Coach Benji

[LeichhardtBoy]

I do not think Benji Marshall should be judged until season 2026. Benji is still picking players that suit his game style plan.There has teen a lot of dead wood to clean out. Give him 2 years to get his list right and then some time for the players to develop rhythm with each other, then judge him.

 

[Bigscreentv]

I tend to agree, but if they are completely lacking direction early in season I’d give him 10 games.

 

[upthetigers]

Nah, we should be competitive with the squad we have in 2025.

 

[Tucker]

I do not think Benji Marshall should be judged until season 2026. Benji is still picking players that suit his game style plan.There has teen a lot of dead wood to clean out. Give him 2 years to get his list right and then some time for the players to develop rhythm with each other, then judge him.

LMAO. That’s not how the world works.

Benji has been employed at this club since mid-2022 and has been heavily involved in recruitment from day one. Every recruitment decision made by Sheens was signed off by Benji, as he would ultimately be inheriting the roster. Since taking on a direct coaching role, his record stands at 48 games, with just 10 wins and 38 losses - a 21% success rate - along with back-to-back wooden spoons. To be fair, I’ll exclude the 2022 spoon from his record, as there’s no concrete proof of his influence that season.

However, he absolutely should not be given another two years based on the weak argument you’ve presented. We can’t afford to waste or lose the talent we have.

I believe his contract should be reviewed after Round 8 this year, allowing discussions to take place at Magic Round to explore EOIs for potential replacements if he isn’t performing. The first eight rounds include some winnable games - three wins should be the minimum expectation, with five being ideal.

The reason for the early mid-season review is the accessibility of potential coaching candidates during Magic Round. Organizing a coaching transition takes time, so it would be smart to start the process then if needed. If he clears this hurdle, an end-of-season review should also be conducted, with a KPI of at least a 50% win rate for the year.

Yes, it’s possible he could fail the first review but then turn things around in the second half of the season. If he does, his contract remains intact. However, if he fails the end-of-season review, he should be required to present a case to the board justifying why he should stay. Failing both reviews should result in his departure, with a replacement ready to start at the beginning of the 2026 pre-season.

 

[old_man_tiger]

If we lose more than 5 of our first 10 we should make an immediate switch to try and salvage the season. Cant waste time, players need to know we are serious or they won't stick/come to the tigers

 

[weststigers]

In terms of wins and losses, I see potential to win between 10 to 14 games this season with the current roster. The full potential of this roster is now up to the coach.

10 is the bare minimum and would be considered a D+.

14 would be an A.

We have the talent to achieve somewhere in this range not withstanding the various factors that present themselves throughout the season.

whatever happens, he and Richo have really turned the club around in terms or juniors and recruitment in a relatively short space of time. I want Benji to be successful because he took on the hardest job in the NRL and has made progress in terms of a strong club direction. Officially, it's his second season, so the results need to be far better.

On a side note, I think he would have been a great assitant to Flanno to get more experience, especially with Richo at the helm, but those decisions have been and gone.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

If we lose more than 5 of our first 10 we should make an immediate switch to try and salvage the season. Cant waste time, players need to know we are serious or they won't stick/come to the tigers

Think they should let him coach the whole season for mine, most of the team appear to like him and replacing him early could upset the players and create another exodus or at least unrest, plus if you do it the season will be a right off anyway, most of the new players signed to play under Benji you would have to create a new culture all over again, doesn't this give you a feeling of deja vu.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Think they should let him coach the whole season for mine, most of the team appear to like him and replacing him early could upset the players and create another exodus or at least unrest, plus if you do it the season will be a right off anyway, most of the new players signed to play under Benji you would have to create a new culture all over again, doesn't this give you a feeling of deja vu.

Understand your take, I still think we doomed ourself when we signed sheens and benji for 5 years though.

At some point he will surprise me or we will have to rip off the bandaid. While I hope he surprises those of us who aren't convinced, if we do have to move on then quick and clean is always better even if it is painful.

The only good outcome for us is we win a lot of games then I will be delighted, I remember being fooled after wins in rd 2 and 3 last year, and I don't want to get my hopes up based on anything less than 2 or 3 solid months.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Curve ball.
Maybe Benji resigns if we are 1/10 or 1/15 He knows he has the players now for sure , they may need a few weeks to get it together but we have a winning team or competitive team on paper , he needs to get that going on field , he won’t keep going if we are getting smashed .

 

[davey_farrell]

LMAO. That’s not how the world works.

Benji has been employed at this club since mid-2022 and has been heavily involved in recruitment from day one. Every recruitment decision made by Sheens was signed off by Benji, as he would ultimately be inheriting the roster. Since taking on a direct coaching role, his record stands at 48 games, with just 10 wins and 38 losses - a 21% success rate - along with back-to-back wooden spoons. To be fair, I’ll exclude the 2022 spoon from his record, as there’s no concrete proof of his influence that season.

However, he absolutely should not be given another two years based on the weak argument you’ve presented. We can’t afford to waste or lose the talent we have.

I believe his contract should be reviewed after Round 8 this year, allowing discussions to take place at Magic Round to explore EOIs for potential replacements if he isn’t performing. The first eight rounds include some winnable games - three wins should be the minimum expectation, with five being ideal.

The reason for the early mid-season review is the accessibility of potential coaching candidates during Magic Round. Organizing a coaching transition takes time, so it would be smart to start the process then if needed. If he clears this hurdle, an end-of-season review should also be conducted, with a KPI of at least a 50% win rate for the year.

Yes, it’s possible he could fail the first review but then turn things around in the second half of the season. If he does, his contract remains intact. However, if he fails the end-of-season review, he should be required to present a case to the board justifying why he should stay. Failing both reviews should result in his departure, with a replacement ready to start at the beginning of the 2026 pre-season.

totally and utterly agree with you Tucker, he has a say in this roster for a few years now, as Richo said he has got the team he wants now..Im sure Richo is lurking in the background should things start to unravel midway through the season and the question must be asked can he actually coach

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Understand your take, I still think we doomed ourself when we signed sheens and benji for 5 years though.

At some point he will surprise me or we will have to rip off the bandaid. While I hope he surprises those of us who aren't convinced, if we do have to move on then quick and clean is always better even if it is painful.

The only good outcome for us is we win a lot of games then I will be delighted, I remember being fooled after wins in rd 2 and 3 last year, and I don't want to get my hopes up based on anything less than 2 or 3 solid months.

We have landed a lot of good cattle for the team this year this is great but they could take a while to gel and get a role on, if we land another of the rumours targets it will be stronger again the team should improve the more quality you add, I think some NRL coaches only look good because of their rosters let's see how Robinson goes this season, Benji's influence is improving quality we must be patient.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Curve ball.
Maybe Benji resigns if we are 1/10 or 1/15 He knows he has the players now for sure , they may need a few weeks to get it together but we have a winning team or competitive team on paper , he needs to get that going on field , he won’t keep going if we are getting smashed .

I don't like curve balls they have a tendency to smack you right between the eyes with my luck, if we are 1 win, ten losses I'll eat my hat, well it is made of straw would be more palatable than say a fedora.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I don't like curve balls they have a tendency to smack you right between the eyes with my luck, if we are 1 win, ten losses I'll eat my hat, well it is made of straw would be more palatable than say a fedora.

I agree we won’t be 1/10. I’m sure but it’s just my thought as it would be a very ugly look for Benji now , I feel we go 8/10.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I agree we won’t be 1/10. I’m sure but it’s just my thought as it would be a very ugly look for Benji now , I feel we go 8/10.

Positive vibes all round please, don't want that nagging feeling deep down in the guts that previous seasons have produced.

 

[liltiger]

Only problem if we need to have the chat with Benji, is all the guys who say they signed on to play for him.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Injuries can make it really difficult for teams with an average roster and an inexperienced coach

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

Sadly if Benji fails this club is done. There is no way in hell the likes of May, Luai, Galvin, Turuva etc are hanging around if Benji fails, so much riding on him being successful. I am confident that Benji will turn things around if he doesn't it is too grim to think about.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Only problem if we need to have the chat with Benji, is all the guys who say they signed on to play for him.

If they are not winning you would think if the culture improves their unity would bring them all together and fight really hard to get out of the losing rut, this is what I'm hoping where we are at this point in time.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Injuries can make it really difficult for teams with an average roster and an inexperienced coach

And worse if your depth turns out to be crap, if half your team is out injured most of the time you are stuffed unless you are a Bellamy.

 

[orange&black]

I think Benji has certainly had some problems to overcome in his first couple of seasons involved in the coaching team however now things at board and management level have finally been sorted, coaching squad is more settled (although ability of assistants is yet to be tested), Richo has taken control, the roster is taking shape and looks far better- i think now it is fair to really examine Benji as a head coach.
So far the signs have been positive with players looking fitter and training discipline improving, players speaking very positively about him (apart from Bateman it seems), he has made tough calls when he has needed to, and he seems to have attracted quality players to the club.
I am inclined to give him this season to show what he can achieve- he is a very smart guy with terrific people skills, he certainly knows the game and was a great player, he has the players respect and he is still young enough to understand the current game and generation of players. I believe with a bit of time he will learn to be a great coach and at this point he deserves the right for fans to be patient and give him this time.