Why the Wests Tigers want Tim Sheens to return as coach
Adrian Proszenko SMH
Tim Sheens is a genuine contender to coach the Wests Tigers again, with key figures within the club keen to make the move happen.
There is a growing push internally for Sheens, the first and only man to guide the joint-venture outfit to a premiership, to return to the role. Ironically, Sheens hasn’t coached at NRL level since he was sacked by the club a decade ago.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have told the Herald that some club powerbrokers believe Sheens is a better option than a list of candidates linked to the role that includes current interim Brett Kimmorley, as well as Josh Hannay, Kristian Woolf, Dean Young, Shane Flanagan and John Morris.
Sheens was at the helm when the Tigers notched their breakthrough 2005 premiership with a team that included the likes of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. The Tigers hierarchy believe they have a similarly talented crop of youngsters in their system and that Sheens is the best person to develop them into first graders.
Sheens is 71 years old, just a year shy of the most experienced clipboard holder in the game, Wayne Bennett. The club had originally targeted Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo for the job, but he declined a long and lucrative offer. Ciraldo, off contract at the end of the season, is scheduled for talks with Penrith about extending, most likely on a one-year deal.
Sheens had no ambitions to coach again when he accepted an entreaty to help rebuild the Tigers as its head of football and performance. Those close to the premiership-winning mentor said that his preference was to appoint a younger coach, who would be given the time and support required to lift the team back up the ladder. However, he may consider taking up the position if the right candidate can’t be found.
Several league luminaries - including Ricky Stuart, Marshall and Mal Meninga - have called for the Tigers to appoint Sheens. Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks also lent his support to the move on Wednesday.
“It’s up to [Sheens]. He’s obviously got the credentials, he has won a few grand finals at different clubs,” Brooks said.
“I didn’t get the chance to play under him, he actually left the year before I came. If he was to do it, he would definitely be capable of doing it. I know the boys who have been coached by him give him lots of wraps. If he was to do it, he’d be good.”
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??
The rule of 2?
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
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??
The rule of 2?
Sheens with Farah and Benji as Assistants would blow up the internet.
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 .
Its looking completely orchestrated isnt it. Pathetic IMO.
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??
The rule of 2?
Sheens with Farah and Benji as Assistants would blow up the internet.
and the club unfortunately.
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 .
Its looking completely orchestrated isnt it. Pathetic IMO.
Totally orchestrated. In saying that, I don't hate the idea of Sheens taking over for a couple of years. There's not much out there, and even less that would come here.
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??
The rule of 2?
Always two there are, no more, no less.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Sheens quoted in a new James Hooper article.
“It’s not the club’s preferred position and it’s not particularly a road I want to go down,” Sheens said.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Sheens quoted in a new James Hooper article.
“It’s not the club’s preferred position and it’s not particularly a road I want to go down,” Sheens said.
Not a no. And I suspect the things he's saying publicly are very different to what he's pushing privately. I'd be very surprised if he wasn't coaching us next year.
Sheens quoted in a new James Hooper article.
“It’s not the club’s preferred position and it’s not particularly a road I want to go down,” Sheens said.
Not a no. And I suspect the things he's saying publicly are very different to what he's pushing privately. I'd be very surprised if he wasn't coaching us next year.
I’m still thinking he will be sharing the role with a Ben Gardiner or the guy from the Roosters.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Sheens cannot give himself the job. However, it is obvious he is campaigning for the job through surrogates and journalists.
Given how much our management is swayed by the media and also the slowing down in the process overall, I think it is a matter of time that Sheens is appointed head coach and then he is recruiting his successor (be it a Webster, Morris or maybe even a Robbie Farah).
The club will spin it in a way where I think the media will eat it up and it will be a positive story for the club.
Sheens ticks all the boxes:-
- Development coach - His resume` is probably only matched by Bellamy and Bennett on unearthing and developing World Class players;
- Attracting players - He can attract players on the open market and I think would also ensure we retain our better players;
- Experienced - He is a revered figure in the game. Will not attract media criticism as he has many close relationships in the media. Also as the role is transitional, the speculation over his coaching tenure will not be amplified.
The more I think about it, the more it is better a 'no-brainer' to the club on the basis that there is a clear line of succession (the Bennett Model).
However, if I was Sheens, I would be adamant that he doesn't report to the CEO or required to provide him any updates on the team etc. I think it is pretty obvious from my vantage point that the CEO is taking every opportunity to leak to the press in order to distract fans and the media from his role in the current state of the club. I think we can defend him from the perspective that he is overseen the club being financially sustainable, opening a centre of excellence etc. However, he has shown himself a novice in terms of negotiating and commercial decision making in the football department.
@helmesy I could tolerate this if Barnes comes over from the Roosters and it was for one season . But really it’s poor form from all that is associated with this if Sheens does take over , maybe the word is out to stay away from the club and only the desperate Danes are interested .
I see this as a very bad look for the club things just seem to be going from bad to worse .We have to ask ourselves why would Sheens be coaching he pretty much is yesterdays hero!
@jedi-tiger Barnes he is very well respected through the league and has an impressive resume .Helmesy post an article on page 3… interesting fella.
