Packer & Reynolds

[TrueTiger]

Big deal,Josh cant get a game because the club legend keeps getting picked and produces poor performances,they won but JREY beside Brooks in previous games,the team performed better as a whole...Packer left because he doesnt know any better,look at his last few games and he knows why he was replaced...

As Madge said they didnt break any rules...

This sums it up, Grub is stuck behind Benji, god knows why, and Benji is on a farewell tour, god knows why, so he is a million to 1 to get a game, it must be so frustrating, but he should know better

It might be frustrating for Josh to watch Benji do his farewell tour but he hasn't exactly been busting the door down to get Benji's spot. He needs to suck it up for a month and bust his ring out over the offseason to show he's worthy of the 6 next year. It's inexcusable.

How can he bust the door down, he was streets ahead of Benji until he got suspended, and since then he hasn't been picked, and the team has suffered as a consequence of that. Why Madge didn't drop Benji and bring Grub in after the pathetic effort in his 250th game is a disgrace

Rubbish, Reynolds is just as bad as Benji, a complete waste of money.

That is your opinion, thats fine, I disagree, we looked a far better team with Grub at 6, our right side centre and winger were not getting jammed up for room with Benji running across field, BJ looked the best he has all year with early ball.
We nearly rolled penrith, it was our best run of the year, I still don't understand how Grub didn't go straight back in to the team, considering Benji threw in some stellar bad performances since then.

He provides absolutely nothing in attack, I will agree he gives BJ early ball but that is because he has no ability to create space for his outside men so just shovels the ball off. Most of his supporters rave about the energy he plays with, you are saying he gives early ball, I am sorry but I am looing for more from a half than that. I wish he was leaving the club along with Benji.

He has a better short kicking game than Benji and forces repeat sets, his long kicking game is good, and he leads the chase, the proof is in our performances, we performed better with Grub at 6. I am not saying he is a star, but he is better than a 35 year old Benji. But we should be chasing Burton and Staines as a package for next year, but I am talking about 2020 at the moment

The only games we managed to score in while Grub was in the team was against side with absolutely no defense, its a myth that we were better when Grub was playing. We were a bit stronger in defense but couldn't score.

Truth is that many people including the head coach dont rate Jrey,so why should he stay if he wasnt in the squad to play at all...dont use the huge amount he is paid,thats not his fault and yes I do think he is far better beside Brooks than Benji..it has been proven..

I don't know how you can say something that is subjective is proven. He should have stayed to support his team mates, to show his coach he is a team player, to show he wants to be here. All that leaving shows is that you don't care, if that is the case leave and keep walking.

Mate you have your opinion and I have mine,he isnt rated by Madge and we get Benji week in week out ,J Rey does great work off the field with the community to show his loyalty to the club but cant get a run because the legend has to play his farewell tour....
I dont care if he leaves tommorrow,he wasnt in the squad to play so what if he went home...

Yes we have our opinions, that's why it can't be proven because it is subjective.

Because he walked out on his team mates, he showed them he thought he had better things to do. It is actually worse than not showing up at all, he was there and he walked out on them, wasn't there to support them. I'd be filthy if I was his team mate.

You got that wrong cochise...JRey is only a squad member...he hasnt been a teammate since Benji had to have his farewell tour....

Only a squad member? What rubbish, he would expect others to put in for him if he got a recall and he couldn't even bother to stay and support them because he was cold. They just burnt their reputation with the whole team, I wouldn't want to play with them again.

Read the latest from the club ceo...Reynolds wasnt required to attend the game but turned up anyway to support them....so what if he left at half time.....you and avo have an agenda against reynolds ....but who cares ....

Haha a... Agenda?
The irony

The irony is ...it doesnt matter what JR does nobody wants him here...go see Ivan for that...
he wasnt required to be at the game but went and left at half time...so what ,the days of loyalty to the club and team was gone years ago,ask Tedesco,Moses and co...

Nobody wants him at any other club either. Wonder why?

Dont know mate ask his manager...

 

[gallagher]

This one is going to get ugly. CEO and Chairman pulling them in tomorrow and looking for contractual ways to punish them. The only way this can end now is both of hem out by years end. Can’t come back from this now.

It's that happening Steve ? Or are you just saying it should happen.

Read the post of mine from Fox Sports below.

Cheers. I like it

 

[TrueTiger]

Big deal,Josh cant get a game because the club legend keeps getting picked and produces poor performances,they won but JREY beside Brooks in previous games,the team performed better as a whole...Packer left because he doesnt know any better,look at his last few games and he knows why he was replaced...

As Madge said they didnt break any rules...

This sums it up, Grub is stuck behind Benji, god knows why, and Benji is on a farewell tour, god knows why, so he is a million to 1 to get a game, it must be so frustrating, but he should know better

It might be frustrating for Josh to watch Benji do his farewell tour but he hasn't exactly been busting the door down to get Benji's spot. He needs to suck it up for a month and bust his ring out over the offseason to show he's worthy of the 6 next year. It's inexcusable.

How can he bust the door down, he was streets ahead of Benji until he got suspended, and since then he hasn't been picked, and the team has suffered as a consequence of that. Why Madge didn't drop Benji and bring Grub in after the pathetic effort in his 250th game is a disgrace

Rubbish, Reynolds is just as bad as Benji, a complete waste of money.

That is your opinion, thats fine, I disagree, we looked a far better team with Grub at 6, our right side centre and winger were not getting jammed up for room with Benji running across field, BJ looked the best he has all year with early ball.
We nearly rolled penrith, it was our best run of the year, I still don't understand how Grub didn't go straight back in to the team, considering Benji threw in some stellar bad performances since then.

He provides absolutely nothing in attack, I will agree he gives BJ early ball but that is because he has no ability to create space for his outside men so just shovels the ball off. Most of his supporters rave about the energy he plays with, you are saying he gives early ball, I am sorry but I am looing for more from a half than that. I wish he was leaving the club along with Benji.

He has a better short kicking game than Benji and forces repeat sets, his long kicking game is good, and he leads the chase, the proof is in our performances, we performed better with Grub at 6. I am not saying he is a star, but he is better than a 35 year old Benji. But we should be chasing Burton and Staines as a package for next year, but I am talking about 2020 at the moment

The only games we managed to score in while Grub was in the team was against side with absolutely no defense, its a myth that we were better when Grub was playing. We were a bit stronger in defense but couldn't score.

Truth is that many people including the head coach dont rate Jrey,so why should he stay if he wasnt in the squad to play at all...dont use the huge amount he is paid,thats not his fault and yes I do think he is far better beside Brooks than Benji..it has been proven..

I don't know how you can say something that is subjective is proven. He should have stayed to support his team mates, to show his coach he is a team player, to show he wants to be here. All that leaving shows is that you don't care, if that is the case leave and keep walking.

Mate you have your opinion and I have mine,he isnt rated by Madge and we get Benji week in week out ,J Rey does great work off the field with the community to show his loyalty to the club but cant get a run because the legend has to play his farewell tour....
I dont care if he leaves tommorrow,he wasnt in the squad to play so what if he went home...

Yes we have our opinions, that's why it can't be proven because it is subjective.

Because he walked out on his team mates, he showed them he thought he had better things to do. It is actually worse than not showing up at all, he was there and he walked out on them, wasn't there to support them. I'd be filthy if I was his team mate.

You got that wrong cochise...JRey is only a squad member...he hasnt been a teammate since Benji had to have his farewell tour....

Have you considered that the weak attitude shown by Reynolds last night isn’t a one off and it might be his rubbish attitude that is keeping him behind Benji?

Dont know Im not in the inner sanctum of the club...only met him a few times and he always spoke well of the club..

 

[cochise]

I've seen fans leave in droves heaps of times....I've never left for the simple fact is sometimes like v Newy a few years back and Manly this week..miracles happen and would kick myself royally if I'd left...

Never heard or seen of a player take off early

I've only ever left at half time once in my life, when my now 7 year old daughter was a baby she vomited all down my back one night a CSS at halftime. I couldn't get out of there quick enough, we went on to win but only scored one more try so the footy gods took pity on me lol

 

[gallagher]

The question needs to be asked, did the rest of the non playing squad turn up to the game?

 

[Fade.To.Black]

You'd want to be in a blue with these blokes wouldn't ya?! You'd be copping a beating and they'd say "no worries champ, we're outta here, best of luck mate". Disgraceful on face value, regardless of whether they are on a motza or minimum wage. Mates support mates no matter what.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

The question needs to be asked, did the rest of the non playing squad turn up to the game?

Valid question. But why rack off halfway through the game? Better off not showing up at all TBH.
We need blokes of better character at our club to move forward.

 

[gallagher]

The question needs to be asked, did the rest of the non playing squad turn up to the game?

Valid question. But why rack off halfway through the game? Better off not showing up at all TBH.
We need blokes of better character at our club to move forward.

No disagreement there. Losers.

 

[cochise]

The question needs to be asked, did the rest of the non playing squad turn up to the game?

Valid question. But why rack off halfway through the game? Better off not showing up at all TBH.
We need blokes of better character at our club to move forward.

Yep, I believe it is worse to show up and then leave than it is to not show up at all.

 

[Curaeus]

I assume Pascoe and Chairman Lee cleared their threatened upcoming blast of Packer and Reynolds with Madge. Will Madge be actively involved?

 

[Pbulk]

Tigers to re-sign Maguire but Reynolds, Packer drama highlights issues

By Michael Chammas

The Wests Tigers are moving to silence the deafening noise surrounding the tenure of their coach, set to hand Michael Maguire a one year contract extension despite more cause for concern emerging on Sunday.

A week of conjecture around the coach's relationship with his players ended with revelations out-of-favour duo Josh Reynolds and Russell Packer left Saturday night's game against Manly at half time.

When contacted by the Herald on Sunday night, Reynolds declined to comment. However sources close to the club said Reynolds, whose behaviour was out of character given his reputation as the ultimate team player, was privately fuming over suggestions that he walked out because he couldn't handle the cold.

The five-eighth, despite being told to find a new home on half a dozen occasions, wasn't required to attend the match but turned up to support his teammates, before leaving at half time.

"It's not a good look for two of our players to leave at half time," chairman Lee Hagipantelis told the Herald.

"Strictly speaking, they weren't required to be there. Russell had to warm up with the team as 19th man but Josh didn't even warm up with the team. Both players have acknowledged their action creates a perception, but perception is not reality.

"I have spoken to both of them and they've acknowledge it wasn't a good look. There was no intention on their part to show disrespect or a lack of unity. Russell suffers from an arthritic condition and had multiple surgeries in his foot to try and help him play again. Sitting there in the cold does affect him, that is true."

The players' inability to see out the match in the stands reflects poorly, but again highlights the disconnect that the club wants addressed in the offseason when it sits down with Maguire to map out its plan for the future.

The Wests Tigers has been a revolving door of coaches in recent years and the club is determined to make sure Maguire isn't added to the list, with the former South Sydney premiership-winning mentor to be given an extension on his contract despite already being locked in at the joint venture until the end of 2021.

It's an incredible show of faith when you consider the noise surrounding Maguire's tenure at the club. The murmurs of discontent in the playing ranks keep bubbling along, not to mention the fact the Tigers are likely to miss the finals for a second straight year under his watch despite a miraculous come-from-behind win against Manly on Saturday night.

The Tigers would be well within their rights to sit back and see how next year unfolds before making a decision. That's the safe play considering he still has another year to run on his deal and, to put it bluntly, rival clubs are not exactly lining up for his services.

But in a strong message to the players, some of whom are privately questioning whether he is in fact the right man to lead them out of a decade-long finals slumber, the board and executives will in the coming months add another year to Maguire's incumbency.

The Tigers and, for the large part, their success-starved fans, believe Maguire is the right man. They are behind his no-nonsense approach and want him to add a hard edge to a club long regarded for its soft underbelly.

They also know where there's smoke, there's fire. The issue involving Packer and Reynolds is evidence of that. Packer and Reynolds didn't break any rules when they left the game. Some of their teammates who weren't playing didn't even show up at all, but it's a bad look nonetheless.

The players must take responsibility for their poor choices, but there's also an onus on Maguire to evolve in the off-season and address some of the issues with his coaching style that has affected his relationship with several players at his last two clubs.

There's a misconception that the issues arise from how hard Maguire trains his players, that they can't stomach his military-like regime. The real problem stems around his communication skills, and a feeling he avoids the tough conversations.

Like when he asked Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah to approach Moses Mbye about stepping away from the captaincy last year, instead of having the conversation himself. Or, just last week, when he struggled to tell Marshall he wasn't required in 2021, asking the veteran playmaker to "give him 24 hours" despite already reaching a decision with the club he wasn't part of their plans going forward.

Maguire has the runs on the board. No one is questioning his rugby league IQ or his ability to prepare a football team. But a generational transition in players has prompted debate over how compatible his philosophies are with the modern-day footballer.

**It was evident last year in how he handled Ryan Matterson, a player who came to the club from the Sydney Roosters with a reputation for requiring a cuddle - or three - to get the best out of him.** Maguire is from a different school. The type that brings baseball bats and boa constrictors into dressing rooms to get his point across. Mollycoddling delicate footballers is not in his nature.

The Tigers possess a roster built by Ivan Cleary with personalities that suit an Ivan Cleary-coached team. Maguire will get his team in 2022, when the salary cap frees up in the first season of his forthcoming extension, but what he does between now and then will have a huge impact on whether he can attract Maguire-type footballers to the club.

Tigers powerbrokers know the club is not in a position to let quality footballers walk out the door, or turn players off joining, if it can be avoided by the coach learning to relate on a different level. Sometimes a teaspoon of cement isn't the only remedy.

 

[twentyforty]

Tigers to re-sign Maguire but Reynolds, Packer drama highlights issues

By Michael Chammas

The Wests Tigers are moving to silence the deafening noise surrounding the tenure of their coach, set to hand Michael Maguire a one year contract extension despite more cause for concern emerging on Sunday.

A week of conjecture around the coach's relationship with his players ended with revelations out-of-favour duo Josh Reynolds and Russell Packer left Saturday night's game against Manly at half time.

When contacted by the Herald on Sunday night, Reynolds declined to comment. However sources close to the club said Reynolds, whose behaviour was out of character given his reputation as the ultimate team player, was privately fuming over suggestions that he walked out because he couldn't handle the cold.

The five-eighth, despite being told to find a new home on half a dozen occasions, wasn't required to attend the match but turned up to support his teammates, before leaving at half time.

"It's not a good look for two of our players to leave at half time," chairman Lee Hagipantelis told the Herald.

"Strictly speaking, they weren't required to be there. Russell had to warm up with the team as 19th man but Josh didn't even warm up with the team. Both players have acknowledged their action creates a perception, but perception is not reality.

"I have spoken to both of them and they've acknowledge it wasn't a good look. There was no intention on their part to show disrespect or a lack of unity. Russell suffers from an arthritic condition and had multiple surgeries in his foot to try and help him play again. Sitting there in the cold does affect him, that is true."

The players' inability to see out the match in the stands reflects poorly, but again highlights the disconnect that the club wants addressed in the offseason when it sits down with Maguire to map out its plan for the future.

The Wests Tigers has been a revolving door of coaches in recent years and the club is determined to make sure Maguire isn't added to the list, with the former South Sydney premiership-winning mentor to be given an extension on his contract despite already being locked in at the joint venture until the end of 2021.

It's an incredible show of faith when you consider the noise surrounding Maguire's tenure at the club. The murmurs of discontent in the playing ranks keep bubbling along, not to mention the fact the Tigers are likely to miss the finals for a second straight year under his watch despite a miraculous come-from-behind win against Manly on Saturday night.

The Tigers would be well within their rights to sit back and see how next year unfolds before making a decision. That's the safe play considering he still has another year to run on his deal and, to put it bluntly, rival clubs are not exactly lining up for his services.

But in a strong message to the players, some of whom are privately questioning whether he is in fact the right man to lead them out of a decade-long finals slumber, the board and executives will in the coming months add another year to Maguire's incumbency.

The Tigers and, for the large part, their success-starved fans, believe Maguire is the right man. They are behind his no-nonsense approach and want him to add a hard edge to a club long regarded for its soft underbelly.

They also know where there's smoke, there's fire. The issue involving Packer and Reynolds is evidence of that. Packer and Reynolds didn't break any rules when they left the game. Some of their teammates who weren't playing didn't even show up at all, but it's a bad look nonetheless.

The players must take responsibility for their poor choices, but there's also an onus on Maguire to evolve in the off-season and address some of the issues with his coaching style that has affected his relationship with several players at his last two clubs.

There's a misconception that the issues arise from how hard Maguire trains his players, that they can't stomach his military-like regime. The real problem stems around his communication skills, and a feeling he avoids the tough conversations.

Like when he asked Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah to approach Moses Mbye about stepping away from the captaincy last year, instead of having the conversation himself. Or, just last week, when he struggled to tell Marshall he wasn't required in 2021, asking the veteran playmaker to "give him 24 hours" despite already reaching a decision with the club he wasn't part of their plans going forward.

Maguire has the runs on the board. No one is questioning his rugby league IQ or his ability to prepare a football team. But a generational transition in players has prompted debate over how compatible his philosophies are with the modern-day footballer.

**It was evident last year in how he handled Ryan Matterson, a player who came to the club from the Sydney Roosters with a reputation for requiring a cuddle - or three - to get the best out of him.** Maguire is from a different school. The type that brings baseball bats and boa constrictors into dressing rooms to get his point across. Mollycoddling delicate footballers is not in his nature.

The Tigers possess a roster built by Ivan Cleary with personalities that suit an Ivan Cleary-coached team. Maguire will get his team in 2022, when the salary cap frees up in the first season of his forthcoming extension, but what he does between now and then will have a huge impact on whether he can attract Maguire-type footballers to the club.

Tigers powerbrokers know the club is not in a position to let quality footballers walk out the door, or turn players off joining, if it can be avoided by the coach learning to relate on a different level. Sometimes a teaspoon of cement isn't the only remedy.

I guess a “modern day player” is similar to a modern day journalist?
The evidence supporting Chammas’ decision to sack the coach is laughable.

 

[walter]

Who really cares they weren’t playing

 

[innsaneink]

Seriously, they saw the media we copped last week, our club was again in turmoil, stories of factions amongst the playing group. There should have been a unified front last night, a show of togetherness, even if its fake. But these 3 couldn't even fake it, they showed no heart all commitment at all, this has actually turned me. Benji is done, needs to retire but I would now give him another year and play him no matter what in front of Reynolds, at least he is committed to his team and team mates. Those 3 have lost me completely.

Thats fine coshise and your entitled to have your say on anything...I have the right to do the same...if Reynolds wasnt required at Brookvale and still went when its his free time,, why should he be chastised like he has...he has a life and he could have been anywhere else but went and left at halftime...

Would your mate JR leave a Bulldogs game half way through ? His nickname is GRUB and that is what he is ! And not in a good way !

and you know him personally....I dont,wouldnt know if he would leave the dogs,but they got rid of him and we got him,doesnt mean he is wrong by leaving a game that he wasnt required to attend at all..

How old are you ?seriously ?do you not understand how teams work ?have a look at a roosters game. A golden state warriors game , a Manchester United game , New York yankees game . All elite systems and all whenever down the sidelines ,or dugouts has their injured or not playing squad players sitting in the background . Always. And when they’re not, they’re told to train with the u21s . If you can’t understand that universal philosophy about teams in general then you sir just do not get it .

When you grow up and do what I have done and been through what I have been through then you can lecture me about teams and loyalty....

For someone who has banged on relentlessly on here about "when you played the game" I must say I'm surprised at your attitude...

 

[Fraze23]

The stuff about Maguire being unable to have hard conversations surprises me. One thing all the players say is that they know where they stand with Madge.

 

[Telltails]

Sports journalism has sunk to a real low. We are not in finals contention and yet journos decide to write a main story about Reynolds and Packer leaving a game at half time?
It's amusing that footy plays second fiddle to controversy these days. And now coaches have been sacked in teams that have performed worse than ours we seem to be their prime target.
Sort of understand the position Bennett takes with them they have very little regard for the game or the people in it.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Why has no one mentioned the quote about the club wanting to axe Marshall who “busts his backside” yet allows its two highest plaid players to walk out. All the outrage over what Rothfield wrote, yet not one word about the most egregious sentence in the entire article. Maybe cos one is 35 years old and off contract and the other 2 aren’t and on nearly a million dollars a piece. The club has done everything in its power to offload them. Let’s not report that though, let’s go the sensationalist route and take a jab at them for moving on a 35 year old.

 

[tony soprano]

Another Chammas annoying article he is getting very annoying what is his agenda ripping into Madge ???

 

[NT_Tiger]

Well here we have another article that does more to demonstrate the writers biases than tell us anything worth knowing.
In his rush to hold up the Packer/Reynolds exit incident as evidence that Maguire has issues with the playing group he has missed one small but relevant point. After a week of negative press, Maguires team (the ones actually playing) put in a monumental come from behind effort against Manly. It certainly didn't look like Maguire had lost the dressing room to me.

 

[Blaze]

Even my son who fractured his elbow playing in the under 10s turns up to training 2 nights a week and games on Saturdays to support his team mates... poor form. No excuses. Add to the fact that it’s bloody freezing for him aswell without running around in the deep southwest of Sydney at this time of year.... no complaints from him... he is there for his boys.