Benji Marshall #70

[tony soprano]

So what was his reasons to finally hang up the boots?

 

[Tigerdave]

I'm glad he decided to retire with his last game being a Grand Final.

He's done it all, Grand Final win, Golden Boot winner, Dally M 5/8 winner, NRL season top point scorer, 4 Nations and World Cup wins....a great career.

 

[Devon Head]

Benji hands down my fav Tigers player to play the game to date, possibly fav player all time. I grew up in Newie marveling at the things Joey did on the field however being a Tigers fan Benji has always been the one I loved to watch the most. 2005 will always be one of the greatest years of my life largely due to his brilliance. Should have gone all the way in 2010 and went close again in 2011.

All the best with the next chapter champion.

 

[Devon Head]

So what was his reasons to finally hang up the boots?

Didn't really say though I imagine being 37 by time next season kicks off he's prob realized it's time.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

Nothing but respect for this true champion. Always a class above.
Thanks Benji for all the great memories and the hand you played in giving us our one and only Grand Final victory so far.

 

[JayT]

Thanks Benji legend. Made me love NRL.

 

[colinbh]

Please excuse the gushing but I've just gotta....


No player gave us those breathless moments like Benji.
No one ever got you out of your seat like Benji did.
No player was ever more destructive in broken play.

I love the way he played. Eyes-up, off-the-cuff was a big part of his game. Sure, because of that he was rocks or diamonds for spells of his career. I was ok with that, because man when he was diamonds he sparkled.

Don't forget the golden boot, when he had quite a period where he was more consistent and arguably the best player around.

Despite how bad the Tigers might have been going; we had Benji - the human highlight reel - and the reason to be the envy of every other fanbase.
Benji's highlights reel for any one of the many seasons with us was longer than anyone else's career highlights. He was just something else. A one-off. The most electrifying player most of us will ever see.

The guy could do the unthinkable. Pull a rabbit out of nowhere.
He was just magic.

Thank you Benji for making us smile in disbelief. For giving us amazing memories. For our sole premiership.

Best of luck in your future.
You are Wests Tigers greatest.
You will always be royalty here.

Well said.

I have watched him as a skinny school kid up to last Sunday. There has never been anyone better in the last 20+ years.

His highlights reel will go for hours. When I have watched some of the old games, I realized I had forgotten how talented he truly was. Unbelievable!!!!!

Thanks Benji for the memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

A sad day. One of the game's true legends. It feels funny to say someone who's captained their country, won a world cup, won a premiership and played in multiple grand finals still has a 'what if', but it would be interesting to see what heights he would've reached if not for the injuries that plagued him after 05 and the terrible management of the Tigers.

In any case, he has been nothing but a major asset to the game. Arguably the most exciting player the game has seen on the field, delivering perhaps the most memorable moment (flick) and signature move (step). But also a tremendous off field ambassador and an inspiration to a generation of children and players.

While he might never have been the greatest player of his time, we likely won't see anyone quite like Benji again and I don't think you can write about the history of rugby league or the NRL with a nice section about Benji.

Thank you & all the best Benji 🙌🤴

 

[GNR4LIFE]

A sad day. One of the game's true legends. It feels funny to say someone who's captained their country, won a world cup, won a premiership and played in multiple grand finals still has a 'what if', but it would be interesting to see what heights he would've reached if not for the injuries that plagued him after 05 and the terrible management of the Tigers.

In any case, he has been nothing but a major asset to the game. Arguably the most exciting player the game has seen on the field, delivering perhaps the most memorable moment (flick) and signature move (step). But also a tremendous off field ambassador and an inspiration to a generation of children and players.

While he might never have been the greatest player of his time, we likely won't see anyone quite like Benji again and I don't think you can write about the history of rugby league or the NRL with a nice section about Benji.

Thank you & all the best Benji 🙌🤴

Injuries had nothing to do with his regression. He was well over them in 2010-11. He was the best player in the world those 2 years. He fell off a cliff after that.

 

[the_third]

Its a deadset tragedy that he didn't retire with us. all time great.

 

[oldschooltiger]

We should sign him as a skills/ halves coach.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

https://twitter.com/jimmyjack244/status/1445656014754181129?s=20

 

[tony soprano]

Meh couldn't care less.

 

[innsaneink]

That was a super article.

Probably even more than the GF in 05, the game against Saints in the PF.
What anticipation walking to the ground, people were losing it, Never seen atmosphere like that even with larger crowds, and the focus square on Benji. So what does he do, within a few minutes runs past the Australian international centres to score the softest of tries, even they were mesmerized.

Can see him doing something again on Sunday. Good on him but sadly it will detract from our moment.

The build up to that game helped in the atmosphere.
Saints had a break, had 2 weeks head start on us and were snapping up all the tickets, we had to get past brisbane so it was 75% stains fans there
They all expected to go straight thru to the GF....I went with my son who was 9 at the time, had a small sign made up specially for full time ...2 GF TIX WANTED!
Got some nasty looks from saints fans leaving the ground holding that up lol

What an amazing 4 weeks that was, lucky to attend all the games

For me, only a Magpies premiership 78 though 80 would have topped that moment, really wanted that still sometimes watch those games hoping somehow the result may change. Just the era of football, growing up in Sydney the way it was then really wanted a premiership then but they gave it to Manly. Sydney and football are different now.

But that 2005 finals series, I was so confident, remember watching the first semi at Homebush ,then was to be in Melbourne the next weekend so bought top tickets for PF final high up near half way regardless, that's how confident I was against Brisbane and remember posting on here and asking people where to watch the game in Melbourne and was told to try Dickens pub on Collins st.

That saints game in the PF was the first time I was stirred up walking to a game since school days. And it's funny Saints fans were saying Benji is hopeless etc. So he becomes idol like and Gasnier and Cooper just looked at him run past them, the smoke from the fireworks still hadn't cleared. I actually saw two women fighting in the stands near me after he scored, It was fever pitched.
I feel privileged to have been there that day.

On Monday morning, I dove down to Enmore theatre grabbed a bacon and egg roll and joined the queue and picked up decent GF tix.


So ,did you manage to buy any GF tix from any Saints fans on way out? Sounds like you were as confident as I was.

I actually camped out at Castle Hill ticketek...got a family pass for me the boy and Suzie q & her daughter.
Got there at 1am had my sleeping bag and a roll of foam... I was 11th in line there was a game of cricket going which I joined in.
Didn't get much sleep that night... I had a real dodgy computer at the time wasn't risking missing out, can't even recall if they sold online back then... I would screwed it up for sure if they did

Just on Benji... Remember the day he fractured a cheekbone he was still very young but played half a game with a broken face.... Remarkable.
Congrats on a great career and being a big part of those 05 memories for us all.... Best of luck for the future

 

[Aceshigh]

Deadset Legend Benj 👍

 

[Aesopian]

He Punted himself lol

 

[NZTiger]

Ahhh Benji…I love the guy.

I remember back in the mid 00’s I was soooo paranoid to lose Benji to another club, it used to keep me awake at night every time contract talks were approaching and media rumors started.
I used to think he was simply irreplaceable and our club would fall into darkness if we lost him.

Things changed though. After that magical 2011 season, and when the Face of the NRL curse hit him, after he was harassed at McDonalds … something changed in him. It’s like a switch went off. I sensed he lost the love of the game, constantly living in the NSW RL bubble and he was fed up. He put on weight. He was the shadow of his former self. Many of those passes in row z and kicks not finding touch from a penalty kick occurred more and more with just the odd moment of Benji brilliance that left Tigers hanging on to hope that his form would return. Even the club had a change of heart. Benji decided to leave the NRL to take on Union and in the process he thought it’d be clever to wear the Blues jersey (while being a Tiger) in his “big” announcement and (look away Daine Laurie! Haha)…that to me was inexcusable and disrespectful to the club and the fans. I knew this was a pissed off Benji giving the middle finger to the club and the game.

Well…they do say absence makes the heart grow fonder right? Benji struggled at the 15 man code and he came crawling back with his tail between his legs. I wasn’t that worried to see he had signed for the Drags as I was still reeling from what sour taste he had left in my mouth when he left us. I honestly thought he would do one year under the Drags, have a god awful season and then call it quits.

But…watching that first game, I could see a different side of Benji. A more remorseful one. Someone who had regretted his past actions and just wanted a second chance. This continued in spades with a stint with the Broncos, and I was actually happy we had re-signed a rejuvenated Benji. Far more mature, level headed and thankful to be playing the game. Something that could rub off on our juniors.

I was disappointed we couldn’t find room or a spot for him this season but was glad that he found a lifeline with Bennett at the Bunnies.

I was cheering on the Bunnies last Sunday.
We all knew this was the very end….even though a selfless Benji didn’t want to admit it and put any of the focus on him during the build up to his team mate’s Grand Final. That moment to me symbolized the player he had become since his return to the NRL.

He never reached those dizzying heights of 2005 & 2010-11, but I'm sure he would've been satisfied and grateful that he got a second chance to play the game he loved.

As a fellow kiwi, I wish Benji all the best in life after football. Thank you for all the great memories in the Tigers jersey (& Kiwis Jersey - the World Cup in 2008 was magic too!) and playing such a pivotal role in the clubs first and only premiership. We will never forget that.

NZ Tiger


*Me and Benji in Auckland, NZ in 2006*

 

[Lauren]

Congrats on a wonderful career Benji and all the best in retirement.
Thanks for the memories!!