Benji Marshall has spoken out about why he puts family ahead of football, following criticism he received last year. The Wests Tigers coach, now in his second year at the helm, has led the club to a 5-5 start in the 2025 NRL season, as he works to lift the side after three consecutive wooden spoons.
While many have praised Marshall’s early efforts, he’s also faced criticism for not appearing as consumed by the job as other coaches. Unlike those who are known to dedicate nearly every waking moment to their roles, Marshall maintains a strict balance between work and family—something that hasn’t always sat well with critics.
In a recent interview with Woman’s Day, Marshall opened up about his priorities, describing how he and his wife Zoe are striving to provide their two children, Fox (7) and Ever (4), with the kind of stable upbringing they both missed out on.
Marshall never knew his biological father and lost the man who raised him to cancer. Zoe was raised by a single mother, who also passed away from breast cancer when Zoe was just 24. These experiences have shaped their commitment to being fully present for their kids.
“Being a dad is my greatest achievement,” Marshall said. “Parenting is the toughest job in the world, and I feel a huge responsibility to get it right. Above all else, I want to raise our children to be kind and good human beings.”
Zoe added, “The kids don’t realise how lucky they are to have us around so much—it’s not something either of us had growing up.”
Marshall also paid tribute to Zoe’s influence on him, saying:
“What I admire most about Zoe is that she constantly strives to improve herself, our relationship, and our life. She pushes me—sometimes more than I’d like—but it makes me want to be a better person, father, and partner.”
Backlash Over Family Getaway
Marshall’s strong commitment to family led to backlash last season when he took a mid-season break to Fiji with his family during the club’s Round 13 bye—while the Tigers were languishing near the bottom of the ladder. Critics questioned the optics of a coach taking a vacation during a poor run of form.
Earlier in the year, Marshall’s dedication had already come under scrutiny amid claims he was arriving to training after some players. Gorden Tallis said on NRL 360:
“Do you think a guy like Craig Bellamy or Wayne Bennett takes off to Fiji mid-season? If you’re coaching against them and they’re putting in more hours, chances are they’ll do a better job.”
Braith Anasta added:
“If the team was winning, it wouldn’t be a problem. But because the Tigers are struggling, it just looks bad.”
Marshall Defends His Approach
Marshall responded firmly to the criticism:
“Recharging and refreshing is important—especially after 11 straight games. More hours don’t always mean better results. Just because I took time to be with my family doesn’t mean I care less or don’t work hard.”
He continued:
“You don’t play 347 NRL games with a poor work ethic. Whether I’m taking time off in Fiji, New Zealand, or Sydney, the location doesn’t matter. I make sure I’m with my family from 5 to 8pm every night. That balance is important to me, and it doesn’t mean I’m not fully committed to the job.”
Despite the criticism, Marshall has remained steadfast in his values, reinforcing that his family-first mindset doesn’t come at the expense of his dedication to the club.
