Wests Tigers Coaching Mega Thread

Posted by: @mike

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Posted by: @mercy-rule

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Just a couple of questions:

Has Marshall ever explained the advantage he feels he gets by coaching/strategising/responding from the sideline during a match? Am I right in thinking the only other such coach who does that in NRL 2026 is Ricky Stuart?

I notice the other NRL coaches sitting nearby their coaching staff and analysts in the coach's box during a game which, presumably, gives them immediate access to data and trends in play. How is Marshall getting that same information and who is providing it and how?

Heighington is on the sideline also, feeding Benji the stats, and any other info he needs, via an tablet/iPad 

 

Benji is copping a hammering from fans.

I was disappointed in his press conference. I thought he could have addressed the fans and been more definitive in terms of implementing a plan out of this mess.

Saying “we will look at our preparation and reassess” only works for so long.

Unless something breaks the current losing sequence very soon, the pressure from fans will only continue. Finished 13th last year and we are now tracking for 15 or 16 this season. Tigers fans are sadly used to losing games, but to have an average of 4 points per game over the past 5 weeks is terrible. Even in the 22-24 spoon years, we usually scored a try or two to give the fans something to cheer about. We hear about how good the training and preparation is leading into games but something must seriously change after the last training session to when they get on the field.  

Benji is signed for 4 more seasons. We will gut the assistants first and that will buy him 2 more seasons (especially when we juniorised our halves). Then we will pay him out of the the last couple of years and all the players who are Benji’s boys ie the Mays will be paid to move on as our next coach does a clean out. Rinse and repeat 

we need experienced assistants

Attack coach Trent Barrett 

Defence coach Dean Pay 

or 

ask brad Arthur to come to and coach

Posted by: @tigertownsfs

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Benji is signed for 4 more seasons. We will gut the assistants first and that will buy him 2 more seasons (especially when we juniorised our halves). Then we will pay him out of the the last couple of years and all the players who are Benji’s boys ie the Mays will be paid to move on as our next coach does a clean out. Rinse and repeat 

Sadly @tigertownsfs you are very likely on the money with this predictive assessment of the pathway from here. Hasn't this all gone to S**t in a hurry!!!

Posted by: @jedi-tiger

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ask brad Arthur to come to and coach

That would certainly get Benji out 😂

Arthur, despite a spoon at the Eels, has a very good winning percentage and would likely come into consideration imo if we parted ways with Benji.

I would be okay with brad Arthur as coach for 3years. With a good young assistant coach working with him and eventually taking over from him. Maybe someone like Ryan Hoffman.

Danny Weidler in the SMH. What is most interesting is that they gave Benji complete control, meaning any changes need to be given the green light by him.

What a mess!

Benji Marshall’s contract gives him more power than almost any other coach in the NRL, but that is about to be challenged as the Wests Tigers realise he can no longer be surrounded by “yes men” after a tumultuous week for the club that could result in the loss of another quality half.

Regular halfback Adam Doueihi stood up to Marshall on Thursday, calling him out on issues at the club and standing down from Saturday’s clash against the Raiders after Marshall had moved him to lock – a stance for which Doueihi was called selfish in the meeting.

Doueihi’s agent, Isaac Moses, has now organised peace talks between Marshall and Doueihi with a view to keeping his client at the club. Moses only found out about the fallout between coach and player after the event – and while he backs his player’s opinions, he has made it clear to Doueihi that he felt he should have played.

Moses will put his own issues with Marshall to one side to find a solution. The aim is to bring the pair together so Doueihi can play in the Tigers’ next game, against Parramatta next Sunday.

The “selfish” accusation is hard to argue with, but Doueihi’s behaviour this year suggests he is anything but. For Doueihi, the positional change was a culmination of issues that had been irking him before he made his snap decision.

The most obvious is that star five-eighth Jarome Luai is leaving the club for the Eels next season, then the PNG Chiefs in 2028, and the idea of Doueihi mentoring and combining with rookie half Javon Andrews has been discussed.

Doueihi’s selection at lock didn’t lend itself to that. So no matter how you spin it, Luai’s exit is having an impact on the club.

Doueihi has busted his backside to support Marshall and create a team culture. From putting on team meals to being the one who brought the players together for coffees. He paid for his own flight to support the team at Magic Round when he was out injured. He is also currently playing through a shoulder injury.

Doueihi should have sensed something was up with his selection going into the Raiders game when Marshall showed little interest in his judiciary appearance on Tuesday night. He didn’t get a phone call from his coach after beating a careless high tackle charge.

The initial thought is that the situation is not beyond repair, but the Tigers have lost two marquee halves in Lachlan Galvin and Luai in the last 13 months.

Galvin had a dossier of complaints about Marshall – the contents of which have been hidden away. Luai was told to move on after signing with PNG to accommodate the next wave of talent.

So the Tigers are facing the loss of three top halves at a time when playmakers have never been more in demand.

It can also be revealed that Marshall’s agent, Matt Desira, not only brokered a great deal for his client, but timed it to perfection. The contract was struck when the club was in the midst of a boardroom crisis and effectively hands all power over the team to Marshall.

The coach, a 2005 premiership winner and club legend, has the final say over everything at the club, from his assistant coach down to the gear stewards. And if he is sacked or asked to accept changes to his deal, he is entitled to be paid out in full.

The latest drama could actually be the making of Marshall as a coach as it is going to bring change.

Marshall was untouchable as a player, on and off the field. His status as a generational great meant any shortcomings were glossed over. But being a champion player doesn’t automatically translate into being a great head coach and leader of men.

There is a growing feeling at the Tigers that Marshall needs outside help. One of his biggest issues is that he doesn’t have enough people challenging him. There is already discussion that one of his main men, John Morris, is heading to the Dragons. That has been denied. But Marshall will be offered assistance in the off season.

The club could do worse than consider if Shane Flanagan would join as a senior assistant. It’s something Flanagan is open to. Whether Marshall would accept it is another thing. He has the legal right to tell the club to shove it.

The view that there have been double standards at the club has also been relayed to me. Some players are allowed to get out of training with too much ease, while bad habits like vaping have been ignored.

@joel something needs to change. Given Benji’s water tight contract he is actually at little risk of being replaced in the next couple of years. I think he might be onboard with a change. He has typically made the right calls and has shown his love for the club.