NRL 2023: Benji Marshall reveals his vision to Wests Tigers board
The next Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and coach Tim Sheens met with the club's board on Monday night, just hours after the club was in the middle of a scandal.
That belief was recently reaffirmed by Wests Tigers coach Lee Hagipantelis, who said Marshall possessed the tools necessary to lead the team to sustained success.
Marshall presented his plan to the club's upper management on Monday, the same day that club executives promised Marshall and head of recruitment Scott Fulton would be able to work together despite the rising animosity between the two parties.
Although Sheens often presents the team's on-field performance at the monthly board meetings, this time it was Marshall who took the reins and presented the future goals of the organisation.
Although Hagipantelis wouldn't corroborate anything Marshall told the board, he did admit that Marshall's vision for the company's future was impossible to ignore.
"Benji's skill is in identifying strengths and weaknesses in the club, especially in our playing roster, and addressing those challenges," Hagipantelis stated.
His football savvy keeps surprising us, and his growth as a potential head coach has far above our wildest dreams.
He's got big plans for the team. His dedication, enthusiasm, and will to improve the club's fortunes left me in awe.
"There is no question in my mind that he will be the NRL's next head coach for the foreseeable future."
It has been established that Marshall discussed both the team's strengths and faults in his speech.
Next season, the Tigers will likely move on with plans to sign Brodie Croft and Aidan Sezer, two halves currently playing in the Super League. Since Luke Brooks has decided to join Manly and Adam Doueihi won't be ready until at best the middle of next season, the Tigers' halves situation is precarious.
Meanwhile, Sheens' anger at some refereeing calls against his team has mirrored his unhappiness with his team's play. In the opening minutes of last week's loss to Newcastle, the bunker intervened to prevent a try, and Sheens was furious.
In the buildup to Tommy Talau's try, Jahream Bula was penalised for knocking on.
Graham Annesley, the NRL's head of football, concurred with Sheens but wasn't quite as emphatic.
In the commentary box, "There were arguments if it was a knock-on," Annesley remarked. They were unable to reach a consensus. That's not meant as an insult to them. Most of the cameras covering this event are located in the backstage areas.
A bunker judge has issued a verdict. If you asked me, I'd say that was a rejection. That, however, is my final word on the matter. I can't. It's all speculation and speculation at this point. I can't say for sure that it's conclusive one way or the other.