Benji's coaching skills

Strategically, there have been clear improvements. You can see the coaching program and recruitment paying dividends. When you look at players like Toa and Pole improving, and you see Ice, Stef, Bateman and Klemmer all swapped out for the better... there is not much to complain about really... Galvin is leaving, I think he's an excellent but still overrated player. Benji is also handling the media glare with honesty and skill, with the clubs best interests at heart.

Tactically, it's pretty mixed. We've held a lead in nearly every match this season, in most games we drop off before and after the half time break. We don't respond well to conceding a try. And playing 'eyes up footy' seems to become 'overdoing it' when you look at our last tackle decisions against the Sharks. Benji directed the team to overplay against the Eels in last year's spoon bowl and directed the team to underplay against the Knights in round 1. I'm not massively sold on his match day coaching. It's a mixed bag. However, I feel he knows his best team, is brave selecting kids, and has made some really nifty interchanges that have genuinely changed games in our favour.
 
Jolls said:
On the money but it could be more about timing and postioning than capability. I have been watching our attack to figure out where we are heading with it as we aren't playing anything remotely like the other clubs. At first Galvin was overplaying his hand a lot and I thought at first this was him. However, as I have looked back at it I think where we are heading ibecomes a little clearer (although still a little murky). I think the combination with Sam F is coming together and there is a time and space understanding there (that will only improve) that allows the sweep/X/Y plays to be executed while allowing the halves to play what they see. This hasn't occured with Seyfarth on the other edge. I don't thak that is from lack of effeort on his part - I don't think he has that same football sense gets him in the right place at the right time. What we need is that Kikau/Romey clicque on that edge.

I also think that we will need to shift Galvin at some time to make space for Latu when he returns from injury. How that affects the timing and execution is yet to be seen - but he defintiley won't run the sem lines or be as active across the park as Galvin - so how does that affect the attack.

I guess it is going a long way to get there - but is the issue Seyfarth or is it that the coordination, in contact, is still developing. Seyfarth appears to be the guy that will do exactly what you tell him - he just gets there a little too early, or a little to late at the moment. He has the ability to run the right line; the question is does he understand when to run it?
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There’s been a few times where he is in the right spot but doesn’t get the ball also. Galvin is run for himself first mentality and doesn’t think past the current play. This will change over time and will be interesting the progression over the season if the edge stays the same
 
BAGNF05 said:
He’s very uncoordinated. Bellamy would give him a simple role off the bench. That’s Seyfarth’s ceiling.
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I was thinking about this last night and I think he has been given a pretty simple role. I rewatched the game agaisnt Cronulla with a eye on that edge and Galvin. When Galvin swings around the Luai's edge, Luai striaghtens the play a litle and digs Galvin into the line wher he links up with Sam F or AD depending on the reaction of the opposition edge. On the other side of the field, even when Luai is first receiver the play tends to creep sideways and Seyfarth seems to be getting the ball well before the line. Perhaps this is predominantly two left side players now split - but our left edge definitely needs work in attack and I think it is as much a Galvin issue as it is Seyfarth's. The pair of them need to own the problem and work out a resolution.
 
Jolls said:
I was thinking about this last night and I think he has been given a pretty simple role. I rewatched the game agaisnt Cronulla with an eye on that edge and Galvin. When Galvin swings around the Luai's edge, Luai striaghtens the play a litle and digs Galvin into the line wher he links up with Sam F or AD depending on the reaction of the opposition edge. On the other side of the field, even when Luai is first receiver the play tends to creep sideways and Seyfarth seems to be getting the ball well before the line. Perhaps this is predominantly two left side players now split - but our left edge definitely needs work in attack and I think it is as much a Galvin issue as it is Seyfarth's. The pair of them need to own the problem and work out a resolution.
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He’s the player who needs the most coaching in my opinion. Looks lost a lot of the time. Runs poor lines, makes bad decisions which lead to mistakes and penalties. I can’t question his work rate but that’s not enough. We are essentially attacking without a second rower on that edge. If you watch Turuva’s try over he doesn’t lay a line and is basically lucky he didn’t get hit by the ball.
 

Dean Ritchie admits he was wrong about Benji Marshall’s commitment to coaching | Bulldog’s Bite
Just over a year ago, I questioned Benji Marshall’s commitment after he refused to be a ‘24/7 coach’. Now I have to admit I was wrong, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

Benji Marshall, Dally M coach of the year?

Don’t scoff.

Maybe it’s time to rid myself of some guilt.

I am sheepish – and a little regretful – about a Bulldog’s Bite column from 14 months ago where I publicly questioned Marshall’s commitment as an NRL coach. It was my most-read opinion editorial of the season.

I remember the night my column broke online. I was at Fox Studios preparing for NRL 360 when Marshall rang and gave me a spray, albeit measured. We haven’t spoken since.

But sometimes in life you have to admit you got it wrong. In hindsight, was the column unjust? Probably.

Yes, it’s only early in the season but, incredibly, Marshall has moved his team up nine spots this year compared to the end of 2024 – easily the best of any coach. Put bluntly, Marshall has done a sensational job this season.

If Marshall could somehow manufacture a finals appearance this year, he would have to be adjudged Dally M coach of the year.

I am repentant for insinuating Marshall was a part-time coach. I don’t know the hours Marshall puts in each week but, whatever his formula, it’s certainly working.

So I sent Marshall a text message on Monday telling him that I felt last year’s column may have been unfair and asked whether he would supply a quote for this column.

He responded respectfully, saying: “Hi mate. Cheers for the text. In hindsight, I guess that’s your job and it’s a part of the game. Cheers for reaching out for quotes but I’m good to just focus on the footy mate and not say much. Thanks.”

Before round one last year, I wrote a column which placed immediate and heavy scrutiny on Marshall, in his first season as solo head coach.

I wrote: “A rock star who will revolutionise coaching or a rookie coach who won’t put in the hours to succeed? Can his flamboyant personality resonate into a hardworking coach over the laborious grind of an NRL, covering every minute detail about a looming game?

“Marshall will officially start his highly-anticipated coaching tenure this Saturday amid questions throughout rugby league over his new-age methods.

“One Wests Tigers player told his manager that Marshall will sometimes arrive at his Concord office three hours after other staff members. There is a general expectation that coaches start work between 5am and 6am every day. Marshall doesn’t operate that way.”

A year on and I type this column feeling a little uncomfortable.

Wests Tigers have recorded five wins this season, two in succession, and are sitting inside the top eight. They also lost two games by just two points. The Tigers have actually secured more wins than more fancied rivals including the Roosters, Cowboys, Penrith, Manly and Souths.

Defence is attitude and Wests Tigers are conceding ten points less a game on average compared to last year are four-points-a-game better team in attack.

Wests Tigers haven’t won ten or more games in a season since 2019. They are already halfway there after nine rounds. The last time Wests Tigers were in the top eight this deep into the season was post-round ten, 2020.

Wests Tigers were courageous in a golden point win over Cronulla in round eight before withstanding a late Dragons charge last weekend. The players stayed cool under pressure, just like their coach.

It clearly showed the players are playing for Marshall. Wests Tigers look happy and committed. This from a team who claimed three successive wooden spoons through 14 wins from 72 games. No doubt Wests Tigers would have lost those two tight matches during the past three seasons.

I didn’t agree with Marshall’s decision to drop Lachlan Galvin three weeks ago but it only steeled his side.

Marshall has openly claimed he wants to spend time with his family – which is honourable – and play the odd round of golf. I couldn’t imagine Craig Bellamy playing a mid-season round of golf – without snapping his clubs – but we all tread different paths and certainly need time out for our professions.

The calmness Marshall secures from clearing his head has permeated through his team.

Marshall was never going to be a stereotype coach and his recruitment drive which nabbed Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Sunia Turuva showed Wests Tigers is now a club players want to join.

I wrote last year: “The list of great players who have failed as coaches is long and ugly. International players, dud coaches.”

Marshall isn’t a dud. That we can definitively ascertain after nine rounds this year. Marshall is sprinkling his magic dust around at Concord.

I’m still not totally convinced Wests Tigers can play finals footy but Marshall has given his club credibility through wins this year over rival coaches Craig Fitzgibbon, Shane Flanagan, Adam O’Brien, Kristian Woolf and Jason Ryles.

Marshall and his Wests Tigers face Bellamy and the Storm in Melbourne this Sunday. Wests Tigers haven’t won three games in a row since 2018.

The true test has arrived and Benji appears more than ready.

DOG TREATS

A third party close to Lachlan Galvin started preparing for the future had the young gun been sacked by Wests Tigers.

Galvin still has another 18 months remaining on his deal at Concord and, at this point, seems likely to fulfil his contract.

But a third-party contacted Sydney sprint guru Roger Fabri during the recent drama about working with Galvin had the Tigers number six been forced out of the club.

The club is now standing firmly behind Galvin, who will play a key role in Wests Tigers’ big match against Melbourne this Sunday.

Fabri’s work with James Tedesco over the past two summers has proven pivotal in the Sydney Roosters full-back’s magic form this season.
 
I think Benji will be a great coach, because of his emotional intelligence and awareness of how people operate.

I think Shane Flanagan, Madge etc, they get football, but they don't have close to the same awareness of understanding humanity. They are oldskool, and I think the oldskool days, while not dead yet, are dying.

You can scoff, and say who cares, they are there for football. But my theory, is times changed, and Benjis style is going to get the best out of players, because they will feel great in themselves.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:

Dean Ritchie admits he was wrong about Benji Marshall’s commitment to coaching | Bulldog’s Bite
Just over a year ago, I questioned Benji Marshall’s commitment after he refused to be a ‘24/7 coach’. Now I have to admit I was wrong, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

Benji Marshall, Dally M coach of the year?

Don’t scoff.

Maybe it’s time to rid myself of some guilt.

I am sheepish – and a little regretful – about a Bulldog’s Bite column from 14 months ago where I publicly questioned Marshall’s commitment as an NRL coach. It was my most-read opinion editorial of the season.

I remember the night my column broke online. I was at Fox Studios preparing for NRL 360 when Marshall rang and gave me a spray, albeit measured. We haven’t spoken since.

But sometimes in life you have to admit you got it wrong. In hindsight, was the column unjust? Probably.

Yes, it’s only early in the season but, incredibly, Marshall has moved his team up nine spots this year compared to the end of 2024 – easily the best of any coach. Put bluntly, Marshall has done a sensational job this season.

If Marshall could somehow manufacture a finals appearance this year, he would have to be adjudged Dally M coach of the year.

I am repentant for insinuating Marshall was a part-time coach. I don’t know the hours Marshall puts in each week but, whatever his formula, it’s certainly working.

So I sent Marshall a text message on Monday telling him that I felt last year’s column may have been unfair and asked whether he would supply a quote for this column.

He responded respectfully, saying: “Hi mate. Cheers for the text. In hindsight, I guess that’s your job and it’s a part of the game. Cheers for reaching out for quotes but I’m good to just focus on the footy mate and not say much. Thanks.”

Before round one last year, I wrote a column which placed immediate and heavy scrutiny on Marshall, in his first season as solo head coach.

I wrote: “A rock star who will revolutionise coaching or a rookie coach who won’t put in the hours to succeed? Can his flamboyant personality resonate into a hardworking coach over the laborious grind of an NRL, covering every minute detail about a looming game?

“Marshall will officially start his highly-anticipated coaching tenure this Saturday amid questions throughout rugby league over his new-age methods.

“One Wests Tigers player told his manager that Marshall will sometimes arrive at his Concord office three hours after other staff members. There is a general expectation that coaches start work between 5am and 6am every day. Marshall doesn’t operate that way.”

A year on and I type this column feeling a little uncomfortable.

Wests Tigers have recorded five wins this season, two in succession, and are sitting inside the top eight. They also lost two games by just two points. The Tigers have actually secured more wins than more fancied rivals including the Roosters, Cowboys, Penrith, Manly and Souths.

Defence is attitude and Wests Tigers are conceding ten points less a game on average compared to last year are four-points-a-game better team in attack.

Wests Tigers haven’t won ten or more games in a season since 2019. They are already halfway there after nine rounds. The last time Wests Tigers were in the top eight this deep into the season was post-round ten, 2020.

Wests Tigers were courageous in a golden point win over Cronulla in round eight before withstanding a late Dragons charge last weekend. The players stayed cool under pressure, just like their coach.

It clearly showed the players are playing for Marshall. Wests Tigers look happy and committed. This from a team who claimed three successive wooden spoons through 14 wins from 72 games. No doubt Wests Tigers would have lost those two tight matches during the past three seasons.

I didn’t agree with Marshall’s decision to drop Lachlan Galvin three weeks ago but it only steeled his side.

Marshall has openly claimed he wants to spend time with his family – which is honourable – and play the odd round of golf. I couldn’t imagine Craig Bellamy playing a mid-season round of golf – without snapping his clubs – but we all tread different paths and certainly need time out for our professions.

The calmness Marshall secures from clearing his head has permeated through his team.

Marshall was never going to be a stereotype coach and his recruitment drive which nabbed Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Sunia Turuva showed Wests Tigers is now a club players want to join.

I wrote last year: “The list of great players who have failed as coaches is long and ugly. International players, dud coaches.”

Marshall isn’t a dud. That we can definitively ascertain after nine rounds this year. Marshall is sprinkling his magic dust around at Concord.

I’m still not totally convinced Wests Tigers can play finals footy but Marshall has given his club credibility through wins this year over rival coaches Craig Fitzgibbon, Shane Flanagan, Adam O’Brien, Kristian Woolf and Jason Ryles.

Marshall and his Wests Tigers face Bellamy and the Storm in Melbourne this Sunday. Wests Tigers haven’t won three games in a row since 2018.

The true test has arrived and Benji appears more than ready.

DOG TREATS

A third party close to Lachlan Galvin started preparing for the future had the young gun been sacked by Wests Tigers.

Galvin still has another 18 months remaining on his deal at Concord and, at this point, seems likely to fulfil his contract.

But a third-party contacted Sydney sprint guru Roger Fabri during the recent drama about working with Galvin had the Tigers number six been forced out of the club.

The club is now standing firmly behind Galvin, who will play a key role in Wests Tigers’ big match against Melbourne this Sunday.

Fabri’s work with James Tedesco over the past two summers has proven pivotal in the Sydney Roosters full-back’s magic form this season.
Click to expand...
These people close to Galvin seem like a confused lot. You’re worth more than a million bucks but you need extra sprint training but only if you leave…WTF?
 
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