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By Matt Logue - The Daily Telegraph
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IF anyone personifies the fighting spirit of the Wests Tigers, it’s hard to go past Tommy Raudonikis.
And it’s why the Tigers asked the much-loved club legend to spend time with the playing group in the lead-up to Friday night’s impressive upset victory over Brisbane.
Speaking with The Sunday Telegraph, Raudonikis lifted the lid on his passionate pre-game address to the players, saying it was part of the club’s plan to reconnect with its rich history of defying the odds.
“The Tigers are trying to get the club culture back again, so it was an honour to be invited into the camp,” Raudonikis said.
“I had dinner with them on Thursday night, I had lunch with them and I was in the dressing rooms before the game.
“I was very impressed and I got a real kick out of it. They want people to come to the club and players stay.
“It’s just a new thing they are trying and I think next week they might have Noel Kelly in to speak.”
Raudonikis admitted he was originally reluctant to impose on the team when he was approached to speak by the club’s general manager of football, Mark O’Neill.
He said his initial fear was quickly put to rest by Tigers coach Jason Taylor.
“Jason was terrific,” he said. “He told me to get in the dressing room and make it known to the players that I was there.
“So when they walked out for the match I made sure I put myself in a place where they had to walk past me.
“I didn’t talk tactics or anything like that — it was just my presence. Put it this way, it worked a treat and they played very well.”
Despite the Tigers’ inconsistent start to the season, Raudonikis has no doubts the joint-venture club is on the cusp of glory.
He is particularly excited about the prospects of young halves Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks — who are expected to officially commit their long-term futures to the club this week.
“That’s the first time I’ve been able to sit down and talk to them and I was very impressed,” Raudonikis said.
“I told them after the game that this club is renowned for its great halves and they are the next ones coming along and they can uphold the tradition. That’s why I’m hoping they can stick together and stay at the club.”
Raudonikis also backed coach Taylor to lead the Tigers to brighter times.
“A couple of weeks ago people wanted his blood, but I can tell you now he is a very good coach,” he said.
“The way he handled those young players was something special. I told Jason don’t worry I went through all of what you’re going through.
“I got two wooden spoons at Wests, so there are tough times. But he (Jason) is the man to coach this club.”
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IF anyone personifies the fighting spirit of the Wests Tigers, it’s hard to go past Tommy Raudonikis.
And it’s why the Tigers asked the much-loved club legend to spend time with the playing group in the lead-up to Friday night’s impressive upset victory over Brisbane.
Speaking with The Sunday Telegraph, Raudonikis lifted the lid on his passionate pre-game address to the players, saying it was part of the club’s plan to reconnect with its rich history of defying the odds.
“The Tigers are trying to get the club culture back again, so it was an honour to be invited into the camp,” Raudonikis said.
“I had dinner with them on Thursday night, I had lunch with them and I was in the dressing rooms before the game.
“I was very impressed and I got a real kick out of it. They want people to come to the club and players stay.
“It’s just a new thing they are trying and I think next week they might have Noel Kelly in to speak.”
Raudonikis admitted he was originally reluctant to impose on the team when he was approached to speak by the club’s general manager of football, Mark O’Neill.
He said his initial fear was quickly put to rest by Tigers coach Jason Taylor.
“Jason was terrific,” he said. “He told me to get in the dressing room and make it known to the players that I was there.
“So when they walked out for the match I made sure I put myself in a place where they had to walk past me.
“I didn’t talk tactics or anything like that — it was just my presence. Put it this way, it worked a treat and they played very well.”
Despite the Tigers’ inconsistent start to the season, Raudonikis has no doubts the joint-venture club is on the cusp of glory.
He is particularly excited about the prospects of young halves Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks — who are expected to officially commit their long-term futures to the club this week.
“That’s the first time I’ve been able to sit down and talk to them and I was very impressed,” Raudonikis said.
“I told them after the game that this club is renowned for its great halves and they are the next ones coming along and they can uphold the tradition. That’s why I’m hoping they can stick together and stay at the club.”
Raudonikis also backed coach Taylor to lead the Tigers to brighter times.
“A couple of weeks ago people wanted his blood, but I can tell you now he is a very good coach,” he said.
“The way he handled those young players was something special. I told Jason don’t worry I went through all of what you’re going through.
“I got two wooden spoons at Wests, so there are tough times. But he (Jason) is the man to coach this club.”
