Farah fears for Marshall's legacy after jersey stunt

[alexaki]

I'M NOT sure how Benji Marshall or his manager feel about him appearing in a video wearing another team's jersey.

I guess it's something the Auckland Blues wanted him to do but it's not something I would have done.

If I was going to another club, I'd wait until my contract was finished or I'd left.

It's not the best look. But it's something he's done now and he has to live with it.

I know fans of Wests Tigers aren't happy about it. It's been a pretty tough few weeks for the fans and for Benji, the way everything's gone down.

There's been a bit of a backlash to it but hopefully he can finish strong and be remembered for the right reasons - for the legacy that he built at the Tigers over his career.

There's been some commentary from fans and the media that Benji shouldn't be playing out the rest of the season.

That's not for me to decide - I'm not the coach, I don't pick the team.

But it would be nice if he can play well, keep his spot in the side, finish the season in good form and his Tigers career on a positive note.

Obviously his form of late has been disappointing by his own standards, I know he hasn't been happy with it.

There's four games to go and he's close to the 200 games mark.

Looking at his career in its entirety, he has had a big impact on our club. He's a huge part of our brand and always will be.

In terms of marketability, sponsorship and bringing people through the gates, he's one of the most significant players in Wests Tigers history.

He's a premiership winner at our club and a major reason why a lot of people support it.

I guess it hasn't been the best finish for him but hopefully he can be remembered for all the positive things he's done while he was with us.

Benji will leave a massive hole when he goes but he's made a decision to move on and we need to do the same.

We're excited about our future, particularly the young talent coming through our ranks.

We're just trying to enjoy our final weeks with Benji before he moves to rugby, **<big>we're all great mates and a long relationship on the footy field is coming to an end.</big>**

As for next season, it will be a tough transition for Benji between the codes.

But I know he's excited about it, he's a talented player and if he can get his form back I'm sure he's going to have a great impact.

Personally, last night I formally signed my new Tigers contract.

I want to get back from my hand injury, which may be in Round 25 against Souths, and help us make a winning end to the season.

 

[clontarfkid]

This is going to sound a little machivellian,so work with me here,but next year..if Benji starts making full blooded effective tackles,if Benji loses a few kilos & recovers his pace,& if Benji starts stepping again & becomes the elusive ball runner he once was,&if Benji shows a little discipline & skill in his kicking game,if Benji suddenly throws passes that consistently hit the target rather than row 8,& most importantly of all…if Benji plays predominantly for the team rather than his self indulgent "brand"....all the stuff he hasnt been doing for a couple of years now for WT.....lets face it,we'll all be mightily miffed!!!
So net net...he probably has to fail at NZ Rugby to satisfy us!!
Somehow I dont think we'll be disappointed.....

 

[king_sirro]

My take on those comments from Robbie give me the feeling he'd be happy for Potter to sack Benji now.

 

[madunit]

I wrote an article on my blog recently where I believed that Benji's problem is that he's bored/lost any motivation to play RL now.

There's a good chance he'll play well in RU next year, because he has to prove himself.

However that doesn't mean that he would play well for the Tigers next year if he had've stayed.

Leaving the game is the right decision for Benji. If he went to another club, he would've been as equally rubbish as he has been this year.

 

[clokan]

he probably has to fail at NZ Rugby to satisfy us!!

No I don't agree, I hope he finds the magic that made him a joy to watch over the years, I might even watch some of his games. Good luck to him.

Now if he regained all his skills and was playing against us, well thats a different story.

 

[innsaneink]

My take on those comments from Robbie give me the feeling he'd be happy for Potter to sack Benji now.

Yeh, I do too.

But if that happened I reckon the club would cop a lot of flak, the sympathy would be with Benji where atm theres no sympathy for anyone, the club is neutral and marshall is copping criticism.
Just count down the days, give him his token 200 - he can piss off and we can move on and look forward to 2014.
I wont forget the good times he provided, nor his attitude in his last weeks.

 

[robbo1037]

Benji Was great for the Wests Tigers, but that ended a few years ago now. He can go to rugby where I think he will do sweet f a. Lucky to make the 1st 15 at any stage. The Blues have some pretty good young halves coming through, plus plenty of experience there too all of which have grown up playing rugby.

Benji will be a good marketing tool leading into the start of the competition that's about it.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

My take on those comments from Robbie give me the feeling he'd be happy for Potter to sack Benji now.

Got to agree with you on that one.

 

[Spartan117]

Shame that this will be my last memory of the man.

Bad PR bad advice

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

My take on those comments from Robbie give me the feeling he'd be happy for Potter to sack Benji now.

Yeh, I do too.

But if that happened I reckon the club would cop a lot of flak, the sympathy would be with Benji where atm theres no sympathy for anyone, the club is neutral and marshall is copping criticism.
Just count down the days, give him his token 200 - he can piss off and we can move on and look forward to 2014.
I wont forget the good times he provided, nor his attitude in his last weeks.

Agree on all counts, could you imagine the media frenzy if he got punted early?

 

[innsaneink]

Yeh,, itd be insane and we'd look terrible

Weve nothing to gain by punting him, lots to lose

Nothing to lose by keeping him on the park, but some quiet respect to gain

The club will milk it, there'll be the pro and anti benji camps…its all weve got to market to final home games

 

[happy_tiger]

The club could be real mongrels about it if they wanted to

For Benji's 200th lose the toss , we kick off and once he has kicked off drag him

 

[shane2801]

I'll always remember him as the most overrated player ever to play the game. Can't wait to see the back of him and for 2014 to be Benji free.

 

[cunno]

Robbie, "But it would be nice if he can play well, keep his spot in the side, finish the season in good form and his Tigers career on a positive note."

Yes it would be Robbie, but sadly is it likely? Rather, we are left with Benji's recent form and his pluses from long term memory.

 

[happy_tiger]

Robbie, "But it would be nice if he can play well, keep his spot in the side, finish the season in good form and his Tigers career on a positive note."

Yes it would be Robbie, but sadly is it likely? Rather, we are left with Benji's recent form and his pluses from long term memory.

As I said in another thread ,many supporters will remember Benji for the moments that Bon has in his 15 minute you tube videos

Many Tigers fans will remember the last 2.5 seasons of Benji's career

I wonder if Benji actually realises that and actually even cares about that

As far as Robbie is concerned the game when he stormed after the Cronulla debacle (first game ) and supposedly got in the dressing room and went off at Potter in regards to Benji says enough for me

 

[happy_tiger]

Yeh,, itd be insane and we'd look terrible

Weve nothing to gain by punting him, lots to lose

Nothing to lose by keeping him on the park, but some quiet respect to gain

The club will milk it, there'll be the pro and anti benji camps…its all weve got to market to final home games

It would say a lot to the rest of the squad if we drop him for the players staying on into 2014

Perform or perish ,simple as that

 

[Basil_Tiger]

he probably has to fail at NZ Rugby to satisfy us!!

No I don't agree, I hope he finds the magic that made him a joy to watch over the years, I might even watch some of his games. Good luck to him.

Now if he regained all his skills and was playing against us, well thats a different story.

Yeah,i think thats the majority view,good luck to him.I've been involved in several different sports and young players change when the first serious girlfriend/wife arrives on the scene,sometimes for the good but often a form slump occurs,some players get out of it ,some don't.

 

[cunno]

Robbie, "But it would be nice if he can play well, keep his spot in the side, finish the season in good form and his Tigers career on a positive note."

Yes it would be Robbie, but sadly is it likely? Rather, we are left with Benji's recent form and his pluses from long term memory.

As I said in another thread ,many supporters will remember Benji for the moments that Bon has in his 15 minute you tube videos

Many Tigers fans will remember the last 2.5 seasons of Benji's career

I wonder if Benji actually realises that and actually even cares about that

As far as Robbie is concerned the game when he stormed after the Cronulla debacle (first game ) and supposedly got in the dressing room and went off at Potter in regards to Benji says enough for me

The impression I have at the moment Happy is that Benji isn't all that fussed and I guess that's his choice. As for the Robbie incident, what was that about?

 

[mtd]

Robbie, "But it would be nice if he can play well, keep his spot in the side, finish the season in good form and his Tigers career on a positive note."

Yes it would be Robbie, but sadly is it likely? Rather, we are left with Benji's recent form and his pluses from long term memory.

As I said in another thread ,many supporters will remember Benji for the moments that Bon has in his 15 minute you tube videos

Many Tigers fans will remember the last 2.5 seasons of Benji's career

I wonder if Benji actually realises that and actually even cares about that

As far as Robbie is concerned the game when he stormed after the Cronulla debacle (first game ) and supposedly got in the dressing room and went off at Potter in regards to Benji says enough for me

The impression I have at the moment Happy is that Benji isn't all that fussed and I guess that's his choice. As for the Robbie incident, what was that about?

yeah, please explain

 

[tig_prmz]

Said this the moment benji asked for a release that he will be remembered not missed.

I personally don't get too offended by his jersey crap but most fans do. The club is the winner in this case. Two years ago Marshall had everything- today he is the guy us fans who made him who he is today loathe.

Sad story really, you can blame his coach manager whoever you want- it all ends with him.

I really hope he does well.

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