The Mole: Benji Marshall ‘over-ruled’ as former Tim Sheens ally sacked by Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers have continued the cleanout of departed coach Tim Sheens’ staff, with respected assistant David Furner parting ways with the strife-torn club.

Furner had been promised a job by incoming head coach Benji Marshall, but in a sign of the times in Tiger-town, it seems he has been over-ruled.

Furner, a former head coach of Canberra and assistant at the Knights, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, had a year left on his contract but has been paid out.

He is now expected to be snapped up by a rival Sydney club.

His departure follows both Sheens and his right hand man, recruitment manager Warren McDonnell, in recent months.

Sheens and Furner are great mates and that probably counted against Furner.

Sheens brought Furner into grade at Canberra as a young forward in the early 1990s and the pair won a premiership together in 1994, with Furner named Clive Churchill Medalist.

His experience would have been handy to Marshall, but the Tigers have decided to move in another direction.

Former Sharks coach John Morris has joined the club as an assistant, while favourite son Robbie Farah is expected to take over Sheens’ role as football manager.