jrtiger
Well-known member
we're doing an ep next week! what would you like to hear re: Coaching?
WTF – Wests Tigers Faithful Podcast
- Thread starter jrtiger
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Snow Tiger
Member
A few thoughts:-
a) Are there signs that Benji has evolved as a coach and how close is he to his ceiling?
b) Thoughts on the assistance coaches and if you think they are a step up on what we had going on last year.
c) Conditioning of the team and if you think it looks different to previous seasons.
d) Evolution of the team culture.
Just a few thoughts. I realise that a lot of this is pretty opaque at the moment and will become more obvious in the coming months however you seem to have insights and information many of us aren't privy too.
In a nut shell do you think there are signs that a very inexperienced coach is continuing to evolve and if so do you think it will happen quickly enough for the team and coach?
I'm a believer in Benji however it's comes more from wanting it to work than any deeper knowledge and analysis that I think you two can bring the topic.
a) Are there signs that Benji has evolved as a coach and how close is he to his ceiling?
b) Thoughts on the assistance coaches and if you think they are a step up on what we had going on last year.
c) Conditioning of the team and if you think it looks different to previous seasons.
d) Evolution of the team culture.
Just a few thoughts. I realise that a lot of this is pretty opaque at the moment and will become more obvious in the coming months however you seem to have insights and information many of us aren't privy too.
In a nut shell do you think there are signs that a very inexperienced coach is continuing to evolve and if so do you think it will happen quickly enough for the team and coach?
I'm a believer in Benji however it's comes more from wanting it to work than any deeper knowledge and analysis that I think you two can bring the topic.
Anyone who keeps going on about moving Bula to centre has lost me. Best fullback we have had since teddy, the amount of tries he has saved unbelievable, he will have a break out year in attack play with Luai. Watch his last game against the Cowboys and what he did, unbelievable.
davey_farrell
Well-known member
what a great episode boys, love your insight once again!!! made up for no show last week 🙂 I agree we must find a spot for Mason, looks to be a special young player, if only he can catch the high bombs
Tucker
Well-known member
100% agreed.
Bula is our fullback, he just needs some slight tweaks and he'll be great.
The problem is once again we are watching the effects of a young bloke being elevated before he was developed properly. He will get there and when he does, he'll rip the comp apart.
jrtiger
Well-known member
don't worry I'm in complete agreeance there, but the beauty of two differing opinions is that it makes for good debate. @poopy_diaper is a Mason stan.
jrtiger
Well-known member
although we haven't seen the boys play a single minute for Marshall's second season, we'll try as best as we can to answer them mate. hopefully a few things we have to say come true.
poopy_diaper
Active member
I don't not rate Bula. I am merely predicting Mason is going to be a better player than him. Keep in mind he is 3 and a half years younger than Bula.
poopy_diaper
Active member
I don't even see how my opinion is all that controversial. It'll be 2 years until Mason is even the age Bula was when he debuted. I don't view the notion that Mason is our future fullback as even a hot take. Bula 2024 model is not keeping Mason out of that jersey for long. Bula if he has some leaps might delay the inevitable.
I'd be interested in a future episode relating to existing/future structure of players being mentored post/pre nrl ,heath , wealth ,education .What more does the club have to offer them? , than a chance to play and a new tin shed to do weights in
rugbygoated
Well-known member
Bula is a phenomenal talent. Gus Gould is a big fan of him. The main two issues for Bula is his lack of confidence, voice and competitive spirit in games, and overplaying his hand with ball playing. These two issues are mostly handled by Benji, so he has to figure out how to get Bula more dominant and knowing his role in attacking structures and shape, and for him to use his strength which is his running game. The 24/25 off season he focused too much on ball playing and not enough on his running metres from the back and building off his biggest strength
rugbygoated
Well-known member
That's a hot take if I've ever seen one. Don't think Mason will play 100 NRL games in his full career
poopy_diaper
Active member
We shall see!
rugbygoated
Well-known member
One of our strengths and weaknesses is the fact that our young players are so talented and unafraid, but it also means they can make a lot of errors which can backfire hugely in games. Too much game time and exposure to losing with lack of experience around them will just create the bad habits that have been existent in the club for the past 5 years. Galvin last year is a great example of overplaying youngsters. Look at what wayne bennett did to isaiya katoa who already was a star before he got dropped last year - he bounced back and won the game vs NZ for Tonga and will most likely have a great 2025 as he grows and learns tough lessons from the master coach. Galvin and other rookies need that tough love, not accepting standards where having a week in cup could develop you even more than a week in NRL where you're getting lapped
cochise
Well-known member
Mason still has issues in regards to attacking the high ball, that is something he really needs to improve.
Bula and Mason are 2 very different styles of fullback, Bula plays as the sweeping style fullback where in chimes into the backline to create an extra man. Mason is more of a support player at this point.
Canberratiger
Well-known member
Has Luke Laulili played much centre?
I thought he was a winger for sure and they have him listed as a Fullback
I thought he was a winger for sure and they have him listed as a Fullback
How do we edumacate coaches to progress thru our system? Is it better then just cherry picking some x player
Jolls
Well-known member
Hi Guys, another good rundown of where we are. I am not sure on Mason's long term viability as yet. He certainly has the right mindset and if fullback is not suited to him, with some training he could become a professional 14. I would need to see a fair bit of develpment to pick up the ability to play 9 but apart from that he is a well balanced player with potential but, at this stage, is not a standout in any one position. We simply need to let him develop and push his way into making himself indespensible in one role or another.
I'm looking forward to seeing how we develop defensively. I have seen us slip into a bit of up and in along with our slide defence so it appears that we have stepped up a gear. If we can nail the kick chase and follow it up with press defence we are starting to show the maturity you expect from an NRL top eight team.
As for what I would love to know on the coaching stakes is:
Who is running what in the club;
What have we changed from last year in the approach to coaching;
What metrics are being used to analyse our coaching performance; and the final question,
Can Benji coach; what is the evidence on either side of the argument!
Thanks again lads, great stuff and always worth a listen!
I'm looking forward to seeing how we develop defensively. I have seen us slip into a bit of up and in along with our slide defence so it appears that we have stepped up a gear. If we can nail the kick chase and follow it up with press defence we are starting to show the maturity you expect from an NRL top eight team.
As for what I would love to know on the coaching stakes is:
Who is running what in the club;
What have we changed from last year in the approach to coaching;
What metrics are being used to analyse our coaching performance; and the final question,
Can Benji coach; what is the evidence on either side of the argument!
Thanks again lads, great stuff and always worth a listen!
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