Benji Marshall will take over as Wests Tigers coach a year earlier than expected after the Wests Tigers have cut short Tim Sheens’ succession plan.
With the Tigers sitting last heading into the final three rounds and on track for a second straight wooden spoon there is concern at the club over the direction they’ve been heading under Sheens’ rebuild.
Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has confirmed the coaching restructure will happen at season’s end but insists the transition was initiated by Sheens’ management.
“I came back with a focus on creating stronger pathways and development programs,” Sheens said in a club statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.
“I am proud of the work accomplished by all involved in the pathways system and of the emerging local talent, in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Benji Marshall. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“I am extremely proud of what I have been able to do in transitioning Benji into the main role and wish him and the club all the success in the future.”
Rabbitohs assistant coach John Morris, a former Wests Tigers player, is tipped to join the coaching staff as Marshall’s deputy while David Furner is set to be moved on along with Sheens.
“I am humbled by Tim’s endorsement as the future and long-term head coach of Wests Tigers,” said Marshall. “To be the head coach of Wests Tigers has been a long-held dream of mine since retiring from playing.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to take on the role and I am indebted to Tim for all that he has taught me, both as a player and as an assistant coach.
“I know that I am ready to take on the role with all the support that the club has offered.”
Hagipantelis had earlier said it was “indeed regrettable that I find myself having to speak of these matters publicly” after word leaked out of Sheens’ abrupt exit.
“But there have been internal discussions about expediting the transition of Benji into the head coaching role which is something that was always contemplated within that two-year transition period.”
He denied anyone went behind Sheens’ back to punt him.
Benji Marshall. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“It was following that outreach (from Orr) that these conversations were undertaken, all with Tim’s engagement and blessing,” Hagipantelis later told AAP. “Suggestions, which I’ve read, about us terminating or knifing Tim are demeaning to all involved.
“Tim was engaged for a particular purpose and that was to transition Benji. Tim feels that transition is complete and Benji is ready to step up.
“He takes the view that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and he takes the view that Benji is ready.”
Sheens had been general manager of football when he initially came back to the club two years ago and had been hoping to move back to a similar role.
Marshall was originally due to serve a two-year apprenticeship under Sheens before taking over as head coach in 2025 but that has now been fast-tracked to next season.
That five-year plan has now been scrapped with Marshall starting a season early but he remains under contract until the end of 2027.
Tim Sheens. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
The Tigers have a chance to secure a rare win on Saturday night at CommBank Stadium against a Dolphins team missing at least six regular first-graders due to injuries and suspension.
He will see out the rest of the season, bringing an end to a successful career which included three earlier premierships during his time at Canberra from 1989-94.
Sheens returned to the coaching helm at the Tigers this season a decade after the club’s 2005 premiership-winning mentor was initially sacked in acrimonious circumstances.
He was taking over after Michael Maguire had been axed midway through last year with Brett Kimmorley finishing the season as interim coach.
Marshall is inheriting a rebuilding roster which has failed to gain success this year despite the arrival of Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i, John Bateman, David Klemmer and Charlie Staines.
Veteran halfback Luke Brooks is leaving for Manly next year with former Raiders playmaker Aidan Sezer returning from the Super League and Dragons young gun Jayden Sullivan set to form a new halves pairing.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
There lies the problem...the politics of the two teams that feed the club...Originally tigers had upper hand but they have no club infrastructure and wests have Campbelltown and Ashfield clubs...If the club is serious and transfers the lot into that region of outer Sydney we may begin to see advancement...weststigers don't believe they are a campbelltown operation...We never perform well at the oval in Campbelltown...It is a poor stadium. Politics in the club is bad...sometimes people will want to control a losing side rather then stand down to people who can manage.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
I’m sure Sheens has had enough of all the white anting he got from the board and said “I’m too old for this *hit!” For what it’s worth, here’s my tigers spine for 24. 1) Bula 6) Sullivan 7) Sezer 9) Api 13) Douehi
steveng
Roar Rookie
There is talk that he's been offered an assistant coaching position at the Tigers, and they are negotiating.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Do you say 73 year old Bennett, when talking about him?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Wilbas, Apparently Tigers is privately owned - is that by Wests Leagues Club? How can you get changes on the board? Because Bila above has hit the nail on the head. The decline in Tigers is directly linked to its leadership of Hagipantelis and Pascoe.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
that would be par for the course...
wilbas
Roar Rookie
Sheens is a master coach...2005 he had the smallest pack in the competition and the won the comp...Canberras first win...he lifted Penrith in 84 from bottom to finals with no talent to work with...He is as good as Bennet
wilbas
Roar Rookie
I think if Sheens was not there we would be getting plastered every week...He is doing fine.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
you are correct, but both were early days before stagnation of club boards and loss of vision hit. Now both are stuck in the mud.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Was?? Isn't Morris still there?
Bila Wirriganwalters
Roar Rookie
Pascoe has been at the club for appoximately 8 years with Hagipantelis close on 4 years, both have had a substantial hand in the continuing debacle (Pasco more so), as have part of the Board. It is abou time there was a massive clean-out at the top, at the same time they can take half of their crony's with them as well. I have been a supporter for a long time as have many others, to see the same crap miss-mangment that is dealt out over and over again is just downright embrassing, a massive change is needed.
mushi
Roar Guru
Well the guy making the decisions said he exceeded expectations and has the tigers ahead of schedule. Apparently they wanted to achieve the rare feat of being a defending wooden spooner that actually finishes lower on the ladder.
Jeannine Wallace
Roar Rookie
:shocked:
steveng
Roar Rookie
BM, let me get my crystals out and sit down in a mediating stance and close my eyes and let the forces of nature tell me why Freddy and Brandy are still there, as that is the only way that it will explain why they are still there, must be a mirage or the stars aligning or some mystical reason(s)??? :laughing:
steveng
Roar Rookie
DP, I have to laugh as John Morris was the assistant coach to JD at the Bunnies, now it makes sense why the Bunnies fell so fast and so low, as John Morris had to sharpen his skills to fit into the Wests/ Tigers ranks :laughing: that ties the Bunnies fall in form now :thumbup:
Noel
Roar Rookie
At least they've got Dane Laurie coming along nicely. Exciting attacking player who genuinely has a crack... Could develop into a very dangerous 6. Oh. My bad. They'd wanna hope Douehi has a surgeon with Mr Miyagi level healing powers...
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would think Sheen's will sit down, take a breath and say, thank f$#@ that is over!
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
“It is indeed regrettable that I find myself having to speak of these matters publicly,” If I were a Wests supporter I would be angry that the Chairman of the Board regrets having to speak to us.
Pedro
Roar Rookie
Agree the Tigers are having a good crack most weeks, certainly since origin. On balance I would be more disappointed if I was a dogs supporter this year than a tigers supporter given the respective rosters. I just can’t understand how you let both your starting halves leave when there seems no short or medium replacements.
TinRattler
Roar Rookie
The players didn't like Maguire and his discipline that is why they are cannon fodder