Per Rothfield @ DT
The Wests Tigers playing-group culture is under question yet again following revelations two players were seen gambling on poker machines at a Newcastle pub on the night before the club’s humiliating loss to the Newcastle Knights.
Fullback Daine Laurie and centre James Roberts left the team hotel and were at the Great Northern Hotel until around 10pm.
The Wests Tigers were thumped 26-4 the next day by an understrength Knights team that was missing Dave Klemmer, Kalyn Ponga, Daniel Saifiti and Jayden Brailey.
Revelations that two players were out the night before, albeit not drinking alcohol, is sure to anger Wests Tigers members and fans after their shocking performance.
It says a lot about a poor attitude at the club both on and off the field.
While they have done nothing seriously wrong, it adds speculation and a perception that all is not well amongst the playing group at Concord.
The Daily Telegraph has contacted Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe about what happened but he declined to comment until speaking to the players.
The club has a must-win game this weekend against the New Zealand Warriors, another underperforming team that has lost its first two games of the season.
The Daily Telegraph was alerted to the incident by a Knights fan who wrote in an email:
“I was at the Great Northern Hotel Saturday night before Knights vs Tigers. Was very surprised to see Daine Laurie and James Roberts at the pub having a go at the slappers at 9pm. Made me very confident as a Knights fan. I’d be very disappointed if I found out Knights players did that before a game. I think the performance from both showed the care factor of zero on the Sunday.”
Football general manager Tim Sheens was unavailable for comment.
Rothfield sticking the boot in yet again. This pond scum must be in bed by 7:30pm every night recovering from all the hot toddy’s he sneaks in through the day.
Just to clarify is there actually a curfew for players to be home and tucked into bed by “10pm”🙄the night before a game that’s played in the late afternoon?
Per Rothfield @ DT
The Wests Tigers playing-group culture is under question yet again following revelations two players were seen gambling on poker machines at a Newcastle pub on the night before the club’s humiliating loss to the Newcastle Knights.
Fullback Daine Laurie and centre James Roberts left the team hotel and were at the Great Northern Hotel until around 10pm.
The Wests Tigers were thumped 26-4 the next day by an understrength Knights team that was missing Dave Klemmer, Kalyn Ponga, Daniel Saifiti and Jayden Brailey.
Revelations that two players were out the night before, albeit not drinking alcohol, is sure to anger Wests Tigers members and fans after their shocking performance.
It says a lot about a poor attitude at the club both on and off the field.
While they have done nothing seriously wrong, it adds speculation and a perception that all is not well amongst the playing group at Concord.
The Daily Telegraph has contacted Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe about what happened but he declined to comment until speaking to the players.
The club has a must-win game this weekend against the New Zealand Warriors, another underperforming team that has lost its first two games of the season.
The Daily Telegraph was alerted to the incident by a Knights fan who wrote in an email:
“I was at the Great Northern Hotel Saturday night before Knights vs Tigers. Was very surprised to see Daine Laurie and James Roberts at the pub having a go at the slappers at 9pm. Made me very confident as a Knights fan. I’d be very disappointed if I found out Knights players did that before a game. I think the performance from both showed the care factor of zero on the Sunday.”
Football general manager Tim Sheens was unavailable for comment.
Laurie is just a blow in from Penrith already showed his stripes wearing the Penrith jersey just an average player .. Robert’s he is done . When these things happen it always the same at any club the Coach has lost the player group , you can just feel this attitude is well entrenched in this group ..
Both need to be dropped immediately, Laurie needs to start in the halves in reserves as this is we’re his future is not a fullbacks shoelace .
Looks like the rot has set in and a bad year is afoot .. the people that run this club leave a lot to be desired!
I was amazed when they promoted Roberts to the top 30 squad this year.
Honestly that Laurie must be a couple of cans short of a six pack
The Penrith jersey incident and now this
what an idiot
I don't think it's necessarily a hanging offence but it's just one more example of the issues within the club. Amazing the club still has as many fans as it does.
I don't think it's necessarily a hanging offence but it's just one more example of the issues within the club. Amazing the club still has as many fans as it does.
Well put 👍
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Did they insult, abuse, touch up anyone.. where they intoxicated before the game..
How was there performance on the weekend ..Oh that’s right it’s irrelevant!!! they were not tucked in bed by 9 pm .. are the Roosters or any other top 4 club players out the night before a game ? They left that venue at 10pm where to then .
Maybe it’s time for some serious ramifications for I’ll discipline , it’s not the biggest deal but when your team is spiralling towards the bottom of the ladder the unprofessional behaviour shown off the field is being replicated on field there needs to be action !
This club desperately needs the spoon then things MIGHT change .
Who cares. It’s not illegal to have a play at the pokies. I hope they hit the jackpot. Just more click bait for the gullible.
How was there performance on the weekend ..Oh that’s right it’s irrelevant!!! they were not tucked in bed by 9 pm .. are the Roosters or any other top 4 club players out the night before a game ? They left that venue at 10pm where to then .
Maybe it’s time for some serious ramifications for I’ll discipline , it’s not the biggest deal but when your team is spiralling towards the bottom of the ladder the unprofessional behaviour shown off the field is being replicated on field there needs to be action !
This club desperately needs the spoon then things MIGHT change .
Roberts was one of our best players on the weekend. In fact that was his best game in Wests Tigers colours. His defence was good, made one mistake coming in early. He showed his speed, left foot step and straight through the gap. He can go and play the pokies before every game as far as I’m concerned. Laurie wasn’t bad, just not his brilliant self.
Yeah not much to see here… but all these little things that the so-called jet does makes me think he won’t see out the year.
Except if it was one L Brooks... pitch forks would have been out.
if we were 2 from 2 then fine they were out playing pokies, was it team bonding? no it was 2 players deciding hey let's go play pokies and be out past 9pm without the rest of the team
Pathetic from one player who has been run out of several clubs for issues
and another where the elevator doesn't necessarily go all the way to the top floor like the Penrith jersey Fiasco
Another example of lack of professionalism from our players
if we were 2 from 2 then fine they were out playing pokies, was it team bonding? no it was 2 players deciding hey let's go play pokies and be out past 9pm without the rest of the team
Pathetic from one player who has been run out of several clubs for issues
and another where the elevator doesn't necessarily go all the way to the top floor like the Penrith jersey Fiasco
Another example of lack of professionalism from our players
It’s not unprofessional to relax before a game. If playing the pokies does it for you then go and play the pokies. The team doesn’t have to live in each other’s pockets. They didn’t do anything illegal so nothing to see here.
