Kent: Tigers’ find roar aggression

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THERE are any number of way to measure the new steel in Tiger Town.

There is Adam Blair, last Sunday, against a Manly pack long on memory and short on forgiveness.

Blair knows the Sea Eagles haven't forgot or forgiven his role in the Battle of Brookvale in 2011, when he and Glenn Stewart went toe-to-toe while heading to the dressing room.

So last Sunday Blair was not only ready, but went after the Sea Eagles first, as aggression met aggression.

BLOG WITH PAUL KENT RIGHT HERE FROM 1PM TODAY

Adam Blair of the Tigers is tackled by Dunamis Lui, Anthony Watmough and Jason King. Source: Getty Images

And there's Aaron Woods, at home watching the night Jason King took on the Souths pack in round two, making it personal with the Burgess boys and, ultimately, setting the platform for Sea Eagles' win.

A quick study, Woods repeated the tactics the following week when it was the Tigers that played Souths.

He rolled George Burgess back in a tackle and Sam Burgess came with a rush, and as Woods rose with a defiant smile his Tigers teammates came like Indians over the hill.

"Let's give it to these ..." could be heard in the background, the rest of the sentence best left on the ground.

The Tigers knew they were on to something then, something the Sea Eagles long ago realised. And so last Sunday two packs, one looking for what the other already has, came together at Leichhardt Oval.

It surprised many that the Tigers came out on top.

The Tigers, after all, were supposed to be soft.

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We all knew of it two years ago when Matt Johns put it to Robbie Farah on NRL On Fox, calling a performance "soft".

Farah got offended, and what followed was an argument some still talk about.

But Johns was right and, like a bad itch, it stayed in the back of Farah's mind.

Last year other clubs talked openly about the way to beat the Tigers: "Straight through the middle," was the general consensus, and was said more than once.

It also showed that their rivals feared them so little they openly spoke about the Tigers being soft.

In the NRL it was suicide.

Sadly for the Tigers, though, over the summer they realised that it was a reputation that worked from the inside out.

So rather than fight the label, they addressed it.

For too long the club didn't have a culture of hard work.

When players turned up late for training, they got a paltry $50 fine. Few players did extras. They sugar coated performance reviews, and generally found the easy option in whatever they did. The soft option, other clubs might say.

Tigers Adam Blair looks to pass the ball. Source: News Corp Australia

Over the summer, though, something happened and the Tigers got sick of being called soft.

Earlier this year the leadership group Farah, Blair, Woods, Braith Anasta, Liam Fulton, Chris Lawrence and Dene Halatau came together for an honesty session that changed everything.

While there wasn't quite blood on the floor, honest words were spoken.

They emerged from their meeting with a message for the rest of the squad. There was a new attitude in Tiger Town, one being driven from the top down.

They were going to put some steel in the middle. They came up with a set of values they refuse to budge from, qualities they won't speak about or compromise on.

No favours were given according to age or reputation.

It got its first test the day a player was late for training.

There was no $50 fine.

Instead, Farah texted every player and told them that their day off the following day was now cancelled.

When a player lets himself down, he lets his teammates down.

So with no coaches or staff, just driven by the players, the players were ordered to training on their day off.

They started at 6am.

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CONFUSED LEAGUE IN NEED OF LEADERSHIP

IN times of crisis, communities want leaders, not committees.

Nobody knows quite what to do about the NRL's cautious inactivity over its interpretation of what constitutes "beyond horizontal" and a "dangerous position" in a tackle, as players get off for this tackle but not for that tackle. One week for this tackle but six for that.

That's why Melbourne sought clarification. Players are confused.

Only yesterday did the NRL get around to fining Canterbury for flouting the concussion rule in round two, three weeks ago. Several incidents have happened in the meantime, in apparent defiance of the NRL's seeming inactivity.

Cronulla continue to test their nerve, negotiating with a suspended Shane Flanagan.

It's time the NRL stops checking and double checking, legally insulating itself with countless reports, submissions and requests to belligerent clubs.

Just get it done.

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Injured stars left financially exposed

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NEITHER Alex McKinnon nor his family will be left out-of-pocket. Not if the early noises from NRL boss Dave Smith come to fruition.

Smith is personally determined to ensure the family do not want for anything, despite the NRL's ongoing failure to secure an insurance policy to cover career-ending injuries.

"The NRL and the rugby league family is there for Alex and will remain there for Alex," Smith said.

"It is, however, important to reflect on current circumstances and we will be reviewing insurance arrangements should a player experience significant injury.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights is carried off an a stretcher. Source: Getty Images

"But irrespective of the outcome of this review I have made it very clear that we will be there to support Alex in these circumstances."

While Smith's plan is to be universally applauded, his task of finding the money that will fund McKinnon's lifelong care is a much less straightforward issue.

In the absence of any financial safeguard, the ARLC's future fund — currently standing at $49.6 million — shapes as the most obvious well, apart from external parties who will be motivated to offer their support.

But should the game have been better placed to withstand a catastrophe such as this?

There's been no shortage of warning. Since 2011 three players — Simon Dwyer, Michael Greenfield and Daniel Conn — have been forced to retire because of spinal/neck problems.

Michael Greenfield comes off injured. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The trio all bowed out before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was finalised a year ago, leaving them exposed to frightening medical costs because their contracts weren't guaranteed.

Of the three, former Wests Tigers forward Dwyer is the highest profile case.

The NRL could offer just $80,000 in compensation, and when the injury was sustained there was still $400,000 owing on his contract.

It was only goodwill from the Tigers that's kept Dwyer from financial ruin, or, worse still, having to engage a lawyer.

Injured Wests Tigers NRL player Simon Dwyer. Source: News Limited

The club drew-up a new contract that ensured Dwyer was paid out while working as a coaching assistant for the past three years.

Dwyer's ordeal highlighted the need for a wholesale insurance scheme, at least to cover players for two years after the onset of a career-ending injury.

When the CBA negotiations heated-up in late 2012, Dwyer's name was often raised as the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) pushed for clubs to guarantee contracts in all circumstances.

The RLPA was successful, but the question of insurance remained unresolved when the CBA was ratified in February 2013.

Its lone mention was for both the RLPA and NRL to make "best endeavours" to obtain a policy to indemnify against career-ending injury.

Former Titan Daniel Conn gets injured late in the game. Source: News Limited

More than 12 months down the track there's still nothing, with players now forced to secure personal insurance for peace of mind.

The game's longest serving player agent, Wayne Beavis, has been left exasperated after campaigning for an insurance scheme well before the CBA was signed off.

McKinnon's fate has not helped Beavis's blood pressure, even though he doesn't represent the stricken player.

Sadly, the complex issue of finding the right insurance policy took a back seat to wrangling over the salary cap, representative bonuses and minimum wage when the CBA was thrashed out.

The change of leadership at League Central hasn't assisted either, with Smith shuffling staff.

New Financial Controller Mark Wilson was only appointed in mid-October, and has been forced to confront a maze of premiums, excesses, and payout restrictions from the get-go.

Senior counsel Nick Weeks has been leading the hunt throughout, but still cannot find a suitable policy.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights lays on the ground after being tackled. Source: Getty Images

There's also the unenviable task of getting the NRL, RLPA and 16 clubs to agree.

The three groups have been discussing with greater urgency for the past six weeks.

The most recent teleconference — held two days after McKinnon's injury — contemplated a $1.6 million policy. The cost was to be split three ways, with the clubs liable for $50,000 per annum.

Most are refusing to pay that type of money unless the product is going to provide satisfactory cover, rather than be littered with restrictions that prevent injured players from claiming in most realistic circumstances.

"Everyone is concerned about player welfare, but three groups have different individual interests and it's difficult to get everyone to agree," one club CEO said.

"The NRL is worried about all levels of the game, the RLPA is worried about post-career and the clubs want some security, because we are exposed to the most risk at the moment.

"It's such a complex issue and really, something that should have been sorted out 18 months ago, rather than in the past six weeks."

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Brown says no to Warriors coaching job

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NATHAN Brown has become the first coach to officially rule himself out of contention for the vacant New Zealand Warriors coaching position.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens is unlikely to be appointed and the Warriors aren't overly keen on Wigan coach Shaun Wane.

Another option, Neil Henry, appears comfortable as Gold Coast assistant coach.

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NRL won’t rush banning lifting tackles

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BANNING the dangerous lifting tackle remains on the NRL's agenda, but any change is unlikely to occur this season.

A series of shocking tackles where players have been up-ended have been magnified over the first five rounds following the career-ending injury to Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon.

The spinal damage caused to McKinnon has triggered passionate debate across the game on why the NRL should stamp lifting tackles out of the game forever.

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There is also uncertainty and confusion from players, coaches and fans on what is illegal and what isn't after the Gold Coast's Beau Falloon escaped any reprimand despite lifting Melbourne's Will Chambers into a precarious position last Sunday.

The Melbourne Storm have demanded answers from the NRL about the tackle.

As NRL head of football Todd Greenberg stood by the match review committee's decision not to charge Fallon yesterday, he also added he game would not shy away from banning lifting tackles, provided there was reason.

"We won't make any rash decisions without facts and data in front of us,'' Greenberg said.

"It's very important people understand that we'll assess the risks in the game, we will assess information but we will simply won't make decisions to fundamentally change rules without all that information available to us.

Will Chambers of the Storm is tackled by Nate Myles and Beau Falloon of the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"We will work on that diligently like we have done on a range of other issues.

"It took us six months to pressure test a range of scenarios for the rule changes we've made this year and we will apply the equal amount of critique on that before we make statements.

"I don't think anybody can tell you categorically if there's more or less lifting tackles from last year to this year.

"And the reason no one can tell us is because we haven't analysed the data yet. We're doing that as we speak.

"We're not going to take innuendo or comments from players on the run.

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"We will only react with the facts in front of us. And we do that, we've actually shown you across time that we will make changes where changes need to be made.''

Greenberg added that he had no issue with the Storm's formal complaint.

"Every club is entitled to ask questions, so we've got no problem with that,'' Greenberg said.

"Let's face it the game has been around for 100 years and there are always questions asked for various issues in the game.

"The match review panel and charges and grading's will continue to be debated.

"The important part people need to understand is the match review committee are independent, they're made up of very experienced former players who are there to discharge duties according to the rules.''

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The women behind the Wests Tigers

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THEY say behind every good man is a good woman. At Wests Tigers, you can make that 16 good women.

Meet the team who all but run Wests Tigers.

The club, running fifth after five rounds, employ no less than 16 females in their front office at Concord Oval, the most of any club in the NRL.

And their positions range from chief financial officer to business operations manager, customer service co-ordinator to merchandise co-ordinator.

The team behind the team - The women of the Wests Tigers. Source: News Corp Australia

"It's tremendous – the diversity of roles that females have in our club range right across the board," said Robyn Danzey, the club's match day, venue and event operations senior manager.

"Whether it be our facilities, we look after locker rooms, we assist with our football department, as I said, very diverse.

"The opportunities we are afforded at Wests Tigers are second-to-none, it's a great place to work."

Danzey can only applaud the increased presence of women at NRL clubs.

"I also think those traditional roles of females in the code have expanded," she said.

"We, as staff and professionals here at Wests Tigers, know there are no limits to the roles that we aspire to hold within the game.

"In terms of support roles within the club and leadership roles as well, there are no boundaries at a club level and within the code of rugby league."

Tigers Robbie Farah celebrates a try by Tigers prop Aaron Woods. Source: News Corp Australia

And their jobs aren't always lady-like.

Often many will roll up their sleeves and help pack the club's truck chock-full of merchandise, food and beverages for game day, match-day equipment, media backdrops, dressing room signage and corporate hospitality decorations.

"No-one is dainty," said Hannah Lidster, Wests Tigers business operations manager. "I love it, it's the best part.

"The women are throughout different levels of management as well.

"Even our senior management team is predominantly female. Our CFO (Victoria Momsen) is also female.

"As Grant (Mayer, club CEO) always says, the ladies are the workers. That's why he employs us."

Spectators fill the Eastern hill at Leichhardt Oval. Source: Getty Images

And there is no doubt the women are playing a pivotal role in Wests Tiger's resurgence this year.

The club has won three of five games – including a memorable 34-18 win over Manly at Leichhardt on Sunday - and face North Queensland this Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium.

"We as staff also ride that roller-coaster of highs and lows of professional sport," Danzey said.

"Certainly, the on-field results directly impact our lives on a day-to-day basis. Any support we can provide to ensure we remain competitive at the highest level can only be a win-win for everyone involved in the club."

Mayer said on Monday he employs staff based on ability and experience – not gender.

"I'm heavily involved with the interview process and ensure we have the right people for the right role," Mayer said.

"Each of our staff here at Wests Tigers are exceptionally capable and I'm sure we will enjoy the journey the club takes over the next two to three years."

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Demon Clark quits over mental illness

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MITCH Clark's sudden retirement has freed up Melbourne's salary cap in 2015, leaving room to accommodate free agent James Frawley.

Clark, 26, retired with the club revealing he had been diagnosed with clinical depression.

The talented but erratic key forward signed with the Demons in 2012 on a four-year deal worth an estimated $750,000 a season. It is understood he will forgo payments in his final year, 2015.

Clark and the club settled a negotiated payout yesterday — he was owed about $1.5 million for this season and next — which means Clark will be delisted at the end of the season.

The former Lion tweeted: "Hard to put a retirement speech into a tweet. I just want to thank everyone for your support throughout my career.

He revealed earlier he had been confronted with "very challenging times".

"I just want to say thank you to the Melbourne Football Club, firstly for giving me the chance to play for them and secondly for taking care of me during my time there," he said.

DEMON CLARK TAKES PERSONAL LEAVE

DEMON CLARK'S BROKEN DREAMS

"Everyone at the club has been so supportive of me during some very challenging times, which I will always be appreciative of.

"Finally, I want to say thank you to the players and members for being there for me. I'm sorry I wasn't out on the field more, but with my injuries, it just wasn't to be."

Clark's manager Colin Young met Melbourne officials on Monday.

Clark had recovered from a 12-month foot injury suffered in Round 13, 2012, but persistent hamstring and calf muscles during the off-season, combined with battling his mental issues, meant he lost the desire to compete at AFL level.

His retirement yesterday did not surprise Melbourne staff nor his manager.

It's believed Clark battled with several aspects of football, not least the fact that he was Melbourne's highest-paid player and that he believed he was letting down the club by not playing.

The Demons will now be able to try to satisfy Frawley's demands next year.

Frawley's management has told clubs that if they want to extract Frawley from Melbourne it will cost about $800,000.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney would not discuss Clark's financial settlement yesterday.

PICTURE GALLERY: MITCH CLARK'S CAREER

"At this stage it's inappropriate to talk about financial ramifications," Mahoney said.

Mahoney said several options were looked at with Clark and it was "decided the best option was to give up his career".

"It was a brave decision. It's a decision we support,'' Mahoney said.

Mitch Clark kicks a big goal. Source: News Limited

"The No. 1 focus through this period is his health and at the moment that's the best thing for his health going forward.

"This is a disappointing outcome. When he first signed, we thought he was going to be a key player, but it hasn't worked out for a number of circumstances."

Clark played 15 games his first two years.

Not everyone believed Clark was worth the money.

Clark's former coach at Brisbane Leigh Matthews said Clark an ``average key position player'' and Melbourne paid too much for him.

Clark's footballing contemporaries supported his decision including Tyrone Vickery who tweeted: "Football is so far off the most important thing in life. Best wishes to @MitchClark11 for a return to health. good luck for the next chapter."

Clark was originally recruited from East Fremantle with pick No. 9 in the 2005 National Draft.

He played 97 AFL games and kicked 97 goals.

People with personal problems can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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