"I back myself": Why Marshall decided to sign mega-extension

In a bid to ensure some stability for the players and fans after a week of political turmoil, Wests Tigers have handed coach Benji Marshall a contract extension through until 2030.

In the same week that has seen board members sacked and then re-instated, as well as the CEO Shane Richardson stand down, Marshall said his decision to put pen to paper should be seen a sign of calm.

The instability of the club sparked concerns over the future of the coach which then led to speculation players – including Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula - could walk out.

Speaking at a press conference, Marshall admitted he was shocked by the week's news, but he and the playing group were fully committed to a successful 2026 season and wouldn't use this as an excuse.

"I was put off, if I'm being honest," Marshall revealed at a press conference.

"I think the thing that you've got to be real with is that I'm like the fans. What's happened was such a shock, and for us, we've built something really good here.

"The only reason I wanted to come here today was actually to reassure our fans and talk to our members about how important it is to know that our players are not going to use anything that happens externally as an excuse or let it affect what we're doing.

"What happened behind closed doors, I'm not even going to talk about... and I'll be honest, Holman-Barnes were very clear that they weren't going to get involved in the football side of things, and that the board was going to have all the say on the things we do with the club.

"We'll still have the same autonomy with our football club, which is important as a coach... I'm sweet with where we're at.

"The playing group's very united in what we're doing, and we're going to train our arse off this preseason to make sure we have a good season next year and not let any of this affect what we're doing.

"It's not my job. I'm a coach, I get paid to coach the team, the players get paid to play.

"I've done a lot of player management in the past sort of week around where we're going as a club and just reassure the players that the same vision, I sold to them before they came here is still the same.

"I sat down with Jarome (Luai) at length about where we're going, and he's fully committed to the club.

"He copped a lot of flak for the clauses he had in his contract, and I'll be honest, those clauses are not going anywhere, but he's given us full commitment to our side and if there's anyone I trust in our team the most, it's that bloke.

“(I want) stability for the players, stability for myself, so the noise goes away.

“I'm here until 2030. I back myself; I back my players.”

Shaun Mielekamp has been named interim CEO in light of Shane Richardson's exit.

While Marshall was adamant the club is united, others are not so sure.

“I don’t see the point of it,” Michael Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast. “Let’s remove Benji from the equation, why are you extending a coach with all this turmoil?

“Who is making that decision? Who has the jurisdiction? There is no board. How are you re-signing a coach?

“This is not a knock on Benji. He deserves to start the season under no pressure. If they’re comfortable enough to give him an extension mid-season, then good.

“If you’re the new board or chief executive, you’re inheriting a coach on a new deal. What if it goes pear shaped mid-way through?

“It’s not impossible for that to happen. I don’t understand this whatsoever.”