Benji's telling admission after shock Manly win

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says his young team is beginning to figure out what works for them as the Tigers scored a shock come from behind 34-26 victory over Manly on Thursday night. While the most of the competition is still battling it out for top eight honours, the Tigers have found purpose down the back end of their season despite languishing at the foot of the table. The club's view of the top eight has been from the outside for over a decade and is still fighting to avoid a third straight wooden spoon. But there's a glimmer of hope for Marshall's men as they scored their second win on the trot and will gun for their third straight NRL win next week for the first time since 2018. "We're starting to find a little bit of what works for us," Marshall said in his post-match press conference. "Last week we found something - and don't forget we've got a team of kids who are still learning how to manage games, how to play games and we've got some great leaders who, like tonight, led us home at the back end." Marshall had a special mention for young five-eighth Lachlan Galvin, who was reportedly unhappy at the club earlier in the season. "Lachie Galvin, just the emergence of these guys and then Latu Fainu gets on and his first touch (he scores). "He is a great young kid, very silky with the ball, tough in defence, never shirks his responsibility. But you've got to remember he's 19 and it takes time. "We want to finish the season on a high, we've got a bye then Parramatta in the last round so at least we're giving ourselves a shot at it. "But I'll be clear, we're not happy finishing 16th or 17th. We want to be higher than that but we accept where we are and you've got to identify how to move forward and we've got a plan and we're working on it. "But we've got to celebrate the moments like tonight too, we need to enjoy that." Tigers skipper Api Koroisau also praised the 18-year-old Galvin. "He's one of those kids that just has raw talent, he's not flustered by what's happened, he plays what's in front of him," Koroisau said.

Secret rift behind surprise exit of Tigers legend

A difference of opinion with skipper Api Koroisau is the real reason Tigers legend Robbie Farah will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Koroisau and Farah - the two best hookers in the Tigers' history - haven't seen eye to eye over a number of issues for over 12 months. The result has been a disjointed club - and one of the pair had to go. Farah is staying on as an assistant coach to Benji Marshall until season's end but playing a reduced role. He has business interests and a high profile in Tiger-town so will have no problem adapting to life away from the game. The club is likely to deny the rift but several club insiders have confirmed it to Wide World of Sports. Benji is now on the lookout for a more experienced second in command following a rough ride in his first season at the helm of the club.

Tigers on notice as 'real issue' emerges with teen prodigy

Paul Gallen has put the Tigers' senior players on notice after the side's embarrassing 58-6 loss to the Sharks. Despite showing signs of promise throughout the season with four wins, the Tigers have been bitterly disappointing and currently sit last on the ladder. Coach Benji Marshall apologised to the club's fans after the loss on Friday as questions linger over the playing roster. A number of young players like Lachlan Galvin and Samuela Fainu have shown plenty of promise this season but league legend Paul Gallen believes that presents a problem for the team. "They've got guys like Lachie Galvin, who's 19, and been the best player on the field," he said on Nine's 100% Footy. "I think that's a real issue for some of their senior players who just aren't turning up and putting their best foot forward and playing as good as they possibly should be and on the money they're on I think it's crazy, I don't think it's good enough for first graders. "He's (Galvin) a kid who honestly shouldn't even be playing first grade, he should've come up, played two or three first grade games, gone back down, got confidence again, come back up again, play maybe 10 games over the entire season at the most. "Yet he's their best player, week in, week out because some of these older, senior players just aren't doing the job." The Tigers will hope to stop their recent slump this season when they play South Sydney at Gosford on Saturday.

Benji's Nephew Lands Long-Term Deal

The nephew of golden boy Benji Marshall has signed with the Gold Coast Titans. Taane Marshall-Wallace, a powerfully built 15-year-old outside back, is held in such high opinion by the Titans that he has been given a four-year deal. Marshall-Wallace hails from Waimana in the Bay of Plenty, and is another Kiwi rugby union convert. He was playing the 15-a-side game up until only three months ago and has wasted no time making an impact in league against players one and two years older than him. "He's a big kid with good skills - we are very excited about him," a Titans source told Wide World of Sports.

Pocket Rocket Up Waynes Sleeve

Is Jeremy Marshall-King the most underrated player in the NRL? The younger brother of Benji Marshall has been an outstanding player for the Dolphins over the past two seasons yet rarely gets the plaudits. He gave one of the best performances by a hooker all season in the 44-16 humiliation of the Eels in Darwin, carving up the defence throughout the second half. Unlike many modern- day hookers, Marshall-King is a genuine dummy-half, a player who knows when to run and when to pass and his teammates are the beneficiaries of his good work. Despite missing four of their best players, the Dolphins produced a stunning performance to totally outclass and out-enthuse the Eels.

Benji Marshall in major revelation about Greg Inglis amid Wests Tigers struggles

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is confident that Greg Inglis can help Jahream Bula be even better in his second season in the NRL. The 22-year-old fullback was one of the few bright sparks at the Tigers in 2023 but even he was unable to prevent the side from picking up a second-successive wooden spoon.Marshall sees the potential in the youngster and wants to help him avoid any second-year syndrome. When informed that Inglis would be personally helping Bula with his game, the 22-year-old said he "felt like crying". And Marshall is banking on the pair's chemistry to bring out the best from the fullback. "I haven't had a lot to do with Greg personally, but him and Jahream have a really good relationship," Marshall said. "They probably remind me a lot of each other off the field, they are really quiet guys and don't like talking too much, but he will be great for Jahream off the field. He won't get too involved with things in the club but it's been good having him around." Marshall has a difficult task ahead of him, trying to bring life into a Tigers side that has offered very little for more than a decade. In an attempt to revitalise the side, the club legend has brought in Canberra halfback Aiden Sezer, ex-Melbourne centre Justin Olam and for the 2025 season Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai. Marshall has confirmed Sezer will replace Luke Brooks as halfback after he left the club at the end of last year to join Manly but who will join him in the halves is yet to be decided.

Tigers secretly contact axed coach as Plan B emerges

The Tigers' internal battle has taken a new twist the club showing interest in sacked Titans coach Justin Holbrook through a third party.With the club at the foot of the NRL ladder and coaches Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall at odds with management, the Tigers are a club very much in crisis.The interest in Holbrook is three-fold - he could add experience and knowledge as an assistant coach, he could step in if the relationship between Sheens, Marshall and the board becomes untenable… and he is a way of signing Titans star Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.The Maroons superstar is close to Holbrook - so much so that he had a clause inserted into his current contract that if Holbrook left, Tino is free to walk as well.The big forward is now assessing his options, with several clubs besides the Tigers keen on his services.David Fifita is in the same situation but both will wait until later in the year before making any decision on their futures.

Raw Benji conversation that reignited axed Tiger

If anyone knew how to get enigmatic Tigers winger David Nofoaluma's career back on track, it was Benji Marshall.Benji played alongside Nofoaluma for three years in Tiger town and knows exactly what makes the speedster tick.So when Nofoaluma lost his way in the early rounds of the new season, Benji - the assistant to Tigers coach Tim Sheens - stepped in."Things weren't going the way I wanted," Nofoaluma told Wide World of Sports."I wasn't playing up to my standard, I got dropped … I had a foot injury that held me back, as well."And the team was struggling to get a win so it was tough for everyone."I decided to have a talk with Benji because he knows my game - he was a teammate for three years."He knows when I'm at my best and what I have to do to get back there."He helped me get my focus and belief back. He basically told me, 'Be the player I know you can be', and helped me regain my confidence."The win over Penrith was massive for us and hopefully a turning point for the rest of the season."It felt great to beat such a quality team and it really worked wonders for my self belief - and I think a lot of other guys too."We had been coming close a few times but not winning and that can get to you if you let it."The stunning upset win over the premiers proved a landmark for Nofoaluma. He scored his 100th NRL try and showed glimpses of the old dash he displayed regularly playing outside Marshall in days gone by."It was a great effort all around and we have a good mix now of some old heads and young guys starting their careers," he said."We can hopefully string a few wins together now, starting with the Dragons in Magic Round, and work our way up the ladder."

Benji Marshall spotted in telling act during Tigers' near-miss against Eels

NRL 360 panellists Paul Kent and Phil Rothfield have pinpointed the eye-opening moment that suggests Benji Marshall was in charge of the Wests Tigers on Monday, rather than head coach Tim Sheens. The Tigers produced a markedly better performance against Parramatta but ultimately went down 28-22.The loss consigned the Tigers to their first 0-7 start in club history, however there appears to be a glimmer of hope to come from the defeat. Sheens' men looked much better than they have in recent losses to the Broncos and Storm, and got within two points of last year's grand finalists until a late try ended their hopes of a comeback.Dissecting the game on NRL 360 on Monday night, Kent pointed out that Marshall appeared to be in charge of the team when cameras cut to the Tigers' coaching box late in the game. Marshall could be seen with the headset on, sending orders down to the field as Sheens looked on from the back of the box, not saying a word.According to Kent, it was a sign that Sheens is taking more of a backseat and grooming Marshall to eventually become the head coach. Sheens was signed to a two-year deal late last season, with Marshall and Robbie Farah working under him as assistants. The plan is for Sheens to impart his wisdom on Marshall, who will take over the reins in 2025.“I think Tim Sheens is sitting back and essentially just managing things,” Kent said. “He’s come in under this idea he has to educate these young guys to eventually succeed him as head coach and I don’t see anything wrong with him at different points just handing over and letting them have a little bit of control.“When Tim Sheens was at the Raiders he would call in players such as Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart and Mal Meninga and get them to help him with the game plan for that week. He wanted input from them about what they are seeing and how they think they could beat whoever they were playing that week.“And you just have to look at the players who have since come out of his system who have been good head coaches. He does put a lot of trust in those around him. He did it when he was back at the Raiders and now he’s doing it at the Tigers with his assistant coaches.“The other person in the Tigers box is David Furner, his contribution would be significant and what Furner says would be significant and Sheensy, who coached him as a player, would have a lot of trust about him.”

What Benji's Pearce text means for broken star

The Wests Tigers circus took another tumble on Thursday with the club making an unsuccessful bid to sign veteran halfback Mitchell Pearce.Pearce, 34, is playing for Catalans in Super League and was contacted by Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall on Wednesday.But in a text message to News Corp from France, Pearce said: "I don't really have much to say. Benji called me yesterday and I told him I'm contracted to Catalans."We are top of the table and I want to win a comp in Super League. That's pretty much it."The news comes as another dagger to the heart of embattled Tigers halfback Luke Brooks.The Tigers are 0-4 to start the season, Brooks is struggling for form and copping it from fans and media - and now learns the club wants to sign a veteran to take his place.If Brooks' confidence was low on Wednesday, it is now under ground.To add to his woes, the Tigers face the prospect of another flogging from the in-form Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp this weekend.The only thing in Brooks' favour is that head coach Tim Sheens retains confidence in the polarising halfback.Sheens has declared since the pre-season that Brooks still has what it takes and has stuck by the local junior throughout the early rounds despite his patchy form.

Issue that could bring 'vulnerable' Tigers undone

It's back to the future for the Tigers in 2023, with veteran Tim Sheens returning to take charge 18 years after he led the club to the promised land.Alongside him on the coaching staff are two of the heroes of that memorable premiership triumph in 2005, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.Sheens hasn't mucked around since taking over, bolstering the wooden spooners with some key signings.Apart from the Bulldogs, the Tigers have probably recruited better than any team in the NRL and should improve vastly on their meagre tally of four wins in 2022.Throw in some exciting youngsters the club has been developing and things are looking positive in Tiger-town for the first time in several years.Will they feature in the race for the finals? Probably not quite this year - but by 2024 they will be a force to be reckoned with. 2022 finishing position: Last (16th).

Benji's top target causing friction at Tigers

Benji Marshall faces the first crucial test of his leadership and diplomacy skills in coming weeks.Benji is keen to bring local junior Mitchell Moses back to the Tigers from Parramatta and sees him as the answer to the club's play-making problems.But some senior officials at the Tigers don't want Moses back - he wasn't a good fit at the club in his first stint there and he isn't a popular figure with Tigers players.Only a few weeks back, he took a blatant dive when barely touched by Tigers debutant Justin Matamua, who was promptly sent to the sin bin and placed on report … and subsequently cleared.Benji must weigh-up the other aspects that go into signing a player besides ability - the great coaches mould teams built on harmony and comradeship as well as talent.Moses, meanwhile, has put talks with the Eels on hold until after the club finishes its playing commitments, and there is a big chance he will head to the November 1 negotiations deadline day unsigned.

Surprise twist in Tigers coaching plans

The Wests Tigers band of 2005 are back together again - except for the drummer. And in a stunning boost for the struggling club, grand final winning skipper Scott Prince has offered to re-join the Tigers for their 2023 reunion tour.The only Tigers skipper to lift the premiership trophy, Prince is settled in Brisbane and has a good job at the Broncos, working in development and as assistant coach of their women's team.But the former superstar halfback has been so swept away by the Sheens-Benji-Farah reunion that he has offered his services for next season."The band's all there - except the drummer!" an excited Prince told Wide World of Sports."What we did in 2005 was the highlight of my career and we are all brothers for life."I've already had a chat to Tim about what I could possibly do at the club."I still love the Tigers and it hurts to see what they have been going through the last few years."I enjoy what I do at the Broncos and they have been great to me, but if the Tigers had an opening coaching the halves or something, I'd definitely consider it."Prince believes the Tigers have made a move in the right direction by bringing back the heroes of 2005."Tim is one of the smartest men in football and he will teach Benji plenty," he said. "It's exciting times and I think it will work well for the club."

Long road back for Tigers

The inequality of the NRL was never more clearly on show than at CommBank Stadium yesterday.The Panthers gave their best seven players a day off - yet were still too good for the poor old Tigers.If the Tigers can't beat the Panthers with seven Origin players missing, they never will.The Tigers did try - but poor execution, awful game management and basic errors proved their undoing.The loss - the club's sixth on the trot - showed just how much work Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall have ahead of them over the next few years - there is no quick fix for this mess.

NRL fans erupt after Benji Marshall's bombshell announcement

Benji Marshall has revealed his aspirations to coach his beloved Wests Tigers, throwing his hat in the ring to work under Tim Sheens.Sheens has reportedly signed a two-year deal to take over as the Tigers head coach after Michael Maguire was sacked last month.The 71-year-old Sheens has been working as the Tigers' head of football, but will now reportedly return to the head coaching role that he left in 2012.Sheens coached the Tigers for 250 games after first taking the role in 2003, leading the joint venture to their maiden premiership in 2005.After a failed bid to lure Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo, the Tigers have reportedly convinced Sheens to step back into the hot seat.NRL reporter Michelle Bishop revealed on Tuesday that Sheens has agreed to a two-year deal and will be working with Marshall and Robbie Farah in part-time roles.Discussing the development on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, Marshall revealed his aspirations to be head coach of the Tigers one day."The dream for me would be to be an NRL coach and at the Wests Tigers would be an ideal situation,” Marshall said.

What embattled Tigers coach must do to save his job

Wests Tigers legend Benji Marshall says the only way coach Michael Maguire can assure himself job security this year is to win football games.Maguire was almost sacked by the Concord club in September, before a bizarre change of heart from the board saved his skin and earned him a reprieve not many people saw coming. Their own chairman labelled the entire saga "a debacle and an embarrassment".The Tigers won eight games and finished 13th on the ladder, but were once again the laughing stock of the competition as they missed playing finals for a 10th consecutive year.They've hardly improved in three years under Maguire's tutelage but the club hierarchy are holding out hope he can still be their saviour.Marshall was asked by 9News if he feared for Maguire's job this season.

Benji to make final call on NRL future today

Benji Marshall is expected to call time on his NRL career this afternoon, with the 36-year-old to hang up the boots after 346 matches in the top grade.Marshall will front the media at 2pm (AEDT) and is likely to announce that Sunday's grand final loss to Penrith was his final match."Everyone wants to know what I'm doing but we'll just get through the next few days and then I'll assess it," Marshall said after Souths' 14-12 loss to the Panthers."We'll see, it's hard to process after that sort of year. I'll see what the options are, celebrate the season we've had with the boys."My wife [Zoe] is very supportive, she wants me to do what's best. I'll know from the bottom of my heart if it's time or not."Age is just a number, if you're still turning up enjoying it and turn up to training every day and on the field then why not."The Rabbitohs, and coach Wayne Bennett, threw Marshall a lifeline earlier this year, with the veteran playing 22 matches, mainly coming off the bench."I made the No.14 jersey my own this year and was enjoying it," he said."I'm extremely grateful more than anything to have the opportunity to represent this great club and play with the players I got to play with this year."Marshall made his first grade debut for the Wests Tigers in 2003, and played in the club's 2005 grand final win over North Queensland, a match made famous by his flick-pass to setup a try for Pat Richards.

Benji Marshall remarkable flick pass in 2005 grand final

Sixteen years on from his first premiership decider, Benji Marshall's great grand final secret from 2005 can now be revealed.Benji was the cheeky youngster who captured the imagination of the league world when, playing at five-eighth, he threw possibly the most famous pass in grand final history for Pat Richards' try as the Tigers downed the Cowboys on the big night.Right?Well - only half so.Reflecting on Benji's journey from boy to man, then Tigers coach Tim Sheens - the man who plotted the Tigers' impossible dream - has decided to come clean on the 16 year old secret."No one noticed and we kept it very quiet, but Benji actually played half of that game on the wing and not at five-eighth," Sheens told Wide World of Sports.

Marshall sets incredible grand final record

The biggest week of the year is only just starting - but Benji Marshall has already set a grand final record.Benji's remarkable feat of playing two deciders 16 years apart is unparalleled in the 113-year history of rugby league, according to stats guru David Middleton.A cheeky youngster when he threw THAT famous flick pass to win the Wests Tigers the unwinnable premiership in 2005, Benji is now 36 and the wise old man in the Rabbitohs' quest for glory.One of Benji's former team-mates - dual international Lote Tuqiri - comes closest to matching his feat, with 14 years between his two grand finals - for the Broncos in 2000 and Rabbitohs in 2014.Ageless former Storm skipper Cam Smith also played grand finals 14 years apart (2006 and 2020) - but played quite a few others in between.

Bennett sledge that changed Benji Marshall before he landed at Souths

South Sydney utility Benji Marshall has revealed the Wayne Bennett sledge that changed the way he approached his game. Marshall was heavily praised for his impact off the Bunnies interchange bench against Melbourne, playing a key hand in two tries and giving the side veteran leadership as they came back from a huge deficit to be in the game in the final ten minutes. Marshall claims he never would have ended up with South Sydney if it wasn't for his wife Zoe, who said 'why don't you give Wayne a call?'. The rest is history as Marshall took the the last roster spot on the Rabbitohs' player list after the club allowed Corey Allan to leave and join the Bulldogs. Marshall said it wasn't easy calling Bennett but realised that if anyone knew how he conducted business it was the master coach. Bennett and Beni had teamed up at international level, and the coach was a huge figure in leading the Kiwis to a shock Four Nations tournament win over Australia in the final. The playmaker believes the first team meeting Bennett had with the Kiwis had a massive impact on the side and himself personally.