Another story from FOX sports.
Looks like Benji is not giving up just yet.
‘Epitome of passion’: Wests Tigers fans launch petition urging club to keep Benji Marshall
September 11, 2020 3:37pm
George Clarke
Source: FOX SPORTS
Tigers fans pleading the keep hold of premiership-winning playmaker Benji Marshall have launched a petition in the hope club hierarchy reverse their decision to let him leave for 2021.
The Tigers said they wouldn’t be keeping him beyond this season with club CEO Justin Pascoe saying: “the reality with our roster management is that he will not be with Wests Tigers next year”.
Marshall, however, learned that he was no longer wanted by the Tigers in the papers the day before Pascoe’s public statement.
Speaking on NRL360 that same week, the Kiwi international said : “If anything I was a bit disappointed the way I found out, reading it in the paper. That was a little bit disappointing for me.”
“I had a good chat with the coach; he laid out where I stood. I appreciated the honesty, I can finish the season and then both parties will move on. It was pretty normal (the chat with Maguire).
Coach Michael Maguire described the decision to tell Marshall he wouldn’t be re-signed for 2021 as one of the hardest calls of his career.
But now Tigers fans have urged the club to keep hold of the legendary playmaker.
After being online for an hour, the petition had already attracted north of 500 votes.
“This isn’t the way to treat a club legend,” wrote Kathie Trypas, who established the petition. “Benji deserves to play as a TIGER for his final season in 2021.
“Fans, let’s show the Wests Tigers board, management and coaching staff how passionate we are to keep Benji a TIGER in 2021!”
A number of other fans chipped in with their reasoning why the club should not let the 300-gamer leave.
“I’m signing this petition because we at Wests Tigers do not treat the legends of our club like this,” wrote Jason Marmara.
“We give them the chance to leave with the pride and dignity in which they represented our club with.
“He still has the talent and leadership to take our club to the finals & deserves every chance to do that in 2021.”
Kellie Roser wrote: “Benji is the epitome of passion, loyalty and a true legend.
“You treated him poorly the first time you shafted him and he still came back and played with pride.
“You don’t treat anybody who exhibits his pride and love of the Wests Tigers like this.
“Who ever made this decision should be appalled by it, because I got one am disgusted!”
While Tony Murphy added:” You can’t not sign the one bloke that creates most of our tries.”
Well i don't want to disrespect Benji but stuff his big over inflated EGO making sure that its reconsidered, i can't speak for all the forum members but i would think the majority on here think that we need to move forward.
Should we start another petition LET BENJI GOING GOING GONE - like the Japanese game show name.....
All that article does in my mind is highlight the possibility that it either Benji or someone close to him stirring the pot and leaking rumours to the media.I hope it is not Benji doing it because it would be a very poor act.
Off course Benji is stirring the pot, his EGO is over inflated that's what happens when your told how great you are over many years and when the magic goes (Mind you it went a long time ago) its hard for a player at his level to except.
I think there is more than one leak and i would not be surprised with Benji's media commitments with FOX he gives information away that should be kept in house.
If i recall FOX Sports had stated earlier in the season that Benji had an option on a contract for next season it was his choice, that was proven to be incorrect it was always the coaches call.
Farah has also be critical of the last few coaches prior to coming back but not Madge he played for him under Souths and rates him highly, so Benji can't have him in his corner.
Realizing that Blocker has lost the plot with his comments last night another one on FOX sports with similar agenda.
In reality we have not made the 8 since his return and its a hard decision but required, let the petition sign ups do all they like (Bet more than 70% not even Tigers supporters) stand firm and do not offer this EGO driven player any opportunity, time to move on if he can get a contract somewhere else.
Personally i can't wait for round 20 now to be rid of him and i don't have much respect left for him now the way he carries on like a sook these past few weeks.
Can only compare the way he acts to Lawrence. (Legend)
