Benji Marshall faces mounting pressure as the Wests Tigers embark on a high-stakes 2025 NRL season. With the club investing approximately $4 million annually in star recruits, including Jarome Luai, Terrell May, and Sunia Turuva, Marshall’s ability to deliver results is under intense scrutiny.
Despite finishing bottom of the ladder for the third consecutive year in 2024, optimism is growing around the revamped squad. Marshall has assembled a roster brimming with talent, but rugby league legends Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers warn that the stakes are clear: if the Tigers fail to perform, Marshall will bear the blame.
“On paper, they’re not getting the wooden spoon,” Sattler said, highlighting the team’s potential. “The blowtorch is now on Benji… He has to prove he’s a great coach.” Rogers added, “If they get another wooden spoon with that roster, Benji won’t have a job by year’s end.”
Meanwhile, the Tigers are grappling with internal challenges as multiple players face disciplinary action for failing to meet pre-season fitness standards. With the club striving to raise its culture and accountability, the situation has drawn criticism from figures like Greg Alexander, who called it a “massive problem.”
