‘That place absolutely stinks’: Brisbane legend torches Wests Tigers after record loss
Brisbane legend Corey Parker has blown culture at the Wests Tigers after they were wiped out 72-6 by the Sydney Roosters in the club’s biggest defeat.
“This place absolutely stinks,” Parker said fox league after the bloodbath at the SCG.
Parker slammed the Tigers for their unfortunate performance, which resulted in the ultimate embarrassment for a club that now appears destined to end with the wooden spoon for the first time in their history.
“There is absolutely nothing that Noddy [Brett Kimmorley] can tell the team after a 72-point thrashing that it will resonate with any of them,” Parker said when asked how the interim coach could pick them up for the final two games of the year.
“He’s not going to be there next year and has no role at the club,” Parker said.
“Every single one can’t make eye contact and he’s going to sit there and talk to her? Please.”
The Tigers started the game under a lot of pressure as the Roosters fired. But despite the early attack, the bottom of the table managed to fend off the early attacks.
But when the Tricolors finally managed to break through their opponents – Nat Butcher landed after 12 minutes – the damn walls really came down.
In a lazy first half, the Tigers conceded five tries in a devastating 20-minute spell. Angus Crichton was a major factor in the 30-0 advantage they achieved in the opening stanza, with the backrower having his best half of the footy all season.
In the second half, even more points were racked up by a ruthless Roosters attack that sent a warning shot to all top eight teams. Butcher finished with four tries to his credit, Luke Keary was rested after four assists, Daniel Tupou grabbed a double and James Tedesco and Joey Manu combined for nearly 500 yards.
However, the story of the game wasn’t about the Roosters’ brilliance in attack. Instead, the focus was on the Tigers’ lack of readiness on defense.
“Go out there and let them do their thing – sometimes less is more,” Parker said of the approach Kimmorley was to take towards his players in the sheds.
“He can’t say a word.
“They’re going to have individuals stand up and say ‘guys I’m sorry’ and all that, but it’s nonsense. Absolute rubbish.”
Parker had a gloomy view of the club’s future, explaining how they would strive to change their fortunes in the near future.
He begged Tim Sheens to comb through the squad and get rid of any players he felt would be unable to help the club progress when he takes over as head coach for a second time next year.
“Tim Sheens needs to figure out who he wants on the team,” Parker said.
“You should have sat down with everyone and said that everyone in this room knows,” he said when discussing how Sheens and his assistant Benji Marshall should have approached the final months of the season.
“This place absolutely stinks. Nothing is going well for these guys,” Parker continued.
“They come every week and go about their business. You say the right things when you interview the players.
“They go in with all good intentions – I have no doubt about that.
“But when the shots are fired and it counts, they just haven’t delivered.”