-
Great article on The Roar today. Sorry if the formatting isn’t very good, I just copied and pasted it.
“Mad Madge seeks Tiger revenge”
Dylan Edwards head still rests on his shoulders this week. He may have needed a couple of Panadol Saturday night but he’ll be ok.
He’s an NRL player, competing in one of the most brutal sports in the world, a game played by men who get staples fixed firmly in their melon and then simply play on.Joey Leilua and Luke Garner both took a swipe at Edwards’ head on Saturday night, after a Panthers hooker had taken a similar swipe at their own man, Luciano Leilua, just prior. We are long past days where the square-up is acceptable conduct on a rugby league field and Joey copped a four-week ban for his ‘moment of madness’.
Most would agree it’s a fair punishment. Garner escaped charge, probably because the point of contact was knee height, and that’s probably fair too.
Wests Tigers supporters know all about fairness, it’s easy to understand something intimately when you are regularly the victim of the opposite. Beaten into submission for nine long unsuccessful seasons, the black and gold army could sense the winds of change blowing across BankWest Stadium on Saturday night. All of a sudden there wasn’t as much dread in the air.
I’m referring to those often-labelled ‘salty’ supporters who return every year to fill Leichhardt Oval on a sunny Sunday afternoon, only to be short changed of September action and left to shake their heads at another campaign comprising mostly misery.
Those weary men, women and their children, some who have distant memories of a golden period late in the 1980s and a magnificent fairytale some 15 years ago. But more of pain.
They’ve got some war stories to tell.
They’ll recall vividly when a bloke from the Roosters came to the joint looking for an opportunity. He played up a storm for a year, upped his value, then promptly left. “To the Eels I go” he said. He’s still firing barbs at the club on the internet too, guaranteeing him a vocal reception when the Tigers play Parramatta later this month.
Like the period they cheered on a future immortal playing masterfully at fullback, supported by the club as he battled injury in his formative years, only to see him seduced by a billionaire with a motor vehicle empire. Premierships and a Dally M followed. Hearing Cock-a-doodle-do is like a dagger to a Tigers tragic.
Similarly, the nephew of a club legend just upped and left one day, they still don’t know why he decided one day he would rather kick stones than play for Wests. The club hierarchy meekly let him move across town and he currently has his new club riding high on top of the NRL ladder.
And when the joint venture tried to sign a young unproven Eels forward at the start of this very season, the answer from the Eels was a simple no. We don’t need him but you aren’t having him. Head Office at the Tigers didn’t give a whimper, they politely accepted a 12-month waiting period, said player will have to ply his trade from the sideline in 2020.
Among the dark days many others have busted through the back door at Concord and went straight for the jewellery drawer. From Origin front rowers to Kangaroo wingers, more than a few crowd favourites have gone on to feats of glory in opposition colours. It really is a tale of woe.
Surprisingly and probably the most prominent was the club’s famous bus driver, a grey ghost who came, made a million promises, signed some high-priced dodgy recruits and then left with little warning. He’s still haunting the club on a regular basis from his fancy cottage in the mountains. Seems he’s found a personality now too, a wily character supporting a silver mullet, blowing kisses from his rocking chair.
So while a ‘Leilua style’ square-up is not not legal tender on the field of play, you might understand why the fanatical supporters of the Wests Tigers feel they are deeply deserving of their moment of vengeance.
And I suspect they are not totally without hope.
There is a new head coach in town and this one looks set to stay the course, Michael Maguire (Madge) has the team playing with a harder edge.
The side is staying in games for longer and in a month of strong performances, his players have shown that they have each other’s backs. Against Penrith on Saturday they clearly wanted to be in the fight.
So maybe, just maybe Madge has discovered the secret. The blueprint to unlocking the potential within the perennial battlers. If his team continues on this same curve, we might yet witness the day the weary fans are yearning for. The day they can ‘look up at the scoreboard’ with a grin as one of those clubs who pillaged them and disrespected them fall on harder times.
It didn’t happen on Saturday night but with Madge driving the train it’s no longer a pipe dream.
-
Happy days are here again.
So long sad times
Go long bad times
We are rid of you at last
Howdy gay times
Cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past
Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let’s sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again
Altogether shout it now
There’s no one
Who can doubt it now
So let’s tell the world about it now
Happy days are here again
Your cares and troubles are gone
There’ll be no more from now on
From now on
Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So, let’s sing a song of cheer again
Happy times
Happy nights
Happy days
Are here again! -
The grey mullett indeed. That is a very enjoyable article to read.
-
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
-
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Absolutely - where do we get this class 6 from?
There are not many around off contract and very few on contract that would leave where they are imo.
We all know what we need but…Who do you suggest SC?
-
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Matt Elliot reckons we’ve a backline full of sixes… Reckons Brooks is a 6, benji, JRey, Mbye, Doueihi.
Articles OK minus the Balmain flavour which isn’t relevant to half the fan base
-
Madd Max?
-
Interesting article. Love 'em or hate 'em, I rate Penrith as a strong rugby league side. Last week we showed that we are not outclassed in that company. We didn’t win, but we’re not going to win every game and that one was a bit stacked against us anyway.
I was more than a bit miffed with the result when I turned off the tv on Saturday night but on reflection I felt really good about the effort.
That hasn’t always been the case.
-
@pawsandclaws1 said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
The grey mullett indeed. That is a very enjoyable article to read.
I couldn’t agree more @pawsandclaws1 Very enjoyable…and…thems fightin words!!!
-
@innsaneink said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Matt Elliot reckons we’ve a backline full of sixes… Reckons Brooks is a 6, benji, JRey, Mbye, Doueihi.
Articles OK minus the Balmain flavour which isn’t relevant to half the fan base
No to Elliott - bit of a ball hog imo and just a Nuffie.
As for Balmain flavor - the article was just going back to grand Finals before WT - that was Balmain - would you have mentioned it if Wests were in a GF - say in 1994?
-
@Russell said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Absolutely - where do we get this class 6 from?
There are not many around off contract and very few on contract that would leave where they are imo.
We all know what we need but…Who do you suggest SC?
Do you sacrifice this year and throw Madden in at 7 and play Brooks at 6. You get a goal kicker, a organising style 7 but you probably have a passenger in defence given his age,size and experience. Or do you start sniffing around a couple of kids being held up in good systems like the guy from Penrith or the guy from Manly. Or do you go for a short term fix and try and squeeze a year or two out of a player like Foran or Blake Green.
I would be leaning towards Madden, but can’t see Madge doing that. One thing for certain the Brooks Reynolds combo is not working…just like the Benji Brooks combo -
@Russell said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@innsaneink said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Matt Elliot reckons we’ve a backline full of sixes… Reckons Brooks is a 6, benji, JRey, Mbye, Doueihi.
Articles OK minus the Balmain flavour which isn’t relevant to half the fan base
No to Elliott - bit of a ball hog imo and just a Nuffie.
As for Balmain flavor - the article was just going back to grand Finals before WT - that was Balmain - would you have mentioned it if Wests were in a GF - say in 1994?
Imo @innsaneink is correct @Russell as the pertinent paragraph starts with “Wests Tigers supporters” then goes on to say “the black and gold army could sense the winds of change blowing across BankWest Stadium on Saturday night”.
He followed this up with “when the Tigers play Parramatta later this month”.
Later on he says with reference to the slimiest of all Eels “he would rather kick stones than play for Wests”.
He later refers to the ‘Tigers’ again, with the last reference to our team being Wests Tigers.
It seems he doesn’t have a clue what to call our team as he flips and flops from one name to another.
Our Team is Wests Tigers…and our colours are black white and orange according to google, in whatever order your personal preference is. -
@MAGPIES1963 said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@Russell said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@innsaneink said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Matt Elliot reckons we’ve a backline full of sixes… Reckons Brooks is a 6, benji, JRey, Mbye, Doueihi.
Articles OK minus the Balmain flavour which isn’t relevant to half the fan base
No to Elliott - bit of a ball hog imo and just a Nuffie.
As for Balmain flavor - the article was just going back to grand Finals before WT - that was Balmain - would you have mentioned it if Wests were in a GF - say in 1994?
Imo @innsaneink is correct @Russell as the pertinent paragraph starts with “Wests Tigers supporters” then goes on to say “the black and gold army could sense the winds of change blowing across BankWest Stadium on Saturday night”.
He followed this up with “when the Tigers play Parramatta later this month”.
Later on he says with reference to the slimiest of all Eels “he would rather kick stones than play for Wests”.
He later refers to the ‘Tigers’ again, with the last reference to our team being Wests Tigers.
It seems he doesn’t have a clue what to call our team as he flips and flops from one name to another.
Our Team is Wests Tigers…and our colours are black white and orange according to google, in whatever order your personal preference is.It’s all good, we know we’re the Wests Tigers, and whatever they call us, we know who we are.
-
@MAGPIES1963 said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@Russell said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@innsaneink said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Matt Elliot reckons we’ve a backline full of sixes… Reckons Brooks is a 6, benji, JRey, Mbye, Doueihi.
Articles OK minus the Balmain flavour which isn’t relevant to half the fan base
No to Elliott - bit of a ball hog imo and just a Nuffie.
As for Balmain flavor - the article was just going back to grand Finals before WT - that was Balmain - would you have mentioned it if Wests were in a GF - say in 1994?
Imo @innsaneink is correct @Russell as the pertinent paragraph starts with “Wests Tigers supporters” then goes on to say “the black and gold army could sense the winds of change blowing across BankWest Stadium on Saturday night”.
He followed this up with “when the Tigers play Parramatta later this month”.
Later on he says with reference to the slimiest of all Eels “he would rather kick stones than play for Wests”.
He later refers to the ‘Tigers’ again, with the last reference to our team being Wests Tigers.
It seems he doesn’t have a clue what to call our team as he flips and flops from one name to another.
Our Team is Wests Tigers…and our colours are black white and orange according to google, in whatever order your personal preference is.
It’s really not that big of a deal we are all of those things -
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@Russell said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
@supercoach said in Mad Madge Seeks Tiger Revenge:
Good article. The way I see it, if we had a Luke Keary at no6 we would now be close to the top of the comp. We have nobody who can take control and no one who can get the job done. Forwards have been great, aggressive and mobile. Back three have been solid and safe. No9 has been a revelation. We need a class six to let Brooks do what does best, run and tackle
Absolutely - where do we get this class 6 from?
There are not many around off contract and very few on contract that would leave where they are imo.
We all know what we need but…Who do you suggest SC?
Do you sacrifice this year and throw Madden in at 7 and play Brooks at 6. You get a goal kicker, a organising style 7 but you probably have a passenger in defence given his age,size and experience. Or do you start sniffing around a couple of kids being held up in good systems like the guy from Penrith or the guy from Manly. Or do you go for a short term fix and try and squeeze a year or two out of a player like Foran or Blake Green.
I would be leaning towards Madden, but can’t see Madge doing that. One thing for certain the Brooks Reynolds combo is not working…just like the Benji Brooks comboI would still look at Clifford at the Cows as once Morgan comes back - there will only be 2 spots (either Clifford or Drinkwater drops out).
Still also like Lewis at the Dogs - I know a lot don’t, great defender, reasonable kicking game and a reasonably good passing game.
I think whoever we get of that type we need to have a good tudor on board to school them i.e. Johns, Freddie type to get them going.
Recent Topics
