The Wests Tigers will part ways within coach Michael Maguire within two weeks if their poor performances continue.
That’s according to veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield who has called for change at the embattled club.
The Tigers are the only winless side in the NRL and their 0-5 record is the joint-venture’s worst start to a season since they entered the competition in 2000.
They were thrashed 30-4 on Sunday night by a Sharks outfit that barely got out of second gear.
The Tigers attack continued to stutter in Round 5 and they only snapped a 200-minute try drought with an intercept on the final play of the game.
Their seven tries and 42 points this season is only behind the Bulldogs (40 points). By comparison, the ladder-leading Panthers have scored 144 points.
The Tigers have won three of their past 16 games and haven’t played finals since 2011. They face the Eels, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Sea Eagles over the next month.
“I just don’t know where Madge goes, you look at their draw the next couple of weeks,” Rothfield said.
“I had a chat to Tim Sheens as he was driving home last night and look you could hear the concern in his voice but again he rammed home he’s supporting Michael Maguire.
“I like Madge and I think he’s doing the best he possibly can but from what I saw yesterday, that team needs changes.
“I don’t think they can wait until the end of the year, I think if they are going to rebuild for 2023, they’ve got to do something about it in the not-too-distant future.
“There are some other coaches, like Shane Flanagan, around, there’s Cameron Ciraldo around, there’s Paul Green, I think they’ve got to make the change if they are going to improve for next year.”
Maguire’s first season was in 2019 and since then the Tigers have finished 9th, 11th and 13th. They’re now short favourites to win the wooden spoon.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
The Wests Tigers will part ways within coach Michael Maguire within two weeks if their poor performances continue.
That’s according to veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield who has called for change at the embattled club.
The Tigers are the only winless side in the NRL and their 0-5 record is the joint-venture’s worst start to a season since they entered the competition in 2000.
They were thrashed 30-4 on Sunday night by a Sharks outfit that barely got out of second gear.
The Tigers attack continued to stutter in Round 5 and they only snapped a 200-minute try drought with an intercept on the final play of the game.
Their seven tries and 42 points this season is only behind the Bulldogs (40 points). By comparison, the ladder-leading Panthers have scored 144 points.
The Tigers have won three of their past 16 games and haven’t played finals since 2011. They face the Eels, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Sea Eagles over the next month.
“I just don’t know where Madge goes, you look at their draw the next couple of weeks,” Rothfield said.
“I had a chat to Tim Sheens as he was driving home last night and look you could hear the concern in his voice but again he rammed home he’s supporting Michael Maguire.
“I like Madge and I think he’s doing the best he possibly can but from what I saw yesterday, that team needs changes.
“I don’t think they can wait until the end of the year, I think if they are going to rebuild for 2023, they’ve got to do something about it in the not-too-distant future.
“There are some other coaches, like Shane Flanagan, around, there’s Cameron Ciraldo around, there’s Paul Green, I think they’ve got to make the change if they are going to improve for next year.”
Maguire’s first season was in 2019 and since then the Tigers have finished 9th, 11th and 13th. They’re now short favourites to win the wooden spoon.
Slothfield still wants his mate Flanagan as coach of the Wests Tigers I see.
Rothfield has a massive agenda here to get Madge removed and I hope he succeeds.
If you are going to punt the coach (and eat the inevitable payout), then you better make sure the replacement is better. We’d all love to have Bellamy, Bennet or Robinson but that’s unrealistic. Of the folk who actually are or might be available, it’s slim pickings especially in the context of coaching better and changing the roster:
Paul Green – no. Things didn’t end well at Cowboys as the roster aged/deteriorated
Neil Henry – no sustained success at Raiders, Cows or Titans
John Morris – maybe. Ex Tigers player, played in the modern era, got Sharks to 2 finals
Shane Flanagan – no. Integrity issues and comes as a package deal. No club wants him, only Rothfield
Cameron Ciraldo – yes. Successful at a pathways club, some likelihood of bringing players with him
Josh Hannay – no. Not enough experience
Geoff Toovey – no. Seemingly out of the coaching scene
Nathan Cayless – only as caretaker. Lacks experience, was behind Fitzgibbon at Roosters
Ben Gardiner – no. Lots of assistant jobs, hasn’t knocked the door down for a Head Coach position
Tim Sheens – maybe. Could do the job but not sure if he has the motivation.
Brad Fittler – yes. Interested in a full time role. Has done well at NSW level and has good rapport with players. Could attract players.
Laurie Daley – no. Has had opportunities but hadn’t delivered.
Billy Slater – maybe, down the road. I like how he thinks and commentates about the technical aspects of the game. See how he goes with the maroons.
Rothfield must be getting 25% of Flanagans 1st year NRL coaching contract ...he's almost desperate lol
If you are going to punt the coach (and eat the inevitable payout), then you better make sure the replacement is better. We’d all love to have Bellamy, Bennet or Robinson but that’s unrealistic. Of the folk who actually are or might be available, it’s slim pickings especially in the context of coaching better and changing the roster:
Paul Green – no. Things didn’t end well at Cowboys as the roster aged/deteriorated
Neil Henry – no sustained success at Raiders, Cows or Titans
John Morris – maybe. Ex Tigers player, played in the modern era, got Sharks to 2 finals
Shane Flanagan – no. Integrity issues and comes as a package deal. No club wants him, only Rothfield
Cameron Ciraldo – yes. Successful at a pathways club, some likelihood of bringing players with him
Josh Hannay – no. Not enough experience
Geoff Toovey – no. Seemingly out of the coaching scene
Nathan Cayless – only as caretaker. Lacks experience, was behind Fitzgibbon at Roosters
Ben Gardiner – no. Lots of assistant jobs, hasn’t knocked the door down for a Head Coach position
Tim Sheens – maybe. Could do the job but not sure if he has the motivation.
Brad Fittler – yes. Interested in a full time role. Has done well at NSW level and has good rapport with players. Could attract players.
Laurie Daley – no. Has had opportunities but hadn’t delivered.
Billy Slater – maybe, down the road. I like how he thinks and commentates about the technical aspects of the game. See how he goes with the maroons.
Why will players follow Ciraldo to the WT's For Mac ??...well to everyone who thinks this actually ....
If you are going to punt the coach (and eat the inevitable payout), then you better make sure the replacement is better. We’d all love to have Bellamy, Bennet or Robinson but that’s unrealistic. Of the folk who actually are or might be available, it’s slim pickings especially in the context of coaching better and changing the roster:
Paul Green – no. Things didn’t end well at Cowboys as the roster aged/deteriorated
Neil Henry – no sustained success at Raiders, Cows or Titans
John Morris – maybe. Ex Tigers player, played in the modern era, got Sharks to 2 finals
Shane Flanagan – no. Integrity issues and comes as a package deal. No club wants him, only Rothfield
Cameron Ciraldo – yes. Successful at a pathways club, some likelihood of bringing players with him
Josh Hannay – no. Not enough experience
Geoff Toovey – no. Seemingly out of the coaching scene
Nathan Cayless – only as caretaker. Lacks experience, was behind Fitzgibbon at Roosters
Ben Gardiner – no. Lots of assistant jobs, hasn’t knocked the door down for a Head Coach position
Tim Sheens – maybe. Could do the job but not sure if he has the motivation.
Brad Fittler – yes. Interested in a full time role. Has done well at NSW level and has good rapport with players. Could attract players.
Laurie Daley – no. Has had opportunities but hadn’t delivered.
Billy Slater – maybe, down the road. I like how he thinks and commentates about the technical aspects of the game. See how he goes with the maroons.
I’ll say one thing for Neil Henry, he’s very good at rebuilds and his teams play a good style of footy. He’s not the guy you get to win a premiership, but he’ll get them in a position to go to the next level.
I say we stick with Maguire he’s doing a good job not easy this rebuild. Should be complete in next 10 years so we pick up a few spoons so what
If this does happen I’d go with Gardner for the rest of the season and Cayless comes into the box.
Season ‘23 I’d go with Flanagan… I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but probably the next coach ready. I’d also let Brooks and Madden go and bring in Flanagan Jr.
If you are going to punt the coach (and eat the inevitable payout), then you better make sure the replacement is better. We’d all love to have Bellamy, Bennet or Robinson but that’s unrealistic. Of the folk who actually are or might be available, it’s slim pickings especially in the context of coaching better and changing the roster:
Paul Green – no. Things didn’t end well at Cowboys as the roster aged/deteriorated
Neil Henry – no sustained success at Raiders, Cows or Titans
John Morris – maybe. Ex Tigers player, played in the modern era, got Sharks to 2 finals
Shane Flanagan – no. Integrity issues and comes as a package deal. No club wants him, only Rothfield
Cameron Ciraldo – yes. Successful at a pathways club, some likelihood of bringing players with him
Josh Hannay – no. Not enough experience
Geoff Toovey – no. Seemingly out of the coaching scene
Nathan Cayless – only as caretaker. Lacks experience, was behind Fitzgibbon at Roosters
Ben Gardiner – no. Lots of assistant jobs, hasn’t knocked the door down for a Head Coach position
Tim Sheens – maybe. Could do the job but not sure if he has the motivation.
Brad Fittler – yes. Interested in a full time role. Has done well at NSW level and has good rapport with players. Could attract players.
Laurie Daley – no. Has had opportunities but hadn’t delivered.
Billy Slater – maybe, down the road. I like how he thinks and commentates about the technical aspects of the game. See how he goes with the maroons.
Why will players follow Ciraldo to the WT's For Mac ??...well to everyone who thinks this actually ....
I don't have any insider knowledge - just he's been in the Panthers coaching system since 2014 and i've read that he's highly regarded by the players. He'd likely only leave to a club with a weak roster if he was bringing a few with him.
He might laugh his head off at us if we enquired.
One from left field Marc Brentnall
He is almost like the silent partner .....the Storm have kept him pretty well hidden from the public
One from left field Marc Brentnall
He is almost like the silent partner .....the Storm have kept him pretty well hidden from the public
I Heard the storm have a high opinion of him. Most likely to take over from Bellamy.
One from left field Marc Brentnall
He is almost like the silent partner .....the Storm have kept him pretty well hidden from the public
I Heard the storm have a high opinion of him. Most likely to take over from Bellamy.
Yeah I imagine they do ...a lot of assistants have come out of the Storm system and failed big time ......bit hard when you don't have Papenhuyzen Munster , Hughes , Smith , Grant etc etc etc
When you have Laurie ....Brooks ....Liddle ......Hastings .......you need Steve Rodgers Michael OConnor Eric Grothe Larry Corowa in the backs and Lazarus Webcke Gareth Ellis Bob Lindner and Brad Clyde in the forwards
One from left field Marc Brentnall
He is almost like the silent partner .....the Storm have kept him pretty well hidden from the public
I Heard the storm have a high opinion of him. Most likely to take over from Bellamy.
Yeah I imagine they do ...a lot of assistants have come out of the Storm system and failed big time ......bit hard when you don't have Papenhuyzen Munster , Hughes , Smith , Grant etc etc etc
When you have Laurie ....Brooks ....Liddle ......Hastings .......you need Steve Rodgers Michael OConnor Eric Grothe Larry Corowa in the backs and Lazarus Webcke Gareth Ellis Bob Lindner and Brad Clyde in the forwards
True, players make coaches. I hope we put a big broom through the place. But can’t see it happening.
