LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Benny Elias, a Balmain legend and former player for the Wests Tigers, has expressed his disgust at the treatment of veteran coach Tim Sheens by the club.
Sheens, a premiership-winning coach, was brought in to replace Michael Maguire in 2022, but his time at the Tigers was cut short.
The club had initially planned for a five-year succession plan, with Sheens mentoring assistant coach Benji Marshall for the first two seasons before handing over the reins.
However, the board decided to fast-track Marshall's promotion, resulting in Sheens being pushed out a year earlier than planned.
Elias, who played under Sheens during their successful premiership campaign in 2005, criticized the decision and called it "disgusting." He believed that Sheens, who had achieved great success with the joint venture, deserved better treatment from the club.
Elias expressed his disappointment with the direction the Tigers were taking, as they were on track for a second consecutive wooden spoon.
The decision to remove Sheens from his position was met with backlash from fans and supporters, who felt that the club had mishandled the situation.
Many believed that Sheens should have been given the opportunity to see out his succession plan and mentor Marshall as intended.
Elias echoed these sentiments, stating that Sheens had earned the right to complete the plan he had agreed to.
Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Sheens has remained a respected figure in the rugby league community.
He has since moved on to coach the Australian national team, demonstrating that his coaching abilities are still highly regarded.
The Tigers, on the other hand, have faced criticism for their handling of the situation and their ongoing struggles on the field.
The revelation by Benny Elias sheds light on the dissatisfaction and frustration felt by many within the Tigers community.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of treating coaches and players with respect and fairness, and the potential consequences of mishandling such situations.