Wests Tigers search for a development coach capable of turning around a decade of disappointment is staring them straight in the face after it emerged Wayne Lambkin has now applied for the top job.
Lambkin was head coach of the renowned rugby league nursery at Westfields Sports High for 20 years and only gave up that job this year at Tim Sheens’ request to take on a fulltime position as Tigers’ NSW Cup coach.
While he doesn’t have the public profile of some other contenders being pushed heavily to take over from Michael Maguire, what Lambkin does have is a phenomenal record of not only identifying but nurturing some of the game’s greatest talent over two decades.
At Westfields Lambkin coached the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Israel Folau, Krisnan Inu, Tony Williams, Issac Luke, Luke O’Donnell, Michael Greenfield, Trent Hodkinson, Matt Keating, David Klemmer, Blake Green, Manase Fainu, Tommy Talau, Jason Saab, Moses Suli, Trey Mooney, Sione Katoa, Brandon Wakeham, Stefano Utoikamanu, Jake Averillo, Josh Schuster, Taniela Paseka and Haumole Olakau’atu among many, many more.
It was also Lambkin who famously spotted Olakau’atu sitting in a car park and encouraged him to have a crack at footy.
He also coached Manly to an under 20s NYC premiership in 2017 with a team that had only won two games the previous year, while he was NSW Cup coach at the Bears when they were the feeder for the Rabbitohs en route to the 2014 NRL title.
At the Bears the likes of Luke Keary, Dylan Walker and the Burgess brothers developed on his watch.
The Tigers recently signed five of Lambkin’s former Westfields’ students to long term deals, while 13 of the undefeated Harold Matthews Cup squad also went through Westfields.
It’s a proven record that suggests Lambkin would be an ideal fit to work with Sheens to get the best out of the talent now coming through the lower grades.
“I have sat back and had a look at the situation, I know I can do the job,” Lambkin said.
“The club is looking for a development coach and I would back my experience in that department against anyone.”
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A mate I know who is good friends with a player manager reckons we are talking to David Furner.
Don't really see Furner as a development coach
A mate I know who is good friends with a player manager reckons we are talking to David Furner.
Don't really see Furner as a development coach
He’s a Sheens protege so makes sense.
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A mate I know who is good friends with a player manager reckons we are talking to David Furner.
Don't really see Furner as a development coach
42% winning percentage so he’d fit in well here.
A mate I know who is good friends with a player manager reckons we are talking to David Furner.
Don't really see Furner as a development coach
42% winning percentage so he’d fit in well here.
That’s better than the club average! 😂
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
A mate I know who is good friends with a player manager reckons we are talking to David Furner.
Don't really see Furner as a development coach
42% winning percentage so he’d fit in well here.
That’s better than the club average! 😂
Pascoe saw the 42% and his eyes lit up lol
I'm holding out hope for 2024 Payten comes so 2023 Sheens does one last season coaching
I'm holding out hope for 2024 Payten comes so 2023 Sheens does one last season coaching
I just don’t see Payten coming Jedi.
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I know we can't even get ourselves organised as a club so no way we would be switched on enough to manoeuvre Payten for 2024 but dreams are free I guess lol
I would have to get Flanagan and end up with Madden leaving Brooks leaving Douhienleaves abd we end up with Kyle Flannagan that would be out luck
I understand how important it is to get this decision correct but the coaching vacuum at the moment has the club on the verge of complete disintegration.
We need to make an appointment very soon.
I know we can't even get ourselves organised as a club so no way we would be switched on enough to manoeuvre Payten for 2024 but dreams are free I guess lol
I would have to get Flanagan and end up with Madden leaving Brooks leaving Douhienleaves abd we end up with Kyle Flannagan that would be out luck
Payten didnt leave the Tigers on good terms and I struggle to imagine him leaving a strong team and club to return to a club that is a basketcase and supposedly sacked him under bad circumstances. I know he won a comp here but he also spent time at Roosters & Canberra. I dont think he would have the loyalty some people imagine.
Looks like it’s going to be Sheens us supporters are being softened up for this announcement IMO .. Appi now singing the praises of Sheens .
Looks like it’s going to be Sheens us supporters are being softened up for this announcement IMO .. Appi now singing the praises of Sheens .
Could be right, but surely there has to be an ‘apprentice’ too??
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Looks like it’s going to be Sheens us supporters are being softened up for this announcement IMO .. Appi now singing the praises of Sheens .
You could be proven right. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/why-the-wests-tigers-want-tim-sheens-to-return-as-coach-20220707-p5azqi.html
