‘This is huge’: Matty’s advice to save Benji from getting ‘put to the sword’

Matty Johns has given Benji Marshall some words of wisdom to stop the incoming Tigers coach getting “put to the sword”.

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Assistant Coach of the Tigers Benji Marshall arrives prior to the round 21 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium on July 20, 2023 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Benji Marshall will be parachuted into the head coaching role of the Tigers for 2024 and Matty Johns has suggested who the rookie coach should surround himself with on his staff.

In a move that has once again put the joint merger club in a negative light, coach Tim Sheens will step down from the head coaching role at the end of the season.

This has effectively puncturing the Tigers’ much-publicised five-year plan which initially saw Marshall sit under Sheens for 2023 and 2024 before taking over in 2025.

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Despite having no head coaching experience, Marshall will take over a side who is about to pick up their second straight wooden spoon.

It led Gorden Tallis to say “Benji’s apprenticeship isn’t long enough” on NRL 360 this week and journalist Michael Carayannis to declare it the “toughest job in the NRL”.

Johns says it’s “crucial” Marshall surrounds himself with the right people and coaches as he readies for what will be a gargantuan task for any coach, let alone one who doesn’t have any experience in the top job at any level.

Matty Johns and Benji Marshall.

“This is a huge job for Benji Marshall because he hasn’t had a lot of coaching experience and you would think almost certain they will start 2024 as wooden spoon favourites,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns.

“Number one he needs stability and number two he’s got to be surrounded by experience. It’s crucial.

Tallis agreed, pointing to the fact that while Marshall may have been handling some head coaching duties in 2023, Sheens was “shielding the bullets”.

“That’s what Tim Sheens was there for. There’s no one that doesn’t want the Tigers back on top, but Benji hasn’t coached before so he’ll pretty much be put to the sword,” Tallis said.

“I hope the Tigers and Benji are successful but I thought he was doing a bit of coaching and Tim was shielding the bullets but next year that’s not going to be there.”

Considering the last two seasons, the silver lining for Marshall is that there is nowhere to go but up. In addition, the expectations will be a low, however fans will be hoping there is at least some improvement and of course, no third straight wooden spoon.

There’s no doubt there is plenty of scope to improve with the club possessing some talented youngsters. They’ve unearthed a star in fullback Jahream Bula, signed livewire playmaker Jayden Sullivan from the Dragons and recruited the highly-rated Fainu brothers (Samuela and Latu) on four-year deals.

Johns believes Marshall will need someone to lean on through the transition period.

“I think sometimes these days the younger coaches they always just hire X’s and O’s guys,” Johns said.

“I think sometimes a younger coach needs someone who knows what the pressure is about, can allievate pressure off the coach, off the players. Almost someone just to lean on.

“I don’t know what type of coach Benji is, I’d suspect he’s a pretty good man-manager.

“If you are going to have a coaching staff you want someone who is really good with the tactics but you need someone there you can lean on who is very good with the players.”

Originally published as ‘This is huge’: Matty’s advice to save Benji from getting ‘put to the sword’