Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens adamant he’s still the boss

Three wins in 2023 is trouble enough for Wests Tigers and rumblings of warring factions are only adding to the misery for fans.

West Tigers Coach Tim Sheens says he is still in charge. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is adamant he’s still the boss and has a “good” working relationship with his successor Benji Marshall as the NRL battlers continue to deal with speculation of warring factions at the club.

Ahead of what’s been billed as a battle to avoid the wooden spoon against fellow cellar-dwellers St George Illawarra on Thursday night, Sheens was forced to address the role of Marshall, who will replace him as head coach in 2025, and a rift with recruiting boss Scott Fulton.

Sheens was left out of a meeting between Marshall and Fulton at club headquarters on Monday with club chairman Lee Hagipantelis and chief executive Justin Pascoe as they thrashed out their differences.

But Sheens was involved in a meeting where Marshall pitched to the board his plans for the club, which Sheens said were about “recruiting”, as rumours swirl he could be installed ahead of schedule.

Sacked Gold Coach Titans coach Justin Holbrook has also reportedly firmed as a priority target to help work with Marshall despite the presence of senior mentor Sheens.

Asked on Wednesday if was still the coach, and would be in 2024, Sheens was pointed.

“Yes I am. Yes. That’s what my contract says,” he said.

“I’ve been around long enough to hear the noise and navigate through the noise. If you win games, that shuts the noise down.”

Benji Marshall has pitched to the board his plans for the club. Picture: Richard Dobson

Sheens conceded he gave Marshall, the club’s attack coach, some “rein” to work with players as he did with his other assistants.

But he was adamant the head coach’s role had not been diminished.

“I’m first grade coach and as with most clubs they have attack coaches and defensive coaches and Benji does attack,” Sheens said.

“I’m educating them and giving them some rein or some ability to create what they want to create within the group.

“It’s no different to most clubs. The senior coach does more a managerial role in many ways. That doesn’t mean I’m not picking the team or not involved in picking the team. I am.”

Marshall has stayed silent on the situation, and Sheens said he was prepared to cop the “bullets” that keep coming his way.

“I cop that because I am first grade coach,” he said.

“Whether they are bullets or praise for whatever we do. But it’s a holistic thing, every club does the exact same thing.”

Sheens was adamant Marshall would also be able to navigate the rough waters the club is working through and find his feet when he got in the hot seat full time, and would be able to work with Fulton

“I don’t think there’s going to be an issue where someone can’t work with someone,” he said.

“We’ve all got to be professional in these situations and that’s what I expect from both guys.

“The kid (Marshall) knows what’s going on. He’s going to be a good coach and a good head coach.”

Tim Sheens at training.Picture: Richard Dobson

Despite the ongoing turmoil, and having netted just three wins this season, Sheens, who has won premierships and coach Australia, said he was still enjoying being a coach.

“It’s a very masochistic sort of enjoyment coaching, it always has been,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t enjoying it.”