Match discussion: 2025 R27 v Gold Coast, Sat @ Cbus Super

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Presser: NRL Round 27 vs Titans | Wests Tigers

Api Koroisau and Benji Marshall chat to the media after their Round 27 clash against the Titans

www.weststigers.com.au

He said the guys were gassed and he would look into how he fixes that.

2.4 years of coaching and he admits he hasn’t been able to secure a realistic 80 minute performance from the playing group.

And listening to him, he has no answers to that dilemma and how he can break out of it.

And it’s the same issue he’s had since he’s started.

And if we have to cop him for another season, as I’ve said before, apart from some meaningful fresh meat, he needs to freshen up his assistants and who he takes his advice from.

And in the broad, being gassed is one of the worst excuses.

He accepted responsibility, that’s fine and noble, but Benj, it’s about what you do about it.

In the crisis, well you can’t change the past, but how we address it is critical.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

The irony in Des being sacked as his success rate is twice as good as Benjis…and then he flogs us while filling in his unemployment application.

lol.

We could probably do a lot worse than making Dessie our coach whisperer, based on his overall experience.

And we need more hands on experience in the coaching ranks.

I just want to say to Benji, there’s no shame in not being able to coach at NRL level. It’s not easy, there’s a million variables to consider.

But to be fair, I am sympathetic to the extent that almost no player hasn’t found a way to let him down at some point.

But some players roll the arm over more than others.

And I’m not convinced Romey has played at his optimum every year.

I will check the stats, but we still have profound discipline issues and these are own-goals. Pulling hair and all of that.

It’s not all bad, we’ve jagged the spoon away, but it’s still pretty grim.

 

[Vic Mackey]

That was super disappointing. It seemed to me that Foran just exploited the line where Latu Fainu and Starford Toa were defending. It makes me think Latu isn't really ready and we need a better defensive centre than Toa.

TBF Latu went off when it was 28-18

They picked off that midget f*#k Heath Mason and Toa

 

[Tiger05]

TBF Latu went off when it was 28-18

They picked off that midget f*#k Heath Mason and Toa

Turuva is a great player but he also struggles defensively at times. It was a train wreck. It's something that will need to get fixed.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

If Benji is right and it’s a stamina thing, I think we’ve got to think about poaching another clubs strength and fitness personnel.

We’ve got stats lady, I’m sure she’s able to work out which club is getting the best of their players resilience wise.

Another question is whether not we keep her on the recruitment panel?

A lot to sort out.

Latu was a bit underdone for a lot of the season, still in construction. Not his fault.

 

[Tigerm]

If Benji is right and it’s a stamina thing, I think we’ve got to think about poaching another clubs strength and fitness personnel.

We’ve got stats lady, I’m sure she’s able to work out which club is getting the best of their players resilience wise.

Another question is whether not we keep her on the recruitment panel?

A lot to sort out.

But importantly, IMO, we have the core set up (the players), not saying it's the complete package just yet, and the other things will need to be seriously looked over the off season.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

But importantly, IMO, we have the core set up (the players), not saying it's the complete package just yet, and the other things will need to be seriously looked over the off season.

Yes I don’t disagree entirely, but geez we need some forwards.

On another note, when I used to play water polo, sometimes we would play additional games afterwards, not as sharp but to build up match fitness which would carry over.

So if the boys were gassed after that, I’d be setting up a game of touch for awhile.

These little extras, the inches you can scrape out of the body when the opportunity arises and it is appropriate, it’s going to translate into not being as gassed.

And help discipline probably.

 

[Fordy20]

Such a disappointing end to what was largely a positive season, hard to think of it like that after that pathetic excuse of 40mins.

I was pleased to see Makasini score on debut and Royce bag a double, but that second half really left a sour taste in my mouth. I could take us not getting three wins in a row because of injuries in the Cowboys match, but to just give away the win like that by taking Latu off was hard to take. I suppose it's an improvement on last year that Benji gave up on the match at halftime instead of before kick off.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I was pleased to see Makasini score on debut and Royce bag a double, but that second half really left a sour taste in my mouth. I could take us not getting three wins in a row because of injuries in the Cowboys match, but to just give away the win like that by taking Latu off was hard to take. I suppose it's an improvement on last year that Benji gave up on the match at halftime instead of before kick off.

I think he’s had more rancid half time speeches than good ones.

Maybe if we have the momentum and aren’t being flogged, he should just shut up.

Actually, stay well away from the changeroom lest he screws anything.

He could trial it next year.

Other NRL coaches have decided not to speak at half time and got results, according to Peter Wallace.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Where do the Tigers go from here though - They made progress but will need to improve their roster to be a top 8 side.

Who will the Tigers look at signing from November 1 2025 - players off contract from other teams?

Overall I think our squad, and full strength 17, is strong enough to be a top 8 contender. The biggest issue for us is coaching. We have horrible attacking structures in the 20, basically every try we score is an individual effort and we're just lucky that now we have players who can do that. Our defensive patterns are non existent and we're clearly one of the more unfit teams both physically and mentally in the comp. I doubt any team responds to advertisty both on and off the field worse then we do. Last night for instance we're well on top 10-0 up then Seyfarth drops the ball in our 20 and we concede 2 quick tries. All team make mistakes but we defend them terribly.

Benjis use of the bench is also absolutely horredous. Terrell May averaged 75mins a game, he was great for the first 8 weeks or so and no one admits it but he then became plod central. Its not his fault, and apparently he wants to play big minutes, but wouldnt you rather a quality 55min as opposed to an ok 75? It also burns two interchanges when Benji insanely takes him off for 5 minutes at the 60 min mark. We regularly have a guy play 0 mins on the bench or someone just play that 5 mins May is off. Its no suprise we gave up 12 and 16 point second half leads late in the season, the guys are gassed.

To me a team of:

1. Bula
2. Skelton/Makasani
3. May
4. Toa (im still not convinced but he'll likley be there)
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Fainu
8. May
9. Api
10. Twal
11. Fainu
12. Pierce-Paul
13. Doueihi
14. Fainu
15. Hunt
16. Pole
17. Hope/Seyfarth/ Murray/Geyer/Roberts

Is a decent enough team that can win 50% of their games. 10 of the 17 have played finals, 7 have played a Prelim, so they've been there with other teams.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Overall I think our squad, and full strength 17, is strong enough to be a top 8 contender. The biggest issue for us is coaching. We have horrible attacking structures in the 20, basically every try we score is an individual effort and we're just lucky that now we have players who can do that. Our defensive patterns are non existent and we're clearly one of the more unfit teams both physically and mentally in the comp. I doubt any team responds to advertisty both on and off the field worse then we do. Last night for instance we're well on top 10-0 up then Seyfarth drops the ball in our 20 and we concede 2 quick tries. All team make mistakes but we defend them terribly.

Benjis use of the bench is also absolutely horredous. Terrell May averaged 75mins a game, he was great for the first 8 weeks or so and no one admits it but he then became plod central. Its not his fault, and apparently he wants to play big minutes, but wouldnt you rather a quality 55min as opposed to an ok 75? It also burns two interchanges when Benji insanely takes him off for 5 minutes at the 60 min mark. We regularly have a guy play 0 mins on the bench or someone just play that 5 mins May is off. Its no suprise we gave up 12 and 16 point second half leads late in the season, the guys are gassed.

To me a team of:

1. Bula
2. Skelton/Makasani
3. May
4. Toa (im still not convinced but he'll likley be there)
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Fainu
8. May
9. Api
10. Twal
11. Fainu
12. Pierce-Paul
13. Doueihi
14. Fainu
15. Hunt
16. Pole
17. Hope/Seyfarth/ Murray/Geyer/Roberts

Is a decent enough team that can win 50% of their games. 10 of the 17 have played finals, 7 have played a Prelim, so they've been there with other teams.

Don’t disagree re coaching staff, but I still want some forwards with more go.

Im not sold on Doogie as an accomplished lock, I stand to be corrected. I worry about his injuries.

Api and a few others are lacking the legs and unable to get better. I had high hopes for the tds/api combo.

And my ex hero Pole still struggling to find consistency.

As you know, the effort to secure Kpp, was off the scale. I’m hoping and praying he packs a punch next year.

Anyway, good effort.

I’d be more confident in your side coached by talent!

 

[Vic Mackey]

Don’t disagree re coaching staff, but I still want some forwards with more go.

Im not sold on Doogie as an accomplished lock, I stand to be corrected. I worry about his injuries.

Api and a few others are lacking the legs and unable to get better. I had high hopes for the tds/api combo.

And my ex hero Pole still struggling to find consistency.

As you know, the effort to secure Kpp, was off the scale. I’m hoping and praying he packs a punch next year.

Anyway, good effort.

I’d be more confident in your side coached by talent!

Agree your Doueihi to lock call. I also think he clearly showed he’s the best 7 at the club this year. With the way they play Latu is much more suited to 13 then AD, but based off everything Benjis said that’s how they’ll play.

I have no idea what happened to Fonua during his injury but he was horrible once he came back, it’s like the bloke had a hand transplant.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Agree your Doueihi to lock call. I also think he clearly showed he’s the best 7 at the club this year. With the way they play Latu is much more suited to 13 then AD, but based off everything Benjis said that’s how they’ll play.

I have no idea what happened to Fonua during his injury but he was horrible once he came back, it’s like the bloke had a hand transplant.

It would be good to know Benjis reasons for his selections.

We had Chammas this year thinking we should dumb it down a bit.

At the dogs Galvo looks better counting to three before he chances his arm at 10.

I’m not advocating a return to vintage Madgeball.

 

[WA Tiger]

I was pleased to see Makasini score on debut and Royce bag a double, but that second half really left a sour taste in my mouth. I could take us not getting three wins in a row because of injuries in the Cowboys match, but to just give away the win like that by taking Latu off was hard to take. I suppose it's an improvement on last year that Benji gave up on the match at halftime instead of before kick off.

Fainu had a “busted” arm / shoulder why he went off

 

[glockers]

TBF Latu went off when it was 28-18

They picked off that midget f*#k Heath Mason and Toa

Ah, AI was watching in a pub with a guy yapping away in my ear. The first half tries twice exploited that gap, didn't realise he then went off.

 

[Tigerm]

It would be good to know Benjis reasons for his selections.

We had Chammas this year thinking we should dumb it down a bit.

At the dogs Galvo looks better counting to three before he chances his arm at 10.

I’m not advocating a return to vintage Madgeball.

I think Benji's bench and bench rotation is terrible.
I can't fathom how we could be gassed at this stage of the comp.
If Mason is our best 14, we will always be in trouble.

 

[Fordy20]

Fainu had a “busted” arm / shoulder why he went off

The things you miss when you're watching in the pub. Guess it shows how important it is to have Doueihi in the side.

 

[Tigerm]

The things you miss when you're watching in the pub. Guess it shows how important it is to have Doueihi in the side.

yes, we fell away in the last 3 games without him.

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

Guess it shows how important it is to have Doueihi in the side.

Yep...just like actors who are typecast, Doueihi has to continually prove himself by being labelled a utility ...a fill-in half. He's as good an organising half as most anyone outside the top 4 of recent seasons. Shits me to tears when others put limits on individuals who have time and again validated the reason for the self belief that drives them

 

[Vic Mackey]

The things you miss when you're watching in the pub. Guess it shows how important it is to have Doueihi in the side.

yes, we fell away in the last 3 games without him.

one of my biggest concerns for 26 is that the team didn’t actually improve this year, it was just Doueihi going through a purple patch at 7 that won us games