NRL 2023: Why Wests Tigers’ appointment of Scott Fulton could force Tim Sheens out early

There is growing talk that Tim Sheens might not even last this season at Wests Tigers if the forced partnership with Scott Fulton doesn’t work out, writes Paul Crawley.

Scott Fulton will start work at Wests Tigers in the coming days knowing the biggest mountain ahead of him is winning the trust of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall.

But Fulton isn’t the only person who should be feeling nervous given there is also a genuine belief among some that the arrival of the former Manly head of recruitment could spark a fast tracking of the Tigers’ coaching succession plan.

The original idea was for Sheens to stay on as head coach at the troubled club until the end of 2024 after which Marshall would be handed the reins.

But there is talk among some sources with knowledge of the situation that Sheens now might not even last this season if the forced partnership with Fulton doesn’t work out.

It’s no secret Sheens was filthy that he and Marshall were frozen out of the discussions prior to Fulton’s appointment.

And what would make it even more difficult for Sheens to digest is the revelation now that 2GB’s Ray Hadley also played a pivotal role to get the Fulton to the club.

Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall’s Tigers succession plan could be forced to start ahead of schedule. Picture: David Swift

It just seems outrageous to most that while the coach was kept in the dark, the club chose to include a prominent member of the media in the so-called top secret discussions.

It’s no secret Hadley has a longstanding friendship with the Fulton family with Scott’s late father Bob and Hadley best mates, while Hadley is also tight with Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis.

But while Hagipantelis has since come out publicly and defended the decision not to consult either Sheens or Marshall, the fact is it is unheard of at any football club not to include a head coach in these type of discussions.

Can you imagine Craig Bellamy or Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary or Trent Robinson, or any head coach for that matter, being excluded in a similar situation?

Sheens also has every right to be unhappy that his trusted ally Warren McDonnell is the one who has been shafted, or at least shuffled sideways to take on a junior pathways role.

Let’s not forget it was Sheens who wanted McDonnell back at the club in the first place.

And given Sheens’ experience as the NRL’s second longest-serving coach with 677 games in the bank, it is the ultimate show of disrespect no matter how Hagipantelis wants to spin it.

Sheens has already come out and said publicly that he has no intention of quitting.

And last round’s shock win over reigning premiers Penrith has definitely put everyone at the club in a far better frame of mind heading into Sunday’s Magic Round showdown against St George Illawarra.

2GB’s Ray Hadley played a pivotal role in delivering Fulton to the Tigers. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

Regardless of what happens this weekend in Brisbane, the bigger picture is what happens next week when Fulton comes together with Sheens and Marshall to start mapping out the Tigers’ future.

There has already been speculation in recent months that Sheens and Marshall don’t always see eye-to-eye on all football matters.

But what can’t be disputed is that Marshall also has the greatest respect for Sheens, and he would not jeopardise that relationship to fast track his way into the head coaching position.

However, the key will be to see if Sheens can form a working relationship with Fulton.

Make no mistake, either Sheens will have to swallow his pride and just get on with business, or it could end up evolving into an untenable position for one of them.

And if that was to happen you would have to think it would be Fulton who stays the distance given his appointment came directly through the chairman and the board.