Tim Sheens was a notable absence from the Wests Tigers presentation evening – despite showing up to the Panthers Old Boy’s Day celebrations this weekend.
The veteran coach, who was nominally still in charge at the Tigers until last week, brushed the traditional end-of-season get together after being informed that he would not continue for the second year of his planned stint in charge, with the club giving understudy Benji Marshall the reins a year early.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Tigers had wished for Sheens to attend the event but he was a no show. They are looking to arrange a further lunch in Sheens’ honour next week.
Sheens is the only coach to deliver a Premiership in the history of the joint venture but relations have been strained following a second successive wooden spoon.
He remains a legend at Penrith, however, and was seen on the pitch before Saturday’s win over the Cowboys as part of their Old Boy’s Day celebration – and was even wearing a Panthers hat. Sheens made over 150 appearances for Penrith and coached them through the mid-1980s.
Kyle Flanagan has insisted that he will not receive any preferential treatment at St George Illawarra after signing to play under his father at the club.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Flanagan insisted that he had been given ‘no guarantees’ of where he might play, or if he will play at all.
“Any suggestion I’ve got a spot in the halves or at hooker, on the bench, whatever is off the mark,” he said.
“I don‘t know what 2024 looks like. I’m going to the Saints without any guarantee of a position and I’m up for that challenge.
“I am looking forward to working with him to strive for a common goal. I want to help bring success to the Dragons and absolutely he does too.
“I’ve signed with the Dragons because an opportunity has emerged that otherwise may not have been around had I not been offered the shot to play hooker at Canterbury.
“I’ve got to thank Cameron Ciraldo for having trust in me to learn a new position and also, do it to the best of my ability.
“I’ve learned so much about the game working under Ciro this year. That move he made opened up my eyes to playing a position that suits my natural ability and I’ve enjoyed it.
“I have a new string to my bow that may not have been realised and that‘s an option that I can do for St George-Illawarra now.
“I’m approaching my sixth season now as an NRL player and what I take from that is that with every season, I’ve gained a stack of experience as a person and a footy player.
“I’m turning 25 next week and I believe the next two years, with putting more work into my game, I can enjoy some of my most consistent years.
“Playing NRL isn’t easy, it challenges you everyday, but honestly, I’ve taken so much from every challenge that has come my way.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
Spot on Panthers you can change where you live but you can't change where you come from
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Even Brad Fittler can’t disguise his joy , when Penrith win a GF. Despite all the time at the Roosters & seen wearing a Roosters tie. Same goes for Tim Sheens . Except Tim Sheens link to the Panthers goes much deeper, with all those years running around with the jersey on . Plus the coaching there.
Redcap
Roar Guru
They could certainly use some depth at 6/7/9, so he's worth a go I reckon. Always best to keep the other half happy too. :happy:
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Maybe Tim didn’t get invited! As for Kyle Flanagan, I don’t like it. It’s just going to add more pressure on both father & son in a fairly fragile club environment. I don’t think either needs the extra attention in year one.
Nat
Roar Guru
My fear for him isn’t the stock on the field but the over arching board that cannot seem to get out of the way. I still don’t trust Farrah, even with Benji at the helm. I didn’t know the long affiliation Sheen had with the Panthers. Mind you, I was 95% BRL fan until the mid 80’s. We didn’t get televised NSWRL up in NQ until then. Obviously we knew about it but more from NEWS stories, Origin and Aust campaigns to know more about the players and clubs. The history and back story of guys like Sheens pre Raiders - not much at all.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be too sorry for Benji. I think he has been coaching that team all season. Sheens has been in the background apart from the odd media interview. Benji has to get a new set of halves , but the pack and outside backs will improve next year , and Api looks keen to run them again on the park. As for old Tim Sheens, he has always been a Penrith boy . He was the school captain at the mighty breeding ground of Rugby League stars , St.Domincs College , when I first started there. He played 12 years for the Panthers as a tough ball playing prop, and would have represented if he was playing for a better Club than the "chocolate soldiers" at that time. As a young coach he then took Penrith to their first ever playoff final in '85 and oversaw the development of Brandy & Co who finally produced a premiership in '91 . His coaching career took off when he took over the mighty Raiders teams of the late 80's and early 90's. He got the Raiders a bunch of premierships in that period and the first Wests Tigers premiership in 2005. He had plenty of Test success as the Australian Coach . But in more recent times , he has not had a lot of talent to work with and he has struggled for coaching success . But as his career draws to a close, he will still be a member of the Panthers Team of Legends !
Bernie
Roar Rookie
i dont know what to make of young Kyle. only 25 & how many clubs is that now? he looked pretty good pre-Roosters, but now .... does his dad see something we don't or just keeping Mrs Flanagan happy.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm not sure it's a big deal that he doesn't go to the end of year function of the organisation that just fired him, sorry accelerated the succession plan. Also it doesn't seem odd that a guy who played and coached a side a) attends the old boys function or b) wears a hat from that team.
jdoodle
Roar Rookie
he did play and coach at Penrith so the hat isnt that big a deal but I can get why he wouldn't want anything to do with the tigers ever again.
Tony
Roar Guru
Toxic times at the Tigers
Nat
Roar Guru
Wearing a Panthers hat a week after walking out on the Tigers. You have to wonder WTF went on there as to be so dirty. I bet having a couple of lawyers running the show he couldn’t speak out if he wanted too. I feel sorry for Benji, although I am not sure if he really wanted to be a coach or just still be involved in the game. This is going to be a rough ride made no easier when they lose a few of their best next season.