Furious Wests Tigers fans slam departing star Benji Marshall

[alexaki]

WESTS Tigers boss Grant Mayer says the best judges on Benji Marshall's behaviour are the fans - and they're furious with the departing star.

Tigers fans have turned on Marshall en masse since his decision to release a video message on Saturday while wearing an Auckland Blues Super Rugby jersey.

**Fans took to social media to slam Marshall's conduct as an insult to the NRL that he was promoting a rival code while still contracted to the Tigers. He is due to play his 200th NRL game in the penultimate round of the season, but there are now suggestions he could be dumped next weekend.**

Chief executive Mayer said the club had yet to discuss any possible sanction.

"It's probably too early to talk about that one but I guess it's fair to say we are quietly surprised about how it all played out," Mayer told Triple M. "I guess the greatest judge on Benji right now are the fans themselves and we've seen a bit of that this morning.

"It's certainly an unusual way to do it."

While Marshall is on the way out, the Tigers are adamant Robbie Farah is staying.

The Telegraph revealed on Saturday that Farah's $3.5 million extension was yet to be lodged with the NRL nearly five months after he agreed to terms. Mayer admitted the Tigers may have jumped the gun in announcing Farah's re-signing in March, but said he expected the deal to be completed this week.

"Ultimately Robbie's going to be there," Mayer said.

"The paperwork is the issue. It is a very big contract for both of us.

"Wests Tigers fans relax, it will be done this week."

Coach Mick Potter's future is expected to be determined by the board on August 28.

Mayer refused to guarantee Potter would see out the second year of his two-year deal, but claimed the review of the club's coaching set-up was about structure and not individuals.

"Mick's got a contract with the club to the end of next year and we've been out in the public saying we're doing a structural review and I think the two purposes have been mixed," Mayer said.

"Mick's part of that review - we're trying to strengthen our team next year."

 

[alexaki]

Lets not let up on this joker….his video was a very insulting low act to us the fans and the club who made him the superstar the WAS!...The contrast on his face from Fridays nights press conference to Saturday mornings video says it all....he is treating us all with contempt....

 

[Snake]

Well the fans have to decide possibly the wooden spoon without Marshall or not. I don,t agree with what Marshall did but I also don,t want the spoon ,so us as fans have to settle on one or the other .
And the most important point is if Marshall is dropped that he COACH is not blamed ! for getting the spoon. There will be ramifications if Marshall is dropped I just don,t want the club to suffer even worse publicity ,it was a dog act to rub the fans faces in it but I would make him play to the end rather than him on the sideline smirking .

 

[jirskyr]

I didn't even see it. Seriously who watches rugby videos?

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

Get rid of him ASAP. Rotten germ has infested our club

 

[2041]

Well the fans have to decide possibly the wooden spoon without Marshall or not. I don,t agree with what Marshall did but I also don,t want the spoon ,so us as fans have to settle on one or the other .
And the most important point is if Marshall is dropped that he COACH is not blamed ! for getting the spoon. There will be ramifications if Marshall is dropped I just don,t want the club to suffer even worse publicity ,it was a dog act to rub the fans faces in it but I would make him play to the end rather than him on the sideline smirking .

You seriously think keeping Marshall in the team _increases_ our chances of winning games at this stage?

 

[Spartan117]

Slam Benji !!! and rightly so.

Form a club legend so a nuffy.

This is an example of how to destroy your legacy. Not cause he left for another code but the manner in which the last few weeks of this WT career played out.

 

[Justo]

Slam Benji !!! and rightly so.

Form a club legend so a nuffy.

This is an example of how to destroy your legacy. Not cause he left for another code but the manner in which the last few weeks of this WT career played out.

Agree spartan. What he has fond and how has approached is up there with Sonny Bills antics. Though I find this video and newspaper article a minute approach even more insulting. My 3yr old doesn't play the "ner ner" game

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[happy_tiger]

Let him play out the season ,because when the rugby union thing falls on its head (possession is a bigger thing in Rugby union than in League ) and he is consistently turning the ball over ,dropping bombs ,taking defenders on in his own ten and then throwing wild passes that go anywhere , missing simple one on ones with big Polynesian backs running at him at a million miles an hour the Auckland Blues will show him the door

I honestly think his signing for them is purely financial , if he by some miracle plays well it will be a bonus

He will want to come back to league , and when he does clubs will look at his last 2 seasons of league and say "What you want to be paid 500 k for that crap'

He will end up playing ESL or Japanese Rugby and will be forgotten about

 

[stryker]

Lets not let up on this joker….his video was a very insulting low act to us the fans and the club who made him the superstar the WAS!...The contrast on his face from Fridays nights press conference to Saturday mornings video says it all....he is treating us all with contempt....

haha WE made him a superstar did we? It wasnt the fact that he had a god given talent to rip opposing defensive structures to shreds playing a brand of football that we hadnt seen before? He is not treating the fans with contempt. He made a heart felt video to us all and also wrote an article to say goodbye. He has no grievances with the supporters whatsoever.

If people have the poos that he is showing the game and the club disrespect, then fair enough, he is - but he isnt showing us the fans any bad will at all.

 

[stryker]

Get rid of him ASAP. Rotten germ has infested our club

You are a very petty little person. You have written a couple of dozen posts saying the same thing now for weeks. Get a life for christs sakes….

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

Get rid of him ASAP. Rotten germ has infested our club

You are a very petty little person. You have written a couple of dozen posts saying the same thing now for weeks. Get a life for christs sakes….

I have a life and a good one at that thank you. Maybe I have an opinion that differs from yours but I suppose it is a forum and I believe I am entitled to voice that opinion. I was going to ignore your post but look forward to the vicious attack you are about to unleash on me like I have seen you do to so many others on this forum that have an opinion different to yours. Make it a good one I need a laugh and to let you know in advance it wont warrant a response from me. Your barking up the wrong tree for your fix of attention seeking. Bring it on for all to laugh :roll :roll :roll

 

[Tigerpete]

Sadly i'm quickly forgetting the good he did for us. The way he is leaving has been nothing short of pathetic. He keeps telling us he's sad to be leaving and that he wants go out on a high for the fans but all I see on the field is a lack of inspiration, no emotion and then there's the off field drama's. Stuff like sitting away from the team on the flight back from the GC, packing his bags and storming out of the sheds after a recent Leichhardt game. The guy's attitude has been a disgrace through all this. Wouldn't dare celebrate his 200th.

 

[ashman]

Well said Tigerpete.

Sadly, this is what is has come to, and I pretty much always agree with the viewpoints of Tigerpete ( I don't post much, but I read and enjoy fellow supporters opinions)

Tigerpete is def one of the level headed ad thoughtful posters on this forum, so when he says it like this also - you know this has really become such a sad situation!

Basically all the great things on and off the field are being replaced by this sorry state of affairs over the last few months. It is so so sad to see this. Surely, even If there are things behind the scenes that us fans are not privy to with Benji – that he'd at least remain loyal and honourable to the fans and supporters in general. In other words, whatever beef he has with management or whatever... Shouldn't be used to excuse his behavior and tarnish his whole fantastic legacy as a Tiger which is what has/ is happening.

As I said, it's just so disappointing, and sad.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[2041]

Sadly i'm quickly forgetting the good he did for us. The way he is leaving has been nothing short of pathetic. He keeps telling us he's sad to be leaving and that he wants go out on a high for the fans but all I see on the field is a lack of inspiration, no emotion and then there's the off field drama's. Stuff like sitting away from the team on the flight back from the GC, packing his bags and storming out of the sheds after a recent Leichhardt game. The guy's attitude has been a disgrace through all this. Wouldn't dare celebrate his 200th.

Good way of putting it. I'm tired of this discussion turning into a black and white issue - personally I've always wanted to applaud Marshall on his departure and it's only the most recent series of events that's soured me on that idea.

The fact is there are so many different, and more professional, ways Marshall could have handled his exit. Best of all, he could have shut up for s few weeks and then if he wanted to criticise club management done so after he's left. I don't think many people would object to an interview over the close season in which he said he felt betrayed or whatever.

But the way he's acting is showing up his teammates (who he professes to be playing for) and demonstrates disregard for the fans. Yes, maybe we are all sooky babies. But I actually don't care about that: I have a high-pressure job and a young family, and sport is my release from the serious aspects of my life. Being a professional sportsman includes recognising the role you play in other people's lives, and when you choose to disrespect that you can't expect them not to care.

It's perfectly possible to argue that the jersey issue is being made into a big deal by Tigers fans, and I'll freely admit it is objectively hardly a war crime. But the fact remains it's not exactly unknown that wearing another side's jersey before you leave is poor form, and by doing it I genuinely believe Marshall is making a statement that he doesn't care about this club any more. Now that's fine. He's a professional and he's entitled to make his living how and where he wants. I don't want him to get injured or fined or suspended. All I'm saying is that so far as I'm concerned he's told me he doesn't care what Tigers fans think any more, and therefore I don't have any intention of acclaiming him as he sidles out the exit door.

 

[foreveratiger]

Sadly i'm quickly forgetting the good he did for us. The way he is leaving has been nothing short of pathetic. He keeps telling us he's sad to be leaving and that he wants go out on a high for the fans but all I see on the field is a lack of inspiration, no emotion and then there's the off field drama's. Stuff like sitting away from the team on the flight back from the GC, packing his bags and storming out of the sheds after a recent Leichhardt game. The guy's attitude has been a disgrace through all this. Wouldn't dare celebrate his 200th.

Wow I didn't know all that 😱pen_mouth: , What a spoilt tool has had it his way for so long under Sheens , when things are going his way It's like ( look at the play I just did) sadly it hasn't happened for that long , The press Conference after the eels game was sickening to watch with Mick Potter , you can see with his Body Language that his care factor is ZERO , then next day his smiling promoting that Silly game with a Blues Jersey , No time for him should of been dropped long time ago .
SEE YA YOU TOOL , ANY GOOD MEMORY HAS BROUGHT A DARK CLOUD OVER IT ALL.
WISH YOU THE WORST IN THAT PATHETIC GAME.
It's funny they all come crawling back looking for a job in the end (Gasnier , Sailor ) to think of a few and the same will happen to this Tool.

 

[dazza65]

Sadly i'm quickly forgetting the good he did for us. The way he is leaving has been nothing short of pathetic. He keeps telling us he's sad to be leaving and that he wants go out on a high for the fans but all I see on the field is a lack of inspiration, no emotion and then there's the off field drama's. Stuff like sitting away from the team on the flight back from the GC, packing his bags and storming out of the sheds after a recent Leichhardt game. The guy's attitude has been a disgrace through all this. Wouldn't dare celebrate his 200th.

Wow I didn't know all that 😱pen_mouth: , What a spoilt tool has had it his way for so long under Sheens , when things are going his way It's like ( look at the play I just did) sadly it hasn't happened for that long , The press Conference after the eels game was sickening to watch with Mick Potter , you can see with his Body Language that his care factor is ZERO , then next day his smiling promoting that Silly game with a Blues Jersey , No time for him should of been dropped long time ago .
SEE YA YOU TOOL , ANY GOOD MEMORY HAS BROUGHT A DARK CLOUD OVER IT ALL.
WISH YOU THE WORST IN THAT PATHETIC GAME.
It's funny they all come crawling back looking for a job in the end (Gasnier , Sailor ) to think of a few and the same will happen to this Tool.

Look, I am not a Benji apologist in any way; he has done great things for us and also some dumb ass things as well - like anyone.

however, I understand that the reason he was seated separately from the rest was that his ticket was booked separately from the rest as he went SYD-NZ-QLD-SYD. Simple.
However, it doesn't negate the fact that, in my opinion, he should have stayed with the team prior to the game and if Auckland Blues wanted him so badly they could have come to here to sign him. I think that (and the jersey stunt) is poor form.

 

[Marshall_magic]

It reminded me of Wing parading around in a Souths Jersey while still under contract with the Roosters in 2007\. Mongrel act.

 

[innsaneink]

Well said Tigerpete.

Sadly, this is what is has come to, and I pretty much always agree with the viewpoints of Tigerpete ( I don't post much, but I read and enjoy fellow supporters opinions)

**Tigerpete is def one of the level headed ad thoughtful posters on this forum, so when he says it like this also - you know this has really become such a sad situation!**

Basically all the great things on and off the field are being replaced by this sorry state of affairs over the last few months. It is so so sad to see this. Surely, even If there are things behind the scenes that us fans are not privy to with Benji – that he'd at least remain loyal and honourable to the fans and supporters in general. In other words, whatever beef he has with management or whatever... Shouldn't be used to excuse his behavior and tarnish his whole fantastic legacy as a Tiger which is what has/ is happening.

As I said, it's just so disappointing, and sad.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

Agree totally…and he has been for a decade or more now on all the WT forums

That said, everyone will have their own views on this, I agree with you & Pete

 

[bp_tiger]

so him going to rugby is the real reason behind him not wanting to run the ball any more. he is getting ready to kick the leather of the ball next year.
so in rugby he does not have to tackle and does not have run the ball just keep putting the ball behind the line, and potter is letting him get away with it, SACK HIM NOW.