LIVE GAME Round 27 v Panthers

[Tim Sheens]

If we do recruit another 7 for next year I’d rather TMM over O’Sullivan

Coming full circle back to WT would be appropriate, and if others are good and ready enough to push him out, then it's likely into a side going well.

 

[Flippedy]

We were so close so many times, but panthers just find a way

You have to wonder why they put in so much effort, they only had to win by 3 points and they had that sewn up by halftime! They could’ve backed off a bit and let us score one or two more tries and still won comfortably. Why waste such effort on a nothing game?

 

[Flippedy]

Benji is right off Jerome. He wont publicly criticise him because he knows the negative headlines it brings. Im a big critic of Benji, but one thing i cant fault him on is his ability to handle the media. He will let Jerome leave quietly, keep us out of the bad chatter, and let him be Parra's problem. But believe me, Benji cant stand him, and wants him gone.

Sad that he kept picking him in first grade then, we might’ve won a few more games if he was dropped and Latu brought in (when he wasn’t injured of course) He had ample time to do this, I guess you could say Benji actually destroyed our season by not making this move much earlier.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Agreed but is O'Sullivan any better then Jock?

Doesn’t matter coz I’m sure O Sullivan preferring to be at Souths. Like so many others he was overpriced and not a “ name” player to justify that money.
Bennett has made him earn his stripes at Souths and he has developed along the way

 

[Tucker]

You have to wonder why they put in so much effort, they only had to win by 3 points and they had that sewn up by halftime! They could’ve backed off a bit and let us score one or two more tries and still won comfortably. Why waste such effort on a nothing game?

Because they are well drilled, well prepared, professional footballers.
You don’t half arse it in the NRL, that’s when you get injured and develop bad habits.
If there is any chance that you can either score or stop a try, you committ to doing it. Our club doesn’t get this.

 

[Demps]

Doesn’t matter coz I’m sure O Sullivan preferring to be at Souths. Like so many others he was overpriced and not a “ name” player to justify that money.
Bennett has made him earn his stripes at Souths and he has developed along the way

Sean O Sullivan

 

[Leck]

I must have been watching a different game, because we were terrible yesterday and very lucky not to lose by more points.

Here are the stats.

Round 27: Panthers v Wests Tigers | Wests Tigers

Round 27: Panthers v Wests Tigers

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Furious1]

Because they are well drilled, well prepared, professional footballers.
You don’t half arse it in the NRL, that’s when you get injured and develop bad habits.
If there is any chance that you can either score or stop a try, you committ to doing it. Our club doesn’t get this.

Real standards that are non negotiable, every week.

 

[ATown]

Will there be a serious look at our coaching structure next season with some KPIs included as surely we have to stop expecting this level of mediocrity each year or at least to the end of Benji’s tenure.

Mediocrity would be a significant step forward.

 

[ATown]

Final comment of the day; we learnt a lot going forward, Demps nailed it re the future !!
We just need coaches that can direct our players, so total clean out , and get all our injured players back to start next season. I’d like to see us have a crack at Tyrell Sloan; we need serious speed out wide, non existent now; the bloke is having second thoughts about Super League. Time to be pro-active in the market and re-sign Madden and Latu, in 40 minutes they’ve shown what a difference they can make as a combo, with Javon Andrews getting time in 1st grade also.
I did see some green shoots in the 2nd half for sure!!

Talking about speed, geez Averillo has got plenty of it. He looked awesome for the Phins the other night.

 

[tigeress]

Benji is a mates club guy. He won’t sack or drop the big name players. He backtracks alot. I’m convinced he doesn’t actually know anything about the lower grade players and what our best formation team setup should be.

He needs a MENTOR

 

[Telltails]

15 years of club failure we sit there alone - that's a lot of players and coaches - and so it continues.
And what changes - nothing.
We are either dumb to continue to support the club the only constant in the failure
- players and coaches are transitional but always cop the blame - or just get some sort of pleasure out of bagging the crap out of the easy targets.

 

[innsaneink]

Penrith peaking at the right time.
They were by far the most impressive top 8 team.in rd 27

 

[liltiger]

The players played with more energy and intent once Luai was taken off…a statement in itself…He derailed our season no doubt….everyone in the club knows it too…so does he

This. It was telling in the difference in the lads energy levels and intent. Also the more direct nature of Latus game giving the guys outsude him more time and space. Why Luai wasnt no 14 once he signed with P.N.G. especially after Benji told him to leave next year is beyond me. I was dispondant about next year. After watching Latu get a run yesterday after a month away wuth injury and just go flat out for 40 min and the difference he made, im not as pessamistic. Were still miles off but at least next year we can watch this kid develop. Hes a firstgrade half. Imo i think his injuries early on will prolong his career. He will be around for a while. Gives me something to look forward to next year.

 

[liltiger]

Penrith peaking at the right time.
They were by far the most impressive top 8 team.in rd 27

I look at our score line and 38 - 10 doesnt do us justice. In the second half we took it to them. Till Mason decided to have a scoot. Penrith were on fire and we were able to come back and get into it with them and go at them. Yesterday as a fan i was angry, though once i look back at it without emotion innk, we did really, really well to have a go. The scoreline didnt do us justice. Other thing about it that i totally forgot that Rob Beshara brought up on the pod which was a great point is that apart from Bula, next year the backline from yesterday is our cup backline. None of the other backs will be in first grade, theyll all be depth. Looking at things now next year isnt as bleak as i initially thought after the game. The genesis of a good hard competative team is there were about 3 reliable tradesman depth players away atm. Depending how many we let go from this years squad.

 

[innsaneink]

Playing against 12 helped us get back into it briefly...but yes Latus straightening and speed was drastic and such a welcome change

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I look at our score line and 38 - 10 doesnt do us justice. In the second half we took it to them. Till Mason decided to have a scoot. Penrith were on fire and we were able to come back and get into it with them and go at them. Yesterday as a fan i was angry, though once i look back at it without emotion innk, we did really, really well to have a go. The scoreline didnt do us justice. Other thing about it that i totally forgot that Rob Beshara brought up on the pod which was a great point is that apart from Bula, next year the backline from yesterday is our cup backline. None of the other backs will be in first grade, theyll all be depth. Looking at things now next year isnt as bleak as i initially thought after the game. The genesis of a good hard competative team is there were about 3 reliable tradesman depth players away atm. Depending how many we let go from this years squad.

12 - 10 second half with Luai gone, Latu on.
2 tries each. A big turnaround. They were playing the premiers so that was a gutsy effort.
Proud of the effort and stuck to it for 80.
Augers well for 2027.

 

[Vicious]

12 - 10 second half with Luai gone, Latu on.
2 tries each. A big turnaround. They were playing the premiers so that was a gutsy effort.
Proud of the effort and stuck to it for 80.
Augers well for 2027.

Definitely some good signs.
Latu Fainu done exactly what I expected of him, but pleasing for him to be given an opportunity to show it, even if it was only for 40mins in the last game of the season.
Hoping that cameo does not increase his asking price to extend with us by too much.
Being one of Bula’s biggest critics, despite a coupe of errors I thought his effort and intent was really good and if it stays at that level or higher we should hopefully see a much better season from him in 2027.
Similar with Terrell, I thought he was back to a good level over the last couple of games after a worrying form slump for 4-6 games.

If we can improve our depth, improve our speed across the park and a massive focus on numbering up and not being constantly caught short for numbers on our edges and out wide, 2027 could be a good season.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Definitely some good signs.
Latu Fainu done exactly what I expected of him, but pleasing for him to be given an opportunity to show it, even if it was only for 40mins in the last game of the season.
Hoping that cameo does not increase his asking price to extend with us by too much.
Being one of Bula’s biggest critics, despite a coupe of errors I thought his effort and intent was really good and if it stays at that level or higher we should hopefully see a much better season from him in 2027.
Similar with Terrell, I thought he was back to a good level over the last couple of games after a worrying form slump for 4-6 games.

If we can improve our depth, improve our speed across the park and a massive focus on numbering up and not being constantly caught short for numbers on our edges and out wide, 2027 could be a good season.

Agree with most of your post V except for one damning point on Terrell, in the second half when the team played some expansive good to watch footy it came to a dead end when he had the ball.

On more than one occasion there was space out wide and the idiot just took it into the defence with his signature dumb turn his back runs and stunk the movement up.

Was he looking for glory in his milestone game, we might have scored a couple more tries if he let the ball sing.

 

[Betterdays22]

Definitely some good signs.
Latu Fainu done exactly what I expected of him, but pleasing for him to be given an opportunity to show it, even if it was only for 40mins in the last game of the season.
Hoping that cameo does not increase his asking price to extend with us by too much.
Being one of Bula’s biggest critics, despite a coupe of errors I thought his effort and intent was really good and if it stays at that level or higher we should hopefully see a much better season from him in 2027.
Similar with Terrell, I thought he was back to a good level over the last couple of games after a worrying form slump for 4-6 games.

If we can improve our depth, improve our speed across the park and a massive focus on numbering up and not being constantly caught short for numbers on our edges and out wide, 2027 could be a good season.

I actually think Bula's ball playing has been slightly better the last couple of weeks too in terms of decision making and execution. Long way to go but it's clearly something Benji wants to develop in him.