Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall have come under fire for being “completely invisible” as the Wests Tigers’ season came to a dismal close under caretaker coach Brett Kimmorley.
Already guaranteed the wooden spoon heading into Sunday’s season-ending clash at the club’s spiritual home Leichhardt Oval, the Tigers were woeful in a 56-10 loss to Canberra.
The home side trailed 42-0 at halftime in the horror loss as the Tigers finished the season with just a single win from their final 13 matches.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
‘SPEECHLESS’: ‘Pathetic’ Tigers labelled below NRL standard
TALKING POINTS: Roosters’ Latrell blueprint revealed; question mark hanging over Sharks
Kimmorley oversaw just a single win after taking charge of the side mid-season. But Daily Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield said the coach was always going to be up against it, while also taking aim at long-term coaches Sheens and Marshall, who will serve as assistant before taking over in 2025.
“I tell you who I’m disappointed with — Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall. They’ve been appointed as coaches long-term over the next five years. They have been completely invisible,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
“I think Tim Sheens has thrown a horrible, horrible hospital pass to Brett Kimmorley.
“They sold David Nofoaluma. (Luciano) Leilua to the Cowboys, both have gone strong. Luke Brooks has been injured, Jackson Hastings has been injured.
“People even said on social media well Newtown of NSW Cup would have beaten them yesterday and you know what? I reckon they would have given them a run for their money. It’s really, really disappointing what’s happened at that football club this year.”
Rothfield said there was little doubt the Tigers were playing better before parting ways with former coach Michael Maguire mid-season.
“I’m not saying Michael Maguire was the long-term answer at the Wests Tigers but what has happened this last 10 weeks is just terrible,” he said.
“Im told people were leaving after a half hour at Leichhardt Ovalyesterday and these are long-term fans who love turning up there … it’s just not good enough.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Rothfield backed the Tigers to improve next year, especially with incoming signings Isaiah Papali’i and Apisai Koroisau, but said the past two months had shown just how much work was ahead.
NRL great Laurie Daley agreed and was also left shocked by the meek nature of Sunday’s defeat.
“When you play a game, games can get out of hand. But you find if it’s a blowout score it usually happens towards the backend. You don’t expect to be 40-odd points down at halftime,” Daley said.
“Whatever happened there yesterday they should be extremely disappointed with their efforts. “That was a concern for me. Their last game of the year they didn’t show the respect that playing in the last game of the season deserved … regardless of where you are on the competition table.”
