A group of Wests Tigers powerbrokers are keeping a close eye on the Benji Marshall era, with many still unsure if they want to continue with the club legend as the head coach over the next three years.
Marshall was signed on a five-year coaching deal in 2022, though at the time he was supposed to spend more time deputising under Tim Sheens who was eventually let go.
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This NRL season has been Benji’s first full campaign in charge at Concord and it’s not been the greatest of debut runs. The Tigers are currently sitting dead last with three rounds to play—though a mouthwatering “spoonbowl” clash against the Parramatta Eels in the very last week could get them out of trouble right at the last gasp.
While nothing will happen to Benji in the next few weeks, The Daily Telegraph is reporting Tigers bosses are “still waiting to see if Benji can coach” and could act quickly next season if nothing changes performance-wise for the team.
Marshall is supposed to be signed through to 2027 but three years may be too much, they say. Who they would turn to would be a key part of if the board decided to change helmsman at any time.
Publicly, the Tigers have stood behind Marshall as recently as mid-July. Said club CEO Shane Richardson, “In Benji we trust. I’ve got no doubt he’s going to get the job done for us. I’m 100 per cent supportive of him moving forward. I’m planning everything around Benji being here long-term and helping our younger players coming through.”
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Benji has also been very open about how difficult the early months of the top job have been, admitting it’s “absolutely harder than [he] thought” it would be to change the course of Wests’ future.
