Legendary fullback Billy Slater has delivered a timely warning to the Wests Tigers amidst internal tensions that threaten to divide the club. Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe was compelled to arrange emergency meetings with assistant coach Benji Marshall and recruitment chief Scott Fulton on Monday following an apparent feud that erupted over the weekend. Fulton was appointed without consulting Marshall or head coach Tim Sheens, who will be succeeded by Fulton next season.
The situation intensified when Manly great Peter Peters, who is Fulton’s godfather, made comments on radio during round 20 that suggested Marshall’s involvement in a “bombshell” concerning the pursuit of halfback Aidan Sezer. Peters alleged that a high-profile Tigers official has ownership in the management company handling the Sezer deal, although Marshall’s agent has denied any association between Marshall and the company.
Marshall and Fulton are reportedly at odds over the recruitment of Sezer, with Fulton preferring to sign Penrith halfback Jack Cogger instead.
The Wests Tigers have failed to qualify for the NRL finals for 12 consecutive years, and according to Slater, this trend will continue unless everyone within the club is united.
“You cannot have a successful club unless everyone is moving in the same direction,” Slater emphasized on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast. “At the moment, there seem to be multiple directions that everyone is trying to pull the Tigers in, although I cannot verify the accuracy of these reports. It is the players and the supporters who suffer when there is no cohesion. Everyone must align their goals and work together, otherwise progress will be difficult.”
Having won four grand finals during his career with Melbourne, Slater knows what it takes to achieve success in the NRL. The Wests Tigers have long been the subject of ridicule in the competition, and this recent internal saga only adds to the frustration for their loyal fanbase.
Sheens, who denies any knowledge of the coach approach, is set to be replaced by Marshall as the head coach next season, bringing hope to the club that the 2005 premiership hero can revitalize the team and restore it to its former glory.
Slater believes that the Tigers possess enough talent within their current roster to return to the finals in the near future, as long as they receive proper coaching.
“Rather than focusing on acquiring every available player, invest time and effort into developing the talents you already have,” Slater advised. “Nurture these players and commit to their long-term development. Look at what Penrith has achieved with their squad by investing in their development.”
The Wests Tigers finished last in the previous season and currently sit at the bottom of the ladder after 20 rounds in their 2023 campaign. They will face the Dragons in their upcoming match on Thursday.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
