Storm erupts as Wests Tigers boss sacked following months of rumours

After a week of nothing but positive news, the Wests Tigers are suddenly back in the thick of turmoil once again.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing at Wests. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

After a week of nothing but positive news, the Wests Tigers are back in turmoil.

The struggling NRL club on Tuesday reportedly made a call to part ways with recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

The Daily Telegraph first reported new Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has told Fulton his services are no longer required.

It follows months of rumours surrounding Fulton’s relationship with coach Benji Marshall.

Fulton was famously hired by the club last year to take over as its head of recruitment and retention — a move that was made without Marshall and former coach Tim Sheens being consulted.

According to widespread reports there was tension between Marshall and Fulton right from the start. Fulton was reportedly behind the push for the club to chase Manly five-eighth Josh Schuster — a move that was not supported by Marshall.

The 2005 NRL Grand Final hero took over from Sheens mid-way through the 2023 season and heads into 2024 having a full pre-season as senior coach for the first time.

Benji Marshall says farewell to Luke Brooks. Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images.

Fulton’s departure follows the extraordinary carnage of having the club’s former board of directors wiped out in a move made by the joint-venture’s major shareholders in December.

Former chief executive Justin Pascoe also resigned.

Fulton broke his silence after being axed and delivered a subtle shot at the new management in charge of the club.

“It’s disappointing because I had such high hopes for the Wests Tigers and the direction we were heading in with recruitment,” Fulton said to News Corp.

“But I really enjoyed my time under the previous management and what we were able to achieve in a short period.

“These things happen in rugby league and we’ll move on and look for the next opportunity.

I wish the club all the best.”

It hasn’t been smooth sailing at Wests. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

Former chairman Lee Hagipantelis repeatedly denied rumours of a rift between Marshall and Fulton — but it has taken just weeks for Richardson and the new board to make a decision on Fulton’s future.

The Tigers had been celebrating a week of recruitment heists following confirmation Jarome Luai will join the club in 2025.

That news was followed by reports the club will soon be able to announce it has also signed Storm centre Justin Olam

It is being reported that Olam only needs to pass a fitness test in the coming days and he’ll be a Tiger immediately, with the Storm willing to accommodate the PNG international’s move and release him from his contract three years early.

Having fallen out of favour at the Storm, Olam has been linked with the Tigers for quite some time now.

Luai, meanwhile, said last week Marshall was one of the reason he is making the jump from the reigning premiers to the struggling Tigers.

Luai’s five-year contract is reportedly worth around $6 million.