A decade after they sacked him, the Wests Tigers are considering bringing Tim Sheens back as coach.
With interim coach Brett Kimmorley failing to turn their season around in the first month since Michael Maguire’s sacking, senior Tigers officials have approached Sheens to see if he would return to the role, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
Sheens famously guided the joint venture club to their only premiership success in 2005 after winning three Grand Finals from 1989-94 at Canberra.
He returned to Wests late last season to oversee football operations and compiled the mid-season review which led to Maguire’s contract being terminated despite having 18 months left to run.
The 71-year-old last month tried to lure Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo to the club to be their next full-time head coach but he turned them down.
Knights Immortal Andrew Johns said on The Footy Show on Sunday that there had been talk doing the NRL rounds that Wests Tigers club legends Robbie Farah, who is currently on the support staff, and Benji Marshall could team up to take over the head coaching duties.
The Tigers have the NRL’s longest finals drought after missing out every season since Sheens guided them to the playoffs in 2011.
They have churned through several coaches since his stint ended with Mick Potter, Jason Taylor, Ivan Cleary and Maguire all failing to achieve success.
Tim Sheens. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Freddy stands up for Saifiti
NSW coach Brad Fittler is convinced Jacob Saifiti is ready for Origin despite controversy surrounding his selection ahead of Eels veteran Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
When Cowboys front-rower Jordan McLean was forced out of what would have been his debut when he suffered a hamstring injury at training on Thursday, many pundits thought RCG would be recalled after playing for NSW in Origin I.
However, Fittler elevated Saifiti from the reserves bench and drafted Sharks veteran Dale Finucane into the extended squad. Despite speculation that Campbell-Gillard was no longer tight with many of his former Panthers teammates in the Blues team, Fittle denied that was the case and that it was his decision to go with Saifiti.
The Newcastle forward will be getting his first taste of Origin in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
Jacob Saifiti on the charge. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
His twin brother Daniel has already represented the Blues in five matches and Fittler is adamant Jacob will fulfil his role.
“I like Jacob Saifiti’s game. For a big bloke he moves pretty quick, and I think his aggressive game will suit us,” he wrote in his SMH column.
“I’ve been watching him a lot through his twin brother. I’ve spoken to Daniel a lot about Jacob. They’re very similar in a lot of ways they go about their footy. And you could see once Daniel made Origin, something happened to Jacob. He pulled his finger out and went about just being better, being more reliable.”
Fittler said Newcastle hardhead David Klemmer deserves credit for Saifiti’s rapid improvement with the former NSW and Australian representative mentoring his young front-row comrade.
Panthers
Guest
I don’t think that players in any team should be choosing who else can play in the team . Though as a Penrith supporter, I think RCG is a first class prat. Anyone who’s on good money at a club. Then says that he couldn’t be bothered trying any more , after being dropped to NSW Cup. For Poor Form. Not someone that I’d want in any team either. He may play well against Penrith now ? Yet looking at Parramatta’s up & down displays. Maybe he can’t be bothered there often as well?
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
I can't wait to see how Farah white ants himself once he's a coach. Will it be like Ed Norton beating himself up in Fight Club?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Well Parra might do something in the semis. The knights obviously won't. So to keep the good NSW teams fresh for the semis, they could easily pick from teams no chance of making the eight (including reserves) is: 8. Siafiti 9. Dufty 10. Woods 11. Frizell 12. Sims 13. Jackson 7. Brooks 6. Burton 5. Addo-Carr 4. Peachey 3. Best 2. Roberts 1. Lomax Bench: Klemmer, Bird, de Belin, Siafiti Yeah good luck beating this lot, lousy Queensland
Greg
Roar Pro
I'm lead to believe it is more of noone wanting the Tigers than the Tigers not wanting another option. Don't risk a new untested guy: They were knocked back by Ciraldo Don't risk more recent experience: They were knocked back by Morris Don't risk an overseas guy: They were knocked back by Woolfe I know there are still a few others around that you would think are preferable than Sheens but if so many others are not interested than why would they be?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
And Tolman
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah you’d think the Inner West Basketweavers could throw in a couple of nominees.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
I think Johns has more to do with selections than Fittler Lolol…..Heckle & Jeckle. Zero brains between the two of them!
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Or more to the point, how is it so different to Jacob Saifiti's game, that you would select him ( a pretty average prop) over a more experienced player going into a decider?
egbert
Guest
Good questions! There was a good summary by Laurie Daley earlier today where he said words to the effect that RCG doesn't have the mobility and fitness - certainly off the ball - of some of his peers, and that he needs a few too many yards to reach top pace. I can see how Saifiti is a better option in terms of those things. They can't all be Payne Haas! The difference to Paulo's game is that Paulo is fitter, despite being huge, and is a much superior ball-player/offloader.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Let’s be honest they could do worse… they have plenty of times
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
egbert, I can understand a half-back or a hooker being dropped because his style does not gel with how the coach wants the team to play. Those are key positions - the way the incumbent behaves (eg a hooker who always passes and doesn't do much running) can compromise the plan. I struggle, though, to see how a prop can have the same effect on a game. They run, they tackle, sometimes they offload. What is so deficient in RCG's game? How is it different to, say, Paulo's game? These aren't snide questions: I'm genuinely at a loss to understand what's going on here.
Chuck
Guest
Re Sheensy, whips and dead horses come to mind (with all due respect to Sheensy)
egbert
Guest
Comfort, material and a drinks holder
egbert
Guest
Yeah this is the bigger issue - if he doesn't fit the game plan - an explanation I can actually go along with - why was he selected for game 1?
Tony
Roar Guru
You'd have to think that there'd be better candidates than Sheens
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Andrew01. Is that how it really is?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Tony. Forget fans and media, what does it say how ‘clubs’ look at/rate a couch? Don’t risk a new untested guy, don’t risk more recent experience, don’t risk overseas guy. Far out it be so hard to be one. But, maybe he can do it, any can happen.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
I've seen the movie. "Back to the future ".
Tony
Roar Guru
I think he's still driving the HQ wagon.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Maybe they'll chase Holden as a sponsor?