Tigers confirm Marshall won't be at club in 2021

[diedpretty]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.

Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

 

[Strider]

'Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in , and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.'

Hard to argue with that :'( Hard to watch. Our attacks strengths, including Garner and even new guys like BJ seem to not being used. Seems like he is determined to play some style.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Yes, Interesting.
I may be reading too much into this, but from this article it appears to me that Chammas has a well placed contact in the WT hierarchy who doesn't want Maguire there. That person is the leak, via Chammas.
Note Chammas didn't bother to quote Aloia, Twal or Nofoaluma who all said the 'walking on eggshells' and 'losing the dressing room' is overstated.
I think I'll believe those players version over Chammas'.
Take a deep breath Benji and retire with dignity.

 

[tigerbalm]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Here we go again.

 

[Tiger5150]

I hate to say it or think it but on a superficial level, Benji seems to be the common denominator in all this.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

I have a question. Is it brooks who’s the issue ? Seems in the 7 years he’s been in first grade , everytime a player revolt happens he’s in the centre of it. I’m a believer in brooksy , but if my assumption is even partially correct , which I hope it isn’t , then for me personally , I wouldn’t have him there .
Also the Dally M halfback of the year in 2018 , had a statistically better year last year , despite the lack of medals on the mantelpiece.
I’m not accusing just putting ideas out there .

 

[Tiger5150]

I have a question. Is it brooks who’s the issue ? Seems in the 7 years he’s been in first grade , ***everytime a player revolt happens he’s in the centre of it.*** I’m a believer in brooksy , but if my assumption is even partially correct , which I hope it isn’t , then for me personally , I wouldn’t have him there .

Really? Ive seriously never had that impression. He has always struck me as a meek shy guy and Ive never had the impression that Brooks was at the centre of a player "revolt".

Farah, Benji maybe, personally Ive never had that vibe with Brooks.

 

[Aesopian]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Scummy move. Tar & feather the lot of them.

As Toovey would say “There needs to be an investigation”

 

[JC99]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Yes, Interesting.
I may be reading too much into this, but from this article it appears to me that Chammas has a well placed contact in the WT hierarchy who doesn't want Maguire there. That person is the leak, via Chammas.
Note Chammas didn't bother to quote Aloia, Twal or Nofoaluma who all said the 'walking on eggshells' and 'losing the dressing room' is overstated.
I think I'll believe those players version over Chammas'.
Take a deep breath Benji and retire with dignity.

Definitely someone that doesn’t want Madge there. It’s something that happens too often at our club and for the first time in 10 years we need to back the coach here

 

[Tiger5150]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Yes, Interesting.
I may be reading too much into this, but from this article it appears to me that Chammas has a well placed contact in the WT hierarchy who doesn't want Maguire there. That person is the leak, via Chammas.
Note Chammas didn't bother to quote Aloia, Twal or Nofoaluma who all said the 'walking on eggshells' and 'losing the dressing room' is overstated.
I think I'll believe those players version over Chammas'.
Take a deep breath Benji and retire with dignity.

Definitely someone that doesn’t want Madge there. It’s something that happens too often at our club and for the first time in 10 years we need to back the coach here

IMO Club should send a strong message to the media and players and extend Madge.

 

[innsaneink]

This will all stop when benji goes

 

[innsaneink]

Another fb memory

 

[gallagher]

Another fb memory

Pretty apt who's in the background.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I have a question. Is it brooks who’s the issue ? Seems in the 7 years he’s been in first grade , everytime a player revolt happens he’s in the centre of it. I’m a believer in brooksy , but if my assumption is even partially correct , which I hope it isn’t , then for me personally , I wouldn’t have him there .
Also the Dally M halfback of the year in 2018 , had a statistically better year last year , despite the lack of medals on the mantelpiece.
I’m not accusing just putting ideas out there .

Timing is everything. These articles are published now, doesn't that at the very least make you curious?

And no I don't believe Brooks is a Fletcher Christian figure.

As I commented yesterday, the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.

Chammas is the 'go to' journalist for WTs. Should every WTs' supporter and official be concerned?

 

[avocadoontoast]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Yes, Interesting.
I may be reading too much into this, but from this article it appears to me that Chammas has a well placed contact in the WT hierarchy who doesn't want Maguire there. That person is the leak, via Chammas.
Note Chammas didn't bother to quote Aloia, Twal or Nofoaluma who all said the 'walking on eggshells' and 'losing the dressing room' is overstated.
I think I'll believe those players version over Chammas'.
Take a deep breath Benji and retire with dignity.

Definitely someone that doesn’t want Madge there. It’s something that happens too often at our club and for the first time in 10 years we need to back the coach here

Sure sounds like there has been a move to try and get rid of him. From someone high up it appears..

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Weird that it is announced this way. I thought they would have kept it quiet and given him some time to make a decision and announce his retirement if that is what he is going to do.

Sometimes people need a little push

 

[Moh]

I have a question. Is it brooks who’s the issue ? Seems in the 7 years he’s been in first grade , everytime a player revolt happens he’s in the centre of it. I’m a believer in brooksy , but if my assumption is even partially correct , which I hope it isn’t , then for me personally , I wouldn’t have him there .
Also the Dally M halfback of the year in 2018 , had a statistically better year last year , despite the lack of medals on the mantelpiece.
I’m not accusing just putting ideas out there .

I doubt Brooks is involved at all - can't imagine timid Brooks firing up about anything.

 

[hsvjones]

I dont care who leaked what or what the best way to announce that Benji wont get a contract next year is ....but Benji needs to go,he has had plenty of NRL experience to know that his defense,questionable kicking game and last tackle options dont make the cut in this ever changing and faster game as we know it.....
Please spare me the """ he is an icon,he is a legend,he is the face of the WTs and he should get another year....

Remember the Blues rugby union jumper in an interview..
Remember the games for the Dragqeens...
Remember the reserve grade games for the Broncos..

Remember we bought him back to the club he loves...but he left it for greener pastures when things didnt suit him..
For all who are shedding tears please go to Woolies and buy another box of tissues...

Benji had been given a lifeline by us and is not up to NRL standard anymore,the club and Madge are selecting him for his final games with us and all he can do is sulk...

He is a legend and wont be forgotten for his skills and playing prowess in the end time catches up with you..

Spot on....
No good run club is going to have 7 halves in your top 28 squad as that will seriously effect the balance of the team and depth.. Blows my mind how people cannot understand that and want to keep a guy that is finished (defence wise) and if he doesn't get a contract elsewhere he will have egg on his face and miss out on the retirement hoo-ha he would of got from us.
I am sure if the club could of moved on a Reynolds, Mbye etc.. they may have offered him an extra year but as no one wants these guys so you need to make the tough calls.

The media are running with "how bad is this club for not letting him know before hand" rubbish ... I think you will find that the club was working overtime to move others on to maybe keep him but because the news broke they had to rush that decision before it gets out of control. That's why Madge asked Benji to give him 24 hours to see what they could do.

Take the emotions out of this and most people understand we need a clean out. The experienced players we have on the books are just not good enough and show no leadership. (proof is the last 9 years of missing finals and 4 coaches).
We have a great amount of young players the club has brought and developed and they need to learn the trade from experience players from WINNING cultures but we cannot buy them until we move on the Packers, Mbye, Reynolds etc...
You would of noticed sense Madge and Hartigan got here there main focus has been youth and developing channels to keep them in our system and not lose the good ones - Even poaching top ones from other clubs. So they are building the club from the ground up and we should get a few diamonds in the rough out of them.. Fingers Crossed.

Just my rant

 

[hobbo1]

Another fb memory

Pretty apt who's in the background.

So Mr Farah how do you plead ?

Farah ... Guilty your honour!

 

[JC99]

Marshall philosophical on Tigers exit but club’s problems run deep
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm
Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.

But Marshall’s sudden departure from the Wests Tigers has torn the scab off a wound that has been festering at the club for the last two seasons under coach Michael Maguire, and is now threatening to undermine his tenure.


The Tigers on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on Marshall’s second coming at the club, announcing the 35-year-old would play his final game for them at the end of this season despite his wish to continue for another year.

‘‘I’m not angry, it’s more I wish I could have retired here,’’ Marshall told NRL 360 on Tuesday night. ‘‘If anything I was just a bit disappointed with how it came out. Reading it in the papers. Obviously because I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers I just thought making the decision at the end of the season would be fine because I’m not going to break the bank with the salary cap.

‘‘Squads are going to 28 next year and the club has five halves on the books next year and there was no room for me. But I’m a big boy. That’s part and parcel of rugby league. I’ve been in this position before. I still feel like I have a lot to offer and there’s a few things I still want to do. It’s just not going to be at the Tigers.’’


While few could argue with the club’s decision to head in a new direction given their results in recent years, the news of Marshall’s exit comes amid persistent talk from within the playing group that coach Michael Maguire has lost the dressing room with his hard-nosed approach.

The veteran playmaker had long been a conduit between the coach, a tough taskmaster, and his sensitive dressing room. But sources inside the Tigers believe that changed following Marshall’s shock axing in June, which came despite the five-eighth sitting second on the Dally M medal leader board after four rounds.

A ploy that was designed to put the players on notice left some of them walking on egg shells ever since – and now the Tigers find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, with players blaming the coach and the coach questioning his players on the back of another disappointing season.

One of the main reasons Maguire was appointed coach – apart from Wayne Bennett pulling out of the race – was the fact he believed there was no issue with the roster. His feelings have since changed dramatically, and players have taken offence to messages being played out in the media.

Maguire has been entrusted with the task of eradicating a decade-long soft underbelly at the club, but some are starting to question whether he needs to adjust his coaching style to suit the players at his disposal – at least until he gets the team he wants in 2022. He has inherited a roster of personalities that suits a style of coaching that is the polar opposite of what he stands for. A roster that suited former coach Ivan Cleary.


But instead of evolving his methods to get the best out of a bad situation, Maguire is coaching the same way he did when Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, John Sutton and Ben Te’o were in the sheds with him at South Sydney.

Luke Brooks, who Maguire encouraged the club to re-sign until 2023 when he arrived at Concord, is a shadow of the player that wore the No.7 jersey under Cleary.

The former coach’s willingness to play to Brooks’ strengths, and provide the occasional cuddle, saw him finish second in the Dally M medal in 2018, and looked as though he would finally realise his potential. He’s struggled ever since.

Maguire, as he constantly reminds the players, has won premierships. He knows what it takes. But the ‘‘my way or the highway’’ approach appears to be wearing thin.


In Cleary’s only full season with the Tigers, the club won 50 per cent of its games for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2011. They still finished ninth, but it would have been enough to reach the finals in most seasons over the past decade.

The club has gone backwards since, but it can’t and won’t add Maguire to its long list of sacked coaches any time soon. If anything, it will extend his tenure beyond 2021. But the rumblings of discontent have left the coach second-guessing himself and prompted Monday’s honesty session, at which issues of trust and communication were raised.

The Tigers only have $1 million left in their salary cap for next year, and five spots to fill. How Maguire handles the next 12 months, coaching a largely disengaged team until he gets the players wants, will dictate how long it takes the club to end its nine-year finals drought.

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.


The club, already booked in for a meeting with his manager later that day, didn't budge on the original decision. but Marshall was left disappointed that Maguire couldn't tell it how it was.


Its interesting - SMH have changed the heading to that article. It now reads:

Inside the Wests Tigers drama: why Maguire is losing the dressing room

Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm



Benji Marshall may be left with no choice but to retire from the NRL at the end of the season, with rival clubs showing little appetite to sign the veteran playmaker in 2021.


So now the media has turned the whole thing around to Madge losing the dressing room.

Yes, Interesting.
I may be reading too much into this, but from this article it appears to me that Chammas has a well placed contact in the WT hierarchy who doesn't want Maguire there. That person is the leak, via Chammas.
Note Chammas didn't bother to quote Aloia, Twal or Nofoaluma who all said the 'walking on eggshells' and 'losing the dressing room' is overstated.
I think I'll believe those players version over Chammas'.
Take a deep breath Benji and retire with dignity.

Definitely someone that doesn’t want Madge there. It’s something that happens too often at our club and for the first time in 10 years we need to back the coach here

Sure sounds like there has been a move to try and get rid of him. From someone high up it appears..

It’s sad really. Even you who doesn’t really like Madge can see the club should be backing him here. Constantly drama and changing of coaches is so bad for a club and one of the major reasons we’ve sucked for so long