The Tigers coach Benji Marshall is accused of being white-antied by the son of one of the greatest football players ever, to which the club president responds, “It’s just plain wrong on all fronts.”
Wests Tigers manager Shane Richardson has dismissed reports concerning Benji Marshall as ‘bulls**t’ after it was revealed that the club believes ex-recruitment manager Scott Fulton is attempting to undermine the coach in the media. Last week, questions were raised about Marshall’s work ethic, with suggestions that he does not put in the same hours as his competitor club managers. Marshall answered the accusations, saying that he is the ‘first in the building’ before training every day, while admitting that he ‘prioritises his family between 5-8pm every night to establish a work-life balance’.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Tigers believe former employee Fulton, son of football hero Bob, is attempting to discredit Marshall. Richardson commended Marshall while appearing on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.
We have an agenda and are working towards it,’ Richardson added. ‘We are not going to be swayed by unfounded criticism. We just keep moving forward. It’s complete nonsense on all levels. ‘At the end of the day, in my over 30 years of experience working with coaches, Benji is as meticulous and committed as anyone.’ Marshall and Fulton had a rocky relationship for several months before Fulton was fired by the Tigers in January. Fulton believed in a hard-nosed, old-school coaching style, whereas Marshall employs a more modern one. According to Richardson, Marshall’s commitment to his family and work-life balance is admirable.
Because he (Marshall) does not work 14 hours a day and wants his players to have a family life, it is a good thing, not a bad thing, Richardson remarked. ‘I wish I had learned that 20 years ago. It would have saved me a great deal of grief in my personal life.
‘What he’s trying to do is inculcate a sense of balance between life and work, and I believe he’s succeeded. I’ve seen Michael Maguire, Anthony Seibold, and Jason Taylor. I have seen them all. At the end of the day, no one in my experience is more meticulous and organised than Benji. “Benji is somewhere between Madge and Wayne Bennett, which isn’t a bad thing.”