Benji Marshall - Official..

[cqtiger]

He's a Q cup player for crying out loud. You are seeing the difference now for St George without Benji - says it all.

And Gunner is 100%, his rapid decline is sad. I look at Lockyer and how long he was able to keep playing at the top level even though he lost speed. All Benji had was speed and a step.
He doesn't have the ability to adapt to losing his key skills.

I see Benji maybe coming back in some sort of ambassadorial role. That's it.

 

[Tim Sheens]

An easy decision, no.

 

[bigsiro]

He's done. He has to go close to having the most bizarre career of any player in living memory. He burst onto the scene as a prodigy. By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened? Has a player ever regressed so much? It's been sad to see in a way.

A bizarre career no doubt. But that's him.

**"By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened?"**
05 he basically won the GF for us - the only one we have ever won. Not good enough for you.
And "then what happened?". Well, he was put into a halfback role which was quite incompatible with his style of play yet despite that he was arguably the world's best player from '09-'11, winning a World Cup for NZ and the Golden Boot - as universal recognition of his place as the game's MVP.

That's regression?

**@ shane2801 "No way. Some people have very short memories."**

Yes he was erratic. But he has matured and changed his style.

You guys might not want him back for a variety of reasons, but it is not even an argument that Benji is the most important player the Wests Tigers have ever had, besides being the world's most exciting player for many years.
As far as I'm concerned, a Tigers fan dissing Marshall is not just offensive, it's sacrilege. But that's besides the point.

Point is, we need an experienced head in the halves and (taking my obvious man-love out of the equation) - I still believe that he would be a really useful asset on the field, as a role model, and for entertainment, membership and sponsorship etc.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He's done. He has to go close to having the most bizarre career of any player in living memory. He burst onto the scene as a prodigy. By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened? Has a player ever regressed so much? It's been sad to see in a way.

A bizarre career no doubt. But that's him.

**"By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened?"**
05 he basically won the GF for us - the only one we have ever won. Not good enough for you.
And "then what happened?". Well, he was put into a halfback role which was quite incompatible with his style of play yet despite that he was arguably the world's best player from '09-'11, winning a World Cup for NZ and the Golden Boot - as universal recognition of his place as the game's MVP.

That's regression?

**@ shane2801 "No way. Some people have very short memories."**

Yes he was erratic. But he has matured and changed his style.

You guys might not want him back for a variety of reasons, but it is not even an argument that Benji is the most important player the Wests Tigers have ever had, besides being the world's most exciting player for many years.
As far as I'm concerned, a Tigers fan dissing Marshall is not just offensive, it's sacrilege. But that's besides the point.

Point is, we need an experienced head in the halves and (taking my obvious man-love out of the equation) - I still believe that he would be a really useful asset on the field, as a role model, and for entertainment, membership and sponsorship etc.

I don't get it. Are you arguing he didn't regress?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

He's a Q cup player for crying out loud. You are seeing the difference now for St George without Benji - says it all.

And Gunner is 100%, his rapid decline is sad. I look at Lockyer and how long he was able to keep playing at the top level even though he lost speed. All Benji had was speed and a step.
He doesn't have the ability to adapt to losing his key skills.

I see Benji maybe coming back in some sort of ambassadorial role. That's it.

I'm not necessarily advocating that we sign him back, but let's not get too silly about St. Georges woes being all Benji's fault. They largely got beat up in the forwards week in week out. They went and signed a couple of decent props and amazingly they aren't getting smashed up front every week.

Benji outshone Widdop there because Benji was one of the rare halves who could play behind a beaten pack, he made him name doing that for the Tigers. Correlation does not equal causation.

 

[magpiecol]

He's done. He has to go close to having the most bizarre career of any player in living memory. He burst onto the scene as a prodigy. By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened? Has a player ever regressed so much? It's been sad to see in a way.

A bizarre career no doubt. But that's him.

**"By 05, he was arguably the face of the game. Then what happened?"**
05 he basically won the GF for us - the only one we have ever won. Not good enough for you.
And "then what happened?". Well, he was put into a halfback role which was quite incompatible with his style of play yet despite that he was arguably the world's best player from '09-'11, winning a World Cup for NZ and the Golden Boot - as universal recognition of his place as the game's MVP.

That's regression?

**@ shane2801 "No way. Some people have very short memories."**

Yes he was erratic. But he has matured and changed his style.

You guys might not want him back for a variety of reasons, but it is not even an argument that Benji is the most important player the Wests Tigers have ever had, besides being the world's most exciting player for many years.
As far as I'm concerned, a Tigers fan dissing Marshall is not just offensive, it's sacrilege. But that's besides the point.

Point is, we need an experienced head in the halves and (taking my obvious man-love out of the equation) - I still believe that he would be a really useful asset on the field, as a role model, and for entertainment, membership and sponsorship etc.

:righton: :righton: :righton:

Best Weststigers player EVER.

Saying that, I am not sure about bringing him back. Could not hurt I suppose.

 

[Tacky]

People should read Ben Ikins article on Fox Sports in regards to aging players and the importance of them in the team. He even goes as far as suggesting the Sharks should let a younger player go for a year to get experience at another club in order to resign Heighnington until he calls it quits.
Ben Ikins reason for this is older experienced players are dependable and therefore make the roster stronger by having less unreliable younger players.
It makes sence in the case of the Sharks and the storm and cowboys they are teams that have always knocked back there upcoming talent to resign an aging experienced roster.
I'm not sure if he would ever be interested but another option would be Hodkinson on a reduced contract for next year thanks to the Knights wanting to move him on. Could even follow his playing career up with coaching / mentoring, seems like a really great bloke to have at any club.

I think that's more of something for the forwards, I wouldn't really want an aging winger.

I'm hoping that we can get another experienced prop and second rower. Not to throw this thread of topic but, maybe one of the clubs that are over the cap could provide us with something.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Sentiments aside,I think he may be ok at right price. Can cover quite a few positions plus brings some more experience to the roster.
And it would be nice to see his career wind down at the WT.

 

[cqtiger]

He's a Q cup player for crying out loud. You are seeing the difference now for St George without Benji - says it all.

And Gunner is 100%, his rapid decline is sad. I look at Lockyer and how long he was able to keep playing at the top level even though he lost speed. All Benji had was speed and a step.
He doesn't have the ability to adapt to losing his key skills.

I see Benji maybe coming back in some sort of ambassadorial role. That's it.

I'm not necessarily advocating that we sign him back, but let's not get too silly about St. Georges woes being all Benji's fault. They largely got beat up in the forwards week in week out. They went and signed a couple of decent props and amazingly they aren't getting smashed up front every week.

Benji outshone Widdop there because Benji was one of the rare halves who could play behind a beaten pack, he made him name doing that for the Tigers. Correlation does not equal causation.

Not all his fault at St George, just 75%.
Basically neutered Widdop the longer he stayed. Don't forget it was the same forward pack that previously made the finals - but lets embellish the story

 

[BlackandGoldForever]

he has been done since that 2012 season when we were suppose to win the comp… there he was on the footy show saying he needs to 'stand up' he just got worse and worse as a player from that year on. he should have won another comp in 2010 and 2011 when we were a chance. he also missed to much footy in his prime with the shoulder injuries

 

[WestsBenTigers]

I would bring him back. He obviously won't be our first choice starter, but all the fans love him and it would be great for our club. He is playing out of his skin at the moment and I wouldn't mind throwing him a 1-year deal. He would add great depth to our halves, something that we have lacked in previous years.

NRL: 6\. Reynolds 7\. Brooks
Reserve Grade: 6\. Benji 7\. Gamble

I vote yes!

 

[Aceshigh]

Wake up too ya bloody selves , no Benji

 

[Aceshigh]

Bring Nathan Brown back , now ya talkin

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

He's a Q cup player for crying out loud. You are seeing the difference now for St George without Benji - says it all.

And Gunner is 100%, his rapid decline is sad. I look at Lockyer and how long he was able to keep playing at the top level even though he lost speed. All Benji had was speed and a step.
He doesn't have the ability to adapt to losing his key skills.

I see Benji maybe coming back in some sort of ambassadorial role. That's it.

I'm not necessarily advocating that we sign him back, but let's not get too silly about St. Georges woes being all Benji's fault. They largely got beat up in the forwards week in week out. They went and signed a couple of decent props and amazingly they aren't getting smashed up front every week.

Benji outshone Widdop there because Benji was one of the rare halves who could play behind a beaten pack, he made him name doing that for the Tigers. Correlation does not equal causation.

Not all his fault at St George, just 75%.
Basically neutered Widdop the longer he stayed. Don't forget it was the same forward pack that previously made the finals - but lets embellish the story

Wasn't Benji well up the ladder for the 2015 Dally M? Equal second if I remember right?

Can't have been too bad.

 

[cqtiger]

He's a Q cup player for crying out loud. You are seeing the difference now for St George without Benji - says it all.

And Gunner is 100%, his rapid decline is sad. I look at Lockyer and how long he was able to keep playing at the top level even though he lost speed. All Benji had was speed and a step.
He doesn't have the ability to adapt to losing his key skills.

I see Benji maybe coming back in some sort of ambassadorial role. That's it.

I'm not necessarily advocating that we sign him back, but let's not get too silly about St. Georges woes being all Benji's fault. They largely got beat up in the forwards week in week out. They went and signed a couple of decent props and amazingly they aren't getting smashed up front every week.

Benji outshone Widdop there because Benji was one of the rare halves who could play behind a beaten pack, he made him name doing that for the Tigers. Correlation does not equal causation.

Not all his fault at St George, just 75%.
Basically neutered Widdop the longer he stayed. Don't forget it was the same forward pack that previously made the finals - but lets embellish the story

Wasn't Benji well up the ladder for the 2015 Dally M? Equal second if I remember right?

Can't have been too bad.

CB I don't like getting into prolonged debates, ala Happy, suffice to say that Benji had one good year at the dragons. Hence why the dragons didn't re-sign him and there were no other takers until the broncos made him a basement bargain offer and has played mostly Q cup.

Most on here just want a warm feeling by bringing Benji back to the Tigers but they will turn on him every time he crabs across field or throws a pass over the sideline.

I don't want him as a player because he is yesterdays man.

 

[HabboTiger]

Word is the sun herald are announcing his signing tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

As a depth option, yes.

 

[Sunnycoast_tiger]

http://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/benji-marshall-signs-deal-to-return-to-the-wests-tigers-20170812-gxuv4d.html

 

[jadtiger]

pascoe is quoted about him being signed next year.I hope it is for no more than 150k and 1 year only

 

[Guest]

Benji Marshall signs deal to return to the Wests Tigers
August 13 2017 - 6:00AM
Danny Weidler

Redemption rather than romance dominates rugby league stories. But Benji Marshall's return to Wests Tigers is dripping with the qualities of a Mills and Boon novel. Marshall, 32, and the Tigers confirmed yesterday that the club legend will be returning to Leichhardt in 2018.

"I'm coming home," Benji told The Sun-Herald yesterday. "And it feels good. I never wanted to leave the place, and I've tried several times to get back and now I've got my chance."

Marshall's return to the Tigers will be one of the stories of 2018: A favourite son coming back to help a club that's going through a massive rebuild under new coach Ivan Cleary.

Marshall met with Cleary when the Tigers played the Broncos in round 11 this year and very nearly joined the club then.

"We talked about a mid-year switch," Marshall said. "But in the end I felt like I wanted to see this year out with Brisbane because it's been so good for my game and I've still got work to do with Brisbane. I'm their professional 18th man. My time here with Brisbane has really turned my game around and it has rejuvenated me."

Marshall doesn't have many regrets in his career but the way he exited the Tigers is one that is driving his return to the club.

"The way I announced I was going to the [Auckland] Blues seemed right at the time, but now that I look at it, I wish I had done things differently," Marshall said. "I never wanted to leave the club, but they didn't want me and I probably could've handled things better back then. The great thing about returning has been telling my family. Most of them are still Tigers fans and they are really happy with the decision. And I'm really happy because I love the club. I tried a few times to come back since I left, but the opportunity just wasn't there under Jason Taylor or Mick Potter.

"Now it's there I hope I can make a difference as a senior player and as someone who might be able to mentor the younger players.

"I come back to the club as a different person and player. I now know how to have a good look at myself and realise how to accept responsibility for my actions and how to fix what I may be doing wrong. In the past it was easy to blame other people instead of owning my flaws or errors."

Marshall knows he will be playing second fiddle to the likes of Luke Brooks and new recruit Josh Reynolds, but he hopes to fit in somewhere and help educate the team.

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said: "The whole club is really excited to be welcoming a legend like Benji back. Benji has a long history with this club, with the members, the fans and with the stakeholders and bringing back a life member to help to continue to transform this footy club is a great result for everyone.

"Benji will add experience and leadership to our young group of players coming through, not only on the field but also off the field. The communication Ivan Cleary, [general manager of football] Kelly Egan and myself have had with Benji is very clear around his role with the Wests Tigers. He will be given every opportunity to compete for a starting position and put pressure on those ahead of him and he will also be expected to, and is looking forward to, being a mentor to those young players coming through.

"What excites me the most is that Benji can see and believes in the direction the club is heading and he wants to be part of that. He sees the future of the Wests Tigers is extremely bright."