NRL news: Benji Marshall The Real Winner From Wests Tigers Review Needs
BRENT READ is of the opinion that the underachieving Wests Tigers need to go through a review; however, rather than focusing on the members of the club's front office, the evaluation should concentrate on other aspects of the organisation.
I spoke with the Wests Tigers' independent reviewers for almost to an hour earlier this week. I can't tell you all that was said, but I can assure you it wasn't as horrible as you fear.
Although some have speculated that chair Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe were the targets of a witch hunt, I didn't get the impression that they were.
The Tigers do have issues, that much is true. For ten years, they have been steadily descending. But we shouldn't just throw away the good with the bad.
To begin, I felt tremendous compassion for Hagipantelis, who has invested millions of dollars of his own money into the club's success and merely wants to see it prosper.
While it's true that Lee gets a lot of press, someone else needs to step forward and clarify the club's path to the faithful. As the club stumbles from one issue to the next, someone needs to step forward and present a united front to the press.
If not Lee, then who? After being asked to step down as chair, his own board has now turned against him. I couldn't help but think about the Tigers and their board of anonymous executives. Perhaps that's the place to make a difference.
They have made changes to both the coaches and the players. Maybe it's time to take a look at the individuals who sit in judgment over them. Toss them out and begin the process all over again.
Bring in some new players that have more experience and are more familiar with the way the game is played nowadays. The only people who can actually cut it these days are retired footballers and real estate brokers.
You should be required to have a boardroom with a particular set of skills, and membership in Wests Ashfield shouldn't be the deciding decision.
Therefore, if we are going to make adjustments with the Tigers, let's begin at the managerial level. Although Lee, who is both an independent filmmaker and a key backer, should not necessarily be ignored, other people very definitely should be.
The club itself needs to undergo transformation. The Tigers need to quickly employ a head of football to provide Benji Marshall with the necessary support, especially if Pascoe continues.
Marshall probably brought this up in his conversation with the reviewers; they are falling behind. The independent review was fronted by Marshall and other club leaders. I wish I could just listen in.
He evidently impressed them with his vision for the club's future. It's only fitting that he comes back stronger than before. If anyone can salvage the Tigers, it's Marshall since he's a proven winner.
When the dust settles, Benji will have his own private club. Marshall needs to have all the support in the world, and many people privately believe that this will wind up reaffirming Marshall as the man with his hand on the rudder at the club despite the fact that it is meant to shake up the leadership.
It will be fascinating to observe the repercussions. The board, and especially Hagipantelis and Pascoe, are largely responsible for bringing recruitment expert Scott Fulton to the club. Where would he be if they left, is the obvious question.
In due time, the truth will be exposed. Review findings might be released as early as the middle of November, with the Holman Barnes Group receiving them by the end of the month.
That ought to make for some good reading. Although the evaluation has been criticised by some, I can't help but feel that it's too little, too late. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, when the team was still mired in mediocrity.
The study, it is hoped, will clear the skies for a team that has been dogged by gloom for far too long. The Tigers have the potential to go off if they hit their stride. Despite their ineptitude of late, they remain a sizable organisation.
The feedback should put them on the correct track to succeed. Not sure if my input will be used, but I'm delighted to contribute nonetheless.
This week, Jai Opetaia returned home from his trip to Europe with the world at his feet and the belts around his waist.
Opetaia's victory over Jordan Thompson of England caused people all around the world to take attention, despite the fact that Tim Tszyu is considered to be the golden child of Australian boxing.
Promoter Eddie Hearn stated that Opetaia ought to be a national hero due to the manner in which he defeated Thompson in his first fight since winning the IBF and Ring belts with his victory over Mairis Breidis more than a year ago. Thompson was Opetaia's opponent in this bout.
The severity of it was really astounding. Opetaia's absence from competition for a period of fourteen months was not beneficial to his career, but he is now back in action and has delivered a strong message to the cruiserweight category.
The next objective on his list is to fasten all of the belts. Opetaia already has one, but he wants to get them all. He is looking for high-profile bouts, and he would prefer to have them in Australia whenever possible.
Hearn, as one of the sport's most influential promoters, will do all in his power to make it occur. He plans to make Opetaia a household name in his native country.
I'm quite thrilled," Opetaia declared.
Because of this, we traveled over there. If they offer me a date next week, I will fight because we went over there to get respect and we did it the proper way.
I'm eager to make another trip. It's the first time I've ever been able to walk away from a battle without any sort of injuries.
"Whoever is currently holding the belts is the opponent I want to face. I'm not one to chase after names. It makes no difference to me who I battle. My sole objective is to amass a complete collection of belts.
Opetaia rewarded himself and his family on their victory over Thompson by taking a trip to Paris and Amsterdam. It was a source of great pride for him to exhibit his mother the sights of the capital city of France.
Now that the holidays are over, he is getting back to work in the hopes of landing a spot on the big stage. Opetaia does not wish to steal all of the attention for herself. All he asks for is an equitable portion of it.
"That is the difference between me and a lot of fighters - I sell fights with my skills," Opetaia said. "I sell fights with my skills."
"I do not enjoy making small talk. Fights are a fun way for me to achieve respect for myself. I just have not had the platform that those Tszyu boys have had, but we are making progress toward our goal.
"In terms of the reputation, they have worked hard to gain that generational riches. It's not that I don't think those two young men deserve it; they put in a lot of work in the gym, and when they square off, they give it their all.
"For someone like myself, the procedure tends to take a little bit more time. However, I am willing to put in the effort that is required."