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Article by Phil Rothfield September 22
A DRAMATIC split among Wests Tigers players has emerged over the future of Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens as he fights to save his career.
The four-time premier coach originally had the support of his key players but it changed this week with the departure of Beau Ryan, Chris Heighington and Blake Ayshford.
Five-eighth Benji Marshall recently supported Sheens in his Fairfax newspaper column, laying the blame on the players for the poor results.
"All this talk about Tim Sheens facing the chop at the Wests Tigers is beyond me - I still think he is the best coach in the game," he said.
"If anyone can rebuild the club it's Tim. Even though we didn't have success this year, I still feel he is the man for the job."
His position had obviously changed this week, judging by his sombre mood on The Footy Show.
"The playing group is just as confused as the fans and the sponsors," Marshall said. "They (Ryan and Heighington) 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."
Still, not all players are blaming Sheens. Beau Ryan broke down in tears when he fronted the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday afternoon to reveal he was leaving.
He blamed club management for his contract stuff-up, not the coach.
"Tim Sheens has had a great influence on my football and my life," Ryan told The Daily Telegraph.
"I admire and respect him as a footy coach and a person."
Winger Lote Tuqiri and centre Chris Lawrence are also fiercely loyal to Sheens. Skipper Robbie Farah's position is unclear. He has not commented since his teammates announced they were leaving.
The Tigers have been in turmoil since missing out on the play-offs.
A number of former players including Benny Elias and Steve Roach have been working publicly and behind the scenes to remove Sheens.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal one board member approached NSW Blues assistant coach Matt Parish even before Thursday night's board meeting to discuss Sheens' future.
Parish also has the support of the influential former coach Alan Jones.
Parish already had a handshake agreement to be Ricky Stuart's assistant coach at Parramatta but has been told he will be released if he is offered the Tigers' job.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
A DRAMATIC split among Wests Tigers players has emerged over the future of Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens as he fights to save his career.
The four-time premier coach originally had the support of his key players but it changed this week with the departure of Beau Ryan, Chris Heighington and Blake Ayshford.
Five-eighth Benji Marshall recently supported Sheens in his Fairfax newspaper column, laying the blame on the players for the poor results.
"All this talk about Tim Sheens facing the chop at the Wests Tigers is beyond me - I still think he is the best coach in the game," he said.
"If anyone can rebuild the club it's Tim. Even though we didn't have success this year, I still feel he is the man for the job."
His position had obviously changed this week, judging by his sombre mood on The Footy Show.
"The playing group is just as confused as the fans and the sponsors," Marshall said. "They (Ryan and Heighington) 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."
Still, not all players are blaming Sheens. Beau Ryan broke down in tears when he fronted the Kangaroos coach on Tuesday afternoon to reveal he was leaving.
He blamed club management for his contract stuff-up, not the coach.
"Tim Sheens has had a great influence on my football and my life," Ryan told The Daily Telegraph.
"I admire and respect him as a footy coach and a person."
Winger Lote Tuqiri and centre Chris Lawrence are also fiercely loyal to Sheens. Skipper Robbie Farah's position is unclear. He has not commented since his teammates announced they were leaving.
The Tigers have been in turmoil since missing out on the play-offs.
A number of former players including Benny Elias and Steve Roach have been working publicly and behind the scenes to remove Sheens.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal one board member approached NSW Blues assistant coach Matt Parish even before Thursday night's board meeting to discuss Sheens' future.
Parish also has the support of the influential former coach Alan Jones.
Parish already had a handshake agreement to be Ricky Stuart's assistant coach at Parramatta but has been told he will be released if he is offered the Tigers' job.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
