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Not worth starting a thread for every minor story, but probably worth collecting them here for the archive and in case any points are worth discussion.
Mark O'Neill returns to Wests Tigers with flashbacks of 2005 Michael Chammas
Published: March 23, 2016 - 8:19PM
The prodigal son has returned home with a sense of deja vu.
Mark O'Neill is back in Tiger Town in charge of a roster that has given him flashbacks to 2005 and that premiership-winning team.
It's that very roster that has lured him back to the club after an eight-year stint inside NRL headquarters, unable to control his excitement about the potential of the crop of players at coach Jason Taylor's disposal.
O'Neill has been entrusted with heading up the club's football department, but don't mistake his return as the resurfacing of the ghosts of yesteryear.
His priority? Ensuring an environment that will keep halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks at the club beyond this season.
While he's been asked to unite the football department, he won't shy away from making the tough decisions and holds full accountability for the club's direction.
There has been great conjecture about the future of his former teammate Robbie Farah over the past two years, and while Farah is now settled back into life at the Tigers, O'Neill has shown his cards by declaring his personal relationships won't cloud his judgment.
"Robbie is a great bloke, and yeah we have been friends, but if anyone thinks that friendship will undermine my performance here at the Tigers in my professional role, they are mistaken," O'Neill said.
"Bear in mind my charter is to act in the best interest of the Wests Tigers at all times, so if anyone was to be of a different understanding, well they are severely underestimating my capacity.
"Robbie is happy. He's been a great servant of this club and still is. For that I have nothing but glowing reports to say about Robbie. Even in my short time here, he's been exceptional. I'm looking forward to seeing him back out on the field this week."
O'Neill has spoken with Moses and Brooks and while conversations have been positive, he believes it's the actions of the club and the culture that will determine whether they remain.
"My conversations with them have been informal at the moment, but it's pretty much been around 'What can I do to help you become the best player you possibly can?"' O'Neill said.
"I want to know how I can help them. I want to know how I can provide every opportunity for them to reach their potential. They are a special breed those two. If you sit there and watch what they do on the field, at training and what they do just as people – they are very impressive guys. It is a high priority and an importance of mine to retain them.
"If you simplified my charter, it would be to act in the best interest of the Wests Tigers at all times. I would think making sure Brooks and Moses stay would be acting in the best interest of the Wests Tigers. The whole playing group appear happy and enjoying each other's company – so we can tick that box."
O'Neill, who sought advice from Daniel Anderson (Eels), Brian Canavan (Titans) and Frank Ponissi (Storm) before taking on the job at the Tigers, is believed to have been in line for the NRL head of football position vacated by his mentor Todd Greenberg when he took up the chief executive's job.
O'Neill will play a key role in the recruitment and retention of players and coaching staff.
"I'm passionate about the organisation, but I'm more passionate about the playing roster we've got here," the former second-rower said.
"The roster we've got, it's just so exciting to come to have an opportunity to work with these guys and see what we can achieve. In many ways it's similar to when I left. There was a young playing group back in '05, and I can sit and talk about '05 forever. It was such a great time and great memories and the club's first ever premiership.
"But I think that's a bit disrespectful to the current roster and the current group we've got now because who is to say they can't achieve more than what has already been achieved in the past, no matter who the players were."
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-with-flashbacks-of-2005-20160323-gnprg8.html
Wests Tigers vow to put own financial interests at top of list
One of the most important weeks in Wests Tigers’ history has begun with chair Marina Go insisting the club must prioritise its own financial sustainability over the game’s desire to find a compromise on the future of Sydney stadiums.
Go stepped into the chair role with the club at its lowest ebb but the Tigers now find themselves negotiating from a position of strength given the influence they wield over the potential allocation of government funding towards Sydney’s major venues.
The joint venture is among four clubs whose future scheduling of home games could prove the difference between the state government devoting the lion’s share of its $1.6 billion stadium funding to ANZ Stadium, or instead directing it towards a new ground adjacent to Allianz Stadium.
The NRL has until Friday to lock in 65 games necessary to ensure the funding is forthcoming — the same day a 50 per cent share in the Tigers is expected to hit the open market.
The Tigers currently play four games apiece at Leichhardt Oval, Campbelltown Stadium and ANZ Stadium but it is believed the NRL would like the club to commit at least eight games to one of the city’s major grounds as part of the new agreement.
Go declined to reveal the Tigers’ plans, other than to say any decision would be centred around the ramifications for the club’s long-term future.
We are going to make a decision that is based on the future financial sustainability of this organisation,” Go said. “That has to be a priority. It has been the board’s priority since day one. Some of our stakeholders know there is going to be some pain along the way.
“As a board we’re not afraid of that. We have made some bold decisions and will continue to do so.
“We’re trying to assess the full picture. That doesn’t mean we can’t make an in-principle decision around stadia. But clearly we need to make sure there is some financial gain for us in doing so.
“We’re not going to put our club in a position where we’re worse off because of a whole-of-game decision.”
Go confirmed the club had spoken to the NRL about helping fund a Centre of Excellence as part of the negotiations.
The Tigers lag behind some of the NRL’s superpowers in terms of spending on their football department — the gap is believed to be as much as $10 million between the biggest and smallest spenders.
“Clearly the conditions of our centre of excellence are not up to the standards we would like for a sporting organisation,” Go said.
“When you talk about equality of clubs ... you also need to think about facilities. This is a real priority for us at the moment. We certainly had a conversation with them around how they might help us. Clearly it is a big consideration for us. We have always said we wouldn’t make a decision around our stadia strategy until we were very, very clear about the right path forward for the Wests Tigers.
“We will make a decision that’s in the best interests of the Wests Tigers because that’s what we have to do. Of course we want to be part of a decision that grows the entire sport and is great for the sport.
“The NRL with good reason is anxious about missing out on this potentially great deal with the state government. But as clubs we have to do what is right for our club and our members.
“Hopefully the two will coincide.”
Go also rejected suggestions the club would fall into line with the game’s governing body because the Balmain side of the joint venture had been propped up by the NRL. That $5m debt is due to be paid by close of business on Thursday, meaning 50 per cent of the Tigers is likely to hit the market come Friday morning unless Balmain can find the funds.
“They don’t own our club,” Go said of the NRL. “They certainly can’t tell us what to do and we’re certainly not going to do what they want purely because they have given one of our shareholders a lifeline.
“Let’s not forget the loan is with Balmain. That is independent to the decisions we make around the Wests Tigers. I don’t view the NRL as one of our shareholders in the current situation because that is a loan to Balmain.
“From our point of view, we will not fall into line with anybody. We will make decisions around what is best for Wests Tigers.”
Balmain set to retain stake in Wests Tigers as deadline extended
Wests Magpies are set to honour a pact made with Balmain when they merged in 2000 by agreeing to a deal that would enable their fellow foundation club to maintain a stake in Wests Tigers.
With the deadline for cash-strapped Balmain to repay a $5.4 million loan to the NRL due to expire on Thursday, there have been doubts over the future of one of the game's oldest and most famous clubs but Fairfax Media has been told Wests will not allow them to die and is prepared to offer the Leichhardt-based Tigers a 25 per cent stake in the joint venture.
We never have - and never will be - a guillotine organisation
Wests Ashfiield CEO Simon Cook
Negotiations between the two clubs are continuing and are set to go past the March 31 deadline but it is understood they are close to reaching an agreement that would result in half of Balmain's debt being retired and the 116-year-old club having a further 10 years to repay the rest.
In return, the Wests Group - headed by the powerful Wests Ashfield Leagues Club - would take control of the Wests Tigers board by appointing five of the nine directors.
Balmain would have two seats on the board and there would also be two independent directors.
Under the terms of the NRL licence agreement for Wests Tigers, the Magpies have the option of buying Balmain's 50 per cent stake in the joint venture if the Tigers can't meet Thursday's deadline.
However, it is believed Balmain will not only retain a 25 per cent stake but also have an opportunity to buy back the other 25 per cent if they get back on their feet.
Such a move would be in the spirit of the original joint venture agreement between the two clubs after they rebelled against attempts to merge Balmain with Parramatta to form the Parramatta Tigers and Wests with Canterbury to become the Western Bulldogs.
Despite being separated geographically, Balmain and Wests assured their survival when the NRL reduced the number of teams to 14 in 2000 by taking advantage of an $8 million merger incentive and becoming the Wests Tigers.
In doing so, the boards of both clubs decided that if one got into difficulty the other would help them out and Wests have been honouring that commitment since the closure of Balmain Leagues Club at Rozelle six years ago left the Tigers unable to play their way.
It is understood the NRL is so convinced that the two clubs will reach agreement on a new deal that they have extended the deadline for the $5.4 million debt to be paid.
Wests Ashfield chief executive Simon Cook confirmed that March 31 was not being treated as a red-letter day for the future of the joint venture.
Cook told Fairfax Media negotiations would continue between the Wests Tigers' three stakeholders - Balmain, Wests and the NRL - well beyond Thursday.
"I wouldn't be too hung up on the date," he said. "The talks are progressing and there won't be anything finalised on March 31st."
Cook said despite rumours that old Magpies diehards had a petition demanding for the club to rename itself the Western Suburbs Magpies he was yet to see it.
Regardless of the ownership structure, Cook made it clear that the NRL club's name would remain Wests Tigers and he said there would be continued and considered discussion about the future of the Wests-Balmain alliance.
"We never have - and never will be - a guillotine organisation that just chops something off without giving a matter due consideration and exploring all options," Cook said.
Balmain finance committee chairman James Myatt said the discussions had been constructive and would continue.
"There are ongoing discussions and all parties are engaged," Myatt said."It would be premature to put a position forward on what shape they may take. We're in the negotiation phase and I don't want to prejudice anything that's been discussed."
I wasn't going to place it hear and comment but was mad enough so did.No stopping the Tiger town rot
The rot is starting to set in again at the Wests Tigers, where Jason Taylor is desperately trying to maintain control of the players.
After two promising early wins, the coach has struggled to dictate the structure of the game since the return of Robbie Farah to the hooking spot.
The free-flowing game the Tigers played in those early matches, led by the star halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks, has disappeared to make way for the plodding forward-driven style favoured by Farah. Make no mistake, these two blokes have not kissed and made up and it's a matter of time before there is a blow-up.
they call themselves journalists, the free flowing games lasted 2 weeks only against Warriors which was good then Manly, at Leichhardt and a team playing with a number of new players under a new coach.free-flowing game the Tigers played in those early matches, led by the star halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks
Love the they call themselves journalists, the free flowing games lasted 2 weeks only against Warriors which was good then Manly, at Leichhardt and a team playing with a number of new players under a new coach.
Statistics reveal Wests Tigers going backwards under Jason Taylor
PRESSURE is again building on Jason Taylor with the Wests Tigers in a worse position now than they were two years ago under former coach Mick Potter.
Fox Sports Stats show that this year the Tigers have continued to go backwards with just two wins from their opening six matches.
To put that into perspective, this time last year they had managed three wins during the same period – while under ­Potter in 2014 the Tigers won four of their first six games.
Jason Taylor at training with Robbie Farah. Picture Gregg Porteous
While the Tigers started the season on fire with back-to-back wins over the Warriors and Manly, they have since lost four straight heading into Sunday’s crucial Leichhardt Oval clash against Melbourne.
When Taylor was handed the Tigers job after Potter was mercilessly punted, one of the first promises he made was that he would give his young halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses greater support defensively.
Taylor said last February: “The biggest thing from our perspective is the defensive structure itself. First and foremost, anyone who’s going to run onto an NRL field needs to be able to put their hand up and make their tackles.’’
Taylor’s comments were seen as a slap in the face to ­Potter. But Fox Sports Stats show Brooks and Moses are missing more tackles on average than they were at this stage last season, and the team’s overall missed-tackle count has also gone up.
Adding to the club’s woes, skipper Aaron Woods has now been ruled out for between four and six weeks with an ankle injury suffered in last Sunday’s 18-16 defeat in Newcastle.
That match ended with Taylor driving another wedge between him and his players when he accused them of “trying to play a style of footy that can’t be sustained in the NRL”.
Luke Brooks in action against Newcastle.
Understandably, some people close to the Tigers players were miffed by Taylor’s assessment, given the players had publicly credited Taylor for giving them a licence to thrill this year.
Following the round two win over Manly, centre Kevin Naiqama told Triple M: “Credit to JT, he’s sort of swallowed his pride a bit and is letting the guys play a bit of footy and it is definitely showing.”
Taylor can’t have it both ways, take credit for the changes when they were working, but then distance himself when it backfires.
The Tigers defence is letting them down. Picture Gregg Porteous
Former Tigers premiership winning captain Scott Prince also said this week on NITV’s League Nation program the signs at the club didn’t look good.
“They just need to play tough defensively but the one thing is there is a big question over Jason Taylor,” Prince said.
“I mean, the pressure is starting to build now. They have lost four on the trot and I don’t think they were ever in this game against Newcastle.”
Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe stated last month after the win over Manly that Taylor’s job was safe and he had the board’s full support.
But since then the Tigers haven’t won a game.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...r/news-story/69950c55f97feca592459922418493c7
Farah has never been a plod it up the guts player. Whe he was doing what he wanted, he played at first receiver almost as much as from dummy half. He also played more laterally.Just what we the fans do not want to see and read.
From Sport Confidential today in Telegraph.
I wasn't going to place it hear and comment but was mad enough so did.
I thought that I had read a number of times that Mitchell and Tedesco want to go against the coaches plan and run the ball, when I tape the games and watch later, Farah seems to do more passing to Woods and Grant in a set before passing to the backs and naturally has a run himself. Maybe Farah and his captain are following the coaches direction?
Love the they call themselves journalists, the free flowing games lasted 2 weeks only against Warriors which was good then Manly, at Leichhardt and a team playing with a number of new players under a new coach.
Maybe the blame game is starting once again and if these journalists are not making it up to sell a story, maybe something is coming from the Taylor camp. Who f**king knows?