Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[gregjm87]

Until Benji can put a pack/ bench on the field that can match the physicality/mobility of at least 10 of the opposing teams in the comp then making the eight is pie in the sky. Whether that costs him his job - probably.

This is my concern also. I think Marshall has done some good things alongside some disappointing things. He shouldn't have been given the reigns when he was but that is done now. I think he is steadily improving and the team is as well. I think our middles still aren't enough to see us vying for the 8, but hopeful we're still building in this department as well. Even if I don't have high hopes for 26.

 

[batboy]

Completely agree. Sheens made a statement that everything went through Benji, but it's like asking the on-site apprentice if he thinks something is good or not...it's somewhat influenced by what the boss wants...

And anyone giving complete control to a total rookie is an idiot and isn't the fault of the rookie himself.

I only judge Benji from when he officially became head coach. I think that's the only fair way to assess it.

I get the comparison you’re trying to make - but is it really the same?

When the apprentice is pushing 40 years old with 20 odd years in and around the game?

I agree he’s not an experienced coach (probably still) and don’t know he’ll ever get to where we need him to be…
But They didn’t pull him from maccas drive through!!

Theres also the fact he stated multiple times, he had been coaching for the last 5 years of his career, then he knifed his mentor a year early - he wanted the job, he took the job…
We can’t keep making excuses for him.

What (professional) grown man, takes a job he’s not skilled in?

 

[cktiger]

What you’re saying is wrong though . The thing that doesn’t make sense to me is the best player IMO to wear the Cowboys jersey is Taumalolo , he’s lost a step , but his whole reputation was built on fitness and aggression and pure tenacity . At his best he’s like a freight train that never stops .
I don’t think the “lazy islander” idea , is true anymore . Simply because coach’s arnt picking them because they’re massive anymore . Especially in nsw being massive isn’t anything anymore . It’s a start sure , but where I am , the kids are huge . I watched an u15s game a couple of years ago , and I’m 183cm, an almost all of the 34 players were taller than me , I thought I was watching u19s. And someone corrected me. The kids are simply bigger stronger faster these days , and being massive and lazy doesn’t get you through . No matter what your background is . If it’s an apathy thing re. Islanders are notoriously chill an hard to motivate , I don’t think that’s the case either . Only the most competitive make it through . Especially out of the Penrith system , where a fair chunk of our team come from .
Even Miller the front rower we cut last year or the year before , 10 years ago that kid has a 5-10 year career and bounces around the nrl with shit attitude , and lack of development because everything thinks they can shine a diamond . He hasn’t been even looked at by other clubs since his cutting , and I heard is boxing now . I’ve spent a lot of my childhood around islanders , so I know what you’re talking about re. Motivation and culture , and a desire to be chill above all else , but the same dude who you swear wouldn’t hurt a fly , is also the same dude a lot of the time, who would put you in hospital if given the right motivation .
This is where Benji comes in . And I’m still on the fence / hopeful that he can translate his connection with the team , which is clear as day and inarguable , into wins . I guess the concern is , is he like Stephen Kearney before him , another guy who had the ear of the islander boys but couldn’t get above 500 most seasons . I dunno , but hopefully he has the right islander boys in the team who know how to help him. Because really that’s where 50% of the motivation comes from . The group itself . It’s why the Galvin debacle last year really screwed this team more than most . Because I think the culture is a bit siege mentality , you’re one of us or you’re not . And as we saw last year it just imploded the team when 1 guy or maybe 2 with TDS clearly weren’t .

No disrespect mate but I’d say Thurston would pip him as the best player to wear a Cowboys jersey.

 

[twentyforty]

You would be very surprised what I know and where my information comes from.

Knowledge is useless unless you share it Vic.

 

[mtd#2]

I get the comparison you’re trying to make - but is it really the same?

When the apprentice is pushing 40 years old with 20 odd years in and around the game?

I agree he’s not an experienced coach (probably still) and don’t know he’ll ever get to where we need him to be…
But They didn’t pull him from maccas drive through!!

Theres also the fact he stated multiple times, he had been coaching for the last 5 years of his career, then he knifed his mentor a year early - he wanted the job, he took the job…
We can’t keep making excuses for him.

I see where you're coming from, but i have to throw some stuff back at ya.

How many NRL coaches are under the age of 40?

Benji retired in 2021, so he wasn't coaching for the 5 years previous... Being a senior player in a team environment and working with halves vs a full-time NRL coach are two completely different things.

Benji is a businessman and he has an ego. He obviously thought he was up for the challenge despite being underqualified.

What (professional) grown man, takes a job he’s not skilled in?

Having skills vs being ready are two different things. Benji has skills as a footy player and a leader.. whether that equates to being a coach, we will learn in the next few years. Most coaches would go through the process of coaching junior grades and prove themselves ..

The bigger question is who have him the job? Who extended him?

Back to the point, you only have to look at the leaders of our country to realise you dont have to be good at what you do to have a position of power. Happens all the time in the corporate world too.. some fake it their entire careers. Others eventually make it work.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Mate you can’t keep getting upset when people aren’t touting the same “positivity” that you think you are.

Last off season a few of us were concerned that we had lost so many forwards and hadn’t really replaced them. We were shouted down then as well. Those losses hurt us and even though T May stood tall and worked hard, we flogged him to death and he ended up ineffective by seasons end. The rest barely held their own if they even managed to do so at all. That pack remains a question mark ahead of the coming season. Our only hope is that guys like Pole, Hunt and Seyfarth can find a new gear because we are going to heavily rely on them again.

Api was at his most effective last year when being subbed with Tallyn. They were a winning partnership. Can Hope supply the same this year? Someone is going to need to as Api is not effective at all when playing big minutes. Based on the past couple of years, anything over 55 minutes will be too much. I didn’t like Galvin being the focus of our attack one bit, however the enthusiasm he plays with is contagious. He always has a go. Good coaching will see him thrive. These guys should still be in the squad this year. They haven’t been replaced.

It’s not crying over spilt milk to discuss the team you support. We need Luai to step up, need Bula to re-commit and someone has to own the 7 jersey. I think this squad can play finals just as I thought last years squad could have. The coaching and leadership in the team worry me and they will have to be a lot better than last year if we are to have a good year.

Between you and me I think more steam comes out of your ears looking at the last six months.

Yes, have you just ignored all of my past posts regarding us needing to beef up the forwards, was pushing for it all last season, churn to date is looking more positive but still think we are short another pig.

Should have kept Papi and Steff sure but they didn't want to stay and we couldn't recruit replacements because the joint was on the nose, as for Klemmer well he was no better than what we had.

Api, I agree there's no way we should be playing him for 80, let's see what happens here I'm thinking Latu might get a run there to give him a rest while he's playing off the bench, he can pass and is sharp off the mark, can see him making some breaks through the middle.

As for Galvin reports are he's a lot bigger this year, sounds to me that he's closer to being a lock like we all predicted but you wouldn't think he would be ready just yet, so that wouldn't be much help to us.

Look I get it we all want our team to get to the top again and stay there, some of us are impatient, others are happy if we keep improving slowly year on year till we get to where we want to be.

 

[Airport05]

Sam Fainu and Pole both need to become elite this year. That will be the making of Benji as a coach if he can get them going consistently.

I actually thought Pole was very good at the start of last season and clearly lifted off the back of Terrell coming into the team. It was unfortunate his form dropped off so much through the back half of the year, especially after the injury. I also thought Sione was excellent at times. Both need to be a lot better in defence, but I think we have a couple of tackle-busters in these two that potentially have a lot of improvement in them. For mine, Sam has origin class written all over him if he can get where he needs to go.

 

[Odessa]

My mate rates Javon Andrews the next JT will be interesting


But never seen a guy gets so excited over new WT players

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

we need Spencer leniu

That's the type of pig that could make the transition to a good pack for us, is there one coming through in the lower grades somewhere in the NRL we could poach, even if he was available would we have the cap for this level of acquisition.

 

[batboy]

My mate rates Javon Andrews the next JT will be interesting


But never seen a guy gets so excited over new WT players

That bloke is an absolute Punish!!
He rates absolutely EVERYONE!! - Would field 127 Players every week if he could.

Got a giggle when I saw him talking about Taateo and the Outside back (Can't remember his name)
moving on from the club...
After he'd spent hours banging on about how they were single handedly gonna change our fortunes.

 

[Odessa]

That bloke is an absolute Punish!!
He rates absolutely EVERYONE!! - Would field 127 Players every week if he could.

Got a giggle when I saw him talking about Taateo and the Outside back (Can't remember his name)
moving on from the club...
After he'd spent hours banging on about how they were single handedly gonna change our fortunes.

My mate from QLD rates Javon Andrews very very high

 

[upthetigers]

That bloke is an absolute Punish!!
He rates absolutely EVERYONE!! - Would field 127 Players every week if he could.

Got a giggle when I saw him talking about Taateo and the Outside back (Can't remember his name)
moving on from the club...
After he'd spent hours banging on about how they were single handedly gonna change our fortunes.

Leave him alone mate, he's a young kid that's passionate about the tigers.

 

[batboy]

I see where you're coming from, but i have to throw some stuff back at ya.

How many NRL coaches are under the age of 40?

Benji retired in 2021, so he wasn't coaching for the 5 years previous... Being a senior player in a team environment and working with halves vs a full-time NRL coach are two completely different things.

"I've pretty much been coaching for the last 5 years of my Career" His words
(I heard it so many times I'd almost claim verbatum)
Not that I don't agree with you.

But I'm not the bloke that said it, and now has the top job - Benji is.

Benji is a businessman and he has an ego. He obviously thought he was up for the challenge despite being underqualified.


Having skills vs being ready are two different things. Benji has skills as a footy player and a leader.. whether that equates to being a coach, we will learn in the next few years. Most coaches would go through the process of coaching junior grades and prove themselves ..

Watched him his whole career, I wouldn't say I've seen that much leadership from him.
Doing it yourself, and having others follow you are very different things.

The bigger question is who have him the job? Who extended him?

Back to the point, you only have to look at the leaders of our country to realise you dont have to be good at what you do to have a position of power. Happens all the time in the corporate world too.. some fake it their entire careers. Others eventually make it work.

 

[batboy]

Leave him alone mate, he's a young kid that's passionate about the tigers.

Possible...
Could also be a clueless idiot that is saying stupid shit to have people follow him for nothing but
an internet career.

he puts it out there,
if it's Garbage why should calling it out be any different to what everyone does here - Daily.

 

[mtd#2]

"I've pretty much been coaching for the last 5 years of my Career" His words
(I heard it so many times I'd almost claim verbatum)
Not that I don't agree with you.

That's just a sales/marketing strategy to get us all comfortable with him as a coach. If I told you I should be the CEO enough it doesn't mean you should believe it. Look at the politicians. Look at a certain user on this forum who does the same thing...

Watched him his whole career, I wouldn't say I've seen that much leadership from him.
Doing it yourself, and having others follow you are very different things.

I don't disagree with you, I thought you were alluding to "coaching the past 5 years" and was just making a point that it's different.

 

[upthetigers]

Possible...
Could also be a clueless idiot that is saying stupid shit to have people follow him for nothing but
an internet career.

that's a bit farfetched. if that was his goal, why focus on just the wests tigers when he could cover the whole NRL and have a bigger audience.

 

[jrtiger]

My mate from QLD rates Javon Andrews very very high

extremely silky and has the mentality to succeed (broke his back as a teenager, handles clutch moments supremely well), but he's got that big tall lumbering body that can go either way in grade. when you're a half in that body shape, it can be extremely difficult to bed down and remain in the halves. look at Wighton, Burton, even Curtis Sironen.

really hope he makes a fist of it, but I do think at this point he'll be lucky to get a debut in 2026, as much as I like him. especially if Doueihi starts in the halves over Latu which looks to be the case.

 

[wstigers11]

extremely silky and has the mentality to succeed (broke his back as a teenager, handles clutch moments supremely well), but he's got that big tall lumbering body that can go either way in grade. when you're a half in that body shape, it can be extremely difficult to bed down and remain in the halves. look at Wighton, Burton, even Curtis Sironen.

really hope he makes a fist of it, but I do think at this point he'll be lucky to get a debut in 2026, as much as I like him. especially if Doueihi starts in the halves over Latu which looks to be the case.

Will be good to see how he develops in lower grades with some time up his sleeve with other FG halves options

 

[Vicious]

IF we finish in the top 8 or are sitting in the top 8 for a fair chunk of the season, recruitment for 2027 and beyond will become easy.
It’s big IF as I am not real confident we will finish in the top 8 or be sitting in the top 8 for a fair chunk of the season, but it’s possible if almost all our players maximise their ability and we get a few surprise packets with young emerging and lesser known players quickly rising in stature.
I’ve heard Benji is becoming very mindful of not overpaying players and wanting players committing for the right reasons other than just a quick cash grab.
The jury is still out on Benji’s overall coaching ability, but I believe his player management skills are improving and his focus on effort is second to none.

 

[jrtiger]

Will be good to see how he develops in lower grades with some time up his sleeve with other FG halves options

a lot of really talented youngsters in our Cup side this year which is going to be fun to watch. Attard, Roberts, Andrews, Moors and Godinet in particular.