Season 2027 Head Coach

[Glenji95]

Would you back Jim Dymock or Ben Hornby with his record? Or does the name Benii Marshall carry a lot of emotional weight?

No doubt Benji carries emotional weight for some people, but our history shows that even getting rid of him isn’t making us finals bound. People are just sick and tired of changing coaches and still not making finals. And the same will occur should Benji be moved on we aren’t making finals under a new coach.

 

[happy_tiger]

Benji Should still be doing his apprenticeship but he wouldn't have taken the job if he was having to follow the hard road
HBG won't sack him because they don't want to have to fork out the cash to pay him out or look like the idiots they are for upgrading his contract for an unproven coach with a poor win loss ratio
So we are screwed royally ....yet again

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

And that's where a coach comes to the forefront RHS.

Oh no T, you want to give our coach the flick, seems you're not the only one, a lot of the forum are sharpening their knives.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Win lose or draw marshall isn't going anywhere unless he voluntarily steps down because the ceo & Co have all endorsed him as the right man to take the club forward no matter how long it takes, so strap yourselves in folks for another rollercoaster 27 & beyond
🙄

Let's hope Benji has a look into a mirror to reflect where he has gone this year----backwards----and does something about it.
EG. Take some opposing advice onboard, NOT as CRITISISM but ADVICE.
Different points of view, take it onboard. It just may help win games?

 

[jadtiger]

Let's hope Benji has a look into a mirror to reflect where he has gone this year----backwards----and does something about it.
EG. Take some opposing advice onboard, NOT as CRITISISM but ADVICE.
Different points of view, take it onboard. It just may help win games?

As always if you surround yourself with "yes men/women" you have a monumental stuff up because people are either too scared to tell you the truth or as deluded as you are.You only have to look at the shambles of a government in the USA to realise that.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

if Latu and Javon can make some sort of impact next year in the halves than you may see coaches lining up to take the reins. No coach wants to come into a club that is a complete mess and especially lacking quality in the spine, however that could change fairly quickly if they see significant upside.

In theory Latu and Andrews sounds great.
But Benji is beholding to Doueihi staying in the halves.
Benji should do an Albo trick and "Change His Position"
IE. start rehearsing the Latu-Andrews combo this year!
Doueihi plays where he is told and Luai KOE.

 

[TheEnz]

Lets compare Benji's performance to other coaches that are still considered rookies in first grade i.e. Ciraldo, Foran, Ryles, Fitzy and Hannay. Of the lot he is probably the second most inexperienced behind Foran and of the lot I could probably say that Ciraldo is coaching a club that was in a similar position to us when they both took the reins. Some may Argue That Fitzy is no longer a rookie...if so just remove him yourselves.

(Claude AI)
If we only count each coach's record at the club they are currently coaching (as of the 2026 NRL season), the comparison changes significantly:

Coach	Current Club	Games	Wins	Losses	Win %
Craig Fitzgibbon	Cronulla Sharks	125	79	46	63.2%
Kieran Foran	Manly Sea Eagles	14	9	5	64.3%
Cameron Ciraldo	Canterbury Bulldogs	95	47	48	49.5%
Josh Hannay	Gold Coast Titans	20	6	14	30.0%
Benji Marshall	Wests Tigers	68	22	46	32.4%

Ranked by win percentage:

1. Kieran Foran (Manly) – 64.3%
2. Craig Fitzgibbon (Cronulla) – 63.2%
3. Cameron Ciraldo (Bulldogs) – 49.5%
4. Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers) – 32.4%
5. Josh Hannay (Titans) – 30.0%

Analysis
Craig Fitzgibbon has the strongest body of work when balancing win rate and sample size. Maintaining a 63% win rate across 125 games is elite by modern NRL standards and has kept Cronulla consistently in finals contention.
Kieran Foran currently has the highest win percentage, but it comes from a very small sample of only 14 games. If maintained over multiple seasons, it would place him among the competition's top coaches.
Cameron Ciraldo's record requires context. His first season at Canterbury involved a major rebuild, but the Bulldogs have steadily improved under his leadership. A near-50% record across almost 100 games suggests sustained progress from a low starting point.
Benji Marshall inherited a struggling Wests Tigers organisation and has faced the challenge of rebuilding one of the competition's weakest-performing clubs. His win rate remains low, but his record should be assessed alongside the significant roster and cultural changes undertaken during his tenure.
Josh Hannay's first season at the Titans has been difficult, reflected in a 30% win rate. The sample size is still relatively small, and the long-term assessment of his coaching ability will depend on whether Gold Coast can improve over the next few seasons.
Adding payroll, roster quality and inherited club position changes the picture considerably because win percentage alone doesn't capture the difficulty of the job each coach took on.

Coach	Club	Win %	Club Position When Arriving	Roster Strength on Arrival	Relative Performance
Craig Fitzgibbon	Sharks	63.2%	Finals-calibre club (9th in 2021)	Top-8 roster with elite spine players	Strong improvement
Cameron Ciraldo	Bulldogs	49.5%	Bottom-four club (15th in 2022)	Weak roster undergoing rebuild	Significant over-performance
Benji Marshall	Tigers	32.4%	Wooden-spoon club (17th in 2023)	Bottom-tier roster initially	Moderate improvement
Josh Hannay	Titans	30.0%	Bottom-four club	Talented but inconsistent roster	Slight under-performance
Kieran Foran	Sea Eagles	64.3%	Finals-contending club	Established top-eight roster	Too early to assess

Improvement from the Season Before Arrival

Coach	Season Before Arrival	Club Finish Before Arrival	Best Finish Under Coach	Change
Ciraldo	Bulldogs	15th	Finals contender	Major improvement
Fitzgibbon	Sharks	9th	Top-four contender	Significant improvement
Marshall	Tigers	17th	Lower-mid table	Moderate improvement
Hannay	Titans	Bottom four	Similar position	Limited improvement
Foran	Sea Eagles	Finals contender	Ongoing	Incomplete sample

Assessment

1. Cameron Ciraldo
   • Although his raw win percentage trails Fitzgibbon, he inherited the toughest situation.
   • Canterbury were coming off years of instability and poor recruitment.
   • Turning a bottom-two side into a competitive finals team is arguably the largest coaching achievement among this group.
2. Craig Fitzgibbon
   • The most accomplished coach based on sustained performance.
   • Has produced elite results over a large sample size.
   • However, he inherited a substantially stronger roster than Ciraldo or Marshall.
3. Benji Marshall
   • The win percentage looks poor, but context matters.
   • He inherited a club that had collected multiple wooden spoons and struggled to attract elite talent.
   • Improvement has been slower than Bulldogs under Ciraldo but the starting point was similarly difficult.
4. Kieran Foran
   • Excellent early results.
   • Too few games to determine whether the performance is sustainable.
   • Benefits from inheriting a roster containing established representative-level talent.
5. Josh Hannay
   • Has inherited a roster many analysts consider capable of finishing higher than it has.
   • Results to date suggest under-performance relative to roster quality.
   • Needs more time, but currently ranks last on adjusted performance.

If I were ranking purely on "coaching value added" relative to what they inherited, I would currently place them:

1. Cameron Ciraldo
2. Craig Fitzgibbon
3. Benji Marshall
4. Kieran Foran (insufficient sample)
5. Josh Hannay

If I were ranking purely on "results delivered as an NRL head coach", regardless of circumstances:

1. Craig Fitzgibbon
2. Kieran Foran (small sample)
3. Cameron Ciraldo
4. Benji Marshall
5. Josh Hannay

That distinction between absolute results and improvement over inherited circumstances is where the debate between Fitzgibbon and Ciraldo becomes most interesting.

 

[innsaneink]

Most here suggesting we are unlikely to win again this year

Benji and the team wont be thinking this way its just how it is at NRL level even when it seems like its 10000/1 odds against you...professional sportsman always go into games thinking they can win

The argument is:
Do we drop or move Luai, Douehi... (very rarely happens) and put in place the so called future in the halves?
Likely ensuring no more wins and goingn into next season on an 11 game losing streak?
Or
Play who the coach believes will be best suited to get a win or possible two...our most senior guys...hoping to jag a dub and relieve a bit of pressure going into the off season.

Drinkwater, Nikorima, Koloamatangi etc etc are all moving on next year but havent been dropped.

What i would do is get those that are busted into surgery to be ready for next year but clubs...those that pay the players salary...have no say in this, if the players wanna delay needed surgery and play rep footy they do what they like.

 

[TheEnz]

Drinkwater, Nikorima, Koloamatangi etc etc are all moving on next year but havent been dropped.

All at teams that are still playing for a finals berth. I expect Benji will bring 1 or 2 up each week to first grade to give them a taste, and to be fair it looks like he has already started doing this with Javon Josese, Haywood, Sukuru, Roberts etc.. and i expect he will continue doing this in our remaining games. Not wholesale changes just players here and there. The upside is we go into 2027 with a large number of players that have an idea of what it will take to be successful in first grade and will hopefully rip in during the offseason and pre-season.

 

[tonza]

Oh no T, you want to give our coach the flick, seems you're not the only one, a lot of the forum are sharpening their knives.

I did not say that RHS but I would like to see some green shoots very shortly.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Brad Arthur as a coaching director would be good.

Benji needs someone to coach him and so do the other coaches.

Would his contract, or ego, welcome that? I always thought that part of his deal is total authority, in hiring and firing !
Can’t see that happening over him but assistants may well be a different matter. Bomber Morris already leaving for the Dragons in 27, now Hodgo and Heighno need to go as well. Then where do we go for assistants, I think it’s proven the old mates act not working so has to be someone able to deliver impartial, tough feedback.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Most here suggesting we are unlikely to win again this year

Benji and the team wont be thinking this way its just how it is at NRL level even when it seems like its 10000/1 odds against you...professional sportsman always go into games thinking they can win

The argument is:
Do we drop or move Luai, Douehi... (very rarely happens) and put in place the so called future in the halves?
Likely ensuring no more wins and goingn into next season on an 11 game losing streak?
Or
Play who the coach believes will be best suited to get a win or possible two...our most senior guys...hoping to jag a dub and relieve a bit of pressure going into the off season.

Drinkwater, Nikorima, Koloamatangi etc etc are all moving on next year but havent been dropped.

What i would do is get those that are busted into surgery to be ready for next year but clubs...those that pay the players salary...have no say in this, if the players wanna delay needed surgery and play rep footy they do what they like.

Difference is with those 3 players mentioned, they are still putting in but the Gangsta is not ! Douehi, line ball !

 

[Lestronge]

In what world can you say our defence is improving?

Just systems mate . Often the systems are right but the guys are just making stupid decisions . Like Masi against the eels . The issue is too many guys next to each other who are confidence guys . I see growth from last year . Doesn’t mean it’s good . I never said it was good . But it’s not u7s, worst defence ever diabolical - despite the losses . I’m just not a prisoner of the moment . 2 years ago under easier rules we were getting 60 consistently put on us. It’s all relative mate . Like I said it’s nowhere near good enough , and I’m sure the usual pitch fork holders won’t read this post , but yea incrementally it is getting better .
We need to make large steps next year though . Too many guys who think it’s ok to make a couple of mistakes a game . We have to find a way to make these understand the goal is perfection . You’ll never achieve it . But that’s the goal .

 

[Odessa]

Would you back Jim Dymock or Ben Hornby with his record? Or does the name Benii Marshall carry a lot of emotional weight?

Jim Dymock I have heard off a few people an absolutely amazing coach but also heard off the same people absolutely a number 2 because he is lazy and late and needs someone to ride him he's your number 2

Jim Dymock also has an absolutely amazing property portfolio he spent every cent of his Super League checks buying property up around Newcastle way all those years ago

 

[Tim Sheens]

While they pay out yet another long, and seriously questionable, contract 🤦‍♀️

I am happy enough for Benji to have another shot in 27, though that choice of providing an extension for a few extra years was horrendous, and especially when likely made primarily to take the board debacle off the news cycle.

 

[batboy]

On what planet is that true ? Did they have thier star half get his head turned to go to png? Did they at one point have something like 7 of thier 8 best players not playing , did they have the supposed heir apparent of the club , Have a dummy spit and torpedo the back half of the comp ?
And really the expectation based on last year was that was a top 8 side . Many had Ryles as coach of the year .
Take your hate goggles off and actually play the balls in front of you . Is our attack shit , yes … is our defence improving but inconsistent … very yes .
But I don’t even know why we call the head coach the head coach anymore , that role is 💯 closer to a football manager than a head coach .
I think we need better assistants , I also think we got absolutely screwed by the draw . We had to redline early , because we missed the jump 2 years before , and then when we got all our injuries because of it … the nrl decided to put our 2nd bye in the 3rd last week of the comp . You can say that’s bullshit , or excuse making , which to a degree I’d agree with you , you gotta play the hand your dealt , but Jesus what a shitty hand it was .
Compare that with teams like the roosters who go 8 weeks bye , 8 weeks ,bye …. Much easier to maintain .
The nrl is bullshit , it’s corrupt AF . Watch the bears get a billion wtf calls next year because the nrl needs it to be successful . And they can blame AI for the draw , but seriously , straight away AI spits out a draw where one of the tigers or titans has a round 1 bye and your saying do it again . We all know why e for the bye , because Richo rejected Vegas .
Anyways I digress . I think you’re on one with this whole parra have had it harder nonsense .

More Fanboying....
This Planet - You should spend a little more time here.

Parra have had it tougher, And are a better Football side
- As of a few weeks ago, They're actually leading the weeks missed with Injury (And it's not close)

I don't have the appetite to negate your clueless lengthy dribble here, As easy as you make it.
I'm sure you've got a few others on the boil to keep yourself busy.

I will add, I love this 'Marginal' Improvement you've pinned all over your chest and can't stop banging on about.
When I look at this years squad, and the Squad from the early 20's
- If we didn't see 'Marginal Improvement'

I'd be getting your shitty outlandish excuses defending such mediocrity printed on TShirts.

 

[ancient_magpie]

More Fanboying....
This Planet - You should spend a little more time here.

Parra have had it tougher, And are a better Football side
- As of a few weeks ago, They're actually leading the weeks missed with Injury (And it's not close)

I don't have the appetite to negate your clueless lengthy dribble here, As easy as you make it.
I'm sure you've got a few others on the boil to keep yourself busy.

I will add, I love this 'Marginal' Improvement you've pinned all over your chest and can't stop banging on about.
When I look at this years squad, and the Squad from the early 20's
- If we didn't see 'Marginal Improvement'

I'd be getting your shitty outlandish excuses defending such mediocrity printed on TShirts.

Batboy i think you need anger management.