As long as they don't bring a player in from another club and make them captain straight away. Especially those that are just there to collect a pay check. Pick someone who's at least played a few games and knows how to speak to the media
Wests Tigers head of football Tim Sheens has described his side’s embarrassing 72-6 capitulation to the Sydney Roosters as a “punch in the face” - but angrily denied his club would surrender.
“What are you going to do? Lay down and cry? No way,” Sheens said. “We are going to keep going - that’s what you’ve got to do.
“I wouldn’t call it a hiccup but these punches in the face have to be taken sometimes.”
Sheens watched the Roosters post 12 tries to humiliate his Tigers last Saturday at the SCG.
Despite heavy criticism for the inept performance, the four-time premiership coach has a message to disgruntled Wests Tigers fans: “Stay the course.”
“The assumption is we have given up – sure we have,” Sheens said defiantly.
“We lost three players in the first 60 minutes – Luke Garner (HIA) went down in the second minute, Ken Maulmalo (groin) in the 30th minute and Alex (Seyfarth, shoulder) in the 60th minute. All are pretty much finished for the season. Jimmy (Tamou) was sent off.
“It was obviously disappointing for everyone in the club, the players and certainly the fans. But it’s about moving forward - we have to keep moving forward and we have two games to play.
“From my point of view, we are still headed in the right direction, the way I want it. You have to work your way out of these types of things and everyone who has been in sport understands that.
“We are changing, mate. All we can do is continue to stay the course. We are working our backsides off to do what we said we do – get through a tough year and develop our youngsters.
“People still talk about ‘Madge (sacked coach Michael Maguire). I did offer (Cameron) Ciraldo a five-year deal. It wasn’t me taking his spot. Now I’m an interim to prepare Benji (Marshall) for the (following) three years.
“We have used 32 players so far this year, we have had that many injuries. There are lots of things. There will be players moved from the club and we are still recruiting.”
Sheens outlined how and why his club was moving toward a sustained success some fans could feel is a long way off after last weekend.
“We have made plenty of changes to the coaching and high performance staff. We have moved into our Centre of Excellence which will improve our ability to improve. It will help our preparation for next year,” Sheens said.
“We have been working out of part-time facilities and training at part-time facilities. It has had some effect.
“The club has two of the best players coming in so there is a change straight away for next year with Api (Koroisau) and (Isaiah) Papali’i. Isaiah is committed to our club – he has said so, his agent has said so, I don’t want to hear (he isn’t going) again.
“Our under 20s are in the semi’s with one more game and hopefully they can finish top three. That is the head of our pathways. We are spending money in a big way to keep those kids and we will also give those kids opportunity.
“We are putting more money into it next year, the year after and the year after.”
Wests Tigers are now preparing for Sunday’s match against St George Illawarra at CommBank Stadium.
Halfback Luke Brooks is an outside chance to return from a calf injury, but is more likely back for round 25.
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