Reflecting on the 2025 NRL Season

Glad to see the back of Galvin and that we have a new right edge backrower next season. Now hoping that a good middle and fast back shake out of a tree between now and Xmas.
 
I was hoping to be sitting here celebrating a '10" - but alas, true to the WT DNA, here we are, ending another season where the few positives are that at least we managed to avoid the spoon, and solved a couple of player issues.

Tonights game embodies the high and lows that is the WT - and now that I think of it, the coach himself was dubbed, at one time, rocks and diamonds.
The lack of any real focus and organization on the field, has left us in a situation that mirrors tonights' game - confusion even after so many rounds of the competition. Now I don't know if this is because of the inexperience ofthe team or the coach, but either way if tonight was going to set the platform for 2026, we better start to reach for whatever we take to keep our sanity (and rage) in check. The usual prescription for any WT supporter. For mine, the season remains, overall positive, however I don't know what we have addressed (and resolved) the ghost of game gone past. To have remained scoreless in the second half says a lot about our hunger and desire to win. Until we start to develop this, consistently, we'll continue to try and cross and bridge too far. I also feel for Benji - he seemed broken tonight, and with good reason.
Lastly, THANK YOU all for the year that has been. I've enjoyed your contributions, and look forward to more of same in 2026.
 
A terrible way to finish the season but unfortunately it is what is usual for us.We did win more games but our defence was poor for much of the season,we need to improve by at least as much as we did this year to make 2026 a better year.Keep on removing the dead wood out of the club.
 
Some good improvements from individuals, really enjoyed seeing Sione kick on, Samuela came good imo, Doueihis best year. Terrel May was mostly good but think his impact iver the season was going the wrong way. Sunia and Skelton mostly good but some very quiet games too. So far so good with Latu, hope to see him going. Tiny added something. Bula had a good year imo. Twal consistent and limited.

To'a should have been put on ice weeks ago, we basically never have a plan to go right, we look lost in attack most weeks. Defensive lapsed are same old tigers crap. Luai started to lose me, then seemed to be improving, but disappointed in recent weeks. Ultimately I think we dont have a game plan that works for us, I expect the coach to fix it but surely there are some basics Luai could implement around kicking, directing runners, getting the ball to die quicker when nothing is on so we can play off a quick play the ball....anything

Anyone I haven't mentioned could barely be considered better than a 5 out of 10. Pole in particularly went backwards as the year wore on. Api tries but im very worried about him in 2 years.

Benji will get a pass mark but the same results next year would be incredibly disappointing.

We need to work on our attack so much it isnt funny. High offloads are useless when everyone is flat footed scratching themselves.
I think better attack will help us keep our head in the game - the D is much better for large periods but the scoreboard and fatigue seem to.play tricks on their minds.

I would be moving heaven and earth for 2 middles,.one established and one high ceiling youngster, a 14 who can spell Api and force a decision on AD and Latu for 7, 13 or NSW Cup. In fact id take 3 middles if I could. Pole needs pressure for his spot. Twal is solid but im fine with as 19 in the squad. Seyfarth to me is closer to the lower part of the depth chart. Does a lot of good mopping up and can just negate it like no one else.

I think the backs are ok assuming centres are out of Tiny, Toa and Makasini and Turuva and Skelton probably start. if I could get a genuine speedster I would, even if it is a player who might not start ahead of current players but can bring some spark when called upon.

Finally, some professional assistants please FFS. Benji seems like a good man manager and recruiter, he shouldn't run much else imo at this stage of his coaching journey.

Hardest decision is 7 but I give it to Latu and start AD at 13 unless there is a better option by then - dont think either can spell Api and thay stuffs the bench. Hope and Murray are feel good stories but both need to work on a lot to be regular 14s.
 
mtd#2 said:
We finished 4 wins and 267 points outside of the top 8.

The points differential is the concern...

I don't see how we turn that around...
Click to expand...
A lot to work on prior to round 1.

Few tweaks in the starting 17 and some depth adjustments.

Hopefully guys like Sukkar, Hope, Murray, etc. Improve after a taste this year.
 
Demps said:
A lot to work on prior to round 1.

Few tweaks in the starting 17 and some depth adjustments.

Hopefully guys like Sukkar, Hope, Murray, etc. Improve after a taste this year.
Click to expand...
Demps if the Tigers don’t recruit 3 first graders it will be the same again. The players are running out of steam. Tonight’s sharks game shows the value of a proper bench. Talaki, Hazleton, Uele, Atkinson.
 
old_man_tiger said:
Some good improvements from individuals, really enjoyed seeing Sione kick on, Samuela came good imo, Doueihis best year. Terrel May was mostly good but think his impact iver the season was going the wrong way. Sunia and Skelton mostly good but some very quiet games too. So far so good with Latu, hope to see him going. Tiny added something. Bula had a good year imo. Twal consistent and limited.

To'a should have been put on ice weeks ago, we basically never have a plan to go right, we look lost in attack most weeks. Defensive lapsed are same old tigers crap. Luai started to lose me, then seemed to be improving, but disappointed in recent weeks. Ultimately I think we dont have a game plan that works for us, I expect the coach to fix it but surely there are some basics Luai could implement around kicking, directing runners, getting the ball to die quicker when nothing is on so we can play off a quick play the ball....anything

Anyone I haven't mentioned could barely be considered better than a 5 out of 10. Pole in particularly went backwards as the year wore on. Api tries but im very worried about him in 2 years.

Benji will get a pass mark but the same results next year would be incredibly disappointing.

We need to work on our attack so much it isnt funny. High offloads are useless when everyone is flat footed scratching themselves.
I think better attack will help us keep our head in the game - the D is much better for large periods but the scoreboard and fatigue seem to.play tricks on their minds.

I would be moving heaven and earth for 2 middles,.one established and one high ceiling youngster, a 14 who can spell Api and force a decision on AD and Latu for 7, 13 or NSW Cup. In fact id take 3 middles if I could. Pole needs pressure for his spot. Twal is solid but im fine with as 19 in the squad. Seyfarth to me is closer to the lower part of the depth chart. Does a lot of good mopping up and can just negate it like no one else.

I think the backs are ok assuming centres are out of Tiny, Toa and Makasini and Turuva and Skelton probably start. if I could get a genuine speedster I would, even if it is a player who might not start ahead of current players but can bring some spark when called upon.

Finally, some professional assistants please FFS. Benji seems like a good man manager and recruiter, he shouldn't run much else imo at this stage of his coaching journey.

Hardest decision is 7 but I give it to Latu and start AD at 13 unless there is a better option by then - dont think either can spell Api and thay stuffs the bench. Hope and Murray are feel good stories but both need to work on a lot to be regular 14s.
Click to expand...
awesome report and agree 100 percent
 
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