I'm hearing you mate. I'm convinced that our boys lack that athletic physique that most top sides have.....actually all sides have.Also, we just don’t have the right players to play that style (Api exempt).
Other clubs have players that actually just look like they can defend. It's a bit like looking at a pony hitched up to a big wagon and you say, "no way is that small horse is going to pull that wagon"
Well guess what, that wagon didn't move.
yawn… 💤💤💤💤Balmain legend Garry Jack has launched a withering attack on Wests Tigers, declaring new skipper Api Koroisau “looks like he doesn’t want to be there”, prop David Klemmer “couldn’t knock the skin off a rice custard” while saying the club’s board and CEO “live in their Ivory Towers.”
And Jack didn’t stop there, claiming recruit Isaiah Papali’i wasn’t “half the player he was at Parramatta” and that Wests Tigers had “lost the plot” in defence.
Jack also took a hefty swipe at the club’s handling of the Anzac Day jumper debacle.
Always honest and outspoken, Jack – who played 244 games for Balmain and 22 Tests for Australia – hit out at the Tigers ahead of the club’s vital Easter Monday match against Parramatta at Accor Stadium.
Having lost the opening five games this season, Wests will play the Monday game under excruciating pressure to win.
A group of Wests Tigers fans are threatening to literally turn their backs on players during play in protest at the club’s recent lack of success.
The fan dissent is scheduled for the 12th minute of play to denounce the club’s failure to play finals footy for the past 12 years.
Asked about the club’s recruits, a fired-up Jack said: “As big Kerry Hemsley (former Balmain prop) would say, as far as David Klemmer was concerned, he couldn’t knock the skin off a rice custard. All right?
“As for Papali’i, he’s not half the player he was at Parramatta last year.
“John Bateman, they have him on a four-year deal, he was obviously injured when he came over here. He’s not right.
“They are the key signings. As so too is Api Koroisau. Api Koroisau looks like he doesn’t want to be there. His body language – he’s gone from the premiers to wooden spooners. He looks frustrated and he just can’t inspire them.
“When they (Wests Tigers) looked at the draw, they would have thought over the first five rounds they have the Titans, Knights and Bulldogs. They’d have thought they’d get a couple of wins to take a bit of pressure off.
“But it’s zero and five and what concerns me is that over the next 11 rounds, they have eight of the top eight teams from last year. I think it will get a whole lot worse before it gets better for the Tigers.”
Jack supported the fan’s move to protest in the 12th minute.
“I think the fans can do whatever they want. They pay their money, as long as they’re respectful and no-one gets hurt,” Jack told The Big Sports Breakfast Weekend radio show.
“The board, CEO (Justin Pascoe) and chairman (Lee Hagipantelis) live in their Ivory Towers and if they don’t listen to the fans, they won’t have any fans supporting the footy club. They should listen.”
Wests Tigers have been heavily criticised for originally placing an image on the front of their Anzac jumper of American soldiers. The club has reissued merchandise with a new Anzac Day design.
And the club chose Englishman Bateman to promote the jersey.
“The jersey would have been signed off on by the CEO, that’s Justin Pascoe,” Jacki said. “Players and coaches are accountable for what they do. If they do the wrong thing, they get the sack or they’re no longer at the club.
“What really got me upset was David Klemmer and Alex Twal came out in the media defending the decision. Where was Justin Pascoe? He should have been front and centre with the media saying we made a mistake.
“But he wasn’t. He sent those players forward; two big front-rowers. I thought it was a really bad look for the club, and for him too.
“And another mistake they made was having John Bateman promote the jersey. Is he not a Pom? What would he know about Anzac Day, with all due respect? We should have had an Australian or Kiwi promoting those jerseys.”
Asked whether there was a way out of this mess for the club, Jack said: “Look, at the moment, it’s going to be difficult. They don’t seem to worry too much about defence. They have let in an average of 26 points per game and only scored 13. You’re well behind the eight-ball.
“The Tigers, they don’t care about defence. They seem to have lost the plot there. They just want to play this running rugby, throw the ball inside, outside, let it sing, blah, blah, blah.
“You’ve got to concentrate on defence if you want to be successful in the NRL. That’s what the game is built on – it’s not attack, it’s defence. It’s all about this running, Benji (Marshall) style of footy but that’s not how the game has been played for 115-years.”
Garry Jack, hey. Blocker and Benny must have been busy so they went to number 3 rent a quote.
Sheens says we'll be competitive in 3 years time
https://amp.nine.com.au/article/2e437ae7-2bf5-4c71-add2-c8ceae3a400b
Top 8 2023
Sheens says we'll be competitive in 3 years time
https://amp.nine.com.au/article/2e437ae7-2bf5-4c71-add2-c8ceae3a400b
I'm hoping he means competitive in 3 years time as in competing for premierships in 3 years.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Anyone know how the club choose which players do the mid week media interviews?
Just watched the Justin Matamua interview, where we had our Media Manager Chris Warren awkwardly ask about whqt it will be like playing at CS and in Anzac Round.
When Matamua wasn't named in the side later that day.
You'd think they'd ensure the players interviewed are in the 17 to avoid these awkward questions and putting a young junior in a difficult spot
Top 8 2023
That's disgraceful. The interviewer is as much to blame as the club.You'd think they'd ensure the players interviewed are in the 17 to avoid these awkward questions
As far as selecting players they stick a dart in all the players mouths with the pointy end facing outwards, then the CEO throws dart boards at their faces...the closest to the bull does the interview.
That's disgraceful. The interviewer is as much to blame as the club.
The interviewer works for the club
Top 8 2023
@frullens that's right and it's the club that made him a manager so he should earn his pay and do some research. Well spotted by mike I think it was.
It's a bit like poor johnny fronting the cameras about the jersey, he didn't have a clue and was made to look a bit silly.
Part 1 - goes for 1 1/2 hours
Top 8 2023
Anyone listen to this interview? James Graham does a great job interviewing.
Sheens struggles to stay on topic, but gives great insight into the inside of the club, particularly how the coaching structure works
Really enjoyed part 1
Part 2 comes out next week.
Top 8 2023
Anyone listen to this interview? James Graham does a great job interviewing.
Sheens struggles to stay on topic, but gives great insight into the inside of the club, particularly how the coaching structure works
Really enjoyed part 1
Part 2 comes out next week.
I will be listening tomorrow, had too many pod in my queue today. Got caught up in the latest Sports Bizarre podcast today.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
