Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

BENJI WON’T WALK AWAY FROM TIGERS

Benji Marshall has put an emphatic end to any suggestion he is ready to walk away from the Wests Tigers over creative differences with recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

Marshall, earmarked to become the Tigers head coach when Tim Sheens stands aside at the end of next year, has reportedly been at loggerheads with Fulton in recent weeks over some key recruitment calls.

It prompted speculation at the weekend that Marshall was ready to walk away from the club because he and Fulton were at odds.

Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis revealed chief executive Justin Pascoe was concerned enough to clarify the situation with Marshall. Now Marshall has chimed in, telling Sport Con he has no plans to walk away from the club and remains committed to taking over the head coaching duties in 2025.

“I love my job as an assistant coach and I’m looking forward to learning more off Tim this year and in 2024 and excited to become the head coach in 2025 and I’m not walking out anywhere,” Marshall said. 
“That’s the end of it!”

Marshall has kept a low profile since giving up his job in the media to pursue his dream of becoming an NRL coach.

The fact he has now publicly refuted rumours he may walk away should put an end to any suggestion he is having second thoughts over his career choice.

The rumour mill has been in overdrive ever since club powerbrokers poached Fulton from Manly without consulting Marshall or Sheens, his appointment ultimately coming at the cost of former recruitment boss Warren McDonnell.

There have also been ongoing reports that Fulton and the coaches have been at odds over key recruitment targets, among them Manly’s Josh Schuster and Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell.

Marshall was also desperate to keep Luke Brooks and it has been suggested the club had to be convinced to make their halfback an offer. Brooks rejected the deal and instead has signed a long-term contract with Manly, who he will join next season.

“When Lee Hagipantelis went out and got a head of recruitment for his club and didn’t consult Tim Sheens or Benji Marshall, the coach and the future coach of the club, did he not think that this was a possibility?” former Tigers star Braith Anasta told NRL360.

“To not consult those two people who run the club and who set the standards. They know what players they want and they know why they want them.

“They are looking ahead. Benji is trying to build this club for the future. Benji is passionate about the joint. He loves the joint. He is trying to build this club.

“They hire a head of recruitment without talking to him and then expect it all to just be beautiful, sunshine and rainbows. I just don’t understand.” (DT)
 
BENJI WON’T WALK AWAY FROM TIGERS

Benji Marshall has put an emphatic end to any suggestion he is ready to walk away from the Wests Tigers over creative differences with recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

Marshall, earmarked to become the Tigers head coach when Tim Sheens stands aside at the end of next year, has reportedly been at loggerheads with Fulton in recent weeks over some key recruitment calls.

It prompted speculation at the weekend that Marshall was ready to walk away from the club because he and Fulton were at odds.

Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis revealed chief executive Justin Pascoe was concerned enough to clarify the situation with Marshall. Now Marshall has chimed in, telling Sport Con he has no plans to walk away from the club and remains committed to taking over the head coaching duties in 2025.

“I love my job as an assistant coach and I’m looking forward to learning more off Tim this year and in 2024 and excited to become the head coach in 2025 and I’m not walking out anywhere,” Marshall said. 
“That’s the end of it!”

Marshall has kept a low profile since giving up his job in the media to pursue his dream of becoming an NRL coach.

The fact he has now publicly refuted rumours he may walk away should put an end to any suggestion he is having second thoughts over his career choice.

The rumour mill has been in overdrive ever since club powerbrokers poached Fulton from Manly without consulting Marshall or Sheens, his appointment ultimately coming at the cost of former recruitment boss Warren McDonnell.

There have also been ongoing reports that Fulton and the coaches have been at odds over key recruitment targets, among them Manly’s Josh Schuster and Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell.

Marshall was also desperate to keep Luke Brooks and it has been suggested the club had to be convinced to make their halfback an offer. Brooks rejected the deal and instead has signed a long-term contract with Manly, who he will join next season.

“When Lee Hagipantelis went out and got a head of recruitment for his club and didn’t consult Tim Sheens or Benji Marshall, the coach and the future coach of the club, did he not think that this was a possibility?” former Tigers star Braith Anasta told NRL360.

“To not consult those two people who run the club and who set the standards. They know what players they want and they know why they want them.

“They are looking ahead. Benji is trying to build this club for the future. Benji is passionate about the joint. He loves the joint. He is trying to build this club.

“They hire a head of recruitment without talking to him and then expect it all to just be beautiful, sunshine and rainbows. I just don’t understand.” (DT)

Despite this they'll still say their mail is hes ready to walk, this will be a non story in their eyes despite the direct quote. As much as we hate to admit it they know anything Wests Tigers gets clicks so they'll run with it anyway.
 
Despite this they'll still say their mail is hes ready to walk, this will be a non story in their eyes despite the direct quote. As much as we hate to admit it they know anything Wests Tigers gets clicks so they'll run with it anyway.

Completely agree and the Murdoch media will try to put as much of a negative slant on it as possible
 
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If Simpkin was released as part of any swap, I'd say we'd also recruit a utility otherwise we are relying on Tallyn & Rua as our only backup hookers. Perhaps Blake Taafe could be moulded into a half/hooker/fullback utility like Weekes at Manly. Or Bayley Sironen can play relief dummyhalf as a versatile lock/backrow/5-8 too.
I am NO fan of Blake
If Simpkin was released as part of any swap, I'd say we'd also recruit a utility otherwise we are relying on Tallyn & Rua as our only backup hookers. Perhaps Blake Taafe could be moulded into a half/hooker/fullback utility like Weekes at Manly. Or Bayley Sironen can play relief dummyhalf as a versatile lock/backrow/5-8 too.
I am NO fan of Blake Taffe (spelling). He reminds me of a Deer in a headlight and often looks nervous and indecisive. I think more time dedicated to looking at other players, but I am unable to confidently throw up names?
 
Sounds though Sexton has already met with the Bulldogs.
No disrespect to Mr & Mrs Sexton but their son Toby is not playing 1st grade because he doesn't use Rexona. He is one of many NSW Cup standard halves, and the poor old battling 2022 Wooden Spooners need to keep looking. I even think that someone in the coaching team at WESTS need to think outside the square and try and identify a genuine NRL 1st grade standard footballer who is not playing in the halves but would be a candidate to be converted e.g. just like what the Storm did with Cooper Cronk. I have always been of the opinion that Api Koroisau could be a great half-back and keep our current young Hooker. Desperate times require desperate measures.
 
No disrespect to Mr & Mrs Sexton but their son Toby is not playing 1st grade because he doesn't use Rexona. He is one of many NSW Cup standard halves, and the poor old battling 2022 Wooden Spooners need to keep looking. I even think that someone in the coaching team at WESTS need to think outside the square and try and identify a genuine NRL 1st grade standard footballer who is not playing in the halves but would be a candidate to be converted e.g. just like what the Storm did with Cooper Cronk. I have always been of the opinion that Api Koroisau could be a great half-back and keep our current young Hooker. Desperate times require desperate measures.

The last time we did that Sheens delivered Johnie Cronk to the club and would not drop him for 3 years even though he was completely unsuited to the position.I would hate to see us do something similar again because Tim never admits he is wrong
 
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The last time we did that Sheens delivered Johnie Cronk to the club and would not drop him for 3 years even though he was completely unsuited to the position.I would hate to see us do something similar again because Tim never admits he is wrong
I don't recall a Johnny Cronk playing at the Wests Tigers let alone in the halves? Normally a conversion to the halves comes in the way of a Fullback, Hooker or a mobile Lock Forward. Whilst our current four times Premiership Winning Coach is a bit slow out of the blocks these days, I think he still has some smarts left with the assistance of Benji and Robbie.
 
BENJI WON’T WALK AWAY FROM TIGERS

Benji Marshall has put an emphatic end to any suggestion he is ready to walk away from the Wests Tigers over creative differences with recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

Marshall, earmarked to become the Tigers head coach when Tim Sheens stands aside at the end of next year, has reportedly been at loggerheads with Fulton in recent weeks over some key recruitment calls.

It prompted speculation at the weekend that Marshall was ready to walk away from the club because he and Fulton were at odds.

Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis revealed chief executive Justin Pascoe was concerned enough to clarify the situation with Marshall. Now Marshall has chimed in, telling Sport Con he has no plans to walk away from the club and remains committed to taking over the head coaching duties in 2025.

“I love my job as an assistant coach and I’m looking forward to learning more off Tim this year and in 2024 and excited to become the head coach in 2025 and I’m not walking out anywhere,” Marshall said. 
“That’s the end of it!”

Marshall has kept a low profile since giving up his job in the media to pursue his dream of becoming an NRL coach.

The fact he has now publicly refuted rumours he may walk away should put an end to any suggestion he is having second thoughts over his career choice.

The rumour mill has been in overdrive ever since club powerbrokers poached Fulton from Manly without consulting Marshall or Sheens, his appointment ultimately coming at the cost of former recruitment boss Warren McDonnell.

There have also been ongoing reports that Fulton and the coaches have been at odds over key recruitment targets, among them Manly’s Josh Schuster and Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell.

Marshall was also desperate to keep Luke Brooks and it has been suggested the club had to be convinced to make their halfback an offer. Brooks rejected the deal and instead has signed a long-term contract with Manly, who he will join next season.

“When Lee Hagipantelis went out and got a head of recruitment for his club and didn’t consult Tim Sheens or Benji Marshall, the coach and the future coach of the club, did he not think that this was a possibility?” former Tigers star Braith Anasta told NRL360.

“To not consult those two people who run the club and who set the standards. They know what players they want and they know why they want them.

“They are looking ahead. Benji is trying to build this club for the future. Benji is passionate about the joint. He loves the joint. He is trying to build this club.

“They hire a head of recruitment without talking to him and then expect it all to just be beautiful, sunshine and rainbows. I just don’t understand.” (DT)
Anyone doubting Braith Anasta's regard for WTs should read his comments.
 
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Oh believe me. State and Local governments often Pour funds into sporting grounds to have them Abandoned or unused.

The only difference is Balmain isn't marginal. So the Centre of excellence would be left to rot instead of getting upgraded.

The NRL is gunning against us. They have been gunning against the merger teams since day 1.
Actually thinking about it a bit more you bring up a good point, qld govt built cbus / skilled Park, beaut 20 - 25 k seat stadium in Robina and it hardly gets used apart from the Titans, I remember when the Titans left robina and moved further north for cheaper rent, they also renegotiated the stadium fees, the govt were preppared to leave it vacant if they didn't want to use it, it was total insanity.
 
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I have to say I am also a fan of T Boyd at the Titans. I think he is a real player, and whilst a steady 1/2- 5/8- Hooker what a handy player for any club to have in your top 17 each week! And he is a fair Goal Kicker. Good observation Bathursttiger (IMO).eating
Chances of getting him , don’t look good at all
 
Sorry just assumed the common sense thing to do would be to speak to multiple people at once incase the guy who shafted us last time was using us as a bargaining tool. Or were you in a coma when Moses left.
No shit, Sherlock! U were inferring that the club wasn’t chasing anyone! Which they were heavily. That’s why McDonald got the flick fir stuffing that whole thing up.
 

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