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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.
Posted using RoarFEED 2012 -
UNDER-fire Tigers coach Tim Sheens gave club power brokers a verbal commitment to stand down if the team failed to qualify for this year’s finals. ……
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-urge-sheens-to-honour-his-word-and-leave-after-finals-flop/story-e6frexnr-1226479115976
\WESTS TIGERS and coach Tim Sheens are expected to part company within days.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/tigers-sheens-expected-to-part-ways-soon-20120921-26c50.html#ixzz279AAcjhf -
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Despite the disappointment of this year , I think it would be madness to sack a coach who has got his team into the top 4 , 2 out of the last 3 seasons
None of the candidates are in the same league as sheens …. If Sheens goes We will end up being part of the coaching merry go round every second year …
I would keep sheens for next year , if we miss the finals next year , then I would definatly let him go
Posted using RoarFEED 2012 -
Despite the disappointment of this year , I think it would be madness to sack a coach who has got his team into the top 4 , 2 out of the last 3 seasons
None of the candidates are in the same league as sheens …. If Sheens goes We will end up being part of the coaching merry go round every second year …
I would keep sheens for next year , if we miss the finals next year , then I would definatly let him go
Posted using RoarFEED 2012I fully agree… Unless we could get Matt parish #highlyrated
Posted using RoarFEED 2012 -
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I rather think that Robbie has been the driver behind sheens exit and probably gave the board the ultimatum…him or me. Bottom line …sheens will go … Maybe benji to in 2014 …Robbie will stay and take the club to a new higher level
Not fussed about Benji , we have Sirro for the future.
