Tim Sheens declares the Wests Tigers overhaul is far from complete
Back in charge at the Wests Tigers, Tim Sheens has warned that the round one Tigers of 2023 will be unrecognisable compared to the team that finished last in 2022.
The extreme makeover of the Wests Tigers is poised to result in a staggering 11 team changes under reborn coach Tim Sheens.
And the wily veteran isn’t even close to finishing his squad build for 2023 yet.
With two spots remaining in their NRL top-30 roster, the Wests Tigers have their focus on landing English International John Bateman and potentially one more key player before Christmas.
“The main domino is with the forwards and I’ve now got one (David Klemmer) and I’m looking at the second (Bateman) and we’ll go from there,’’ Sheens said.
Back in charge for the first time since 2012 as head coach of the Wests Tigers, Sheens had warned his superiors on the club board that the round one Tigers team of 2023 will be unrecognisable compared to that of game one earlier this year.
Gone from the round one 2022 team are James Roberts, Oliver Gildart, Tyrone Peachey, Jackson Hastings, Kelma Tuilagi, Luciano Leilua, Luke Garner, Zane Musgrove, as well as former head coach, Michael Maguire.
Replacing them in 2023 will be new faces Charlie Staines, Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’I, Klemmer and potentially Bateman, with the return from serious injury of talented forward Shawn Blore and centre Tommy Talau, viewed by Sheens, as new players.
“We’ll get blokes like Shawn Blore and Tommy Talau back which will add to the size and quality of the team because we had so many out this year through injury,’’ Sheens said.
“The age level has dropped, but as you know we’re still recruiting.
“Last year, we never had our best team on the park from day one, not even in the trials because of injury.
“So I am hoping and working really hard and as diligently as possible to keep people healthy, get them fit, so that we will have as close to our best side available for at least game one.
“All our (training) times and intensities have been way over this time last year.
“So I’m really pleased with the way we’re responding.
“Hopefully we have less people in suits on game day and more people in uniform.
“The average has dropped and that’s the future we’re planning.
“We know from the under 20s down, that’s the group we’re looking at.
“It will be a young squad, but in two years time when Benji (Marshall) moves up (from assistant to head coach), they’ll be that much older.
“I said right from the start it was a three year plan.
“The 17 years olds will be 20, the 20 year olds will be 23.
“It’s a process and there’ll be bumps in the road, but as long as we’re going in an upward trend, that’s what my aim is.’’
Interestingly, Sheens pointed to the battle for the fullback position between incumbent Daine Laurie and Staines, while hinting that the former could be used differently in 2023.
“We bought Charlie to be Daine’s back-up at fullback, but that’s what the pre-season is for, it’s about the challenge of pushing each other,’’ Sheens said.
“Daine can play wing as well and he’s been filling in at halfback and hooker as well. Don’t think I’m saying he’s going to play halfback, but he’s been training in those positions to increase his development and fitness.
“That will be a very good battle at fullback (between Laurie and Staines) and something you need in the club.
“You’ve got to have people pushing each other and options because it’s a longer season.”
Sheens said marquee buys Koroisau and Papali’i would commence pre-season training in early January.
David Riccio - Daily Tele.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
could Sheens get Bateman and Nannai and potentially let go Douhie for 2023 if Laurie can move to 6 ?
Pack
8. Joffa
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Papali
12. Nannai
13. Bateman
If Douhie was to be moved on Laurie could play 6 and we would still have 2 spots left
Backs
7 Brooks
6. Laurie
5. Ken M
4. Naden
3. Kepoa / Starford
2. Nofo
1. Staines
could Sheens get Bateman and Nannai and potentially let go Douhie for 2023 if Laurie can move to 6 ?
Pack
8. Joffa
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Papali
12. Nannai
13. BatemanIf Douhie was to be moved on Laurie could play 6 and we would still have 2 spots left
Backs
7 Brooks
6. Laurie
5. Ken M
4. Naden
3. Kepoa / Starford
2. Nofo
1. Staines
Top 4 pack, bottom 4 backline.
@tiger5150 agree but forwards win matches
could Sheens get Bateman and Nannai and potentially let go Douhie for 2023 if Laurie can move to 6 ?
Pack
8. Joffa
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Papali
12. Nannai
13. BatemanIf Douhie was to be moved on Laurie could play 6 and we would still have 2 spots left
Backs
7 Brooks
6. Laurie
5. Ken M
4. Naden
3. Kepoa / Starford
2. Nofo
1. Staines
Top 4 pack, bottom 4 backline.
Maybe your right but I believe that a lot of the players will improve and play to their full potential under Sheens.
Hopefully he will give them that confidence and believe in them self that was sadly lacking under Maguire
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
could Sheens get Bateman and Nannai and potentially let go Douhie for 2023 if Laurie can move to 6 ?
Pack
8. Joffa
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Papali
12. Nannai
13. BatemanIf Douhie was to be moved on Laurie could play 6 and we would still have 2 spots left
Backs
7 Brooks
6. Laurie
5. Ken M
4. Naden
3. Kepoa / Starford
2. Nofo
1. Staines
since when are we going for Nanai
Me: Sheens is more problem than solution. The best overhaul will be when Sheens is shown the door.
Me: Sheens is more problem than solution. The best overhaul will be when Sheens is shown the door.
We havent even played a trial game yet. On what basis do you determine Sheens is a problem? Not a fan of the clean out?
Me: Sheens is more problem than solution. The best overhaul will be when Sheens is shown the door.
We havent even played a trial game yet. On what basis do you determine Sheens is a problem? Not a fan of the clean out?
We played half a season under Sheens, last year
Top 8 2023
Me: Sheens is more problem than solution. The best overhaul will be when Sheens is shown the door.
We havent even played a trial game yet. On what basis do you determine Sheens is a problem? Not a fan of the clean out?
We played half a season under Sheens, last year
C'mon Frullens you cant really believe that. Sheen s made a point of distancing himself. Im sure he made suggestions (like Hastings to 13) but he wasnt coaching, nor did he then have control over the roster. he is clearly making the changes now.
Me: Sheens is more problem than solution. The best overhaul will be when Sheens is shown the door.
We havent even played a trial game yet. On what basis do you determine Sheens is a problem? Not a fan of the clean out?
We played half a season under Sheens, last year
C'mon Frullens you cant really believe that. Sheen s made a point of distancing himself. Im sure he made suggestions (like Hastings to 13) but he wasnt coaching, nor did he then have control over the roster. he is clearly making the changes now.
Sheens made one change last year and that was to play Hastings at 13, he purposefully didn't interfere with any other coaching decisions.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
If Sheens hasn't been in control of the club/team since he sacked madge, then who has?
I'm excited about where he's moving things, but he's been in control of this club for 6 months. I don't know how he distance himself from the back end of last season.
For the record sheens:
- appointed Kimmorley, who had no 1st class coaching experience
- Moved Hastings to 13
- Rested Ute and Twal
- Let go of Noffa, Gillart, Mikaele
- appointed himself as coach and GM
- he has now swapped Hastings with klemmer and stains for peachy.
The other signings were made prior to sheens taking control.
Top 8 2023
