**COMMENT: Adam Lucius writes a letter to Benji Marshall encouraging the leaving Tiger to walk away from the sport immediately.**
Dear Benji,
Right from the start, let me confess I've never been your biggest fan.
Nothing personal, but I grew up in an era when players reached for a silver tin instead of a Musashi protein shake after games and powerbands were the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, not something you wore on your wrist.
But I am willing to concede you did wonderful things on the rugby league field.
You delivered Wests Tigers their maiden premiership with that flick pass in 2005 and engineered a memorable World Cup victory for the Kiwis in '08.
Thousands of school kids spent their lunchtime trying to emulate the Benji sidestep and pestering their parents for a diamond stud ear-ring.
But, mate, the magic dried up a long time ago.
Watching you go around on Monday night against the Roosters, I actually felt sorry for you.
You looked disinterested, devoid of confidence and holding something in reserve for what lies beyond.
Worst of all, your team-mates look to have given up on you.
A couple of weeks ago I watched one of them give you a death stare when you hit him in the head with a pass that looked straight out of Dodgeball.
On Monday night you threw a pass that would have been disowned by a marbles player and Mitchell Pearce swooped to score untouched.
Not one Tigers player looked interested in cleaning up your mess.
One of your penalty kicks for touch went about 7m and another failed to reach the sideline.
Another kick into the in-goal almost hit the SCG members' stand.
This wasn't a one-off horror night. This has been the Benji Marshall show reel for most of 2013 – and 2012 for that that matter.
Better judges than me agree.
It's painful to watch. It's like marrying a supermodel and watching her turn into Rebel Wilson overnight.
Why Mick Potter won't do you and all of us a favour and euthanise your NRL career is beyond me.
So why don't you make the hard decision for him and volunteer to step down?
Effective immediately. Time to move aside and give the kids a crack.
By all means have a lap of honour on the back of sports car and say goodbye to the fans.
Then go home, book that flight to Auckland and start pursuing your dream of becoming an All Black.
You may be the Wallabies' best hope of beating them.
Dear Benji,
Right from the start, let me confess I've never been your biggest fan.
Nothing personal, but I grew up in an era when players reached for a silver tin instead of a Musashi protein shake after games and powerbands were the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, not something you wore on your wrist.
But I am willing to concede you did wonderful things on the rugby league field.
You delivered Wests Tigers their maiden premiership with that flick pass in 2005 and engineered a memorable World Cup victory for the Kiwis in '08.
Thousands of school kids spent their lunchtime trying to emulate the Benji sidestep and pestering their parents for a diamond stud ear-ring.
But, mate, the magic dried up a long time ago.
Watching you go around on Monday night against the Roosters, I actually felt sorry for you.
You looked disinterested, devoid of confidence and holding something in reserve for what lies beyond.
Worst of all, your team-mates look to have given up on you.
A couple of weeks ago I watched one of them give you a death stare when you hit him in the head with a pass that looked straight out of Dodgeball.
On Monday night you threw a pass that would have been disowned by a marbles player and Mitchell Pearce swooped to score untouched.
Not one Tigers player looked interested in cleaning up your mess.
One of your penalty kicks for touch went about 7m and another failed to reach the sideline.
Another kick into the in-goal almost hit the SCG members' stand.
This wasn't a one-off horror night. This has been the Benji Marshall show reel for most of 2013 – and 2012 for that that matter.
Better judges than me agree.
It's painful to watch. It's like marrying a supermodel and watching her turn into Rebel Wilson overnight.
Why Mick Potter won't do you and all of us a favour and euthanise your NRL career is beyond me.
So why don't you make the hard decision for him and volunteer to step down?
Effective immediately. Time to move aside and give the kids a crack.
By all means have a lap of honour on the back of sports car and say goodbye to the fans.
Then go home, book that flight to Auckland and start pursuing your dream of becoming an All Black.
You may be the Wallabies' best hope of beating them.
