Everyone has to have a first time, right?
Benji Marshall’s dugout debut comes this weekend away at Canberra, and if you believe the bookies, it probably won’t start well for the Wests Tigers’ new boss.
PlayUp have them $2.75 at time of writing, meaning that Canberra 13+ is slightly favoured over any sort of Tigers victory – and remember, Canberra never beat anyone by 13+.
The Raiders won last week and are, really, everything that the Tigers are not: they’re gritty, determined, experienced and, generally speaking, find a way to win.
The Tigers, historically at least, have either been easybeats or conspire to lose in increasingly outlandish ways, and it’s a trend that will continue until, well, it doesn’t.
That’s the task facing Marshall: he’s not just a rookie coach, he’s a rookie tasked with turning the club at which he became a legend as a player into a force again, unwinding over a decade of mediocrity in the process.
With that in mind, there’s an argument that he should be starting slow and moving slower, using this year entirely as a learning exercise while embedding a style of play and working out who can actually play it.
There’s a small inkling, albeit not publicly, that that has already happened.
When the team lists dropped on Tuesday, there were surprises everywhere, not least in the halves, where veteran returnee Aiden Sezer was named on the bench in favour of debutant teenager Lachlan Galvin.
Given that most people thought the whole point of Sezer’s signing was that he could provide a stopgap at halfback until Jarome Luai, the actual star arrival, began life in black and amber next year, it raised plenty of eyebrows to see the squad named as it was.
It spoke to a coach who was looking beyond this game, and perhaps even this season, in an attempt to get the process of improvement going early.
He’s not said as much, of course, but actions speak louder than words.
Shane Flanagan. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
A fellow new coach, albeit one with a much longer and more successful prior record, did actually vocalise what many would expect to be the plan behind the scenes all along.
Shane Flanagan, new in at the Dragons, openly admitted that 2024 wasn’t his priority, and while a few mocked him for it, it showed a refreshing break from the past tendency to pretend like every team can win every team. Spoiler alert: they can’t.
Marshall has picked both Galvin and another club debutant, Samuela Fainu, who will surely feature heavily next year.
He likely would have given Latu Fainu, Samuela’s highly touted brother, an NRL jersey had he not been suspended playing for Tonga late last year.
Solomona Faataape, a centre, also gets a go in the top grade for the first time, though that is likely more a result of this year’s biggest off-season arrival, Justin Olam, carrying an injury from the trials.
Throw them all together and there is a feeling of hope. It’s Round 2 – well, Round 1 for the Tigers – but if you’re going to throw players in, this is the time to do it.
Aidan Sezer dives over to score a try in Christchurch. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
The conventional wisdom would be that two give players a run when it doesn’t matter at the back end, and the Wests Tigers have made an artform of that.
Last year they fielded Kit Laulilii, Tallyn Da Silva and Josh Feledy, all 18, but mostly late in the year when everyone else had checked out. By giving the young guys live game time, Marshall is at least setting them up for success.
He can box clever on it, too. When the likes of Olam, Brent Naden and Adam Douehi return, he can spell the younger blokes and avoid overexposure, while he also has Sezer to step in as a controlling hand off the bench.
The trick is going to be managing expectations and proving that progress is being made, both of which will buy him a long leash from the fans.
Given Benji’s status as a club legend and the widespread hope that the change in ownership has at least reversed the trend off the field, it won’t take much to convince the longest suffering fans in the comp that some improvement is coming.
Nobody expects the Tigers to win on Saturday. Realistically, with a fixture list that sees them play the Sharks and Eels afterwards, there’s not much hope for the whole first month.
Where the club have gone wrong historically, and where Marshall can improve, is by letting his team stick in place and move towards form.
Cohesion is vital, and that only comes from playing together, even if that means losing together.
Benji Marshall. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
If they hold tight for the first three games, then they get the Dolphins and Dragons, likely two other cellar dwellers, where the Tigers could really focus their efforts.
It gets chastening again thereafter, with the Panthers and Broncos in quick succession, but opens up again after that, with the Bulldogs and Dolphins again within three weeks, either side of the Knights.
It’s a cliché to say that performances matter more than results at this time of year, but Benji is in the fairly unique position where that is true for the entire year.
Anything other than last would be an improvement, and really, even finishing last but making progress elsewhere would be absolutely fine.
Picking the young blokes is a good start to achieving the second goal. Ascertaining which of the more experienced cohort he actually wants to be there for 2025 is the next, and a lot of that comes from picking and sticking.
It’s obvious why Marshall can’t admit that this is all just a prelude, but internally, that has to be the messaging.
Learn as much as you can. Get systems in place. Next year is the one that matters.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with this at all. No team or coach should give the fans the expectation of a mediocre season or the excuse of rebuilding. Craig Bellamy said it himself...there is no rebuilding, every year you're going out there to win the premiership. I like that you've put Shane Flanagans comments there but I can assure you the way he has prepared the Dragons that he is going out there to win the title. From the trial and first round performance I've put money on them to be in the pointy end of the seaosn...definitely Sharks 2016 vibes about that team. If the players are good enough to be playing in the NRL than the team is good enough to win it with the right coach/training/tactics and mentality. (see Panthers the last 4 years).
Megeng
Roar Rookie
The author has to be kidding. He's had the apprenticeship and if his team isn't competitive thenthey need to change coach. How long do we Balmain fans have to wait to have a competitive team?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Regardless the Tigers need to show signs of improvement, which will mean winning more games than last year. If they start betting gig losses, will be interesting to see how Benji handles all the pressure.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Tigers have already improved by the board shake up and bringing in Richo. As long as they don't come last it will be an improvement.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
And that’s just the physical aspect. Throw in the mental side of guiding a team around the park as well, all at NRL tempo is a big ask of a kid.
astro
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Even if Sezer isn't the long term plan, sending Galvin at 18yrs old to play in Canberra in front of a big crowd, and deal with Big Papa, Tapine, Hudson Young, and a bunch of massive units coming off the bench, running at him for the entire game...it seems like a recipe for disaster. Will have to wait and see.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
All the more reason to play Sezer at halfback this season. They need a veteran playing halfback, not a kid.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Yes, but you still need experienced operators in key positions. Aiden Sezer has to start, even if it’s just to get the team around the park ala Jamal Fogarty. Galvin, as talented as he might he simply won’t do that, which in turn will make it harder for the rest of the players to develop.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Well don’t expect much improvement in defence from a team loaded with kids.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
1) What was last year then Mike ? He’s been the HC for 12 months. 2) Packing a team with young players led by a rookie half is a recipe for failure, ask the Broncos. Even the Panthers really didn’t start to hit their straps till they signed James Maloney. Aiden Sezer is a valuable veteran resource going to waste. 3) Rebuilding doesn’t mean you can’t play experienced veterans, particularly in key positions. I think Benji is gone by the end of next year.
astro
Roar Rookie
Blooding young players and building experience is all well and good, but getting beaten week in and week out isn't great for their confidence. Just ask Luke Brooks. From next year, the more experienced core of Luai, Bateman, Koroisau, Papali'i, Naden, Klemmer, Olam and Twal (assuming all these guys are actually playing!), need to step up for the Tigers.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
The Tigs are one of my Favs when they are on - sadly too infrequent in recent times . let’s try an be a glass half full this year and hope they get near the eight. Go Benji
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
Richo seems like a guy that doesn’t tolerate nonsense in any form. He’d prefer Furner had stayed on I would imagine, thinking that his experience and directness would have been good for Benji. Heard that he and Farah nearly came to blows last year so one had to go and it wasn’t going to be the club legend. Although that probably would have been the better option.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Your comments fall neatly into line with Mikes thoughts. This year will be largely about learning what works for the Tigers across the board. I'm guessing more than a few coaching staff might be moved on if they don't align with the direction the management & coach want to take. I'm also very sure Richardson won't stand for any white anting from anyone, player, coach, etc.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
Agree BG, Just think Benji will need some better staff. Farah seems to just be collecting the money his playing days warranted to avoid the salary cap pressure. Heighington While a cracking bloke has limited coaching experience. Morris the most experienced, I’m hearing was a white ant at Souths and they used the Sam Burgess departure as cover to get rid of him. Betting Farah won’t be on staff in 25, leaving you with one inexperienced guy and a more experienced than you guy that wants your job. This might be bigger challenge than what Benji has to handle all year on the field.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
There is no way you can undo 12 years of bull dust in 12 months. So the 8 is out this year, it’s a possibility next year with very good spine (Api, Luai, Bula and ???). A bunch of talent 12-18months away and including the ones they will blood this season there is nothing saying they couldn’t be on the verge of top 4 in 2026. A marquee or two, a group of pro’s, a bunch of mid-tier hungry hard workers and the juniors coming through is recipe for success. They will sign Richo for 3 years in the next month or two and he will press go on building a roster capable of taking the club forward. They already got Luai, add to that another front line forward and outside back, mix them to Bula, Olam, Douhei, Galvin, Sullivan, the Fainu’s, Api, Stefano, Bateman and all of a sudden you’ve got depth and a cracking spine.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Tigers supporters need to have longish memories before getting on Benji's case. Any Club who wants to improve has to have 4 things in their favour; good front office management, good recruitment & retention, a good coach and a good squad. In other words, a cohesive unit, all in tune and working towards the same goals Less than 6 months ago, the Tigers had a basket case management group, questionable recruitment & retention (which resulted in a less than good squad) and a rookie coach who was only there because the experienced bloke was dumped. IMO they've made huge strides with their management, but the other aspects are works in progress. Expecting these to all magically improve over the next 8 months is several steps too far. It's not unreasonable to expect the Tigers to show way more unity & resilience as a Club and if they can achieve those goals this season, 2025 should be a year for their supporters to really look forward to.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
So just so I’m clear about this – :sick: in 2026 the Tigs might make the 8
Albo
Roar Rookie
The Tigers have proven for the past decade, that they just can't buy in a group of quality imports to win a premiership. They have paid overs for cast offs from other clubs. The only chance they have is to develop a batch of young players to grow together as Tigers for future success. They are probably at the start of this process now with the likes of Bula, Galvin & the Fainu brothers. Whilst Luai will add some fight & experience next year, it will be the improvements from the young set, who will determine speed of progress of the Tigers improved performances. It probably starts in Canberra this week ?
Nat
Roar Guru
Unfortunately the media and fans won’t be as patient. The upside for Benji is that his main objective is just don’t finish last. My team was in a similar position not so long ago and I was relatively happy when the following season from the spoon they changed coach and more than doubled the wins of the previous spoon season. Still finished 14th but the trajectory was there.