Learning how to cope with off field distractions is one of the biggest lessons Wests Tigers Head Coach Benji Marshall will take away from season 2026.
The Tigers finished the regular season in 15th spot with eight wins, 10 points out of the top eight.
The season started so brightly for the Tigers, winning five of their first seven matches, before a heavy injury toll combined with some off field dramas, took its toll.
“We went through a lot of publicly played out events this year,’’ Marshall said following their final round loss to minor premiers Penrith.
“I think one of the big things is making sure we've got depth and positions for when we do have injuries, like we did at the start of the year, and then how to manage and navigate our way through off field things that can become a distraction and how to not let them become a distraction.
“It only becomes a distraction if you don't perform. Because if you can go and perform and win, then no one talks about it.
“If you don't, which happened this year, it becomes bigger.
"Finding a way to keep the team in a good headspace mentally and be able to perform week in, week out is probably the biggest thing.”
As for himself, Marshall said he continues to learn and grow as a coach after a challenging year.
“It's a pretty thankless job sometimes, where you got to give a lot of energy, time, effort, and you have to also give a part of yourself away to the team and the club that sacrifices your life,’’ Marshall added.
“What I get out of it is a purpose that I don't think can be fulfilled doing any other job.
“I feel lucky and blessed to do the job. I feel like I'm growing and learning every year.
“Some good times are coming for us around the corner.
“The most rewarding part of the job is helping these young men become good people. That's the most important thing for me.
“Along the way, teaching them what it is to be a professional footy player, and that's probably the thing that we need the most is a bit of experienced leadership, understanding on what it takes week and week out, to play at the top level.
“We've got guys like this (Api Koroisau) beside me, who week and week out give everything they’ve got for the club and for the jersey. We’ve just got to teach collectively everyone to be like that.”
Marshall added that he was on the search for players who can bring more experience to the squad in 2027.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve our squad. One of the biggest things we need right now is a bit of experience and leadership and guys who are not fringe players (but) more first graders who can do the job, so we'll be looking at that sort of area,’’ he said.
“But from my point of view, I feel like we got the crux of a squad that 1-17/18 we can really compete. After that, we need to get a bit more.”
