Benji return

[Mccarry]

I sorta don't get it. We're talking about a guy who apparently passed up on $700k/year offer to stay with this team. He did that for a reason. What that reason was, I neither know or care about at this stage.

With the money saved as a result of his decision, the Tigers have been able to construct a winning team. They have also built a winning culture that some here believe would not have been as effective if he had chosen to take the money on offer and stay.

The Tigers are winning! Why are we even talking about Benji Marshall?

I rarely disagree with the views of my esteemed forum friends. On this one, I totally disagree.

Benji has eaten humble pie. He is family. He will play cheap. He has made it not about him. There is a strong chance that he would return to his greatness.

Why would he be different:
1 fresh perspective from a new learning experience
2 the game changing, it's faster and suits him more with more broken play and longer sets
3\. Not playing half back
4\. Having a dominate half back who has the club and coaches full support
5\. Farah playing the hooking role (only)
6\. A strong if not dominate forward pack

Other reasons to take the chance:
7\. Other players who we won't have next year where we can free up money (BMM, Moltzen, Anasta)
8\. 2 years for Moses to develop
9\. Austin has potential though let's be honest, he's not Marshall and Moses will come over the top in 2-3 years.
10\. Because it's not that big of a risk. It's a stronger club
11\. We are a business and a football club and he is a massive money spinner! The first few weeks would generate more revenue than the cost to the club

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[NT_Tiger]

Ok good on you.
How can you simultaneously totally disagree with the post and then choose to use elements inherent within it to justify your assertion that this would be a really grouse acquisition?

Having a dominate half back (would we have a 'dominant' 1/2 if he had stayed??) who has the club and coaches full support (Why did this bloke leave in the first place?? Did he want to cooperate with the coach??)
Farah playing the hooking role (only) (would this be the case if he had stayed? I remember Farah trying to cover for him regularly)
A strong if not dominate forward pack ( Hmmm how did we afford this strong dominant pack????)

Other reasons to take the chance: WE ARE WINNING WHY TAKE A CHANCE AT ALL??
Austin has potential though let's be honest, he's not Marshall (YAY) and Moses will come over the top in 2-3 years (Yippee)
Because it's not that big of a risk. (Disagree…because)- It's a stronger club - (without him here)
We are a business and a football club and he is a massive money spinner! The first few weeks would generate more revenue than the cost to the club (and media circus and never mind)
If you had a car that ran badly, then spent some money on it to fix it up and suddenly it ran fantastically, would you think hmm something's different and put the old parts back in because you missed the way it used to run? Or would you say wow what a great car?

 

[tigermaniac]

The best move for Benji is to go to a club with a top half back, I think that's what was lacking most in his career with the WT. With Prince and Lui there, Benji was magic, giving us a premiership and reaching two grand final qualifiers.

The worst that can happen is he never regains his touch and ends up on the scrap heap.

Think about it Benji, ESL or Japanese Rugby aren't a bad option if you want to be remembered for only the good things you done on the NRL footy fields.

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[supercoach]

Why would Benji risk coming back to the NRL, where the chances of failure are high, when he could have picked up a million a year in the ESL????

My guess this is more about trying to stitch up a career in his post football days. He needs to be in the Sydney market place to attract work offers. Because playing good or bad football he can still generate headlines better than any other player in the comp.

I hope he proves me wrong but I just dont think will make the grade this time round

 

[innsaneink]

Zoe wouldnt like Salford either, Sylvania Waters more her cup of mao feng green tea

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Zoe wouldnt like Salford either, Sylvania Waters more her cup of mao feng green tea

Oh poor Zoe, my missus would move to Mars if I was earning a million a year for three years.

 

[Flippedy]

The best move for Benji is to go to a club with a top half back, I think that's what was lacking most in his career with the WT. With Prince and Lui there, Benji was magic, giving us a premiership and reaching two grand final qualifiers.

The worst that can happen is he never regains his touch and ends up on the scrap heap.

Think about it Benji, ESL or Japanese Rugby aren't a bad option if you want to be remembered for only the good things you done on the NRL footy fields.

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Melbourne would be a good fit. Playing next to Cronk could do wonders for his dwindling career. I think I would hate it though :laughing:

 

[Black_n_White]

The best move for Benji is to go to a club with a top half back, I think that's what was lacking most in his career with the WT. With Prince and Lui there, Benji was magic, giving us a premiership and reaching two grand final qualifiers.

The worst that can happen is he never regains his touch and ends up on the scrap heap.

Think about it Benji, ESL or Japanese Rugby aren't a bad option if you want to be remembered for only the good things you done on the NRL footy fields.

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Melbourne would be a good fit. Playing next to Cronk could do wonders for his dwindling career. I think I would hate it though :laughing:

Jeebus, under Sheens he didnt need to wipe himself… you think he is going to thrive under the Bellamy microscope? Bloke admitted he is an instinctive footballing beast, yet you see him flourishing under the most analytical mentor in the game... he also admitted he was all but incapable of change.

He has two options, both relying on his ego... accept change, or be Benji, I know where my money is going.

 

[Flippedy]

With a decent half like Brooks, Benji would be free to play his natural running game. I think that combination would be deadly.

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Unless he tried to take over again and bugger up all the plays! If Benji were to come back here at all, I reckon centre would be his best option. Centre has been a bit of a problem for us recently - Simona is great, but we all know that Lawrence not the player he used to be in that position and Lulia doesn't seem to have a lot of impact there either. Marshall is still quick and he can sure can spot an opening. Put Rowdy in the forwards and Simona and Marshall in the centres - I reckon that could work out ok, but he would have to take a back seat to the play makers and I'm not real sure he is capable of doing that once on the field.

 

[Flippedy]

The best move for Benji is to go to a club with a top half back, I think that's what was lacking most in his career with the WT. With Prince and Lui there, Benji was magic, giving us a premiership and reaching two grand final qualifiers.

The worst that can happen is he never regains his touch and ends up on the scrap heap.

Think about it Benji, ESL or Japanese Rugby aren't a bad option if you want to be remembered for only the good things you done on the NRL footy fields.

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Melbourne would be a good fit. Playing next to Cronk could do wonders for his dwindling career. I think I would hate it though :laughing:

Jeebus, under Sheens he didnt need to wipe himself… you think he is going to thrive under the Bellamy microscope? Bloke admitted he is an instinctive footballing beast, yet you see him flourishing under the most analytical mentor in the game... he also admitted he was all but incapable of change.

He has two options, both relying on his ego... accept change, or be Benji, I know where my money is going.

Yeah you're probably right, but as tigermaniac said, Benji played his best football next to a top halfback and considering his NRL options at the moment, Cronk would be the best fit. You're right though, Bellamy would probably either kill him or throw him out after two weeks :laughing:

 

[jirskyr]

The best move for Benji is to go to a club with a top half back, I think that's what was lacking most in his career with the WT. With Prince and Lui there, Benji was magic, giving us a premiership and reaching two grand final qualifiers.

The worst that can happen is he never regains his touch and ends up on the scrap heap.

Think about it Benji, ESL or Japanese Rugby aren't a bad option if you want to be remembered for only the good things you done on the NRL footy fields.

_Posted using RoarFEED V.4_

Melbourne would be a good fit. Playing next to Cronk could do wonders for his dwindling career. I think I would hate it though :laughing:

Imagine Benji playing with the real Cronk, instead of all those years with Johnny Cronk!

 

[Guest]

Benji Marshall’s back in Sydney and roaring to go like a Tiger

Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
April 25, 2014 12:00AM
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Former Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall says he is ready to return to the game and that he has recaptured his desire to play.

RETURNING NRL star Benji Marshall has made the ultimate confession, admitting he left Wests Tigers as “lazy, out-of-shape, comfortable and lacking desire.”

Marshall flew into Sydney on Thursday afternoon to meet with his manager Martin Tauber about which club he will join for the rest of this year.

Cronulla is front-runner, Melbourne has shown preliminary interest, North Queensland another possible suitor for Marshall.

Marshall was frank and forthright on arrival - a low-key affair with just The Daily Telegraph there along with Fox Sports.

He claimed his stint with the Auckland Blues had given him his “hunger, desire and fire” back.

“Watching all the (NRL) games from the start of the season, I was commentating as I watched them,” he said. “I still feel I have a good footy brain for the NRL.

“I can bring experience. I think I left a little bit lazy, a little out-of-shape and had probably lost that desire. I think I have found that now, which is the most important part.

“When I left I felt I was a bit comfortable, in the comfort zone, something I couldn’t get out of without leaving.

“Leaving the Tigers, as hard as it was, I found something different in New Zealand … that was a bit of hunger, a bit of desire and a bit of fire. I feel like I have become a better person as well. I feel like I’m ready to go again.”

Marshall had a wonderful career at Concord, his latter years though not to the lofty level he set as a brash youngster.

Asked could he regain the standard he once set, Marshall said: “I’d like to think so. I feel hungry to play, I feel like I need to play and the rest will take care of itself.

“I’ll do the hard yarns off the field. Whatever team I go to, hopefully it’s where I can play my best footy.”

A prodigious five-eighth, Marshall’s time in rugby union also gave him an insight into another key position - fullback.

“I wouldn’t mind playing fullback,” he said.

“I have thought about it. Every day at the Blues, before and after training, all you had to do was practice catching high balls.

“I feel I have another string to my bow. I feel like I could excel there. I definitely could also still play in the halves.”

Marshall said rejoining Wests Tigers was never really an option.

“As much as I love the Tigers and loved playing for the Tigers, it would be hard for me to expect to come back and go into that team, with the development of such young stars that they have,” he said.

“I’m pretty honest with myself.”

He jokingly added: “I couldn’t do that to them and they probably don’t want a washed-up 29-year-old. I will do whatever I think is best for me. I have made a lot of decisions in the past about what is best for everyone else, this time it’s about what is best for me.”

Marshall could not shed any further light on where he will play next season.

The Kiwi star though looked fresh and healthy on his arrival into Sydney International Airport on Thursday.

“I’ve got two homes at the moment but it’s good to be back,” he said.

“I obviously have to sort out the next chapter in my career - that’s what I am here for.”

 

[Mccarry]

Ok good on you.
How can you simultaneously totally disagree with the post and then choose to use elements inherent within it to justify your assertion that this would be a really grouse acquisition?

Having a dominate half back (would we have a 'dominant' 1/2 if he had stayed??) who has the club and coaches full support (Why did this bloke leave in the first place?? Did he want to cooperate with the coach??)
Farah playing the hooking role (only) (would this be the case if he had stayed? I remember Farah trying to cover for him regularly)
A strong if not dominate forward pack ( Hmmm how did we afford this strong dominant pack????)

Other reasons to take the chance: WE ARE WINNING WHY TAKE A CHANCE AT ALL??
Austin has potential though let's be honest, he's not Marshall (YAY) and Moses will come over the top in 2-3 years (Yippee)
Because it's not that big of a risk. (Disagree…because)- It's a stronger club - (without him here)
We are a business and a football club and he is a massive money spinner! The first few weeks would generate more revenue than the cost to the club (and media circus and never mind)
If you had a car that ran badly, then spent some money on it to fix it up and suddenly it ran fantastically, would you think hmm something's different and put the old parts back in because you missed the way it used to run? Or would you say wow what a great car?

Farah was trying to play half back. That was the driver of Farah over playing his hand. Benji never wanted to or had the skills to play half back.

Brooks played amazing with Benji in the team. Benji played his best game in two years with Brooks in the team.

Our forward pack was all already signed before he left. Gavet came much earlier. Taupau I'm not 100% but I think before benji announced his departure.

I could see benji at centre (sorry Lawrence) with Austin inside him.

I can see your point about not risking it as we are going so well. It would be the main reason I can see not to bring him back.

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[simonthetiger]

It wasn't just an off the cuff statement he made about never playing against the Tigers. He repeated it on numerous occasions, said he looked at guys like Mark O'Neil with respect because they remained one club men, said we are the only NRL club he could ever play for. And he said it again and again.

If your word means anything Benji, go and play in England, earn the big dollars for the last few years of your career, and maintain abit of self-respect.

But if you want to come back to the NRL in enemy colours, after all you have said and done, then stuff you!

IM starting to agree with this…

 

[southerntiger]

Circumstances change. He wants to come back to league and Sydney. We dont want him. What does you expect him to do? Retire because of comments he made 8 months ago when he planned to play union for three years?

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[bonstonker]

while the club says they have moved on,it seems alot of fans haven't.

 

[Knuckles]

while the club says they have moved on,it seems alot of fans haven't.

How true is that !

 

[NT_Tiger]

Yeah, fair enough Mccarry, There was some poetic licence there re the forwards. I admit I don't really stay up on the recruitment & contracts side of things.

For the record I was a big Benji fan. I just think he had his opportunities to join in on the reinvented team and rejected them.

Ok, no hard feelings but the new team has developed without him. They are clearly a tight knit group that enjoy playing with each other. Why introduce a wild card that has demonstrated his unwillingness to join in the team effort?

 

[Mccarry]

NT Tiger. Totally understand. I was off Benji last year, though I was a massive fan in prior years like you.

My concern is as fans we are getting very excited at 5 wins. Our attack without Teddy has been ordinary. One of those wins (Parra) was one of the best get out of jail wins I have enjoyed for many years.

Ultimately I don't see us as having enough points of attack to win a comp (yet). Austin looks good so I can understand people saying no to Benji based on his potential.

For me I see it as a choice of risk:
wait for Austin/ Moses or Lawrence return on to form
Or
Risk Benji impacting culture or not recapturing previous form

I would take Benji for 2014 and 2015\. I think he will be great back in the NRL.

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[alexaki]

NT Tiger. Totally understand. I was off Benji last year, though I was a massive fan in prior years like you.

My concern is as fans we are getting very excited at 5 wins. Our attack without Teddy has been ordinary. One of those wins (Parra) was one of the best get out of jail wins I have enjoyed for many years.

Ultimately I don't see us as having enough points of attack to win a comp (yet). Austin looks good so I can understand people saying no to Benji based on his potential.

For me I see it as a choice of risk:
wait for Austin/ Moses or Lawrence return on to form
Or
Risk Benji impacting culture or not recapturing previous form

I would take Benji for 2014 and 2015\. I think he will be great back in the NRL.

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Rebound "divorces" rarely work …Sadly I don't see Benji capturing his 2010-11 form again... Worst thing he can do is join the other Tiger has been sat the Sharks... Smart move for him in Storm where the expectation won't be as high as hi can hide behind the "big 3"...

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