Benji Marshall at Wests Tigers training, seemingly limitless in what he can accomplish with the ball as he moves across the field.
This isn’t the year 2005, when Marshall led the joint venture to their historic premiership, or even 2010 or 2018, when he returned to the club after a four-year journey as the best player in the world.
No, that was the previous preseason, in February, before the Tigers won their second consecutive wooden spoon.
Marshall rejoined the Tigers as lead assistant to Tim Sheens and the likely successor to the head coach position, but on occasion he would enter a drill and appear as though he could play if he so desired.
Although he has come a long way from his 2003 debut as a 17-year-old schoolboy, at 38 years old, he is one of those guys who always seems young, as if he has so much more life ahead of him.
It still feels that way eight months later, after Marshall assumed the top position a year ahead of schedule and Sheens was fired less than a season after making a comeback. It’s likely that he doesn’t seem like other coaches because he isn’t.
“I don’t think I’m your normal head coach. Marshall remarked, “I like to create an environment where people want to be and where they want to play and be their best. I also like time away from it and I’m not a 24/7 coach.”
“More important to me than the Xs and Os is that the players should feel confident in their abilities, want to play for the team, and give it their all each and every time.
In2022, they received their first wooden spoon, which was both painful and understandable.
That was a poor team that performed poorly and was appropriately disciplined. In a league of predators, the tigers were prey and this was the law of the jungle.
2023, however, was distinct. Stefano Utoikamanu made his State of Origin debut, Jahream Bula became one of the league’s most exciting young players, and three of the club’s four major recruits had successful seasons.
Even though they outplayed the Cowboys and pulled off a stunning upset of the Panthers, they were still in last place. Although they were not a championship team, this group was far more talented than they demonstrated.
This wasn’t the team that ought to have.
A poor team is not the same as one that is underperforming, but at least in the case of the latter, there is room for improvement, even if you have to strain to see it.
The Tigers have something when you add in the exciting young players Jayden Sullivan, Latu, and Samuela Fainu, along with the veteran Aidan Sezer. Although its exact nature is still unknown, Marshall plans to spend the summer investigating.
He won’t, however, have them making big, shotgun sidesteps that seem to split the air in two or slinging behind their backs flick passes. That was something only Marshall could do, so there was no use in attempting.
Marshall wants to keep things straightforward: get in shape, focus on your advantages, do things your way, and you’ll get started.
“Everyone has ideas about what I should do but one thing I’ve made really clear to all the players is nobody is guaranteed a spot – in our team you have to earn that through hard training in the pre-season and if you earn that you’ll play,” Marshall stated.
“If you earn it through the preseason, you’ll probably play. It doesn’t matter how old or experienced you are.
“I really enjoy signing players who have a little personality and who you support in being who they are. It will benefit us all more if you encourage them to come out of their shell and be cheerful and humorous.
“There’s nothing more offensive than giving a player instructions on how to behave. Some people you just can’t put in a box; let them create their own and go about their lives.”
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Marshall is coaching his first team, the Tigers, and while there is some hope, he is attempting to make the same mistakes that Sheens, Michael Maguire, Jason Taylor, and Mick Potter did.
It would have been simple for Marshall to continue working as a TV pundit, work a few sessions a week as a skills coach to satisfy his football fix, and stay out of the mess altogether.
Thus, why even try it? It’s a legitimate question with an easy response: this is Marshall’s life, this is the world he knows, this is the work that gives him meaning.
Many people have questioned why I’m doing this; sure, it’s a difficult task with a lot of stress, but it all depends on how you look at it. Marshall remarked, “I come to training every day with a purpose and I’m excited to be here. It might seem like a challenge, but it’s an exciting one for me.”
“There are many things about football that you miss when you retire after 20 years of play.
“Having the opportunity to participate once more and to mentor and instruct the things.
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