Mr_Raditch
Juniors
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This is a pretty good article. I figured it deserved it's own thread rather than being buried in the "wests tigers in the media" thread.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/in...hat-have-changed-maguire-20220421-p5af1u.html
APRIL 22, 2022
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire runs his eye over the team at training.CREDIT:GETTY
The Wests Tigers last year conducted an end-of-season review which culminated in the club backing coach Michael Maguire to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The Herald spoke to several key figures at the club to find out the major takeaways from the review and how things have changed at Tiger Town in 2022.
The players raised concerns about a lack of consistency in direction when it came to the blueprint to shut down the opposition.
There was a feeling internally that there wasn’t a defined ‘Wests Tigers’ structure because the systems would change from week to week.
Advertisement
The review found that players were confused about what to do in different situations on the field, feelings that were exacerbated by video sessions that would often contradict the previous sessions.
A lot was made between the erosion of the relationship between Maguire and certain individuals at the club.
At the heart of tension was a view from the club’s powerbrokers that defensive coach Wayne Collins would need to be moved on at the end of the season.
The Wests Tigers’ defence has improved in 2022.CREDIT:GETTY
Maguire fought strongly to keep his offsider, however it was made clear to him by the club when he fronted the football committee to save his job that there would be a number of changes he would have to adhere to if he continued on as coach.
Maguire has since embraced those changes and appears to have made a positive impact on the team. The introduction of former Sydney Roosters assistant coach Nathan Cayless as defence coach has led to a significant improvement in defence, despite the one win from six games to open the season.
After six rounds last season, with an identical 1-5 win record, the Tigers conceded 178 points (29.7 points per game). This year the Tigers have only conceded 126 points (21 points per game).
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“We definitely weren’t too proud of our defensive record last season but this year we’ve brought in Nathan Cayless and he’s done a tremendous job alongside Madge,” forward Alex Twal said.
“I think even though we haven’t had too many results go our way at the start of the season, I do feel like we’ve built a lot in the defence department and I feel like the boys reaped a lot of rewards on the weekend.
“We’ll continue to build on that. I think we’ve come a long way defensively but I think we’ve got a long way to go.”
There’s a notable difference in the way the team defends this year. On several occasions last year, most notably against South Sydney at Leichhardt Oval in round 16, the Tigers’ edge defenders were either guilty of back-pedalling or not being on the same page, which left them as sitting ducks for the Rabbitohs to pick off.
The Wests Tigers defence last year was caught out retreating too often, including this match against South Sydney in round 16.
“Nathan Cayless has brought in this defensive structure that everyone has bought into,” halfback Jock Madden said. “You can see it’s working on the field. He really nailed it down in pre-season. It’s showing on the paddock now.”
Advertisement
While the review confirmed what is widely known - that Maguire’s commitment and work ethic is second to none - there was a view that he was shouldering too much of the workload and responsibility.
The Wests Tigers wanted the people around Maguire to have a voice and challenge the coach on decisions after growing concerned that those close to him were too afraid to speak up against the coach.
The club wanted Maguire’s offsiders to be encouraged, not discouraged, to have robust conversations that ultimately leads to the improvement of the football team.
Advertisement
The club moved on his two assistants, Shane Millard and Wayne Collins, replacing them with Maguire’s Kiwi Test assistants Cayless and Ben Gardiner.
It has been noted by some inside the club’s inner sanctum that Cayless and Maguire have clashed on a number of occasions - which is deemed an important part of the development of the football team.
New Wests Tigers assistant coaches Nathan Cayless and Ben Gardiner during their time together under Maguire in the New Zealand national side.CREDIT:GETTY
The players have noticed a significant shift in Maguire’s approach to coaching as he has allowed his assistants to take control at various stages.
“He’s taken a step back [in terms of] running meetings,” lock Joe Ofahengaue said of Maguire.
“He lets Nathan Cayless and Gardiner (attack coach Ben Gardiner) run the meetings because they are so good at what they do. He steps in whenever he feels like he needs to but he can get us up for games and that’s what I love about him.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/in...hat-have-changed-maguire-20220421-p5af1u.html
Inside the Wests Tigers review: The 6 key takeouts that have changed Maguire
By Michael Chammas and Tom DecentAPRIL 22, 2022
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire runs his eye over the team at training.CREDIT:GETTY
The Wests Tigers last year conducted an end-of-season review which culminated in the club backing coach Michael Maguire to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The Herald spoke to several key figures at the club to find out the major takeaways from the review and how things have changed at Tiger Town in 2022.
- REVIEW FINDING #1: CONSTANT CHANGING OF DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE
The players raised concerns about a lack of consistency in direction when it came to the blueprint to shut down the opposition.
There was a feeling internally that there wasn’t a defined ‘Wests Tigers’ structure because the systems would change from week to week.
Advertisement
The review found that players were confused about what to do in different situations on the field, feelings that were exacerbated by video sessions that would often contradict the previous sessions.
A lot was made between the erosion of the relationship between Maguire and certain individuals at the club.
At the heart of tension was a view from the club’s powerbrokers that defensive coach Wayne Collins would need to be moved on at the end of the season.
The Wests Tigers’ defence has improved in 2022.CREDIT:GETTY
Maguire fought strongly to keep his offsider, however it was made clear to him by the club when he fronted the football committee to save his job that there would be a number of changes he would have to adhere to if he continued on as coach.
Maguire has since embraced those changes and appears to have made a positive impact on the team. The introduction of former Sydney Roosters assistant coach Nathan Cayless as defence coach has led to a significant improvement in defence, despite the one win from six games to open the season.
After six rounds last season, with an identical 1-5 win record, the Tigers conceded 178 points (29.7 points per game). This year the Tigers have only conceded 126 points (21 points per game).
Advertisement
“We definitely weren’t too proud of our defensive record last season but this year we’ve brought in Nathan Cayless and he’s done a tremendous job alongside Madge,” forward Alex Twal said.
“I think even though we haven’t had too many results go our way at the start of the season, I do feel like we’ve built a lot in the defence department and I feel like the boys reaped a lot of rewards on the weekend.
“We’ll continue to build on that. I think we’ve come a long way defensively but I think we’ve got a long way to go.”
There’s a notable difference in the way the team defends this year. On several occasions last year, most notably against South Sydney at Leichhardt Oval in round 16, the Tigers’ edge defenders were either guilty of back-pedalling or not being on the same page, which left them as sitting ducks for the Rabbitohs to pick off.
The Wests Tigers defence last year was caught out retreating too often, including this match against South Sydney in round 16.
“Nathan Cayless has brought in this defensive structure that everyone has bought into,” halfback Jock Madden said. “You can see it’s working on the field. He really nailed it down in pre-season. It’s showing on the paddock now.”
Advertisement
- REVIEW FINDING #2: LACK OF DELEGATION TO COACHING STAFF
While the review confirmed what is widely known - that Maguire’s commitment and work ethic is second to none - there was a view that he was shouldering too much of the workload and responsibility.
The Wests Tigers wanted the people around Maguire to have a voice and challenge the coach on decisions after growing concerned that those close to him were too afraid to speak up against the coach.
The club wanted Maguire’s offsiders to be encouraged, not discouraged, to have robust conversations that ultimately leads to the improvement of the football team.
Advertisement
The club moved on his two assistants, Shane Millard and Wayne Collins, replacing them with Maguire’s Kiwi Test assistants Cayless and Ben Gardiner.
It has been noted by some inside the club’s inner sanctum that Cayless and Maguire have clashed on a number of occasions - which is deemed an important part of the development of the football team.
New Wests Tigers assistant coaches Nathan Cayless and Ben Gardiner during their time together under Maguire in the New Zealand national side.CREDIT:GETTY
The players have noticed a significant shift in Maguire’s approach to coaching as he has allowed his assistants to take control at various stages.
“He’s taken a step back [in terms of] running meetings,” lock Joe Ofahengaue said of Maguire.
“He lets Nathan Cayless and Gardiner (attack coach Ben Gardiner) run the meetings because they are so good at what they do. He steps in whenever he feels like he needs to but he can get us up for games and that’s what I love about him.”