Benji Marshall says he is not going to really feel pressured to make panicked selections or speed up Wests Tigers’ rebuild, even when it someday prices him his job as coach.
The Tigers fell to a 3rd straight picket spoon on Friday evening, overwhelmed 60-22 by Parramatta within the battle to keep away from final place on the ladder.
However Marshall is adamant the Tigers’ turnaround stays on monitor, regardless of the membership ending final in his first full season on the helm.
The Tigers debuted 12 gamers in 2024 and had been pressured to make use of 38 in whole, together with six members of Western Suburbs premiership-winning under-17s facet from 2022.
The Tigers additionally gained extra video games than they did in any of the previous two seasons, however finally nonetheless completed final, with the worst defensive document within the competitors.
There are optimistic indicators forward, with Jarome Luai to affix subsequent yr and companion younger gun Lachlan Galvin within the halves.
Sunia Turuva, Royce Hunt and Jack Chicken may also arrive, with Corey Horsburgh anticipated to affix them.
Marshall is conscious time isn’t on a coach’s facet within the NRL, however mentioned he wouldn’t be pushed away from his plan.
“It does not fear me as a result of I am not teaching to maintain my job,” Marshall mentioned.
“I am teaching to attempt to make this membership higher and make these youngsters higher. I actually imagine I can do this.
“If that is me for the subsequent two years and we do not get the rewards, and I am not right here and another person does, [so be it]. That is how a lot I care concerning the membership.
“Time may not be on my facet, however I’m nonetheless going to encourage them to attempt to win subsequent yr.”
Marshall additionally insisted he remained assured the trail the Tigers had been on was the right one, and his transfer in the direction of youth this yr would bear fruit.
“I simply imagine in the place we’re going and the expertise we have got. I imagine within the leaders we have got and the way in which we’re recruiting,” he mentioned.
“There have been sufficient indicators this season. And we have backed it, we backed our plan.
“The outcomes did not come, however everybody has talked about they will see the place we’re heading. The whole lot is optimistic for us.”
Jarome Luai’s arrival on the Wests Tigers in 2025 will assist elevate the struggling membership off the underside of the ladder.
Galvin leads the group of proficient younger Tigers halves, however could have much less stress subsequent yr with Luai alongside him.
Fellow playmaker Latu Fainu has additionally proven promise, whereas Heath Mason, Luke Laulilii, Fonua Pole, Tallyn da Silva and Samuela Fainu have impressed.
Marshall admitted he virtually felt sorry for Galvin with the duty he had shouldered this season, however believed he would profit in the long term.
“There would no different training just like the one he’s getting now, wherever else,” Marshall mentioned.
“There’s a lot he can nonetheless be taught and develop from.
“However we’re bringing a man (Luai) who’s a winner and may management a footy group like he has at Penrith this complete season. That’s solely going to assist Lachy.”
AAP
