Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall is the first target of the embattled club’s plans to get their house in order after recent turmoil has rocked the organisation.
As reported in recent weeks, board members have been moved on and veteran administrator Shane Richardson tendered his resignation this past week, laying bare significant internal problems at the club.
On the back of the internal carnage, however, comes a shining light for fans and the playing group, with reports that Marshall is set to receive a massive long-term contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2030 NRL season, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The move comes despite Marshall finishing last in his debut campaign in 2024 and overseeing a club that continues to wrestle with instability off the field.
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While talks with Marshall's management accelerated this week and he was always favoured to stay, it was initially expected he would receive only a modest two-year extension, but the deal has since expanded into a five-year commitment from the Tigers.
The extension will make Marshall just the second NRL coach contracted through to 2030, joining Bulldogs mentor Cameron Ciraldo who signed long term after consecutive finals appearances.
The Tigers clearly see the mega deal as a vital step toward stabilising the football department amidst significant unrest at board level, with players understood to strongly back their coach, making the news a welcome relief.
If Marshall signs the contract, he will become the second-most capped coach in Wests Tigers history behind his former mentor and 2005 premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens.
Whilst Marshall delivered a wooden spoon in 2024, he guided the Tigers to an improved 13th this past season, with the club’s nine wins in 2025 marking their best return since 2018 and the team looking markedly improved.
Marshall was originally contracted until the end of 2027 before the Tigers opted to commit to him long term, and securing the coach provides stability on the football side, though the club’s well-documented boardroom issues remain far from settled.
The NRL has pushed for the reinstatement of four recently removed board members after their sudden and controversial stand-down last week, with former chairman Barry O’Farrell among those the NRL wants returned, along with Annabelle Williams, Michelle McDowell and Charlie Viola.
It is understood Viola will reject any approach while the intentions of Williams and McDowell remain unclear amidst a messy internal affair involving the Holman Barnes Group that has seen the NRL step in as fan outrage mounts.
Some of the group reportedly discovered their sackings through media reports, with the Holman Barnes Group later retracting statements posted about the changes.
While the NRL and some players have voiced frustration at the turn of events at the Tigers in recent weeks, none are more disillusioned than the Wests Tigers fan base.
After a history of turmoil and poor recent results on the field, fans had every right to feel optimistic and believe they were finally leaving behind the difficult period of multiple wooden spoons and internal infighting.
The frustration has grown to such a level that a rally has now been organised for this Saturday, with fans planning to take to the streets to push for the removal of the Holman Barnes Group and for the Tigers to return to stability that will help results continue to improve.
Despite the off-field turmoil, the Tigers believe Marshall’s long-term deal is a crucial foundation piece as they attempt to rebuild toward future success, and fans marching on Saturday will at least take solace in one of their favourite sons staying long term to help lead the club.