greatodensraven
New member
@ said:
Definitely should’ve won ‘10 or ‘11, Benji in his prime, Rowdy one of the best centres in the game, Ellis killing it, etc.
Hopefully we make up for it in the coming years!
AN EMOTIONAL Benji Marshall has opened up on his rollercoaster rugby league career & the return “home” to Wests Tigers
- Thread starter WT2K
- Start date
Definitely should’ve won ‘10 or ‘11, Benji in his prime, Rowdy one of the best centres in the game, Ellis killing it, etc.
Hopefully we make up for it in the coming years!
G
Guest
Guest
Mature Marshall ready to deliver again
Wilson Smith
Tue 28th November, 03:00PM
“It’s definitely home," Benji Marshall said in his first press conference today.
"I felt nervous coming here, but also still relaxed at the same time.
"It's exciting to be back.”
It’s just the second day back at training for Life Member Benji Marshall and although a lot has changed, he sure is glad to be back home. Despite the many new faces at the club, Benji believes that there is still a great vibe around the club, and he's humbled to be back.
“Walking in here, I didn’t know what to expect," he said.
"I suppose the first thing was it was the same, but very different.
"A lot of the people that used to be here have moved on. A lot has changed, but the feeling here is the same and the reception I’ve had coming back, not only from the players, but the fans, and everyone involved. It’s been humbling and pretty amazing."
His return to Wests Tigers was seemingly a long time in the making, with Marshall wanting to come back several times after his stint with the Auckland Blues.
However, it wasn't until a sitting down with new Coach Ivan Cleary during 2017 that it all came together, and Marshall could complete what he felt was unfinished business with the club.
“It wasn’t actually a real possibility until I made that call and sat down to have coffee with him and told him where I thought I could fit in and what I thought I could add," he said.
"And we just sort of shook hands after that coffee.”
“At Brisbane, the goal was to be in the top 17 and I got to reach that.
"Especially towards the end of the year, I thought I contributed a lot toward the team.
"But this year, obviously there’s a lot of things that I can bring to the club in terms of experience, and mentoring a few of the young guys. But my priority is playing and providing input on the field and that’s what its about more than anything from me”.
http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2017/11/28/mature_marshall_read.html
Wilson Smith
Tue 28th November, 03:00PM
“It’s definitely home," Benji Marshall said in his first press conference today.
"I felt nervous coming here, but also still relaxed at the same time.
"It's exciting to be back.”
It’s just the second day back at training for Life Member Benji Marshall and although a lot has changed, he sure is glad to be back home. Despite the many new faces at the club, Benji believes that there is still a great vibe around the club, and he's humbled to be back.
“Walking in here, I didn’t know what to expect," he said.
"I suppose the first thing was it was the same, but very different.
"A lot of the people that used to be here have moved on. A lot has changed, but the feeling here is the same and the reception I’ve had coming back, not only from the players, but the fans, and everyone involved. It’s been humbling and pretty amazing."
His return to Wests Tigers was seemingly a long time in the making, with Marshall wanting to come back several times after his stint with the Auckland Blues.
However, it wasn't until a sitting down with new Coach Ivan Cleary during 2017 that it all came together, and Marshall could complete what he felt was unfinished business with the club.
“It wasn’t actually a real possibility until I made that call and sat down to have coffee with him and told him where I thought I could fit in and what I thought I could add," he said.
"And we just sort of shook hands after that coffee.”
“At Brisbane, the goal was to be in the top 17 and I got to reach that.
"Especially towards the end of the year, I thought I contributed a lot toward the team.
"But this year, obviously there’s a lot of things that I can bring to the club in terms of experience, and mentoring a few of the young guys. But my priority is playing and providing input on the field and that’s what its about more than anything from me”.
http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2017/11/28/mature_marshall_read.html
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I think he finally matured and grew up while he was away. I'm sure his failure in rugby, modest form at the Dragons, amd being relegated to QLD cup most weeks at the Broncos humbled him.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I think he finally matured and grew up while he was away. I'm sure his failure in rugby, modest form at the Dragons, amd being relegated to QLD cup most weeks at the Broncos humbled him.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I think he finally matured and grew up while he was away. I'm sure his failure in rugby, modest form at the Dragons, amd being relegated to QLD cup most weeks at the Broncos humbled him.
Potter tried to make him accountable so he spat the dummy and left. I had no qualms with what Potter did, and I thought Benji behaved with petulance particularly when he flashed up in Auckland colours while still contracted to us. It looks as though in retrospect that Potter had the right idea with a number of senior players in the club in his time here.
I think it's a combo of failure in his union stint, run out of the Dragons and playing second fiddle at Brisbane as Gunners mentioned, but also that he probably realises the clock is winding down and he's coming to the end and he should appreciate whatever time he has out there while it lasts.
He looks to be more humble and more mature for his time away. Plus it can't hurt having an experienced player like Benji ready to come into the 17 if misfortune or poor form befalls our halves.
I think it's a combo of failure in his union stint, run out of the Dragons and playing second fiddle at Brisbane as Gunners mentioned, but also that he probably realises the clock is winding down and he's coming to the end and he should appreciate whatever time he has out there while it lasts.
He looks to be more humble and more mature for his time away. Plus it can't hurt having an experienced player like Benji ready to come into the 17 if misfortune or poor form befalls our halves.
Oh really? Thanks for filling me in… :unamused:
supercoach
Well-known member
Plenty of people seem to think Benji is going to be our X factor. The way I see it, he is a marketing tool no1, mentor no2 and back up for the spine no3\. He showed at both the Dragons and the Brooks that nothing has much changed except he has lost his best weapon..pace. By that I mean it was still rocks and diamonds.
Don’t get me wrong I think he is probably a really good guy to have at the club, but I really doubt he will be the guy who makes the big difference on the paddock. Love to be wrong
Don’t get me wrong I think he is probably a really good guy to have at the club, but I really doubt he will be the guy who makes the big difference on the paddock. Love to be wrong
Im going to go out there a bit and say that with Benji back at the club the team,the club as a whole and the fanbase will increase,especially if he gets to play in the NRL side regularly ie top 17…HE IS A DRAW CARD however you want to recognise him,be it player,mentor or PR man...this is truly a great move by Ivan....always remember that people love to reminiss about past glory,maybe he can produce something to bring that old excitement back...like everything in life..you never never know unless you have a go....
Basil_Tiger
New member
@ said:
More 'was' the last 5 or 6 years but looks like he will have a different attitude with us this time around.
@ said:
I think the other thing he gives… Is he is West Tigers.
If he mentors the new players, they will play like him. Maybe it doesn't mean much to people, but I loved watching Benji play. Seriously he was entertaining and awesome to watch.
We rebuilt our team, we needed too. But I am glad that Benji can be around again. I don't want to just support 17 randoms every year. I want our class to remain.
I realise we are not the Magpies of the 1970's, but we still have a little of their working class guts. Were also not the brutish Tigers of the 1980's, but I do see a little Blocker in some of our forwards. Were not the WT's of 2005 and the flair/fast football that Sheens pushed. Yes it was fantastic to watch but we are changing, but it is still there a little. I'm glad Benji is there, it helps the WT be the WT. It's good to recognise two players on the field.
tigerfanatic
New member
I think the other thing he gives… Is he is West Tigers.
If he mentors the new players, they will play like him. Maybe it doesn't mean much to people, but I loved watching Benji play. Seriously he was entertaining and awesome to watch.
We rebuilt our team, we needed too. But I am glad that Benji can be around again. I don't want to just support 17 randoms every year. I want our class to remain.
I realise we are not the Magpies of the 1970's, but we still have a little of their working class guts. Were also not the brutish Tigers of the 1980's, but I do see a little Blocker in some of our forwards. Were not the WT's of 2005 and the flair/fast football that Sheens pushed. Yes it was fantastic to watch but we are changing, but it is still there a little. I'm glad Benji is there, it helps the WT be the WT. It's good to recognise two players on the field.
Mate this is honestly the post of the year. I couldnt agree with you anymore. Well said.
If he mentors the new players, they will play like him. Maybe it doesn't mean much to people, but I loved watching Benji play. Seriously he was entertaining and awesome to watch.
We rebuilt our team, we needed too. But I am glad that Benji can be around again. I don't want to just support 17 randoms every year. I want our class to remain.
I realise we are not the Magpies of the 1970's, but we still have a little of their working class guts. Were also not the brutish Tigers of the 1980's, but I do see a little Blocker in some of our forwards. Were not the WT's of 2005 and the flair/fast football that Sheens pushed. Yes it was fantastic to watch but we are changing, but it is still there a little. I'm glad Benji is there, it helps the WT be the WT. It's good to recognise two players on the field.
Mate this is honestly the post of the year. I couldnt agree with you anymore. Well said.
As one of if not the biggest Benji basher for a few years before he left, I'm happy he's back and wish him all the best.
Im actually really looking forward to seeing him run out in the Tigers Jersey again.
If he ever gets a start at a Leichhardt game I'll be flying down to stand on the hill and cheer him on for sure, positive feelings about this return.
Im actually really looking forward to seeing him run out in the Tigers Jersey again.
If he ever gets a start at a Leichhardt game I'll be flying down to stand on the hill and cheer him on for sure, positive feelings about this return.
