Benji Marshall #70

[cochise]

I don't really understand the issue. He is disappointed to not be renewed ( fair enough), bitterly disappointed he found out through the media ( disgraceful really) and wants to play on. He was ( and still may be, i'm too lazy to look) leading the NRL in try assists. Not bad for a 35 year old. The guy is a horrible defensive player, but put that attacking statistic into perspective. A man who is 35 years old and plays in the team that came 11th has/had more try assists then at least four SOO halves who are at the peak of their powers. Players that are playing in far better teams then ours.
Now there is no doubt in my mind that Benji will be a defensive liability wherever he ends up and the media would never have allowed him to be a second stringer here, but he will be a handy pick up for a club where he will be allowed to fulfill that role. The fact on Saturday night he made it about Lawrence and not himself knowing Chris would never play another game is a good thing. He didn't want his family with him because like any other player that is changing clubs, it's not the end.He has every right to play on. They will be with him when he does hang up the boots. For those saying he is sulking, i don't see it. I see a guy who is filthy at finding out through the media he is being moved on and rightly so. And quite frankly he is not the only player treated extremely poorly by our club in the last month. There's a starting point for what we are stand for as opposed to what we should stand for. (another topic i know)

Benji’s disappointment and anger should be directed at his management and not the Wests Tigers. I have very little doubt that his management were responsible for the leaks and why he found out through the press, with his management trying to put pressure on the Wests Tigers to re-sign Benji which blew up in Benji’s managements faces.

You don't think it's strange that a player reads something, goes to the HEAD coach and basically says WTF? to be told give me 24 hrs and i'll let you know? Surely Madge knew. Even if the manager leaked it, at least have the balls when you get confronted to own up. Like i said elsewhere, you can't expect honesty and accountability if you don't abide by the same ethos.

Madge probably knew that he was not going to be renewed - however he would have had to consult with Hartigan and Pascoe, especially when it concerned a club legend. He couldn't just take it upon himself to say "You're out!"

**I don't think Madge would have been afraid to say anything at all to him**.

Not so sure on that Russ. One of the criticisms of Madge has actually been that he doesn't tell players things. There has also been some shenanigans going on with other not so big name players being told things multiple times only to have it changed a few weeks later. There is a disconnect there somewhere.

So a guy that many are claiming is too hard on players is now scared to have tough conversations, that makes no sense to me.

An exert from the Sydney Morning herald

By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.

That doesn't make it fact, how do you think the media got all this info?

Sorry mate added a bit more while you were replying. I don't know it's fact. You told me Maguire not being direct didn't make sense to you, and i gave you a snippet to support my argument of that perception. I have also been told by a current player the same things. Doesn't make it fact either. So just believe what you will.

Yeah, I just find it really strange that someone who has a rep for pushing players too hard also avoids confrontation. I have known some hard coaches and managers over the years and not one of them was scared to have those conversations, in fact most of them were too blunt and burnt relationships.

It was also evident when Benji was dropped earlier in the year that he clearly knew that defense was the issue and he spoke about how he liked how honest Madge was when they spoke. I absolutely love Benji and I am always defending him, to the point of being ridiculed but something smells fishy here.

Literally every player says Madge is extremely honest with them in interviews without even being asked most of the time. He does not seem like a guy who’s scared to talk to his players it goes against everything the bloke is about.

Exactly

 

[JC99]

I don't really understand the issue. He is disappointed to not be renewed ( fair enough), bitterly disappointed he found out through the media ( disgraceful really) and wants to play on. He was ( and still may be, i'm too lazy to look) leading the NRL in try assists. Not bad for a 35 year old. The guy is a horrible defensive player, but put that attacking statistic into perspective. A man who is 35 years old and plays in the team that came 11th has/had more try assists then at least four SOO halves who are at the peak of their powers. Players that are playing in far better teams then ours.
Now there is no doubt in my mind that Benji will be a defensive liability wherever he ends up and the media would never have allowed him to be a second stringer here, but he will be a handy pick up for a club where he will be allowed to fulfill that role. The fact on Saturday night he made it about Lawrence and not himself knowing Chris would never play another game is a good thing. He didn't want his family with him because like any other player that is changing clubs, it's not the end.He has every right to play on. They will be with him when he does hang up the boots. For those saying he is sulking, i don't see it. I see a guy who is filthy at finding out through the media he is being moved on and rightly so. And quite frankly he is not the only player treated extremely poorly by our club in the last month. There's a starting point for what we are stand for as opposed to what we should stand for. (another topic i know)

Benji’s disappointment and anger should be directed at his management and not the Wests Tigers. I have very little doubt that his management were responsible for the leaks and why he found out through the press, with his management trying to put pressure on the Wests Tigers to re-sign Benji which blew up in Benji’s managements faces.

You don't think it's strange that a player reads something, goes to the HEAD coach and basically says WTF? to be told give me 24 hrs and i'll let you know? Surely Madge knew. Even if the manager leaked it, at least have the balls when you get confronted to own up. Like i said elsewhere, you can't expect honesty and accountability if you don't abide by the same ethos.

Madge probably knew that he was not going to be renewed - however he would have had to consult with Hartigan and Pascoe, especially when it concerned a club legend. He couldn't just take it upon himself to say "You're out!"

**I don't think Madge would have been afraid to say anything at all to him**.

Not so sure on that Russ. One of the criticisms of Madge has actually been that he doesn't tell players things. There has also been some shenanigans going on with other not so big name players being told things multiple times only to have it changed a few weeks later. There is a disconnect there somewhere.

So a guy that many are claiming is too hard on players is now scared to have tough conversations, that makes no sense to me.

An exert from the Sydney Morning herald

By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.

That doesn't make it fact, how do you think the media got all this info?

Sorry mate added a bit more while you were replying. I don't know it's fact. You told me Maguire not being direct didn't make sense to you, and i gave you a snippet to support my argument of that perception. I have also been told by a current player the same things. Doesn't make it fact either. So just believe what you will.

Yeah, I just find it really strange that someone who has a rep for pushing players too hard also avoids confrontation. I have known some hard coaches and managers over the years and not one of them was scared to have those conversations, in fact most of them were too blunt and burnt relationships.

It was also evident when Benji was dropped earlier in the year that he clearly knew that defense was the issue and he spoke about how he liked how honest Madge was when they spoke. I absolutely love Benji and I am always defending him, to the point of being ridiculed but something smells fishy here.

Literally every player says Madge is extremely honest with them in interviews without even being asked most of the time. He does not seem like a guy who’s scared to talk to his players it goes against everything the bloke is about.

Exactly

The only issue might be that he’s too honest sometimes. Not every player reacts well to being told exactly what they suck at without being babied a little

 

[mike]

I don't really understand the issue. He is disappointed to not be renewed ( fair enough), bitterly disappointed he found out through the media ( disgraceful really) and wants to play on. He was ( and still may be, i'm too lazy to look) leading the NRL in try assists. Not bad for a 35 year old. The guy is a horrible defensive player, but put that attacking statistic into perspective. A man who is 35 years old and plays in the team that came 11th has/had more try assists then at least four SOO halves who are at the peak of their powers. Players that are playing in far better teams then ours.
Now there is no doubt in my mind that Benji will be a defensive liability wherever he ends up and the media would never have allowed him to be a second stringer here, but he will be a handy pick up for a club where he will be allowed to fulfill that role. The fact on Saturday night he made it about Lawrence and not himself knowing Chris would never play another game is a good thing. He didn't want his family with him because like any other player that is changing clubs, it's not the end.He has every right to play on. They will be with him when he does hang up the boots. For those saying he is sulking, i don't see it. I see a guy who is filthy at finding out through the media he is being moved on and rightly so. And quite frankly he is not the only player treated extremely poorly by our club in the last month. There's a starting point for what we are stand for as opposed to what we should stand for. (another topic i know)

Benji’s disappointment and anger should be directed at his management and not the Wests Tigers. I have very little doubt that his management were responsible for the leaks and why he found out through the press, with his management trying to put pressure on the Wests Tigers to re-sign Benji which blew up in Benji’s managements faces.

You don't think it's strange that a player reads something, goes to the HEAD coach and basically says WTF? to be told give me 24 hrs and i'll let you know? Surely Madge knew. Even if the manager leaked it, at least have the balls when you get confronted to own up. Like i said elsewhere, you can't expect honesty and accountability if you don't abide by the same ethos.

Madge probably knew that he was not going to be renewed - however he would have had to consult with Hartigan and Pascoe, especially when it concerned a club legend. He couldn't just take it upon himself to say "You're out!"

**I don't think Madge would have been afraid to say anything at all to him**.

Not so sure on that Russ. One of the criticisms of Madge has actually been that he doesn't tell players things. There has also been some shenanigans going on with other not so big name players being told things multiple times only to have it changed a few weeks later. There is a disconnect there somewhere.

So a guy that many are claiming is too hard on players is now scared to have tough conversations, that makes no sense to me.

An exert from the Sydney Morning herald

By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.

That doesn't make it fact, how do you think the media got all this info?

Sorry mate added a bit more while you were replying. I don't know it's fact. You told me Maguire not being direct didn't make sense to you, and i gave you a snippet to support my argument of that perception. I have also been told by a current player the same things. Doesn't make it fact either. So just believe what you will.

Yeah, I just find it really strange that someone who has a rep for pushing players too hard also avoids confrontation. I have known some hard coaches and managers over the years and not one of them was scared to have those conversations, in fact most of them were too blunt and burnt relationships.

It was also evident when Benji was dropped earlier in the year that he clearly knew that defense was the issue and he spoke about how he liked how honest Madge was when they spoke. I absolutely love Benji and I am always defending him, to the point of being ridiculed but something smells fishy here.

Literally every player says Madge is extremely honest with them in interviews without even being asked most of the time. He does not seem like a guy who’s scared to talk to his players it goes against everything the bloke is about.

Exactly

The only issue might be that he’s too honest sometimes. Not every player reacts well to being told exactly what they suck at without being babied a little

Which is why we are not a top 4/8 team. It’s called professionalism.

 

[Strider]

Again I’ll state that I love Benji and will always be grateful for all the excitement he has provided and he is a true Wests Tigers legend but... and it’s a big but he has seriously lost the plot.

If Benji truely has the best interest of the club at heart he should of just shut up and said nothing. But he couldn’t, it had to be about how he was treated. It’s all about Benji and I’m afraid to say I for one am glad your time playing for the club has come to an end. It’s no longer about what is best for Benji but what is best for the Wests Tigers and that is a Wests Tigers without Benji playing there.

From what I know about people like Benji, needing to be the centre of attention in some cases stems from an insecure childhood, and that insecurity has never been treated.
And that's a real pity as it can stuff up every day of your life.

Well Ive witnessed first hand when a autistic group came Benji gave perhaps the most fun and laughs and enjoyment along with Lawrence. Total favourite. Absolute champ.

Im sure he is bitter but I think he did the right option to hold back from bagging out the club to the media. As a result he has a future with the club if he wants it.

It's good he is no longer with us so we can talk about other players.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

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

And not for the first time either. Pretty sure the last time he left us he was sooking about being benched also and turned up in the media wearing that Rugby jersey! Shame he can’t just carry himself with some dignity. He says he loves the Tigers, but he appears to always find ways to surreptitiously heap crap on the club when things don’t go his way. Worse thing is the media and the general public can’t see the petulance behind it and are always on his side.

 

[Geo]

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

And not for the first time either. Pretty sure the last time he left us he was sooking about being benched also and turned up in the media wearing that Rugby jersey! Shame he can’t just carry himself with some dignity. He says he loves the Tigers, but he appears to always find ways to surreptitiously heap crap on the club when things don’t go his way. Worse thing is the media and the general public can’t see the petulance behind it and are always on his side.

Lets not re-write history..Marshall leaving had nothing to do will being benched more a promise from the then CEO Humphries of more cash on future contracts as he had taken less to stay previously which never eventuated ..

 

[cochise]

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

And not for the first time either. Pretty sure the last time he left us he was sooking about being benched also and turned up in the media wearing that Rugby jersey! Shame he can’t just carry himself with some dignity. He says he loves the Tigers, but he appears to always find ways to surreptitiously heap crap on the club when things don’t go his way. Worse thing is the media and the general public can’t see the petulance behind it and are always on his side.

Lets not re-write history..Marshall leaving had nothing to do will being benched more a promise from the then CEO Humphries of more cash on future contracts as he had taken less to stay previously which never eventuated ..

Yeah, if I remember correctly Humphries and Benji had agreed to a new deal and then the new CEO came in and took the deal off the table.

 

[innsaneink]

That Humpty was a real piece of work 👎

 

[hsvjones]

I don't really understand the issue. He is disappointed to not be renewed ( fair enough), bitterly disappointed he found out through the media ( disgraceful really) and wants to play on. He was ( and still may be, i'm too lazy to look) leading the NRL in try assists. Not bad for a 35 year old. The guy is a horrible defensive player, but put that attacking statistic into perspective. A man who is 35 years old and plays in the team that came 11th has/had more try assists then at least four SOO halves who are at the peak of their powers. Players that are playing in far better teams then ours.
Now there is no doubt in my mind that Benji will be a defensive liability wherever he ends up and the media would never have allowed him to be a second stringer here, but he will be a handy pick up for a club where he will be allowed to fulfill that role. The fact on Saturday night he made it about Lawrence and not himself knowing Chris would never play another game is a good thing. He didn't want his family with him because like any other player that is changing clubs, it's not the end.He has every right to play on. They will be with him when he does hang up the boots. For those saying he is sulking, i don't see it. I see a guy who is filthy at finding out through the media he is being moved on and rightly so. And quite frankly he is not the only player treated extremely poorly by our club in the last month. There's a starting point for what we are stand for as opposed to what we should stand for. (another topic i know)

Benji’s disappointment and anger should be directed at his management and not the Wests Tigers. I have very little doubt that his management were responsible for the leaks and why he found out through the press, with his management trying to put pressure on the Wests Tigers to re-sign Benji which blew up in Benji’s managements faces.

You don't think it's strange that a player reads something, goes to the HEAD coach and basically says WTF? to be told give me 24 hrs and i'll let you know? Surely Madge knew. Even if the manager leaked it, at least have the balls when you get confronted to own up. Like i said elsewhere, you can't expect honesty and accountability if you don't abide by the same ethos.

Madge probably knew that he was not going to be renewed - however he would have had to consult with Hartigan and Pascoe, especially when it concerned a club legend. He couldn't just take it upon himself to say "You're out!"

**I don't think Madge would have been afraid to say anything at all to him**.

Not so sure on that Russ. One of the criticisms of Madge has actually been that he doesn't tell players things. There has also been some shenanigans going on with other not so big name players being told things multiple times only to have it changed a few weeks later. There is a disconnect there somewhere.

So a guy that many are claiming is too hard on players is now scared to have tough conversations, that makes no sense to me.

An exert from the Sydney Morning herald

By Michael Chammas
September 1, 2020 — 7.58pm

There's also a perception among the playing group that the coach avoids confrontation. It was evident again during the week when Marshall walked into Maguire's office on Monday and strongly suggested he should play on in 2021 at the Tigers.

Maguire, despite playing a leading hand in the decision not to extend the club legend, left the door ajar and told Marshall to give him 24 hours to see if he could do anything else.

That doesn't make it fact, how do you think the media got all this info?

Sorry mate added a bit more while you were replying. I don't know it's fact. You told me Maguire not being direct didn't make sense to you, and i gave you a snippet to support my argument of that perception. I have also been told by a current player the same things. Doesn't make it fact either. So just believe what you will.

Yeah, I just find it really strange that someone who has a rep for pushing players too hard also avoids confrontation. I have known some hard coaches and managers over the years and not one of them was scared to have those conversations, in fact most of them were too blunt and burnt relationships.

It was also evident when Benji was dropped earlier in the year that he clearly knew that defense was the issue and he spoke about how he liked how honest Madge was when they spoke. I absolutely love Benji and I am always defending him, to the point of being ridiculed but something smells fishy here.

Literally every player says Madge is extremely honest with them in interviews without even being asked most of the time. He does not seem like a guy who’s scared to talk to his players it goes against everything the bloke is about.

Even Benji Himself has said it on a few occasions on Fox..

 

[Lauren]

Thanks for clarifying @MAGPIES1963 but there’s absolutely no need to apologise to me. I more than appreciate this gesture and your response and mannerism. So sincerely thank you

I’m pretty sure most of us are over-anxious by now and while there’s still some uncertainty I know I’m feeling a little excited to what lies ahead. Ofcourse, I’ll be fearing for the worst but as a WT supporter, through and through, I’ll also be hoping for the best.

 

[happy_tiger]

Slightly off topic .....Whakatane has 2 famous exports Benji Marshall and Lindy Chamberlain

 

[supercoach]

Sick of the whole Benji media circus. Really I don’t care how he found out that he was not getting a gig in 2021, and yes I understand he is not happy and wants another year to go out on his terms, but there are about 8 other guys being shown the door, rightly or wrongly, but there is no media circus with them.

Bitterness gets you nowhere and is such a negative emotion to deal with and some people can never rid themselves of bitterness. Anyway, I hope he finds a new club, has a good year and retires with a smile on his dial

 

[bathursttiger1]

That Humpty was a real piece of work 👎

Now he's doing to Manly what he did to us.
He's good at it as he has 8 children.

 

[happy_tiger]

That Humpty was a real piece of work ?

Now he's doing to Manly what he did to us.
He's good at it as he has 8 children.

Grant Mayer wasnt far behind either lol

Numbnut

 

[tig_prmz]

That Humpty was a real piece of work ?

Now he's doing to Manly what he did to us.
He's good at it as he has 8 children.

Grant Mayer wasnt far behind either lol

Numbnut


He reminded me of this guy from Harry Potter

 

[Goanna57]

Why are we even talking about a player who is no longer with the club,and getting hot and bothered
Isn’t it time everyone moves on from Benji

 

[happy_tiger]

That Humpty was a real piece of work ?

Now he's doing to Manly what he did to us.
He's good at it as he has 8 children.

Grant Mayer wasnt far behind either lol

Numbnut


He reminded me of this guy from Harry Potter

The man who couldnt see the fuss in James Tedesco

Rnough said

 

[TrueTiger]

Benji was an absolute icon and legend when he was taken under Sheens wing...Benji gave the WTs hope and joy while learning the pressure cooker style of the NRL..
Having said that,he was a kid that was blessed with unbelievable talent that led to him being the pinnacle of WTs...he was portrade as the one and only thing central to the club,and therein lies the problem,he was placed on a pedastal at a very young age and he thought the WTs revolved around him...he wasnt tutored the way he should have been and was given whatever he wanted..we are now seeing the results of a coach not giving in to a players demands,but what is best for the club...good on Madge and the club for having the foresight to rebuild a club without favouratism for the legends..
I have had the pleasure of playing with club favourites and have seen them absolutely carve up a game because they couldnt handle the pressure of first grade...the reasons being not skilled enough or to old to adapt from reggies into first grade..this is no different the game has caught up with Benj and he should retire while he has some dignity and can leave a very good legacy for the young kids coming up...

thats it I have said my piece and have agreat finals series if you have an interest...

 

[NT_Tiger]

I noticed another 'poor Benji' article this morning and scrolled straight past it. The longer the circus continues the worse he will end up looking. I guess he hasn't thought of that.

 

[frullens]

Why Benji Marshall didn't want his family with him at his last Tigers game
Michael Chammas
By Michael Chammas
September 28, 2020 — 12.01am

Like a marriage on the rocks, Benji Marshall and the Wests Tigers put on a brave face for the sake of the kids, or in this case, the fans.

While the Marshall-Tigers break-up may have appeared amicable, beneath the surface the relationship has sadly deteriorated to the point where Marshall will be nursing more than just a knee injury over the summer as he searches for a new club.

Benji Marshall takes a farewell lap with Chris Lawrence and his daughter.
Benji Marshall takes a farewell lap with Chris Lawrence and his daughter.CREDIT:GETTY

The Tigers legend is so hurt by the club's decision not to re-sign him, and the fact he read it in the Herald first, that he rejected an invitation for his family to join him on the field after his final game on Saturday night.

In fact, Marshall decided against bringing his wife Zoe and son Fox to the game at all. He walked around for his lap of honour on his own despite the retiring Chris Lawrence being accompanied by his daughter Emme and wife Kathryn.

This was despite the fact that the Tigers managed to get an exemption from the NRL to allow Lawrence and Marshall to have their children and partners on the field at full-time. Lawrence took up the offer, but Marshall declined despite his wife and child attending and posing for photos at his 250th game for the Tigers six weeks ago before he was told his contract wouldn't be renewed.

The Tigers have tried to farewell Marshall in style, but the five-eighth didn't want any fanfare made about his last game for the club. He is adamant he will continue his career elsewhere, but at this stage it appears more likely we may have seen Marshall in the NRL for the last time.

The knee injury was a sad end to Marshall's second-coming at the Wests Tigers, but his teammates say the sadness set in the moment he found out he wasn't wanted. He has since shown his disappointment with an unwillingness to help the club facilitate a farewell befitting the champion playmaker.

He will always be remembered for his time at the Wests Tigers, but his legacy extends beyond the 2005 grand final triumph.

His true legacy is the impact he has had on a generation of footballers who grew up dreaming of being Benji Marshall, many of whom are now creating their own paths in the NRL.

Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai is a prime example. "Benji was my guy. He was my go to," Luai said. "The first game of footy I watched was the '05 grand final. I still remember it. We were camping away with the family, and the guys next to us brought a TV with them. They were Tigers fans and it rubbed off on me. It's my first ever memory of rugby league.

"Benji's been my guy ever since. Whenever I play against Benji, I'm star struck. Even with Shaun Johnson, too. Those two guys will always be idols to me. I've seen a photo 'work until your idols become your rivals'. Those two are definitely that for me."