Somehow, presumably because he has friends in the media and he seems like a nice guy, Benji escapes criticism.Benji playing Api as a front rower
Bateman has been hot garbage since his Raiders stint. If they get out of that contract it's good business.If the Tigers turn it around under Benji I'll be very surprised. My gut feel is he is out of his depth.
Recruitment of Luai and Turuva sounds great. But it's at the expense of Stefano, Papali'i and likely Bateman. That's 500 games of NRL forward experience out the door replaced by...?
Recruitment still needs work and Benji at the earliest possible opportunity needs to go. Richardson still has a lot of work to do.
Bateman has been hot garbage since his Raiders stint. If they get out of that contract it's good business.
Tigers have some decent prospects. They need someone that can put the jigsaw together and add a few missing pieces.Yes but the next step is just as important.
Penrith can replace experience with a junior because we've got the best production line in the world.
The Tigers can't just copy paste our top level strategy. When our guys debut they look like they are ready to play at NRL level.
The Tigers are dead last in cup.
A coach being the most importantTigers have some decent prospects. They need someone that can put the jigsaw together and add a few missing pieces.
Pretty much. Poor Benji is on a hiding to nothing. Thats not a job to be cutting your teeth on.A coach being the most important
Maybe, but with two other decent forwards choosing to leave, you have to question the morale at the Tigers. If Benji was a good coach, would they be leaving?Bateman has been hot garbage since his Raiders stint. If they get out of that contract it's good business.
I dont think anyone is suggesting Benji is a good coach. Doesn't excuse Bateman playing like arse though. He is either past it, or doesn't give a shit. most likely a bit of each imo.Maybe, but with two other decent forwards choosing to leave, you have to question the morale at the Tigers. If Benji was a good coach, would they be leaving?
benji defence he has a bigger hurdle than Ciraldo who does nothing but coach all recruitment sponsors Gould does.Benji has to do all that .The tigers are a basket case they have never handled the merge of the clubs and still have 3 grounds 2 lower grade clubsIf the Tigers turn it around under Benji I'll be very surprised. My gut feel is he is out of his depth.
Recruitment of Luai and Turuva sounds great. But it's at the expense of Stefano, Papali'i and likely Bateman. That's 500 games of NRL forward experience out the door replaced by...?
Recruitment still needs work and Benji at the earliest possible opportunity needs to go. Richardson still has a lot of work to do.
To
benji defence he has a bigger hurdle than Ciraldo who does nothing but coach all recruitment sponsors Gould does.Benji has to do all that .The tigers are a basket case they have never handled the merge of the clubs and still have 3 grounds 2 lower grade clubs
Other experienced coaches has tried and failed .The club needs to join complete at a junior levelWhich again highlights why it was such a mistep to appoint him as head coach.
They need someone with experience. Deadset Brian Smith.
Other experienced coaches has tried and failed .The club needs to join complete at a junior level
Yes, the comparisons are unfair to Barrett. He at least was made to actually coach junior grades and earned a shot as an NRL coach. Benji didn't even do that. When he took over the Tigers he had exactly the same amount of League coaching experience I have, which is to say none.Correct again. But it still doesn't hide the fact that appointing Benji was a misstep.
I'm sympathetic towards Benji. He was blinded by his love for the Tigers and when presented with the offer to coach the team he couldn't help but say yes.
Now he gets Barrett comparisons which is harsh because their respective paths towards being a first grade head coach have been wildly different. Barrett has now been head coach at two clubs and interim at the Eels along with multiple posts as assistant coach in first grade.
Kristian Woolf will be the coach of the Dolphins next year. Interim coach at Newcastle in 2019, 3 season with St Helens along with multiple SL premierships. 20 games as Tonga head coach. Assistant coach at multiple clubs and 2 years riding shotgun with Wayne Bennett.
Yes, the comparisons are unfair to Barrett. He at least was made to actually coach junior grades and earned a shot as an NRL coach. Benji didn't even do that. When he took over the Tigers he had exactly the same amount of League coaching experience I have, which is to say none.
I feel sorry for him, because he would have no idea how hard it is going to be. As a man who has been successful in his life so far, he would believe he could do it with the right amount of hard work. No matter how good you are, you still have to pay your dues and learn how to lead people.Am I correct in saying that the Tigers approached Benji for the job? It means he didn't even put a cover letter or resume together. And if he did it would have been blank under coaching achievements.
Even worse when you see the support staff. What if John Morris stayed at Souths or refused the job at the Tigers? Were they literally just going for a West Tigers DNA approach irrespective of experience? Who was the other contender for an assistant coach role in 2024?
The odd maverick does come along and shake things up. Phil Gould was 30 years old when he took up a head coach role at the Bulldogs in 1988. But just look at the state of the club in the years previous. In 1985-86 the Dogs are grand finalists and in 87 they miss the finals by a single point. 1988 grand final side has Tunks, Mortimer, Lamb, Gillespie etc. A far cry from the state of the Wests Tigers.