Tigers coach Tim Sheens in the dark as key signing aims to end NRL player exodus

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis insists the club did ‘all necessary due diligence’ over a key signing, despite failing to consult coach Tim Sheens.

Coach Tim Sheens of the Tigers looks dejected as he speaks to the press. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has declared the move to sign Scott Fulton as the club’s head of recruitment a major coup, in a move that blindsided coach Tim Sheens and his assistant Benji Marshall.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Tigers’ coaching staff was unaware of Fulton’s signing, including Sheens’ right-hand man, Warren McDonnell, whose role in recruitment at the club has now been diluted.

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“The decision was made in the best interest of the Wests Tigers,” Hagipantelis told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“An opportunity presented itself to the board. The board dealt with it quickly, undertaking all necessary due diligence.

“There was of course a great deal of commercial sensitivity given the gentleman involved was employed by another club, and we were very respectful of that.

“The decision was taken to deal with the matter at board level with our CEO. We acted promptly and in the best interest of the club.

“This is another resource which we’ve added to our football department and we’re very excited to welcome Scott to the Wests Tigers.”

Tim Sheens was blindsided by Scott Fulton’s appointment.

Fulton will take over the recruitment of the NRL squad, while McDonnell has been told he will now focus on junior pathways.

Tigers sources say that Sheens is frustrated by Fulton’s appointment but Hagipantelis said he did not envisage any tension as a result of the club’s decisions.

“I do not anticipate there will be any concerns or issues with what is a wonderful addition to our football department despite the efforts of some to suggest that there may be,” Hagipantelis said.

“Everyone that is employed by the Wests Tigers is employed for the sole purpose of furthering the interest of the Wests Tigers only. This was not a situation of our making in that the opportunity was presented to the board.

“The board fully explored the opportunity and made the decision that the engagement of Scott would be in the best interest of the Wests Tigers.

“He’s employed in addition to our current resources and we think he will greatly benefit our recruitment program.”

Tim Sheens and Lee Hagipantelis.

Fulton, the son of Immortal Bob Fulton, will reportedly join McDonnell, running the Tigers’ recruitment and retention after departing the Brookvale-based club in the off-season.

The Tigers have struggled to retain their top talent in years gone by, with players such as James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses now thriving at rival clubs.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield believes Fulton arriving in Leichhardt could be a huge boost to the Tigers.

“Scott Fulton has been hired on good coin to become the head of recruitment at the Wests Tigers, and there are no rules in rugby league around recruitment,” Rothfield said on NRL360 on Monday night.

“So if there are some boys coming off contract or there are some unsettled figures at Manly, of course he’s going to go for them.

“The reason the Tigers have signed Scott Fulton is because of his network of contacts apart from his eye for talent.

“He knows every junior player in this state and in Queensland, it is a hugely significant signing for them.”

James Tedesco is among the gun players the Tigers have failed to retain in recent years. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

He also revealed a number of other clubs were chasing Fulton to oversee their football department.

“There’s a decade long history at that club of signing blokes on $800,000 contracts who have not aimed up for various reasons,” Rothfield said.

“They identified Scott Fulton, Newcastle Knights were chasing Fulton, St George Illawarra were chasing him, they’ve actually done something proactive and positive.”

NRL360 co-host Paul Kent echoed Rothfield’s opinion and signalled a potential shift in the Tigers’ inner workings.

Previously, the club’s best talent have been poached after flying onto the scene in their first contract with the Tigers.

However, Kent believes Fulton will be able to identify the players the club must retain and “turn them into winners”.

“The Tigers’ problem hasn’t been an inability to recruit people, they’ve just always paid too much,” Kent said.

Scott Fulton is the son of rugby league legend Bob Fulton.

“(When you are running last) you have got to pay overs, but what you have got to do is start bringing them from that level up.

“And let’s go through the players if you want to start talking about that, the guys who have come through and on their second or third contract have left the club.

“Tedesco, Papenhuyzen, Addo-Carr, Mitch Moses. This is where your recruitment guy says under no circumstances do we let these guys go.

“He will turn them into winners, that runs through the Fulton blood.

“I dare say Scott Fulton’s role at the club is going to be something bigger than just recruitment, and from what we’ve seen of the Wests Tigers the last decade or so, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

Originally published as Tigers coach Tim Sheens in the dark as key signing aims to end NRL player exodus