Wests Tigers culture overcomes welfare concerns caused by ‘teething problems’ under Jason Taylor
a day ago by DAN WALSHSource: FOX SPORTS
ACCUSATIONS of Wests Tigers coaching staff bullying players are off the mark according to club insider Dene Halatau, though he admits the joint-venture had its share of “teething problems” at the start of Jason Taylor’s tenure.
An uncomfortable spotlight has been cast on the Tigers’ culture in recent seasons after excerpts from a 2015 RLPA report alleged the club had failed to ensure players’ wellbeing, that two unnamed players had considered committing suicide and that others had been bullied to the point of tears by Tigers staff.
The Tigers have described a number of the allegations in the confidential discussion paper and their reporting as “inaccurate, misleading” and “wildly exaggerated”, but have also made a raft of changes to their culture and support structures since receiving the negative feedback two years ago.
Namely, the playing group’s support base has been beefed up considerably, with the recently retired Halatau joining ex-Tiger and wellbeing officer Paul Whatuira and the club’s welfare and education manager Debbie Brewin.
With a number of off-field advances the Tigers were ranked second across the NRL for their wellbeing program, making them the “most improved club in 2016” in regards to mental health and careers support according to head office.
Now in a newly created role as culture and leadership co-ordinator, Halatau finished his stellar 249-game career this year after returning to the joint-venture in 2014.
Taylor took charge of a volatile environment at the end of that season and found drama at every turn with the ongoing saga around Robbie Farah’s exit from the club.
Halatau admits the intense focus on Farah and Taylor’s relationship took an inevitable toll on the club, but declared the bond between players and staff is now stronger because of it.
“There are always going to be differences of opinion as to how things should work but I feel like the relationship between the playing group and the entire coaching staff has grown and become tighter,” Halatau says.
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“It’s in a good place. I think there were some reviews done at the end of 2015 for everyone and I think they were well received.
“When new people come into a new role there’s always going to be teething problems, whether it’s a new coach or new players, I think right now the group’s on the same page.”
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The report was prepared in the wake of a tumultuous 2015 season when the Farah-Taylor feud had first came to public light, and alleged Farah’s welfare was ignored by the club throughout.
Farah’s eventual departure to join South Sydney, with the Tigers paying around $750,000 of his 2017 salary, brought to an end one of the ugliest episodes in the club’s history.
Halatau points to the Tigers improvement over the back half of 2016, which saw them fall just one point shy of a surprise finals berth, as proof the playing group was able to put the drama aside and deliver results for Taylor and his coaching staff.
“You couldn’t ignore it. It was there and it was being talked about externally,” Halatau says.
“But looking at the way we played football over the back half of the season, as a team we really improved the way we played.
“There were a couple of poor performances in there but it was entertaining footy to play and watch, I think that was reflective of how we handled that situation.
“The boys were able to put it to the side, put in at training and work hard for some results.”
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Taylor will need more of those results given he comes off-contract at the end of 2017.
No coach in the game has endured more speculation around his future in the past two years and remained standing, with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe telling foxsports.com.au in September that the club was hoping to make a long-term call on Taylor by Christmas.
The Tigers also have a cartel of their best and brightest stars hitting the open market, headlined by a star quartet of NSW reps James Tedesco and Aaron Woods along with promising halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks.
But for two heavy defeats to red hot Penrith and Canberra outfits, the Tigers could well have snuck into the top eight last season.
Halatau sees no reason why his former teammates can’t push for the club’s first finals appearance since 2011.
“I know that among the group the boys will be wanting to play semi-final football next year …
“I’ve got no doubt they won’t be satisfied if they don’t get there.”
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