Tigers legend Benny Elias has backed rookie coach Benji Marshall to pull off a minor miracle and end the club’s finals drought in his very first season.
Marshall inherited the toughest job in the NRL 12 months early after Tim Sheens was axed but Elias believes the club’s prodigal son can finally turn things around at the Tigers.
The Marshall era begins with a tough road trip to Canberra on Saturday afternoon and the 39-year-old coach has already pulled a selection surprise, picking 18-year-old Lachlan Galvin in the halves.
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The Tigers haven’t played finals since 2011, the longest drought in the NRL, but Elias is adamant the club are closer than they’ve been in years.
Elias pointed to the Dragons – who pundits were tipping alongside the Tigers to collect the wooden spoon this year – and their stunning Round 1 win last weekend.
“This is the first time in years I’ve had such a spring in my step about the Tigers’ season and I’m very optimistic,” Elias told foxsports.com.au.
“But look, it’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be hard and all eyes are on this game this weekend because everybody wants to know where we stand.
“Last week St George were under enormous pressure and they excelled against the Titans and now all of a sudden, after 80 minutes of football, the Dragons have a genius coach and everybody is saying they’ll play finals.
“We’re in the same position as the Dragons were last week, but we’re even more desperate because we’ve collected the past two wooden spoons.”
Elias admitted Marshall is under pressure but believes there’s a boilover brewing in the nation’s capital on Saturday.
“Everyone is under pressure and everyone is focusing so much on this game this weekend against Canberra,” Elias said.
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“I loved playing with Ricky (Stuart) and I loved it when he got angry and I think he’s going to get very angry this weekend.
“He’s a winner, Sticky, and he’s very passionate, but the bloke he’s up against in the coaching box this weekend has all the tricks and I have total confidence in him.
“This is a tough game, game one against a very passionate Canberra side that won very convincingly last week and they’re at home. They want the momentum down in Canberra, so it’s going to be tough but I think we can come through it.”
The Tigers sensationally sacked their entire board at the end of last season and Elias said the club can now “absolutely” play finals.
“I’ve got high expectations, knowing Benji Marshall, he won’t accept second prize,” he said.
“He’s got the running of the whole show now, he’s got total control of the whole joint so there’s no excuses and I know he’ll excel.
“Benji is already one of the highest-profile coaches in the game and it’s year one into his career. The barometer is the scoreboard and his side is going to perform.”
Foxsports.com.au asked Elias what success looks like for the Tigers in 2024.
“Absolutely nothing less than top eight, top four is a little ambitious but definitely top eight,” Elias said.
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“They’ve spent as much money as the premiers Penrith in the salary cap, they’re on the same numbers. Everyone is on equal grounding on what they’ve all spent.
“The difference for the Tigers this year is the personnel and the bucks stops with the coach.
“The bloke coaching them is one of the greatest attackers in the history of the game. He’s won the club a premiership, he knows all the razzle dazzle but he also respects defence and we need to produce on both.”
Teenager Galvin was the surprise selection at No. 6 for the Tigers’ opener, with the young gun picked for his NRL debut ahead of veteran Aidan Sezer.
“To give him the nod over Sezer is a big vote of confidence from Benji,” Elias said.
“There is nobody in the game who knows talent in the halves better than Benji, so it’s a big endorsement from the coach to give him the start over a very experienced bloke.
“You pick experience from kick-off because that’s what you need but this bloke has overshadowed him and given him the No. 6 jersey.
“I don’t know too much about him, but look, it’s a big call. We’ve got two debutants this weekend in Lachlan and Solomona Faataape.
“Lachlan is a local junior from out of the Campbelltown area, so he’s one of our own. The little bit I’ve seen of him, he looks very impressive and is methodical in the way he goes about his business.”
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