Dean Ritchie admits he was wrong about Benji Marshal’s commitment to coaching | Bulldog’s Bite
Just over a year ago, I questioned Benji Marshall’s commitment after he refused to be a ‘24/7 coach’. Now I have to admit I was wrong, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
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Benji Marshall, Dally M coach of the year?
Don’t scoff.
Maybe it’s time to rid myself of some guilt.
I am sheepish – and a little regretful – about a Bulldog’s Bite column from 14 months ago where I publicly questioned Marshall’s commitment as an NRL coach. It was my most-read opinion editorial of the season.
I remember the night my column broke online. I was at Fox Studios preparing for NRL 360 when Marshall rang and gave me a spray, albeit measured. We haven’t spoken since.
But sometimes in life you have to admit you got it wrong. In hindsight, was the column unjust? Probably.
Yes, it’s only early in the season but, incredibly, Marshall has moved his team up nine spots this year compared to the end of 2024 – easily the best of any coach. Put bluntly, Marshall has done a sensational job this season.
If Marshall could somehow manufacture a finals appearance this year, he would have to be adjudged Dally M coach of the year.
I am repentant for insinuating Marshall was a part-time coach. I don’t know the hours Marshall puts in each week but, whatever his formula, it’s certainly working.
So I sent Marshall a text message on Monday telling him that I felt last year’s column may have been unfair and asked whether he would supply a quote for this column.
He responded respectfully, saying: “Hi mate. Cheers for the text. In hindsight, I guess that’s your job and it’s a part of the game. Cheers for reaching out for quotes but I’m good to just focus on the footy mate and not say much. Thanks.”
Before round one last year, I wrote a column which placed immediate and heavy scrutiny on Marshall, in his first season as solo head coach.
I wrote: “A rock star who will revolutionise coaching or a rookie coach who won’t put in the hours to succeed? Can his flamboyant personality resonate into a hardworking coach over the laborious grind of an NRL, covering every minute detail about a looming game?
“Marshall will officially start his highly-anticipated coaching tenure this Saturday amid questions throughout rugby league over his new-age methods.
“One Wests Tigers player told his manager that Marshall will sometimes arrive at his Concord office three hours after other staff members. There is a general expectation that coaches start work between 5am and 6am every day. Marshall doesn’t operate that way.”
A year on and I type this column feeling a little uncomfortable.
Wests Tigers have recorded five wins this season, two in succession, and are sitting inside the top eight. They also lost two games by just two points. The Tigers have actually secured more wins than more fancied rivals including the Roosters, Cowboys, Penrith, Manly and Souths.
Defence is attitude and Wests Tigers are conceding ten points less a game on average compared to last year are four-points-a-game better team in attack.
Wests Tigers haven’t won ten or more games in a season since 2019. They are already halfway there after nine rounds. The last time Wests Tigers were in the top eight this deep into the season was post-round ten, 2020.
Wests Tigers were courageous in a golden point win over Cronulla in round eight before withstanding a late Dragons charge last weekend. The players stayed cool under pressure, just like their coach.
It clearly showed the players are playing for Marshall. Wests Tigers look happy and committed. This from a team who claimed three successive wooden spoons through 14 wins from 72 games. No doubt Wests Tigers would have lost those two tight matches during the past three seasons.
I didn’t agree with Marshall’s decision to drop Lachlan Galvin three weeks ago but it only steeled his side.
Marshall has openly claimed he wants to spend time with his family – which is honourable – and play the odd round of golf. I couldn’t imagine Craig Bellamy playing a mid-season round of golf – without snapping his clubs – but we all tread different paths and certainly need time out for our professions.
The calmness Marshall secures from clearing his head has permuted through his team.
Marshall was never going to be a stereotype coach and his recruitment drive which nabbed Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird and Sunia Turuva showed Wests Tigers is now a club players want to join.
I wrote last year: “The list of great players who have failed as coaches is long and ugly. International players, dud coaches.”
Marshall isn’t a dud. That we can definitively ascertain after nine rounds this year. Marshall is sprinkling his magic dust around at Concord.
I’m still not totally convinced Wests Tigers can play finals footy but Marshall has given his club credibility through wins this year over rival coaches Craig Fitzgibbon, Shane Flanagan, Adam O’Brien, Kristian Woolf and Jason Ryles.
Marshall and his Wests Tigers face Bellamy and the Storm in Melbourne this Sunday. Wests Tigers haven’t won three games in a row since 2018.
The true test has arrived and Benji appears more than ready.
DOG TREATS
A third party close to Lachlan Galvin started preparing for the future had the young gun been sacked by Wests Tigers.
Galvin still has another 18 months remaining on his deal at Concord and, at this point, seems likely to fulfil his contract.
But a third-party contacted Sydney sprint guru Roger Fabri during the recent drama about working with Galvin had the Tigers number six been forced out of the club.
The club is now standing firmly behind Galvin, who will play a key role in Wests Tigers’ big match against Melbourne this Sunday.
Fabri’s work with James Tedesco over the past two summers has proven pivotal in the Sydney Roosters full-back’s magic form this season.
*****
The unwanted Saturday 3pm timeslot may prevent a sellout but Canberra is bracing for a massive crowd for the match against Canterbury.
GIO Stadium in Bruce holds between 24,000 and 25,000 with the Raiders predicting a crowd of around 22,500 for the game which will pit first versus second on the NRL competition table.
An Army of Bulldogs fans are expected to head down the Hume Highway to watch their table-topping heroes.
The timeslot isn’t loved by clubs, given the amount of junior sport being played at the same time, but it will allow Doggies’ fans the chance to drive home that night.
^^^
The rumour mill is abuzz about a high-profile Origin star joining a massive Sydney club. Stay tuned. This will be big.
*****
A who’s who of Parramatta turned out last week for the launch of Dick Thornett’s book, The Natural.
Among the Eels legends in attendance at Parramatta Leagues Club were Bob O’Reilly, Mick Cronin, Denis Fitzgerald, Steve Ella, Eric Grothe and Peter ‘if you don’t score here, you’ll never score’ Wynn. Ex-Roosters and Sea Eagles halfback Kevin Junee was also there.
*****
Former leading referee Greg ‘Hollywood’ Hartley believes Grant Atkins should referee State of Origin I in Brisbane.
Hartley’s call comes just a few days after fellow ex-ref Bill Harrigan claimed Adam Gee should control the opening Origin game.
“Atkins handles the game better and gets around the ground a bit faster than the rest of them. He’s in the best positions at the right times and is the man to do the job,” Hartley said.
“Gee isn’t far behind him but Atkins is the number one as far as I’m concerned.”
*****
The good mail suggests Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR will be the two English clubs to compete in Las Vegas next year.
*****
Spotted: Former Blues enforcer Greg Bird at Griffith Airport with ex-NSW prop Brent Kite enjoying a beer at South West Rocks Country Club.
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