DEMETRIOU THE MAN: BENJI
WESTS Tigers veteran Benji Marshall says the next man in line to coach the club is north of the border — and it’s not Wayne Bennett.
CEO Justin Pascoe has been busy jet setting across the Tasman interviewing potential replacements for current coach Ivan Cleary. But Marshall says the man who is a perfect fit for the job is closer to home.
He has endorsed Brisbane assistant coach Jason Demetriou, a former Cowboys assistant coach and Northern Pride mentor, as someone who can lead the Concord club into the future.
“He’s one of the best coaches I have ever been under, technically and culture wise,” he said. “Does the club take a leap on a not- sohigh- profile coach or a high- profile coach?
“To me it doesn’t really matter. What I do know is players come and go and coaches come and go and the one thing that always remains in the club are the fans.
“No matter who it is, the players will drive where it’s going.”
While former South Sydney coach Michael Maguire is high on the list of targets for the club, Marshall sees plenty of merit in luring master coach Bennett to Sydney.
“I haven’t been coached by Madge [ Maguire] but I have met with him a few times and he’s a great guy. I think Wayne would also be a good fit, his whole coaching style and the culture he brings, he’s got good people around him,” he said.