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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.”
Posted using RoarFEED 2012 -
Ive done my best to shut up about all the rumours but seriously … Benji splease take a teaspoon of cement mate.
You cried Benji? Some of my best mates just got sacked as well and they certainly have no jobs to go to. What exactly are you crying about?
The little bubble this playing group and coach have created must seperate them from reality not to mention accountability.
Benji you don’t have to work with you best mates. You know you can still catch up outside of work like most people in the real world.
Look at yourself for a start Benji. What has Sheens added to your game in recent years?
Your biggest assett in the past (your running game) has been totally coached out of you. Look at your metres run for the year. Are you happy with this?
Personally I think his game would benfit from a new coach.
The club is bigger then the current management,players and more importantly coach.
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Love or loathe him, but he is right about the way this whole thing has been handled. It’s been disgraceful. The writing was on the wall with the Moltzen fiasco. You think that would be a kick up the arse for management and lessons learned, but noooo not us, we have to go back and do it again, almost like we didn’t screw it up quite enough the first time so we will have a second go. If i was a player manager, i’d be advising my clients to steer well clear of Wests. ( and this is coming from someone who loves the club to death)
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it’s hard to be too critical on Benji here. It’s pretty easy to come out and say he should harden up but the reality is the situations Beau and Chris had to endure were far from fair. Benji was right though. I don’t think anyone knows what the key decision makers are doing right now. Sure a lot of us have had our say, preached our own theories but who’s to say we’re right??? The overwhelming feeling that we can all agree on is that we’re all in a state of real concern.
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@Cultured Bogan:
I wish I had a job where I worked with all my mates.
And was handsomely paid to do it. ‘broken heart’? FMD its making me ill now. No wonder we fell in a heap this year. Maybe sheens is dealing with schoolgirls not footy players.
The players are embarrassing themselves now IMO
Posted using RoarFEED 2012 -
I think our man Benji needs to see what happens outside in the big wide world. Iam at the point now where I dont mind who leaves the club as long as Farah,Woods Koro and Teddy stay. We need to build the place up with new faces on the field and in the back office
Yep I agree with you on this one. This shake up is going to cause a big disruption amongst the players, but I think it has been coming for a couple of years now, so lets hope the club can work something out soon so everyone can settle down and enjoy a reasonable sort of off season
Maybe Benji has become too insular, being with the one club, and having such a great rapport with Sheens and his teammates. I think Benji does have to toughen up a bit, but I wouldn’t like to see him leave the club either :brick: -
I think our man Benji needs to see what happens outside in the big wide world. Iam at the point now where I dont mind who leaves the club as long as Farah,Woods Koro and Teddy stay. We need to build the place up with new faces on the field and in the back office
Yep I agree with you on this one. This shake up is going to cause a big disruption amongst the players, but I think it has been coming for a couple of years now, so lets hope the club can work something out soon so everyone can settle down and enjoy a reasonable sort of off season
Maybe Benji has become too insular, being with the one club, and having such a great rapport with Sheens and his teammates. I think Benji does have to toughen up a bit, but I wouldn’t like to see him leave the club either :brick:Agree with all points.
A new club or a new coach would do wonders for Marshall.
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@Tommy Magpie:
Benji - the way you and your mates played this year broke my heart, and those of most of our supporters.
this is so true, and if pointed out to them, bet they get a bit narky.
maybe its time for Elton John & Kiki Dee to turn up at Concord, in the off season be in the newly re-arranged gym and sing" Don’t go breaking my heart"
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@Tommy Magpie:
Benji - the way you and your mates played this year broke my heart, and those of most of our supporters.
this is so true, and if pointed out to them, bet they get a bit narky.
maybe its time for Elton John & Kiki Dee to turn up at Concord, in the off season be in the newly re-arranged gym and sing" Don’t go breaking my heart"
No Toughen these sookie snags up a bit
How about The Angels singing "Am I ever gonna see your face again "
Whats gonna happen when The Tigers v The Sharks , they all going to lie on the ground and throw hissy fits until they get their own way
