$950k call Eels must make; Benji reality Tigers can’t run from: First Crack with Crawls
www.foxsports.com.au
CAN TIGERS AFFORD TO GIVE BENJI ANOTHER SEASON?
No one in rugby league wants to see Benji Marshall fail.
But it’s becoming increasingly obvious the rebuild at Wests Tigers is simply too big a job for a rookie NRL coach.
Especially one with such a lack of experience even as an assistant.
After snapping a nine-match losing run with wins against the Titans and Raiders, the Tigers have since conceded a whopping 136 points in three straight defeats to the Roosters (40-6), Storm (40-28) and Sharks (56-6).
It just makes you wonder for how much longer veteran administrator Shane Richardson can bury his head in the sand and think this problem will fix itself.
I wrote after the Tigers lost nine straight a coach like Brad Arthur would be ideal to come in and take over while Arthur was still available.
There is no doubt in time Marshall has the credentials to develop into a good coach.
But how much time can the Tigers afford to give is the big question as they close in on a third straight wooden spoon.
I know they get Jarome Luai next year and he will add game management as well as leadership on and off the field.
But if they find themselves sitting down the bottom of the ladder again this time next year, will the club’s unwillingness to make the tough decision come back to bite them even harder?
————————
It’s started.
Though, I think they will give him next season, but after that, if the results are shit, I think he’ll be gone.