Benji Marshall #70

[Needaname]

So glad we didn't resign him and moved on as a club. ..
He will regret the way he is carrying on with not bringing his family to the game and have jabs here and there in media. Grow up and respect that we gave you an extra 2-3 years back here in the first place..
HE LEFT Tigers first and I for one would not be too concerned if we even pulled the offer for a job after his playing career. Show some respect to the club

I’m not too worried about it. The club needs to move on from the 05 hangover that is haunting the club. Noticed how Farah isn’t involved in any official capacity with the tigers. This is our way forward.

 

[Moh]

Why Benji Marshall didn't want his family at last Tigers game**

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-benji-marshall-filthy-with-wests-tigers-for-not-resigning/8cd9e0bb-a45e-4269-918a-825f3a6c2472

Benji Marshall may have put on a happy face for the cameras and fans following his side loss to the Eels on Saturday but the truth is the Tigers great is filthy with the club.

Marshall's exit from the club after a rocky year with coach Michael Maguire was the main reason why the Kiwi great rejected an invitation from Tigers officials to have his family to join him on the field after his final game.


Benji Marshal goes down with an MCL injury (Getty)
While the Marshall-Tigers break-up may have appeared amicable, beneath the surface the relationship has sadly deteriorated.

The Tigers legend is upset by the club's decision not to re-sign him, and even more hurt by the fact he read about it in the media first.

Marshall's family didn't even attend the game and took part in his walk of honour on his own despite the retiring Chris Lawrence being accompanied by his daughter Emme and wife Kathryn.

The Tigers got an exemption to have both families on the field but Marshall opted not to, which was in contrast to his wife and child attending and posing for photos at his 250th game for the Tigers in round 14 before he was told he wasn't part of the club's plans.

Marshall farewells Tigers fans
Play Video
Marshall farewells Tigers fans
The Tigers have tried to make a big deal of Marshall's last game but the five-eighth didn't want any fanfare made about his last game for the club. Marshall is confident he will continue his career elsewhere.

The knee injury was an unfortunate end to Marshall's career and the playmaker has garnered plenty of positive reviews about his play this season, with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston one of several former players dumbfounded by the Tigers' move to drop the star.


Proves my point from the post above - sooking and sulking..... its a shame

He will regret not having his son there, very strange. These are memories you would want to cherish forever, where it all started for him.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

That article has justified the decision the club made IMO.

Don't begrudge him for wanting to go around again, but don't expect the club to bend to you.

Last vestiges of 2005 are finally gone, hopefully we can move forward now.

 

[Newtown]

Benji had a real chance tonight to leave the game with people still connecting him to theTigers and his wonderfull contributions over a long period of time. If he walked he could earn the same money either at Fox or in a role at Tigertown, but either pride or ego will not allow him to do that and I think he is making a big mistake. Although the media will overlook his bad games and shower him in praise when he has a good game. Chris Lawrence showed us how to bow out with grace and dignity

So now you and others are telling others how to lead their life
If he or anyone else wants to keep working in that field so be it . Benji will always be connected to Wests tigers if he wants to play on more power to him and if someone does sign him it proves him right

Having thought about it, I agree with you Goanna. My first thinking was that Benji should quit while he is ahead, remembered for his wonderful creative flair and ability to lay on tries. Like a lot of people, I agree with the club's decision not to resign him. It was a financial move but also a reflection of a desire to develop a more hard edged, consistent and younger halves combination. However, if Benji wants to play on, that's his own decision and he's earned the right to leave on his own terms. I really hope he doesn't taint his legacy by playing one season too long but if he does, it's reflection of the risk he was willing to take. I will always remember him as the most exciting Rugby League player I ever saw and, perhaps, the most gifted. Thank you for all the joy you brought to the game Benji!

Benji was always a risk taker.

 

[Magpie1969]

Marshall represents everything good and bad with the WT. Legend in my eyes and on his day none better. His inability to manage / close a game and defence will stop him being considered an immortal. I wish he retired with grace and dignity and not the current circus. I hated when he went to Thugby Union and was pictured in his new jersey.

 

[Newtown]

[The sad truth behind Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers farewell](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-benji-marshall-sad-farewell-wests-tigers-vs-parramatta-eels-contract-family-michael-maguire/news-story/7b75e83dcdf56a5b9b58151963cba6f0?fbclid=IwAR0y9IebXeX-K_Sj88pV3XCcFYuLBBn39vJ9O3eubhe-kzxap5giiXAO8UU)

Can't be bothered posting the article. It's basically an easy hit piece on us, an easy way to rile up the casual fans. Benji wants to play on. That's cool and he is within his right to do that. We are within our rights to not submit to emotional blackmail.

No its not, it is more a hit on Benji if anything and portrays him as sulking.

This is the Headline of the article you refer to;

"Sad truth in Benji’s bitter divorce"
As is the usual case with the media the headline is meant to suck in readers with an indication that it has something to do with a family related breakup. When you read on the realisation is that it has nothing to do with that at all.

 

[Goanna57]

Please retire, Benji.

If he plays on next year and goes okay, it will only drag the WT media circus on even longer. In fact, he doesn't even need to go okay, just needs to have one standout game.

More easy, negative stories about us, etc.

A lot of the negative stories about tigers is of their own doing

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Marshall is a great and we have three roster spots invested in players who don't deserve it. Marshall could have easily taken one of them and have been far more effective at lesser $.

 

[dazza65]

[The sad truth behind Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers farewell](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-benji-marshall-sad-farewell-wests-tigers-vs-parramatta-eels-contract-family-michael-maguire/news-story/7b75e83dcdf56a5b9b58151963cba6f0?fbclid=IwAR0y9IebXeX-K_Sj88pV3XCcFYuLBBn39vJ9O3eubhe-kzxap5giiXAO8UU)

Can't be bothered posting the article. It's basically an easy hit piece on us, an easy way to rile up the casual fans. Benji wants to play on. That's cool and he is within his right to do that. We are within our rights to not submit to emotional blackmail.

No its not, it is more a hit on Benji if anything and portrays him as sulking.

This is the Headline of the article you refer to;

"Sad truth in Benji’s bitter divorce"
As is the usual case with the media the headline is meant to suck in readers with an indication that it has something to do with a family related breakup. When you read on the realisation is that it has nothing to do with that at all.

I have found in recent times that I avoid, like the plague, any online headline that contains the words..." outrage", "sad", "shocking" "the real ...." , "disgusting" and ironically "truth" - always not what the headlines make it out to be.
So, I obviously don't read much online.....

 

[dazza65]

Marshall is a great and we have three roster spots invested in players who don't deserve it. Marshall could have easily taken one of them and have been far more effective at lesser $.

agreed however they have contracts and he doesn't. Quite simple.

 

[Goanna57]

So glad we didn't resign him and moved on as a club. ..
He will regret the way he is carrying on with not bringing his family to the game and have jabs here and there in media. Grow up and respect that we gave you an extra 2-3 years back here in the first place..
HE LEFT Tigers first and I for one would not be too concerned if we even pulled the offer for a job after his playing career. Show some respect to the club

How and when and in what form or media has Benji had a jab at the club . Benji Marshall is no longer at the club some on this forum need to take off there hate glasses and move on but I’m sure you will find someone else to hate

 

[Moh]

Marshall is a great and we have three roster spots invested in players who don't deserve it. Marshall could have easily taken one of them and have been far more effective at lesser $.

Yah - as @dazza65 said though, it's very unfortunate we're stuck with duds on ridiculous contracts.

I have no doubt we would have kept Benji if we were able to offload Reynolds.

 

[851]

It makes me very uncomfortable at even 35 Marshall was on the field doing his best for WTs while Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J were not. All are highly paid and all need to reassess where they are at. Marshall has been a great, the other three can only wish they were. The same goes for Lawrence. You have to admire these two players.

The other 3 were not getting picked, Benji on the other hand was getting picked whilst he should not have

 

[pawsandclaws1]

It makes me very uncomfortable at even 35 Marshall was on the field doing his best for WTs while Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J were not. All are highly paid and all need to reassess where they are at. Marshall has been a great, the other three can only wish they were. The same goes for Lawrence. You have to admire these two players.

The other 3 were not getting picked, Benji on the other hand was getting picked whilst he should not have

I understand there are divergent views and you won't change opinions. But Marshall deserves far more loyalty than Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J.

 

[JD Tiger]

Marshall is a great and we have three roster spots invested in players who don't deserve it. Marshall could have easily taken one of them and have been far more effective at lesser $.

Yah - as @dazza65 said though, it's very unfortunate we're stuck with duds on ridiculous contracts.

I have no doubt we would have kept Benji if we were able to offload Reynolds.

I don't know. Of course I would offload Reynolds (and Packer) in a second if I could, but even with JRey off the books I wouldn't have extended Benji. Benji and Brooks don't work well together as a unit - neither one of them is very good at managing a game. Benji's attack was very good at times, but defence was usually barely at pass mark and often terribly below. I'd endure with Brooks (as he may do well with a decent partner who can manage the game and take that off his shoulder's), for the next year at least, and look forward to Doueihi as the other half.

It is time for Benji to retire, and I feel the way he has rejected the opportunity WT tried to give him in honouring him is disrespectful (by not allowing his family to attend), and I suspect he will bad mouth us in he press at some point within the next few months, to further muddy his legacy.

 

[Spartan117]

But Marshall deserves far more loyalty than Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J.

I believe that If the Tigers weren't in a very bad position with other players (Listed Above) he would have certainly been granted his wish to play on 1 more season.

As for Loyally, There is certainly none of that in particular for Packer, Reynolds who were bought in a panic by cleary and haven't lived up to half of our exceptions.

This is a nasty marriage of inconvenience.

12 months time it would be all over and just a bitter chapter in our history.

 

[851]

Why Benji Marshall didn't want his family at last Tigers game**

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-benji-marshall-filthy-with-wests-tigers-for-not-resigning/8cd9e0bb-a45e-4269-918a-825f3a6c2472

Benji Marshall may have put on a happy face for the cameras and fans following his side loss to the Eels on Saturday but the truth is the Tigers great is filthy with the club.

Marshall's exit from the club after a rocky year with coach Michael Maguire was the main reason why the Kiwi great rejected an invitation from Tigers officials to have his family to join him on the field after his final game.


Benji Marshal goes down with an MCL injury (Getty)
While the Marshall-Tigers break-up may have appeared amicable, beneath the surface the relationship has sadly deteriorated.

The Tigers legend is upset by the club's decision not to re-sign him, and even more hurt by the fact he read about it in the media first.

Marshall's family didn't even attend the game and took part in his walk of honour on his own despite the retiring Chris Lawrence being accompanied by his daughter Emme and wife Kathryn.

The Tigers got an exemption to have both families on the field but Marshall opted not to, which was in contrast to his wife and child attending and posing for photos at his 250th game for the Tigers in round 14 before he was told he wasn't part of the club's plans.

Marshall farewells Tigers fans
Play Video
Marshall farewells Tigers fans
The Tigers have tried to make a big deal of Marshall's last game but the five-eighth didn't want any fanfare made about his last game for the club. Marshall is confident he will continue his career elsewhere.

The knee injury was an unfortunate end to Marshall's career and the playmaker has garnered plenty of positive reviews about his play this season, with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston one of several former players dumbfounded by the Tigers' move to drop the star.


Proves my point from the post above - sooking and sulking..... its a shame

Instead of sulking he should be thanking the club, he walked out on in 2013 with 2 years left on his contract, paraded around in an Auckland Blues jersey as well.
If I was CEO he wouldn't have been offered a contract in 2018, and he certainly wouldn't have got one in 2019 or 2020, to carry on about not getting a 4th year out of a 1 year swan song contract makes me sick.
I have said this for 2 years, the club will improve without Benji, it's sad but true, ego is a funny thing, reality is lost on him, no doubt the club will be to blame again for all this.

 

[851]

It makes me very uncomfortable at even 35 Marshall was on the field doing his best for WTs while Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J were not. All are highly paid and all need to reassess where they are at. Marshall has been a great, the other three can only wish they were. The same goes for Lawrence. You have to admire these two players.

The other 3 were not getting picked, Benji on the other hand was getting picked whilst he should not have

I understand there are divergent views and you won't change opinions. But Marshall deserves far more loyalty than Packer, Reynolds and Leilua J.

He also deserved to be dropped after the knights game, Rowdy was, but the club were too scared of the media backlash, the best thing the club has done is not re-sign him

 

[hsvjones]

So glad we didn't resign him and moved on as a club. ..
He will regret the way he is carrying on with not bringing his family to the game and have jabs here and there in media. Grow up and respect that we gave you an extra 2-3 years back here in the first place..
HE LEFT Tigers first and I for one would not be too concerned if we even pulled the offer for a job after his playing career. Show some respect to the club

How and when and in what form or media has Benji had a jab at the club . Benji Marshall is no longer at the club some on this forum need to take off there hate glasses and move on but I’m sure you will find someone else to hate

It's not a case of hating him because he is a legend of the club and always will be ...
But if you have not been watching him in the media you should go and watch some of his interviews and than watch some of Chris Lawrence interviews.
There is a big difference between the 2 and on how you thank the club that gave you everything. He is acting like a spoilt child when he should be thanking them for the opportunity to come back home after HE LEFT us..
It has left a bad taste in Tigers supporters mouths and that's evident in all the negative comments about him leaving..

 

[Tigerbuck63]

So glad we didn't resign him and moved on as a club. ..
He will regret the way he is carrying on with not bringing his family to the game and have jabs here and there in media. Grow up and respect that we gave you an extra 2-3 years back here in the first place..
HE LEFT Tigers first and I for one would not be too concerned if we even pulled the offer for a job after his playing career. Show some respect to the club

How and when and in what form or media has Benji had a jab at the club . Benji Marshall is no longer at the club some on this forum need to take off there hate glasses and move on but I’m sure you will find someone else to hate

It's not a case of hating him because he is a legend of the club and always will be ...
But if you have not been watching him in the media you should go and watch some of his interviews and than watch some of Chris Lawrence interviews.
There is a big difference between the 2 and on how you thank the club that gave you everything. He is acting like a spoilt child when he should be thanking them for the opportunity to come back home after HE LEFT us..
It has left a bad taste in Tigers supporters mouths and that's evident in all the negative comments about him leaving..

Well said i think the majority of Tigers supporters respect that Benji as part of the 2005 team won us a GF but he has lived off that result the last 15 years with his showmanship and nothing plays at the back end of games that we lose the game.

He has been selfish with the other Talent around and was given an opportunity to come back after he left prior.

Karma does come to bite sometimes.

It seems he has an enormous EGO about himself and has now left on bad terms because he did not get what he wanted.

The Media will continue to write negative things but in reality he is not involved as a player anymore and the deal for a job should also be rescinded as it's the wrong culture.

Madge should of also handled this better and had the balls to be upfront regardless of the negative press than allow it to be leaked to the Media as just gives him something more to whinge about.

Time heals all wounds, good luck with the recovery and whatever you plan to do in 2021.