Sheens shortlist of new signings

[Borat.]

Sheens works on bigger picture as Tigers strengthen numbers

GLENN JACKSON

February 20, 2010

Master plan ... Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens. Photo: Anthony Johnson

It is difficult to admit but Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is sure of it: even after the 2005 premiership, his was a club the game's stars did not want a bar of.
But Sheens believes the tide at the Tigers is turning, and the signing of Lote Tuqiri, following that of Englishman Gareth Ellis last year, proves that.
Sheens, the most experienced coach in the game, has revealed that Tuqiri is the second of three representative players he has earmarked for the club, as his players strive to reach the finals for the first time since that premiership triumph.
''There's a bit more than just signing a player. This is a plan,'' Sheens said. ''I said to [former chief executive] Steve Noyce before he left the club, we want him to sign a senior player each year for three years.''
Sheens believed that in order for the promising youngsters at the club, such as Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen and Chris Lawrence, to prosper, they would need experienced and preferably representative-class players alongside them. He looked as far as England, to Ellis, primarily because the best players in this country were not biting.
''It's been a test of us to try and get to that point, to get people who would say, 'Yeah, I'd go there,' because they wouldn't come here originally, not the superstar players,'' Sheens said.
''That's why we went to England in the first place. We still weren't that attractive to players, and we didn't have the money … but we've gradually built our finances and gradually built our organisation to a point where we are now credible.
''We weren't credible here five years ago. We won a premiership, and everyone said it was a fluke - you don't fluke a premiership, but people still assumed it was.
''We weren't maligned, but we certainly weren't flavour of the month. We had limited finances, limited set-up. But we've gradually built each year to get stronger and stronger.''
The coach said the signing of Tuqiri was a sign that the club's credibility was improving. ''I think we're pulling ourselves out of that,'' he said.
Sheens has shortlisted six players to become the third and last piece of the jigsaw, but said the players were in no particular order yet. He intends to observe who emerges from his squad before setting his sights on his next key signing. ''But we want to be sure it's a current rep player or a player playing at that level,'' he said.
Sheens admitted to frustrations at being unable to reach a finals series since 2005, and there had been discontent among Tigers supporters. However, he will not accept a token finals appearance just to fling the growing monkey off his back.
''It's not just to bring us to a semi-final standard team, but to a team that might actually do something if you get there,'' Sheens said. ''We're criticised for not being there … but injuries and other issues, and lots of reasons, no excuses, and we haven't got there.
''But when we do, I want to be able to say we're a chance.'


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-tigers-strengthen-numbers-20100219-olse.html

 

[Martinplace]

Sheens works on bigger picture as Tigers strengthen numbers

GLENN JACKSON

February 20, 2010

Master plan ... Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens. Photo: Anthony Johnson

It is difficult to admit but Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is sure of it: even after the 2005 premiership, his was a club the game's stars did not want a bar of.
But Sheens believes the tide at the Tigers is turning, and the signing of Lote Tuqiri, following that of Englishman Gareth Ellis last year, proves that.
Sheens, the most experienced coach in the game, has revealed that Tuqiri is the second of three representative players he has earmarked for the club, as his players strive to reach the finals for the first time since that premiership triumph.
''There's a bit more than just signing a player. This is a plan,'' Sheens said. ''I said to [former chief executive] Steve Noyce before he left the club, we want him to sign a senior player each year for three years.''
Sheens believed that in order for the promising youngsters at the club, such as Blake Ayshford, Tim Moltzen and Chris Lawrence, to prosper, they would need experienced and preferably representative-class players alongside them. He looked as far as England, to Ellis, primarily because the best players in this country were not biting.
''It's been a test of us to try and get to that point, to get people who would say, 'Yeah, I'd go there,' because they wouldn't come here originally, not the superstar players,'' Sheens said.
''That's why we went to England in the first place. We still weren't that attractive to players, and we didn't have the money … but we've gradually built our finances and gradually built our organisation to a point where we are now credible.
''We weren't credible here five years ago. We won a premiership, and everyone said it was a fluke - you don't fluke a premiership, but people still assumed it was.
''We weren't maligned, but we certainly weren't flavour of the month. We had limited finances, limited set-up. But we've gradually built each year to get stronger and stronger.''
The coach said the signing of Tuqiri was a sign that the club's credibility was improving. ''I think we're pulling ourselves out of that,'' he said.
Sheens has shortlisted six players to become the third and last piece of the jigsaw, but said the players were in no particular order yet. He intends to observe who emerges from his squad before setting his sights on his next key signing. ''But we want to be sure it's a current rep player or a player playing at that level,'' he said.
Sheens admitted to frustrations at being unable to reach a finals series since 2005, and there had been discontent among Tigers supporters. However, he will not accept a token finals appearance just to fling the growing monkey off his back.
''It's not just to bring us to a semi-final standard team, but to a team that might actually do something if you get there,'' Sheens said. ''We're criticised for not being there … but injuries and other issues, and lots of reasons, no excuses, and we haven't got there.
''But when we do, I want to be able to say we're a chance.'


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-tigers-strengthen-numbers-20100219-olse.html

''We're criticised for not being there … but injuries and other issues, and lots of reasons, no excuses,"

I wonder what constitutes an excuse?

 

[Mr_Raditch]

We can malign Sheens as much as we like, & I'll admit Im guilty of it. That said, there is no question the club's transformed itself since he got here. We were a joke when he first arrived, no player wanted to come here unless we paid massive overs & even then it was viewed as a retirement party. Even if we do have a terrible season (pray to Jeebus we dont) & this is his last year here, at least we are in with a shot of recruiting a decent coach due to the fact the organisation has credibilty. Im not saying its solely Sheens doing he would have had a lot of help, but I dont think it would have been done without him.

 

[macnaz]

I think that artiicle is also telling us that Sir Tim WILL BE RESIGNED to carry on with his big master plan.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

He's untouchable.

 

[N.C.]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think it's important that we see this for what it is...

This is the first time in five years that Sheens has openly acknowledged his critics.

Sure, he's far from bending over so we can all give it to him proper... But at least he's not sending Royce out to front the pack, while keeping his head down in his little padded bunker - for the time being anyway.

I'm not convinced it means he's got another deal in the pipeline. I think it's a sign of the opposite. It's an attempt to release a bit of the pressure...

 

[madunit]

It's just another Sheens wankfest and nothing else.