mr brooks,and still we can’t find him is it because there is no right fit . The guy the bloke is not up to nrl

 

[Goanna57]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

Yeah, imagine if Marshall was at the storm, who seem to follow are fairly strict game plan. Pretty Sure Brooks would be on notice this week and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a blinder is this week.

Yer he plays like a blind man every week

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

After 5 years we are still looking for the right fit for mr brooks,and still we can’t find him is it because there is no right fit . The guy the bloke is not up to nrl

There’s a difference between not living up to expectations and not being up to NRL level. There are 5 coaches he’s played under who would disagree. Not to mention he was the Dally M halfback of the year 2 years ago

 

[Goanna57]

Benji has been hard done by to be dropped. He usually causes trouble for the Raiders' defence. He has Reynolds covered and imo bringing him into the team is a retrograde step. Energy does not make up for the lack of polish in a half. Josh should be paying Benji half his contract.


Totally agree with this. Josh will bring "*energy*" but we need organisation and poise, implementing a game plan.

My prediction is that Reynolds bursts into the game buzzing to show how much "*energy*" he has and he will run when he should have passed and stifle our backline. If we need someone to close out a game, Reynolds is the guy you want?


If thats your main concern, then we'll be ok. Benji as an alternative to close out a game is laughable.


Well I can at least remember Benji doing it two weeks ago against Sharks, Im sure there were others over the years, my recollection of Reynolds is barren.


You're absolutely right. He did against the sharks. He had a very good game. That is the only instance in his career that he has guided the team to a controlled victory in my opinion. I wish you all the luck in the world in finding another. He is probably the most uncontrolled bloke in his position in the history of the game. He's like my dog which I swear has issues with self control. He's always on edge and makes dumb decisions when it matters. For years and years, we've either lost the unlosable after leading by a huge amount or come from behind to grab a ridiculously unexpected win. That's how he rolls. Park footy for him. I've said it before - Until he leaves, we will continue to never make the finals.


Two weeks ago.

Ok...now,,,your example of REynolds doing it?


Im not making an argument for Reynolds doing it.


Except you did. you said that if I was using closing a game out as reason for having Benji over REynolds, it is laughable. You and I both agree that Benji did it two weeks ago. I have no recollection of Reynolds ever doing it. Prove me wrong to make your case that it is "*laughable*"....he he he


No I didn't. I said that Benji being a ***better*** person to close out a game is laughable. Marshall has closed one game in his career in my opinion. That's hardly worthy of praise in that area.

The key word being ***better***. Better than Reynolds. Make you case that that is laughable. List the multiple games that Reynolds has controlled or closed out a game. Reynolds has been flat out playing a cameo in first grade rather than controlling or closing out a game. Benji did it two weeks ago. You are going to have to make your case that it is laughable that Benji is better at doing something that he did 2 weeks ago, compared to someone who has never done it in Tigers colours.

Its clear you dont rate Benji, at thats understandable to be fair, but the idea that he is not better than Reynolds at controlling or closing out a game is, demonstrably, by facts, well.......laughable.


Listen, you can't be better at something if you can't do it yourself. Thats my point. Benji is not known for closing out a game. Never has been and never will. He is known for pulling out magic plays that are unexpected. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between now. I'm not justifying anything regarding Reynolds. He is known to be a competitor. To be honest, in my opinion, I think Reynolds would hold his head if leading wheras Benji just simply can't help but do something attackingly stupid. If that's a term I could put together. But that's just my opinon. Anyway, I'm not going to get further into a stupid argument about this. I'm sure you get my point. If not, then so be it. Most with some intelligence would. There's a lot of hate out there for JR. It's unfortunate for him. He could do everything right every game and still some would find reason to dislike him. He's not had many games for us but has managed a few man of the match performances. He's not a bad option. To be fair, Brooks is the one to control things now. And I have confidence he will, but this week, we'll get trounced as we always do against the Raiders because we just aren't anywhere near good enough. (Unless some miracle takes place that is)

So are you having an each way bet on brooks

 

[Goanna57]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

After 5 years we are still looking for the right fit for mr brooks,and still we can’t find him is it because there is no right fit . The guy the bloke is not up to nrl

There’s a difference between not living up to expectations and not being up to NRL level. There are 5 coaches he’s played under who would disagree. Not to mention he was the Dally M halfback of the year 2 years ago

Well we are a about to find out

 

[Geo]

I'd say Brooks needs to run for 185m have seven TRY assists score 4 TRIES ..18 Line break assists..12 line breaks force 11 line drop outs..make 47 tackles miss none and we are a chance..

 

[avocadoontoast]

I'd say Brooks needs to run for 185m have seven TRY assists score 4 TRIES ..18 Line break assists..12 line breaks force 11 line drop outs..make 47 tackles miss none and we are a chance..

Final score from Campbelltown. Canberra Raiders 60 - Wests Tigers 44

 

[hobbo1]

I'd say Brooks needs to run for 185m have seven TRY assists score 4 TRIES ..18 Line break assists..12 line breaks force 11 line drop outs..make 47 tackles miss none and we are a chance..

Pity he can’t kick field goals

 

[rihannafan1]

Brooks is good and not great. End of story. He'll never singlehandedly lead a team to a grand final, like Jonathan Thurston or Andrew Johns might have. And that's okay, 99% of the league couldn't do this either. His former partner Mitchell Moses can't. He does at times show a lack of urgency at the key moments. But in many losing and winning efforts he has also stood up eg. the final game against Cronulla last season.

I don't think Brooks has ever been the issue, he was either too young or part of really average teams. He certainly is not the problem now. He didn't leak 28 points against the Titans or 42 against the Knights. The team has an issue in general with focus and urgency. They have clocked off for significant portions of every game this year.

And our forward pack is average. Losing Matterson with no one in return was significant. Aloiai is not the leader of any pack, never will be. He's a great 3rd forward. Musgrove is inexperienced and not the answer. And we'll be really inconsistent for a few years until we clear the bad contracts and buy in their prime first-graders and the young blokes grow up and fill out. Brisbane are the perfect example of how too much youth is costly in the short-term.

Until then, we're the Wests Tigers we've known for the past 20 years. Sometimes awful, sometimes brilliant, mostly a hair below average.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.

After 5 years we are still looking for the right fit for mr brooks,and still we can’t find him is it because there is no right fit . The guy the bloke is not up to nrl

There’s a difference between not living up to expectations and not being up to NRL level. There are 5 coaches he’s played under who would disagree. Not to mention he was the Dally M halfback of the year 2 years ago

Well we are a about to find out

We already have. Players don’t last 133 games and win Dally M awards if they aren’t first graders. Especially halfbacks. Jack Littlejohn and Josh Drinkwater. There are 2 examples of players not up to first grade standard.

 

[JC99]

What expectations are there for Brooks? Is he meant to be playing like a future immortal? Back to back player of the year Dally M halfback of the year. Stats wise has been better than Benji the last two season as well. Sure he needs to be more consistent but so does every single player at the club

 

[Guest]

Well Angela Bishop tested negative to COVID-19 but V'Landys reckons we'll cop a suspended fine like the Bulldogs did.

 

[Cairnstigers]

@851 You must be happy.

Yes mate I am, Brooks now has to finally stand up and we will be cooking with gas

851 I love you mate, but you and I will have one foot in the grave before Brooks ever stands up. He had years to stand up before Benji ever came back.

He has been standing up
Stop making fun of his height
It's not his fault he has short legs

I think Marshall and Brooks need to put some mongrel in their game
They both need to mix things up a little on the field with their kicks and passing game because what they are doing now isn't getting the job done
Mix it up and be a little bit unpredictable

 

[twentyforty]

Benji Marshall separated from Wests Tigers after 'social distancing incident' with reporter
By WWOS staff
2 hours ago

The Wests Tigers have been reported for a bio-security incident involving co-captain Benji Marshall.

The veteran five-eighth was sent home to self isolate after approaching Seven News reporter Michelle Bishop and exchanging a friendly hug and kiss on the cheek in the car park.


Danny Weidler
✔
@Danny_Weidler
LATEST: @WestsTigers star Benji Marshall has had a “social distancing incident” with a female reporter at Tigers training. The reporter has been sent for a COVID 19 test. A kiss on the cheek has resulted in Benji being separated from the team. @9NewsSyd

Under the NRL's strict bio-security rules Marshall will remain at home on Thursday while the reporter undergoes a COVID-19 test and the matter was reported to the NRL.
@7michellebishop
Just goes to show you, we can all get caught up in life and forget what kind of world we are living in at the moment Off to be tested #innocent #awkward #apologies


In a statement, the club said assuming a negative result is returned, no further action will be required by Marshall or Wests Tigers.

Meanwhile, halfback Luke Brooks says the entire Wests Tigers squad is on notice after former world player of the year Marshall's surprise demotion from the team following the weekend's loss to Gold Coast. "Especially with someone of his name to be dropped, that just shows no one's position is safe if we're not playing good enough footy," said Brooks. "There's a whole other reserve grade team who are training really well at the moment and who are ready to come in to the side."

Even at 35, Marshall is running second in the Dally M Medal count after four rounds of the competition.


So they’ve all just played 160 hours of direct physical contact football against 2 other teams, mixed sweat, hugged each other and shook hands after each game, back slapped each other, sung the team song with arms around each other and numerous hangers on in the dressing room and Benji gets isolated for not keeping social distance with a reporter?? Does anyone else see the stupidity in this? Honestly the contradictions around these COVID -19 restrictions is just laughable.

The reporter is outside the group - how can you not understand this.

Everyone else is subject to the NRL restrictions.

I hear what you’re saying Russell and on the surface it does appear that way to the casual observer. However, the reporter was not part of the “WT bubble” and as such didn’t deserve a kiss. Likewise baa baa was not in the Dogs bubble. I guess the question we need to ask is .. do we know who is in our own bubble? With that in mind, a BLM protestor has tested positive to COVID-19. Bubble lives matter too. ?

 

[twentyforty]

@851 You must be happy.

Yes mate I am, Brooks now has to finally stand up and we will be cooking with gas

851 I love you mate, but you and I will have one foot in the grave before Brooks ever stands up. He had years to stand up before Benji ever came back.

He has been standing up
Stop making fun of his height
It's not his fault he has short legs

I think Marshall and Brooks need to put some mongrel in their game
They both need to mix things up a little on the field with their kicks and passing game because what they are doing now isn't getting the job done
Mix it up and be a little bit unpredictable

I agree, Brooks should be given free reign to play it as he sees it. I doubt he will do that with a 6 who has achieved much more over twice as many years? What would happen if Walters played 6? After a couple of games, Brooks will realise he is the go to guy. imo

 

[twentyforty]

Brooks is good and not great. End of story. He'll never singlehandedly lead a team to a grand final, like Jonathan Thurston or Andrew Johns might have. And that's okay, 99% of the league couldn't do this either. His former partner Mitchell Moses can't. He does at times show a lack of urgency at the key moments. But in many losing and winning efforts he has also stood up eg. the final game against Cronulla last season.

I don't think Brooks has ever been the issue, he was either too young or part of really average teams. He certainly is not the problem now. He didn't leak 28 points against the Titans or 42 against the Knights. The team has an issue in general with focus and urgency. They have clocked off for significant portions of every game this year.

And our forward pack is average. Losing Matterson with no one in return was significant. Aloiai is not the leader of any pack, never will be. He's a great 3rd forward. Musgrove is inexperienced and not the answer. And we'll be really inconsistent for a few years until we clear the bad contracts and buy in their prime first-graders and the young blokes grow up and fill out. Brisbane are the perfect example of how too much youth is costly in the short-term.

Until then, we're the Wests Tigers we've known for the past 20 years. Sometimes awful, sometimes brilliant, mostly a hair below average.

Good post @rihannafan1 . Sure too many youngsters in the roster at the same time can be an issue. I haven’t heard anyone point out that the majority of Broncos players haven’t had more than 6 games together and imo this can be crucial for a team sport? imo

 

[851]

Maybe Madge has seen something some of us haven’t or he has decided enough is enough and its time to shake the tree…not sure how it will pan out but something had to be done…

Benji does what he wants to do... not sure if he is the right fit for Brooks... I reckon time to give the youngsters a go in place of Benji/Reynolds... Madge does give clear instructions and it must be followed and I am sure a youngster would follow that to the letter.


Agree. Wouldn’t Walters be a better option at 6?

Reynolds is on huge money and cannot displace Walters for the bench hooker/utility role. That is a pretty sobering thought heading into a game against a top team

That is because Grub is a 6 not a hooker

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Stop making fun of his height

No dwarf jokes from me but have you ever heard Brooks actually speak? He couldn't string two words together let alone barking instructions and plays with a mouth guard in place! The best playmakers are hoarse by the end of a game Lockyer Cronk Johns all were speechless by games end cos they YELLED at their players - they owned the team!

 

[851]

@851 You must be happy.

Yes mate I am, Brooks now has to finally stand up and we will be cooking with gas

851 I love you mate, but you and I will have one foot in the grave before Brooks ever stands up. He had years to stand up before Benji ever came back.

He has been standing up
Stop making fun of his height
It's not his fault he has short legs

I think Marshall and Brooks need to put some mongrel in their game
They both need to mix things up a little on the field with their kicks and passing game because what they are doing now isn't getting the job done
Mix it up and be a little bit unpredictable


I agree, Brooks should be given free reign to play it as he sees it. I doubt he will do that with a 6 who has achieved much more over twice as many years? What would happen if Walters played 6? After a couple of games, Brooks will realise he is the go to guy. imo

I said this 2 years ago, and have been saying it ever since, Brooks won’t reach his full potential or even become a consistent player whilst Benji is playing. Maybe Madge is testing this out, I just hope it is not a one off, for both Brooks and Grub’s sake