Benji Marshall to take over as Wests Tigers coach a year ahead of schedule
With a second NRL wooden spoon looming, the West Tigers have gone into fast-forward and dumped Tim Sheens a year ahead of schedule.
Benji Marshall will assume senior coaching duties at the struggling Wests Tigers ahead of schedule, with the club mutually agreeing to part ways with Tim Sheens at the end of the season which could finish with a second successive wooden spoon for the battling NRL side.
Sheens, 73, was appointed head coach late last year to groom his senior assistant and club great Marshall as his successor for the 2025 season as part of what chief executive Justin Pascoe called “a rock-solid coaching plan for the next five years”.
But following another disappointing year on-field, which has yielded just three wins, Sheens’ manager approached the club last week to discuss a possible restructuring and he and the club decided it was best he step down.
“I came back with a focus on creating stronger pathways and development programs,” Sheens said.
“I am proud of the work accomplished by all involved in the pathways system and of the emerging local talent, in both the men‘s and women’s competitions.
“I am extremely proud of what I have been able to do in transitioning Benji into the main role and wish him and the club all the success in the future.”
Marshall,who played 364 games, will jump into the hot seat 12 months ahead of schedule and said it was a dream to coach the Tigers where he won a premiership in 2005.
“I am humbled by Tim’s endorsement as the future and long-term head coach of Wests Tigers,” said Marshall.
“To be the head coach of Wests Tigers has been a long-held dream of mine since retiring from playing.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to take on the role and I am indebted to Tim for all that he has taught me, both as a player and as an assistant coach.
“I know that I am ready to take on the role with all the support that the club has offered.”
The shake-up comes after key stakeholders raised concerns over the direction of the club, which is set to finish last for a second-straight season.
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