Benji Marshall makes mockery of ugly claims amid Aidan Sezer's NRL heroics for Tigers

The back-to-back victories come after Marshall's coaching approach was heavily scrutinised.

Mon, 1 Apr 2024, 8:35 pm·4-min read

The Wests Tigers took another huge step forward under new coach Benji Marshall on Easter Monday, with the reigning wooden spooners beating heavyweights Parramatta to claim back-to-back wins for the first time since round 10 in the NRL last season. The Tigers hung on for a heart-stopping 17-16 win against the Eels at CommBank Stadium after Clint Gutherson missed a penalty goal after the siren to snatch victory for the home side.

Veteran halfback Aidan Sezer - one of the signings from Marshall that was questioned by critics before the season - proved a hero for the Tigers after slotting the match-winning field goal in the final minute. Sezer's defence was also impressive throughout the contest, with the journeyman No.7 making a number of key tackles to nullify the threat from Parramatta's dangerous left edge attack.

Benji Marshall is answering his NRL critics after his Wests Tigers side won their second straight match thanks to the heroics of Aidan Sezer. Pic: Getty

The other player who really impressed for the Tigers was rookie five-eighth Lachlan Galvin, who played with a confidence and assurance that belied his age. The 18-year-old set up the Tigers' first try after a superb grubber near the Eels' try line that Justin Olam pounced on.

Unfortunately for the teenage playmaker, Galvin was sent to the sin bin for a second half hip-drop tackle on Kelma Tuilagi that saw him slapped with a dangerous contact charge and a two-game ban. The 18-year-old didn't allow the incident to get him down though as he returned to the field to set up a dazzling go-ahead try for Jahream Bula.

The displays from Galvin and Sezer were a superb vindication for Marshall, who'd come under fire for his coaching methods early in the season. Marshall was last month forced to hit back at ugly claims he was not a '24/7 coach' and did not dedicate as much of his time to the role as other top coaches.

The Tigers mentor denied suggestions he arrived later to training than other members of the squad and bristled at those who questioned his commitment to the head coaching role. Marshall has vowed to do things his own way and for the second week running, reportedly played a round of golf on game day, in an approach that is clearly working for him.

Benji Marshall in telling answer to NRL critics

Discussing the new coach's impact on the side and the resurgence of the Tigers under Marshall, Monday night's NRL 360 panel said the rookie mentor deserved plenty of credit. “Now, Benji copped it after that first loss. There were questions about whether he’s spending not enough time at training. A lot of people thought the same," Braith Anasta said.

“Let’s give him some credit. He’s had a couple of great wins in a row. He’s probably got them in the best position they’ve been in a very long time. If you look at the team and the points conceded and the growth and the youth, what do you think?”

The Tigers claimed consecutive wins for the first time since round 10 last year, in an impressive start under new coach Benji Marshall. Pic: Getty

Veteran league reporter Phil Rothfield described Marshall as the breath of fresh air the Tigers needed after consecutive wooden spoons. “I think the West Tigers needed something different. You know, they’d had Madge, they’d had Tim Sheens and things didn’t work out and they needed a breath of fresh air. Someone with new ideas. Someone prepared to take a punt on kids," Rothfield said.

“Someone who saw something in Adian Sezer that no other club like Canterbury saw when you’re looking for an experienced halfback to steer them around short-term. I love the fact he played golf today. He’s not on edge... And that to me is a really encouraging sign that he’s not over-coaching. He’s relaxed.”

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NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent says he believes the key to the early season success for the Tigers is the fact Marshall and the players all seem to be on the same page about how they want to play. "So far in these past two weeks, there’s been a real obvious commitment to each other and to just turning up and making the play," Kent said.

"Just stay in the contest and turn up and just get your defence right. All those little things that coaches talk about and Benji was talking about, he’s been able to pull it off in the past two weeks. And you’re seeing it, there’s a clear difference in the West Tigers and just how they’re getting around in themselves.”