Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Roar_Power]

With at least 2 players fronting the board to explain their lack of fitness as reported, I wonder if there have been previous breaches and this is to determine whether they are to be sacked.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Hmm I wonder if this sudden rash of breach notices is related to our lack of top 30 spots. If I was Bud Sullivan I’d be sleeping at Concord just to make sure I’m never late for training.

I bet this news has the next group of players set to return a bit nervous if they haven't ripped in during the off-season. The likes of Bud, Starford & Naden especially.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

With at least 2 players fronting the board to explain their lack of fitness as reported, I wonder if there have been previous breaches and this is to determine whether they are to be sacked.

Very possible. Fronting the board is not just a slap on the wrist occasion, the Coach & CEO/Footy Manager can do that. Without speculating on names, it must be out of those players who have been back training for a week and are in the top 30. By my count, that's 12.

 

[JB9918]

You'd say 2 going to the board would be top 30 players.

Just my guess but Matamua may be one, seemed similar to Miller & struggled to manage his physique.

Very interesting.

I would be very nervous if I was those 2 based on the actions already taken against Miller.

& Yes I agree if not back yet, I am sure they'll be hitting their local gym.

Bateman will have to hold off the fish & chips as well!

 

[Buttface]

So with these new standards does that mean BENJI fill fall on his sword if we do not win the first 6 games next season?? or Richo finally admit the experiment did not work??

6 games, and win them in a row? Can that even happen?

I don’t think Richo is gunna have a provision as literal as that, but I reckon in the back of his mind he’s got a level of expectation of improvement in the team that a decent coach would get from a team, and if he doesn’t see that then I think he may start looking for a replacement.
We need 2 decent NRL forwards or it won’t matter who’s coaching.

 

[rihannafan1]

I like that we are all in on New HIGH standards for discipline, punctuality and Fitness

I like that Richo and Benji are all in on this. Same with Richo telling off players who were having a laugh while we were getting pumped by the Eels in Spoon Bowl.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Good on Benji & Richo.
Times are changing and it starts from day 1.

Name and shame them , name and shame themmmmm

 

[liltiger]

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.

This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.

They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.

It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.

While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.

As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.

“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.


“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.

“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”

Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.

Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.

Very crafty way to free up top 30 spots without loosing money

 

[liltiger]

Imagine being an elite athlete and getting told by this guy u aren’t in good enough condition to start pre season…Richo looks like a Walrus himself

He's not the one being paid to be a professional athlete though.

 

[Odessa]

Reckon Papalii just wanted to go and the club didn't have much choice but to let him, he was wishy washy about coming here in the first place and we didn't cover ourselves in glory once he was here either. Neither party handled it well, best for both to cut losses and move on (wish Bateman would do the same)

Wishy Washy love it reminds me of younger days I also love it at the drive through I just want a slab of VB thanks Mate

 

[Tiger Stripes]

With at least 2 players fronting the board to explain their lack of fitness as reported, I wonder if there have been previous breaches and this is to determine whether they are to be sacked.

With at least 2 players fronting the board to explain their lack of fitness as reported, I wonder if there have been previous breaches and this is to determine whether they are to be sacked.

They have to do whatever it tales to get rid of the unwanted, legally.
If this is the first step in that process, I am all for it.
The message is out there for all the players that they are all on notice. Earn your big $$$. No more wooden spoons!

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

Geez the Benji and Richo bagging is next level insane. Richo is one of the great NRL CEO's fact. Benji is a rookie coach who has had one full NRL season, news flash he wasn't the head coach in 2023 as some would have you believe. Benji has promoted exciting juniors who will lead us forward, heavily involved in Luai coming. The roster he has had to work with for the majority of the season was KOE and youngsters, no super coach would've done better.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Very crafty way to free up top 30 spots without loosing money

I dont think that the motivation here....its an outcome, yes, but not the objective...This club is trying hard to change the "retirement village" culture, where near enough is good enough attitude.

 

[Blooey]

These breach notices are exactly what Gould would do to create roster spots.
Love to see something like this finally happening at our club.

 

[happy_tiger]

Would have thought that the NRL teams would have learnt the lesson from Manly's experience about over-training players to the point of illness.

And death sadly

 

[BAGNF05]

So with these new standards does that mean BENJI fill fall on his sword if we do not win the first 6 games next season?? or Richo finally admit the experiment did not work??

Pascoe mentality alive and well.

 

[Kelce68]

Well done on using an absurd comparison, and missing the point.

It was a joke.

 

[Kelce68]

I stand by what I said. Fitness is a prerequisite for becoming a better athlete.

Of course that's correct.

But that's not what you said at all.

You said, quote 'fitness is everything'.

 

[upthetigers]

Of course that's correct.

But that's not what you said at all.

You said, quote 'fitness is everything'.

fmd you know what i mean you're just nitpicking.

fitness is super important.

 

[Don Kershane]

Inner West pharmacies completely sold out of Ozempic. Mounjaro and Saxenda over past week.