After a promising start to the season, it has been another difficult year to be a Wests Tigers fan.

With the Tigers 56-14 loss to St George Illawarra last week, the team slumped to its ninth straight loss (at least it’s the only time this season that the score has really blown out).

For context, the last time the Tigers won a game was Easter Monday against the Parramatta Eels.

Recent results have left me concerned about Benji Marshall and have me questioning why he was appointed coach in the first place. It’s not the first time I’ve asked these questions, I did feel this way when it was announced that he was taking on the role, but recent results have me worried about what will happen to Marshall if this doesn’t work out.

Under predecessor Tim Sheens, Marshall had just under a year to absorb as much as he could from the coaching veteran. But it was an extremely short apprenticeship when a two-year period didn’t even make the halfway mark before Sheens was punted, particularly considering Marshall’s complete lack of coaching experience.

If you think of other assistant coaches in the NRL like Josh Hannay and Jason Ryles, their apprenticeships have been a lot longer and they are still searching for the right NRL opportunity.

This is not to say that an apprenticeship has to last a certain period of time before a coach is ready, but I feel like Marshall has been thrown to the wolves here.

Amongst fan bases there is always hesitation when you are taking on a rookie coach as well; you might be taking a chance, but without a track record it’s a risk.

When Marshall was signed, everyone was excited about the ‘vibes’ and connection to the glory days of yesteryear he would bring. Given how little Tigers fans have had to celebrate over the last couple of decades, it’s no surprise how firmly they cling onto the success of 2005. I would do the same with my own team if I could (but as an Eels fan I have nothing in my lifetime to cling to).

Vibes are not a reason to appoint a head coach. Clinging to the past is not a reason to appoint a head coach either. My concern is that a decision to appoint a head coach was made more on these factors, rather than his experience.

You might question if the above is true, why did Marshall take on the role? Connection to a team can do powerful things to a person and perhaps Marshall thought this was a way that he could help the club he loves so much.

It’s my strong view that no matter who you are and what your experiences are, that there is a role for you in rugby league if you want it. The key is working out what the ‘right’ role is. We don’t all have the skills required to be a coach, or a board director, or a player.

Just like other players from 2005 have been brought in to surround Marshall, perhaps that role would have suited him better. Perhaps the Tigers should have continued his apprenticeship under a more experienced coach for a couple more years.

Already we are seeing Marshall’s methods come under the microscope; particularly his (in my view) sensible decision to make sure he has work/life balance and manages his familial responsibilities whilst also managing his head coach responsibilities.

Despite my views, I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic button for the Tigers just yet. Fortunately there are positives on the horizon.

Season 2024 is a write-off for the Tigers; that much is clear. But some promising juniors appear to be coming through the ranks, some which we will see in action this weekend. Shane Richardson is a good operator and seems focused on the next generation of players coming through the system.

Additionally, Jarome Luai will arrive at the club next year. I’ve never been a big fan of Luai, but he may have matured this year. He certainly seems comfortable without Nathan Cleary beside him and he seems committed to the idea of being the lead playmaker. This is good news for Marshall and Tigers fans who sorely need that sort of experience in the halves.

For Marshall’s sake I hope this works out because the reality is if he bombs at the Tigers I don’t see him getting another coaching gig any time soon.

And that’s not fair if he wasn’t set up for success in the first place.