Benji tells Potter: 'I'd like to be back at five-eighth Rea

[innsaneink]

BENJI MARSHALL has told incoming Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter that he wants to reclaim his No.6 jersey next season.
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Marshall met Potter - who will be the Kiwi international's second club coach, having replaced Tim Sheens - on Monday, and the Tigers playmaker told Fairfax that his new boss asked him during that meeting where he wanted to play next season.
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''I told him I'd like to be back at five-eighth,'' Marshall said. ''That's where I want to play. He asked me that, where I wanted to play, what I thought was my best position, and I told him. I was just honest with him. I want to play five-eighth.''
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Sheens had tried several times to switch Marshall to halfback and it appeared his latest attempt this year might be long-term. The Kiwis captain had publicly accepted the move and even relished it, but clearly, behind the scenes, Marshall still coveted the No.6 jumper that he had worn through most of his career with the club. His latest comments prove that.
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Potter is yet to publicly declare where he wants his key player, but the fact he is willing to ask Marshall suggests that a return to the position is a strong possibility.
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The Tigers unearthed Curtis Sironen at five-eighth this year, and bought Sydney Roosters captain Braith Anasta to play in the halves, but both could just as easily be forwards. The question of who might play halfback if it's not Marshall also seems clearer. Jacob Miller, the Tigers' premiership-winning Toyota Cup captain, seemed destined to leave the club while Sheens was coach, but now Potter has taken over is set to reject overtures from Hull FC to stay. Marshall rates him as a halfback.
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Marshall left his first meeting with Potter impressed, even if he previously did not know what the former Bradford coach looked like until he saw a newspaper picture of him. ''He seems like a hard man,'' said Marshall. ''You can tell he's very disciplined, just the way he was talking. I know how tough the pre-season's going to be. I think he'll be good for the place.''
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Since Sheens' sacking, Marshall has been the focus of suggestions that the senior players - notably he and captain Robbie Farah - wield too much power at the Tigers.
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Marshall, though, rejected that. ''Most of the people who know me wouldn't have that perception,'' he said. ''Perceptions don't bother me anyway. I know what I'm about. If I had too much power at the club, Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington wouldn't have left.''
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He said Potter would have no issues with player power. ''He's the one who lives and dies by what he does,'' he said. ''I'm a good listener, a good learner, and whatever he's got to teach me, I'm looking forward to taking on board.''
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Marshall will return to training on Monday after a break following the October Test match, and was excited about starting his first pre-season under Potter. ''It's a bit of a change for me,'' he said. ''I've been coached by Tim for so long, and it will feel a bit weird hearing a different voice at training. But I'm looking forward to it. There's a bit of fresh air around the place.''
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/benji-tells-potter-id-like-to-be-back-at-fiveeighth-20121103-28qrp.html#ixzz2BCBLz000

But isnt it just a number on a jersey benji??? :unamused:

 

[innsaneink]

You were honest with him?
Good to hear.

BENJI Marshall claims it is an optical illusion. For three years, the Wests Tigers star says he has played like a halfback despite wearing the No 6 on his back.
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But that's about to change. From tonight, when the Tigers host the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval, Marshall will wear the No 7 jersey. His move to halfback is official.
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"It's funny you say that," Marshall said when asked about adjusting to the halfback role.
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"There will be no adjustment, just the number on my back. It's taken the coach three years to change the number. I wasn't really happy about it at first.
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"At the same time, my role is not going to change. I have been playing like a halfback for the past three years, just wearing a No 6."….........................
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/wearing-no-7-is-the-only-adjustment-for-benji-marshall-at-the-tigers/story-fnca0von-1226359380284

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Thats funny, after the Parra game at C-town he said his favourite and best position was halfback

 

[eyewonder]

Praise the lord.

 

[alexaki]

A nothing article…

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Benji never heard of Potter before. Didnt know what he looks like? Thats strange.
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[Newtown]

Play 5/8 and find the gaps that were missing at 1/2.

 

[innsaneink]

Benji never heard of Potter before. Didnt know what he looks like? Thats strange.
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He thought there was only ONE coach
You know its like when you get that first g/f in 4th class and you think its real love and it can never be better and you'll be together forever

 

[LaT]

Marshall left his first meeting with Potter impressed, even if he previously did not know what the former Bradford coach looked like until he saw a newspaper picture of him.

It doesn't say he'd never heard of him.

 

[happy_tiger]

Benji tries to tells us what we want to hear

Benji I'd much prefer you show me what you can do ,than hear you say what you can do

Unless you don't have it any more

 

[magpiecol]

I would like Potter to give him (Benji) a couple of trials at fullback. No harm done and would allow Marshall a lot of room to move. Could be a masterstroke.

 

[Blotto]

I suspect that Mick asking Benji is like a two edged sword, on the one side are you good enough for that position and does it benefit the Team or are you saying the position is just good for you?? Where players end up playing will be a game of musical chairs while the Coach decides who plays best in what position, though I don't think you'll see Keef trying out at FB :wink:

 

[Guest]

I would like Potter to give him (Benji) a couple of trials at fullback. No harm done and would allow Marshall a lot of room to move. Could be a masterstroke.

Can't see it happening. I can see Tedesco lining up at fullback in round 1 though.

 

[Newtown]

I would like Potter to give him (Benji) a couple of trials at fullback. No harm done and would allow Marshall a lot of room to move. Could be a masterstroke.

Can't see it happening. I can see Tedesco lining up at fullback in round 1 though.

Can anyone see Potter telling Adam Blair that WT have plent of second rowers but not enough prop forwards and therefore he wants Blair to put on a little more muscle weight and train hard during the off season in preparation to playing prop forward? This is what Wests Tigers need for 2013 and I hope it happens.

 

[Joel Helmes]

We probably pretty much knew this when we decided to hold on to Jacob Miller - still its good news.

 

[Glennb]

I would like Potter to give him (Benji) a couple of trials at fullback. No harm done and would allow Marshall a lot of room to move. Could be a masterstroke.

Can't see it happening. I can see Tedesco lining up at fullback in round 1 though.

Can anyone see Potter telling Adam Blair that WT have plent of second rowers but not enough prop forwards and therefore he wants Blair to put on a little more muscle weight and train hard during the off season in preparation to playing prop forward? This is what Wests Tigers need for 2013 and I hope it happens.

What makes anyone think Blair could play prop? Did he show any indication of a work ethic required to play prop last year. To me he is the opposite of a prop. Not a hard worker. IMO IF Blair is to turn into an asset at the Tigers he needs to do the opposite. He needs to shed kg and play like a fast backrower hitting gaps at the edges. That is what he was doing at his peak at Melb & NZ.

 

[tiga4eva]

In the article in yesterday's paper I'm sure Benj said he's back training today.
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[Fade_To_Black]

Play 5/8 and find the gaps that were missing at 1/2.

Hopefully whoever plays halfback will create some gaps for Benji, instead of Benji needing to create everything on his own. Then we will see him back to his best

 

[softlaw]

Play 5/8 and find the gaps that were missing at 1/2.

Hopefully whoever plays halfback will create some gaps for Benji, instead of Benji needing to create everything on his own. Then we will see him back to his best

It's not so much creating gaps for Benji it's splitting the opposition defensive line's focus. As it is they only have one half that they have to put any defensive pressure on, that really cuts down Benji's options as he cops all the defensive pressure when we're in attack.
If the defence has to keep even half an eye on someone else in the halves it will make Benji's job so very much easier.

 

[tigertye]

Play 5/8 and find the gaps that were missing at 1/2.

Hopefully whoever plays halfback will create some gaps for Benji, instead of Benji needing to create everything on his own. Then we will see him back to his best

It's not so much creating gaps for Benji it's splitting the opposition defensive line's focus. As it is they only have one half that they have to put any defensive pressure on, that really cuts down Benji's options as he cops all the defensive pressure when we're in attack.
If the defence has to keep even half an eye on someone else in the halves it will make Benji's job so very much easier.

x 2 well said softlaw.

Lui was becoming that "other" danger man on the park but unfortunately it wasn't to be. Hopefully we give Miller plenty of time just like Lui was given to prove his worth.
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