Twist in Jarome Luai signing as Tigers sack figure who clashed with Benji Marshall
The news comes just days after the Wests Tigers confirmed they'd snared Luai from the Panthers.
Scott Fulton has confirmed reports he's been sacked by the Wests Tigers, just days after the club announced the signing of Jarome Luai from the Panthers. According to the Daily Telegraph, interim Tigers CEO Shane Richardson informed Fulton of the decision over the phone, telling the controversial figure his services were no longer required at the club.
“It’s disappointing because I had such high hopes for the Wests Tigers and the direction we were heading in with recruitment,” Fulton told the publication. “But I really enjoyed my time under the previous management and what we were able to achieve in a short period. These things happen in rugby league and we’ll move on and look for the next opportunity. I wish the club all the best.”
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Fulton was controversially appointed in the role by former CEO Justin Pascoe last year. But the appointment was made without consultation with then-coach Tim Sheens. Not long after Fulton got the job, Sheens’ long-time recruitment boss Warren McDonnell left the club.
Sheens has also since departed, with Benji Marshall taking over the head-coaching role. Marshall was an assistant under Sheens when Fulton was appointed, and also wasn't privy to the decision to hire him even though he was being groomed to take over from Sheens at the time.
Marshall had reportedly clashed with Fulton ever since he came to the Tigers, but Richardson moved to play down any friction when he came in as interim CEO when the whole board was sacked late last year. “I’ve never met Scott Fulton, so I don’t know that,” Richardson said.
“It is ridiculous for me to even comment on that until I get inside the tent and speak to Benji and Scott and everybody else. It is unfair to single out Scott Fulton or anybody else in this arrangement. It is abut building a club that is internally strong and works together and that is my task over the next six months. I don’t want to make any comments about any individuals.”
Fulton had overseen some big signings in his time at the club, snaring Fainu brothers Latu and Samuela from Manly, as well as Jayden Sullivan from the Dragons - all of whom are good young talents. His sacking comes just days after the Tigers confirmed the signing of gun five-eighth Luai on a five-year deal worth $6 million - one of the biggest coups in club history.
Scott Fulton's clash with Tigers coach Benji Marshall
But it looks as though his inability to work with Marshall may have cost him. Fulton, the son of Manly legend Bob, had reportedly been critical of Marshall's coaching style, and his godfather Peter Peters even questioned whether Marshall had a conflict of interest in targeting certain players to recruit.
Discussing the situation last year, Sheens insisted Fulton and Marshall could work together. "I don't think there's going to be an issue where someone can't work with someone," he said. "We've all got to be professional in these sorts of situations.That's what I expect from both guys.
"That's what we're doing all the time, is talking about our recruitment. Not only from outside in, bringing people in or what we've got to do, it's our juniors and our own kids and obviously the halves situation at the club, by way of experienced halves is an obvious one. When we identify something (for the halves), we'll let you all know."
In July, Gorden Tallis asked how Marshall could work with a recruitment boss “that’s going around bagging you.” Journalist Michael Carayannis added: “The Tigers...know what’s been said and who’s said it. How can you sell the message of hope and optimism and ‘come and play for this coach’ when deep down you don’t actually believe he’s a good coach?”
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