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.
A huge no the Brad Fittler for me.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
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.
Huge huge no to Flannagan, would rather keep Madge.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
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.Huge huge no to Flannagan, would rather keep Madge.
I don’t think Flanagan is an option, I think if we make this change it has to be with a next-generation coach/communicator.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
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.
Can we afford a broom that big ??
Benji has his say on our troubles.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
There has to be accountability from the club for the poor performances of the past few years. Ok, Hartigan was let go, but was he the only one responsible for the poor roster. Madge must’ve had involvement in recruitment/retention as well as the chairman and maybe the board. I keep hearing excuses such as, Cleary stuffed the cap, no one wants to come here, we are rebuilding, blah blah blah. this means that we need to make change. The appointment of a football director is a good start even though Sheens may not be the right person. The coach needs to be next, whether one likes or dislikes Madge, the results demand change.
There has to be accountability from the club for the poor performances of the past few years. Ok, Hartigan was let go, but was he the only one responsible for the poor roster. Madge must’ve had involvement in recruitment/retention as well as the chairman and maybe the board. I keep hearing excuses such as, Cleary stuffed the cap, no one wants to come here, we are rebuilding, blah blah blah. this means that we need to make change. The appointment of a football director is a good start even though Sheens may not be the right person. The coach needs to be next, whether one likes or dislikes Madge, the results demand change.
My understanding is that Hartigan kept setting up the deals (based around the metrics etc) and when the deals got passed up the chain to finalise they would fall over. I’m not sure if this is at CEO or board level.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Bottom line no coach would turn our 30 man roster into a finals bound team. Even at full strength this side is at best about a 13th ranked team.
So any coach we sign must have some pulling power in the player market. He also must be in touch with how the game is played circa 2022. We have to ignore coaches like Green, Toves and even Flannigan.
At present to sack Madge will not do much for us this year, but still something has to be done. We are going backwards, playing a terrible brand of football and it’s going to get a lot worse as the grind sets in. As others have said, maybe we put a caretaker in for the remainder of this year and search high and low for the right bloke. Me personally I would probably target bomber Morris and hope he still friends with some of the kids down at Shark park, they have a lot of very good players who are road blocked.
Anyway Madge can not survive without a win and that not going to happen anytime soon
There is something clearly wrong with that chain.
John Morris and Kristian Wolf woukd be my choices if we move away from Madge. I dont think a new coach makes much difference although i think next yrs roster and with our injured players back its a much better team whoever is coach
John Morris and Kristian Wolf woukd be my choices if we move away from Madge. I dont think a new coach makes much difference although i think next yrs roster and with our injured players back its a much better team whoever is coach
I'm not that sold on John Morris
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
John Morris and Kristian Wolf woukd be my choices if we move away from Madge. I dont think a new coach makes much difference although i think next yrs roster and with our injured players back its a much better team whoever is coach
I'm not that sold on John Morris
Neither am I. I was warming to the idea last year, and I think he got the Sharks playing pretty well, but this is too big for him. He could have taken over after Cleary and been fine, but not with the mess we're in currently.
So we support Buzzard now..
So we support Buzzard now..
If it gets rid of Madge, absolutely. I'd back Stalin at this stage.
