He’s the rookie coach tasked with attempting to avoid wasting the Wests Tigers, and the early opinions counsel Benji Marshall is the correct man for the job with the injured Adam Doueihi declaring the brand new boss’ imaginative and prescient is “clearer” than what the gamers have seen previously.
Marshall is aware of what successful appears to be like like on the Tigers having performed a key function of their 2005 premiership success, and whereas there’s been loads of speak lately about rekindling their DNA of previous, the outcomes have stayed the identical with the membership successful back-to-back picket spoons.
Tim Sheens’ return in 2023 was speculated to result in a free-flowing assault that reminded followers of the halcyon days when Marshall and his teammates had been scoring factors for enjoyable and leaving opposition groups scratching their heads at what had simply occurred.
But the Tigers managed a competition-low 385 factors and gained simply 4 video games final season, with the membership deciding to hurry up the succession plan with Marshall changing Sheens sooner than anticipated.
There are doubters on the market who query whether or not a person with such little expertise can flip issues round in such a brief area of time, however Doueihi has been impressed with what he’s seen to this point after a irritating few years on the membership.
“I feel like his vision is clearer (to what we’ve had in the past),” he mentioned.
“We have a set in stone plan that we’re going to buy into the whole season. Whether we win or lose games, we’re just going to stick to it and trust what Benji and our new defence coach John Morris are doing.
“The same goes for Robbie Farah in attack and Chris Heighington with our effort areas because these guys have all done it at and they know what it takes to win.”
What Marshall lacks in expertise, he greater than makes up for with the respect he has from the enjoying group who grew up watching him tear groups to shreds along with his fancy footwork and sleight of hand.
That was on present on Thursday when he went from main some drills in assault to stepping up as a coach when he received a gaggle of gamers to right away quieten down whereas he was attempting to do an interview so he may hear the questions.
“Even watching from afar when he’s directing training and directing the video reviews and previews, you can see that he’s really in charge in giving the boys a simplified game plan for what we want to do this year,” Doueihi mentioned.
“I feel as though the more pre-season has grown on us, the more the boys have bought in.
“Benji is a well-respected person, and that goes a long way for a coach.
“He’s a very honest coach which is sometimes very hard to find in a coach, so we’re lucky that Benji is very honest with us.
“It’s great that he sometimes jumps into some drills and physically shows us how to do them and then we follow.”
Marshall’s capacity to brazenly talk with the gamers has been necessary for Doueihi who is aware of he faces stiff competitors to get again into the aspect when he returns from ACL surgical procedure later this yr.
The membership has recruited nicely within the halves with Aidan Sezer, Latu Fainu and Jayden Sullivan approaching board, whereas Jarome Luai is heading to Concord in 2025.
“I know it’s a cliché, but I haven’t really looked that far ahead,” mentioned Doueihi, who has performed fullback, centre and within the halves.
“I haven’t had time for that because I’ve been stressing in my head about the future and what’s happening (with my recovery).
“Benji has been really clear to me about my rehab and getting myself better.
“We’ll see how the team is going when I get back, and he says he’ll slot me in somewhere.
“I’m a versatile player, but I’m going to be missing half of the season. Wherever Benji slots me in is where I’ll slot in.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
