Benji Marshall, the new Wests Tigers coach, has dismissed suggestions that he lacks the work ethic required for success, pointing out that his 347-game career as a player is evidence of his commitment.
He expressed surprise at suggestions that he doesn’t put in the long hours necessary for coaching and defended his choice to prioritize family time.
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He refuted claims that he arrived later at the club than players on training days but emphasized that the hours worked by a coach don’t solely determine their commitment to success. He admitted that he still has much to learn in his coaching role.
“I didn’t want to have to justify the way I do things, but what I don’t like is when things are told that are not true,” Marshall responded to some of the reports ahead of his first game in charge, as his team prepares to face veteran coach Ricky Stuart and the Canberra Raiders on Saturday in the nation’s capital.
Marshall’s coaching style came under scrutiny in a Daily Telegraph column and on NRL 360 this week. He emphasized his commitment, stating, “You ask anyone in the building, I’m in here at quarter-to-six training with the staff before the players get in so they see us doing the hard yards before they come.”
“I know I’ve got a lot to learn coaching-wise, and I have to work hard.”
“What’s a 24-7 coach? Who says I don’t live and breathe the job? I come into work early before the players, work as hard as we can until we get what we need done, then we go home. Because I prioritize my family between 5-8pm every night to find a work-life balance, that doesn’t mean I don’t care about my job or working hard. I don’t get it.”
Marshall, who unofficially coached the Tigers in three games last season after Tim Sheens handed him more power, is still viewing the Raiders clash as his first game in charge. He admitted he had first-game jitters comparable to that time of his own playing career.
“I’m actually a little bit nervous now. It’s just a lot of unknowns. It’s our first real competition game. I know we played two trials, but it’s hard trying to prepare with the bye in round 1. You’ve got to flog the players longer and then freshen them up later. In our trials, our boys were very tired. We had to prepare for round 1. I’m looking forward to seeing them fresh.”
