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Article by Phil Clown Rothfield September 21
A SHATTERED Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall last night criticised the club's management over the departure of Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington to the Cronulla Sharks in recent days.
"The playing group is just as confused as the fans and the sponsors," Marshall said on Channel 9's Footy Show. "They are two of my best mates. When they told me I cried for a little bit. When they're your best mates, it's very hard to cop.
"I'm really rattled by it."
The Tigers five-eighth was speaking for the first time about the upheaval that has also left coach Tim Sheens fighting to retain his job.
"I've got the utmost respect for Tim as a coach and friend," he said.
"We don't always agree eye-to-eye on a lot of things and we have our moments but his coaching ability is up there with the best in the world. You don't replace a coach unless there is someone better, then maybe it is time for a change."
He was clearly more upset about losing the two players.
"They are not just any players," Marshall said. "One (Heighington) has played over 200 games for the Tigers and holds the record for the most games for the club."
"And the other guy (Ryan), what he brings not only on the field but in terms of what he does on the Footy Show with his marketability for the club, I just don't understand it.
"Not because they're gone but the fashion in which they've gone.
"They both had deals on the table which to my knowledge were done. At the end of the day it got turned around on them. Now they're both ending up at the Sharks.
"As mates, it's pretty hard to swallow. More importantly for a club, no one wanted to see them go. It's pretty heartbreaking to tell you the truth.
"Chris Heighington is the heart and soul of the club. He gets everyone together.
"The sort of Nathan Hindmarsh player who holds everyone together."
Those closest to Marshall say he is so disappointed he may even reconsider his own future at the club.
Ryan also spoke about why he left the club, revealing the Tigers had not come up with the deal to which he originally agreed.
"I saw the honesty in (Sharks coach) Shane Flanagan's eye and shook hands," he said. "Now I'm looking forward to it. I had to do what was best for myself."
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
A SHATTERED Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall last night criticised the club's management over the departure of Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington to the Cronulla Sharks in recent days.
"The playing group is just as confused as the fans and the sponsors," Marshall said on Channel 9's Footy Show. "They are two of my best mates. When they told me I cried for a little bit. When they're your best mates, it's very hard to cop.
"I'm really rattled by it."
The Tigers five-eighth was speaking for the first time about the upheaval that has also left coach Tim Sheens fighting to retain his job.
"I've got the utmost respect for Tim as a coach and friend," he said.
"We don't always agree eye-to-eye on a lot of things and we have our moments but his coaching ability is up there with the best in the world. You don't replace a coach unless there is someone better, then maybe it is time for a change."
He was clearly more upset about losing the two players.
"They are not just any players," Marshall said. "One (Heighington) has played over 200 games for the Tigers and holds the record for the most games for the club."
"And the other guy (Ryan), what he brings not only on the field but in terms of what he does on the Footy Show with his marketability for the club, I just don't understand it.
"Not because they're gone but the fashion in which they've gone.
"They both had deals on the table which to my knowledge were done. At the end of the day it got turned around on them. Now they're both ending up at the Sharks.
"As mates, it's pretty hard to swallow. More importantly for a club, no one wanted to see them go. It's pretty heartbreaking to tell you the truth.
"Chris Heighington is the heart and soul of the club. He gets everyone together.
"The sort of Nathan Hindmarsh player who holds everyone together."
Those closest to Marshall say he is so disappointed he may even reconsider his own future at the club.
Ryan also spoke about why he left the club, revealing the Tigers had not come up with the deal to which he originally agreed.
"I saw the honesty in (Sharks coach) Shane Flanagan's eye and shook hands," he said. "Now I'm looking forward to it. I had to do what was best for myself."
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
