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Tigers kick a goal - and get JT back as Benji's coach
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
February 28, 2010
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JASON TAYLOR has returned to the club where it all began … as Benji Marshall's goal-kicking coach.
The Sun-Herald can reveal that Wests Tigers have enlisted former Wests sharpshooter Taylor as a mentor for Marshall.
The pair worked together for the first time before the Tigers-Roosters Foundation Cup match but the next session has been postponed because of Marshall's ankle injury.
''I'm pretty confident we'll get him going to a high standard,'' Taylor said. ''We did a few minor things on his technique last week and it will take a while to get it going on every kick he does.
''He's a confident guy and he took on board the stuff I was talking about. He kicks the ball a long way, he kicks it high and long. What we work on is getting it straighter. But he's a natural at it.''
Taylor finished his playing career as the NRL's point-scoring record holder. The former halfback finished with a tally of 2107 career points, a mark surpassed by Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns, then Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri.
''It's good to be coached by a guy who has actually kicked goals,'' Marshall said. ''He knows what you're thinking at the time of the kick and how hard it is to be able to focus on it.
''He's not trying to change my kicking style too much. He just gave me some tips on what to be thinking during kicking.
''I found it very beneficial. It will be great to have him around doing a few more sessions this year. He did a great job in that first session.''
The Tigers have tried several options following the departure of long-time kicker Brett Hodgson. Marshall, who signed a lifetime deal with the club during the week, said he wanted to nail the role on a permanent basis.
''I used to goal kick at school,'' he said. ''The pressure is a bit different in the NRL but I love it. Hopefully we can score a few more tries under the posts this year - our big wingers keep scoring out wide.''
Tigers coach Tim Sheens said Taylor was an obvious choice to take over from Graham Arnold, who is focusing on the Socceroos' World Cup commitments.
''JT did some very clever things with [Marshall],'' Sheens said. ''I'm not predicting that Benji will be massively better, but just a 5 per cent improvement can make a huge difference.
''Considering the number of games we lost by fewer than six points last year, converted tries make a big difference.''
Taylor, also a consultant coach to the Roosters, said he was excited to be involved with his former club. ''I've certainly got an affinity with the club, it's great to do a bit with them,'' he said.
''I've done some stuff with Todd Carney as well and they're both natural, gifted footy players, which makes my job a lot easier.''
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
February 28, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tigers-kick-a-goal–and-get-jt-back-as-benjis-coach-20100227-pa4e.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
JASON TAYLOR has returned to the club where it all began … as Benji Marshall's goal-kicking coach.
The Sun-Herald can reveal that Wests Tigers have enlisted former Wests sharpshooter Taylor as a mentor for Marshall.
The pair worked together for the first time before the Tigers-Roosters Foundation Cup match but the next session has been postponed because of Marshall's ankle injury.
''I'm pretty confident we'll get him going to a high standard,'' Taylor said. ''We did a few minor things on his technique last week and it will take a while to get it going on every kick he does.
''He's a confident guy and he took on board the stuff I was talking about. He kicks the ball a long way, he kicks it high and long. What we work on is getting it straighter. But he's a natural at it.''
Taylor finished his playing career as the NRL's point-scoring record holder. The former halfback finished with a tally of 2107 career points, a mark surpassed by Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns, then Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri.
''It's good to be coached by a guy who has actually kicked goals,'' Marshall said. ''He knows what you're thinking at the time of the kick and how hard it is to be able to focus on it.
''He's not trying to change my kicking style too much. He just gave me some tips on what to be thinking during kicking.
''I found it very beneficial. It will be great to have him around doing a few more sessions this year. He did a great job in that first session.''
The Tigers have tried several options following the departure of long-time kicker Brett Hodgson. Marshall, who signed a lifetime deal with the club during the week, said he wanted to nail the role on a permanent basis.
''I used to goal kick at school,'' he said. ''The pressure is a bit different in the NRL but I love it. Hopefully we can score a few more tries under the posts this year - our big wingers keep scoring out wide.''
Tigers coach Tim Sheens said Taylor was an obvious choice to take over from Graham Arnold, who is focusing on the Socceroos' World Cup commitments.
''JT did some very clever things with [Marshall],'' Sheens said. ''I'm not predicting that Benji will be massively better, but just a 5 per cent improvement can make a huge difference.
''Considering the number of games we lost by fewer than six points last year, converted tries make a big difference.''
Taylor, also a consultant coach to the Roosters, said he was excited to be involved with his former club. ''I've certainly got an affinity with the club, it's great to do a bit with them,'' he said.
''I've done some stuff with Todd Carney as well and they're both natural, gifted footy players, which makes my job a lot easier.''
