Tim Sheens insisted final month that he has a “good” working relationship with Benji Marshall, though it doesn’t appear to be it was all the time that means when the latter was enjoying within the NRL.
That is in keeping with The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas, who claimed on Triple M that the pair’s relationship as participant and coach “deteriorated pretty badly” up to now.
Marshall performed for the Wests Tigers between 2003 and 2013 whereas Sheens was coach up till the top of the 2012 season, when the membership missed the finals with a 11-13 document.
Marshall and Sheens’ relationship has been a focal point this season because the pair now work collectively in a training capability, desperately making an attempt to steer the Tigers again in direction of their former glory days.
Although competing teaching philosophies have reportedly been a supply of rigidity, with Paul Kent revealing on NRL 360 earlier within the yr that the pair “aren’t agreeing on everything”.
Now Chammas has reported on Triple M that Marshall has gone “over and beyond” to make sure Sheens looks like he’s “running the club” as Tigers head coach till the top of 2024.
That, Chammas claimed, is related to the breakdown of their previous relationship as participant and coach.
Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
Siebold opens up on Josh Schuster | 03:13
“One thing I think Benji is mindful of is his relationship with Tim Sheens deteriorated pretty badly as a player and coach,” Chammas stated.
“They probably won’t admit it but I remember going to Tim Sheens when we did a special piece for Benji’s 300th game, Tim Sheens didn’t want to give a tribute to Benji Marshall.
“I don’t think things ended well and I don’t know if Tim felt as though Benji or the senior players there had a part in his demise or not. But whatever the reason was, there wasn’t a relationship that was there. They didn’t speak for many years.
“I think Benji wants to make sure Tim feels like he’s got his respect and he’s not trying to white-ant him and it’s not the case at all. To be honest with you, from what I hear, Benji is going over and beyond to make sure Tim feels like he’s running the club, that it’s to the detriment of the actual team.
“Benji just needs to take control. I respect Benji for that because Tim has done a lot for him in his career and he wants to make sure that Tim finishes off on the right note, whatever that may be.”
MORE NRL NEWS
VIVA LAS VEGAS: NRL names 4 groups to open 2024 season in USA
CHANGES COMING: Inside Kevvie’s 11-man cap squeeze as Broncos nice again Haas
Carayannis reveals feud with Luai | 03:05
Unfortunately for Sheens and Marshall, strain solely continues to construct on the Tigers after one other disappointing season that failed to supply any actual outcomes on the sector.
That, in flip, has solely elevated hypothesis the membership might half methods with Sheens early and thrust Marshall into the recent seat for the 2024 season.
When requested final month if he would proceed on as head coach subsequent yr, Sheens was very robust in confirming his function on the membership.
“Yes I am. Yes. That’s what my contract says,” he stated.
“I’ve been around long enough to hear the noise and navigate through the noise. If you win games that shuts the noise down.
“I’m first grade coach and as with most clubs they have attack coaches and defensive coaches and Benji does attack.
“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.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
