All star not shining

[mtd]

marshall is done in the halves.
he's not usesless, but hes not all he's cracked up to be (as a play maker).
the razzle dazzle performed over the years has deceived many into thinking he should be in the halves long term, which clearly, is incorrect.
he is an extremely talented player, only reaching 50% of his potential.

tonight surrounded by an 'all star' cast he was abysmal. it demonstrates that his poor performances in recent years has not been the tigers players around him (as often argued).

his role these days is much different to when he was in career best form (05).
back then he was bringing back kick returns in open field, allowing him to do his think with space.
he was not leading, he was part of the support cast. prince and hodgson were BOTH organising and directing the team around - marshall was taking orders and going where he was told. they created space for him. not the forwards, the organisers.

i can see how we all thought this experiment would work. but i firmly believe and have for a long time that he should be playing in the centres.

stats might suggest he's the best 6 or 7 in the game, but anyone with a decent footy eye can see he isnt playing to his potential, no where near it.

 

[system]

Yeah it's a utterly meaningless exhibition match.

He is an excellent pivot when others do the lions share of the organising. He returned kicks at times in 05 because he had to be hidden in defence and of those occasions he had a handfull of decent returns.

 

[innsaneink]

He doesnt have the defense to be a center, its the toughest position on the field to defend

 

[alexaki]

I'm far from concerned about Marshalls performance… He treats these games as warm up games never over extends himself and I thinks that's how he should treat exhibition matches...

 

[cktiger]

From being rated the games best player a few years ago to being rated a burden to his team.
Other threads talk about the difference between him and Thurston- before that was him and Lockyer.
Marshalls problem has always been consistency.
One day unbelievably good , the next unbelievably poor.
This is why he'll go down as a freakish player but not a champion.
Over the last few years ,to me, it seems he believes his own publicity and thinks he can win a game on his own by taking chances no-one else would take.
Being at 5/8 he is running our show and relying on himself too much - he has overridden every half put next to him since Prince.
Maybe time to swap him and Moltzen and see if the extra room at the back gives him more opportunities and also gets him away from making every decision.
Having Anasta now gives us a clear head outside of Farah to help call the shots.
Taking all that into account the game tonight was nothing too serious and he didn't have a lot of time to gel with his teammates.
I'm hoping he comes out for us and, with Anasta's help, plays a running game again - whether at half . 5/8 or fullback or anywhere!

 

[Easy_Tiger]

I strongly disagree thats its a meaningless exhibition match especially for the indigenous like ive said in another thread its a chance to play with there people and showcase there heritage…

 

[sheer64]

Problem I have is not with Marshall but the fact we have not had a Halfback since Prince to partner with him. We seldom have any other option but to go to him and the opposition figures that out and mark him accordingly. If you watched any of the Cowboys games in 2012, Bowen controlled things for JT and made defenses second guess.
Marshall is not the problem!
I only hope Potter can see fit to change this even if it means upsetting most of us!

 

[Brisbane_Tiger]

Marshall is a 5/8 and should never play any other position, he is no Thurston but he is loyal and creates nearly all of our points so until Miller or someone else takes over at half full time cut him some slack.

He will go well this year i reckon, not too concerned with an exibition match, just glad he isnt injured.

 

[Tigerdave]

Reading way too much into this game, I'm just happy neither Robbie or Benji got injured.

 

[Guest]

Reading way too much into this game, I'm just happy neither Robbie or Benji got injured.

Agree. I wouldn't consider playing Benji anywhere else except five eighth. He's not a centre, and with the fullback options at the Tigers, I wouldn't move him there either.

 

[tigerbenji]

Benji is a 5/8, , & thats where he will play, you must remember he hasnt had a good half since Prince. Though i think Lui could of been the answer. We always go to Benji to get us out of trouble & thats where Anasta will help us this year.

 

[MacDougall]

As long as we have a seven that can kick then a lot of our problems will be sorted. And we have a seven and a lock who are far better in play kickers than Marshall and Farah. Marshall can kick that wide swinging grubber for the wingers but other than that give the job to Anasta or Miller. Then we have Brooks in the wings who looks a better in play kicker than all four of them. I liked a few of the things I saw from Marshall tbh. He took on the line a few times, stretched out and looked pretty quick before being run down from two angles, and I dare say Barba from the left and Wighton from the right would run down anybody not named Uate or Koroibete. It's not like Reynolds was any better.

 

[clontarfkid]

Somehow.almost in one seasonsince 2011,Benji has lost considerable speed…
He no longer has the zip to get thru half opportunities like he did just 2 seasons ago,& when he does everyone(including forwards)runs him down quite easily
For a player whose strength was his elusive running,its a big problem,so he has re-invented himself as a playmaker /distributor,which he's ok at but certainly not premiership winning

 

[tigsta]

IMO Im a bit worried. Either they were'nt trying last night or they have lost it. Exhibition match or not I cant imagine they would just sit back and avoid making a play. Ben Barba certainly didnt, Nor did Inglis or thurston. They all played great. There is no excuse. If they had played good you all would singing their praises.

Robbie's kick out on the full was woeful and Benji could hold onto the ball and seemed to just not want to touch it.

Maybe they just dont have the ability to play with different combos. I thought they both looked quite silly out there, and Ill be shocked if Marshall is pre selected again. If it happens again.

 

[tigersrule4life]

When its next week you will be saying what a game from Benji and Farah they will be sweet lets just move on let the 2013 season start here come the tigers.

 

[tigsta]

When its next week you will be saying what a game from Benji and Farah they will be sweet lets just move on let the 2013 season start here come the tigers.

I hope so,,, But my confidence is down after last night, I can assure you they didnt mean to look so bad.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

its an awakening for all of us.

 

[coopy]

As someone else pointed out Benji never does well in exhibition or rep games. I wouldn't be too concerned as while they go into "camp", the whole of idea with the Indigenous All Stars game is about taking the game to the community. I wonder how much training and preparation actually happens.

Under Sheens, benji was often the focal point of complex moves with identiifed ball-runners and decoys. Benji had a number of options he could take, but importantly those around him knew what was happening. In these games, if he floats across the field, he is easily picked off because defences are not in two minds as to what is going to happen. I think that might lead to him putting pressure on himself and trying to ome up with a miracle play which leads to mistakes.

I don't think we'll see much in the way of any sort of form guide until at least the trials are over (I am reserving judgement till at least round 4).

Think most here should relax and watch the cricket - as poor as it is and not worry about playing September footy in February

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

yes, but they have to start somewhere.

 

[Basil_Tiger]

Problem I have is not with Marshall but the fact we have not had a Halfback since Prince to partner with him. We seldom have any other option but to go to him and the opposition figures that out and mark him accordingly. If you watched any of the Cowboys games in 2012, Bowen controlled things for JT and made defenses second guess.
Marshall is not the problem!
I only hope Potter can see fit to change this even if it means upsetting most of us!

Yeah,Benji's best football was the 2nd half of 2005 with Prince,he's been hot & cold ever since but the Tige's(like most NRL clubs) desparately need a half-back that can play to take the pressure off. Last night was,IMO,a continuation of last seasons poor form,its going to be a long season if Benji doesn't come good.