How Benji Marshall secured Wests Tigers mega-deal from a club in off-field chaos

They say never waste a crisis and Benji Marshall and his management team have done just that, but the jury is still out if he is the long-term solution for the Wests Tigers, MICHAEL CARAYANNIS writes.

Benji Marshall was a genius on the field.

He is now showing as much nous off the field by getting not only a contract extension, but becoming just the second NRL coach to be contracted until the end of 2030.

They say never waste a crisis and Marshall and his management team have done just that.

How his agent Matt Desira has orchestrated a bumper three-year deal for his client is anyone’s guess.

This is not a reflection on Marshall’s coaching ability, but the jury is still out if he is the long-term solution for the club.

He was under no pressure heading into next season and should be given time to continue building what he had started.

West Tiger's coach Benji Marshall has won a contract extension through to the end of 2030. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Instead, it just shows how bumbling and fumbling the owners of the Tigers have been.

Rushing a deal through to try and get stability that the Holman Barnes Group have been unable to replicate on their own board let alone at the Tigers level.

There is no doubt Marshall enjoys strong support from the playing group and they made significant improvement this year.

But does a wooden spoon and 13th place finish automatically scream out contract extension? And who is making the calls at the Tigers? They don’t have a full-time chief executive, nor have a board or a head of football.

So what do the powers be at the Tigers do? Give him a three-year deal.

So let’s forecast a little bit.

What if the new board don’t agree with the deal?

What if the results sour quickly at the Tigers this year?

If things go south this year, Marshall could become another Tigers coach who have received a payout. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Marshall will join the likes of Tim Sheens (twice), Mick Potter, Jason Taylor and Michael Maguire as Tigers coaches who have enjoyed payouts.

Good on Benji.

Let’s hope he can surpass Sheens as the longest serving coach in the Tigers history because their fans deserve it.

And hopefully the good news can keep on coming with Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula recommitting to the club.

But as for off-field stability?

The Tigers have a better chance of winning the competition next year.

Originally published as How Benji Marshall secured Wests Tigers mega-deal from a club in off-field chaos