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Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers teammate Todd Payten has thrown his support behind the 26-year-old who is due in court to defend an assault charge tomorrow.
In court on Tuesday for the start of a three-day hearing at which he will defend an assault charge arising from a pre-season incident where the Kiwi captain allegedly hit a man outside a McDonalds in the early hours of a Saturday morning in March.
Payten denied Marshall’s court case would be a distraction as his side heads into the finals but a credit to the way the star play maker has held himself during what could have been a distracting time.
“I don’t think it is because it’s been around for a while,” Payten said of Marshall’s court case.
“That’s for Benji and his legal team. He’s got our full support no matter what happens.”
On the night in question, the five-eighth hosted a Children’s Cancer fundraiser dinner. The incident came just days after Marshall had helped launch the 2011 season as the face of the NRL.
Having become the highest point-scorer in Wests Tigers history, Marshall has guided his side to six consecutive wins and cemented his side in a finals berth
And with his court case for an assault allegation looming, Payten says that makes the achievement all the more special.
“I think he has played some pretty remarkable footy considering not just (the case) but he has a lot of other commitments outside football,” said Payten.
“He’s got his charity, his Channel 9 (television), he does a lot of work off the field which doesn’t get noticed.
"It’s just a testament to him and his character, the way he prepares and what a talented footballer he is.”
Marshall has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an investigation into an alleged assault on a 24-year-old male on the corner of Bridge and George Street in Sydney’s CBD which was reported to the Rocks police station in March.
Marshall did not attend the Tigers' recovery session today as he prepares for the court appearance on Tuesday.
[Source](http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/08/22/marshall-flying-despite-looming-court-case/)
In court on Tuesday for the start of a three-day hearing at which he will defend an assault charge arising from a pre-season incident where the Kiwi captain allegedly hit a man outside a McDonalds in the early hours of a Saturday morning in March.
Payten denied Marshall’s court case would be a distraction as his side heads into the finals but a credit to the way the star play maker has held himself during what could have been a distracting time.
“I don’t think it is because it’s been around for a while,” Payten said of Marshall’s court case.
“That’s for Benji and his legal team. He’s got our full support no matter what happens.”
On the night in question, the five-eighth hosted a Children’s Cancer fundraiser dinner. The incident came just days after Marshall had helped launch the 2011 season as the face of the NRL.
Having become the highest point-scorer in Wests Tigers history, Marshall has guided his side to six consecutive wins and cemented his side in a finals berth
And with his court case for an assault allegation looming, Payten says that makes the achievement all the more special.
“I think he has played some pretty remarkable footy considering not just (the case) but he has a lot of other commitments outside football,” said Payten.
“He’s got his charity, his Channel 9 (television), he does a lot of work off the field which doesn’t get noticed.
"It’s just a testament to him and his character, the way he prepares and what a talented footballer he is.”
Marshall has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an investigation into an alleged assault on a 24-year-old male on the corner of Bridge and George Street in Sydney’s CBD which was reported to the Rocks police station in March.
Marshall did not attend the Tigers' recovery session today as he prepares for the court appearance on Tuesday.
[Source](http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/08/22/marshall-flying-despite-looming-court-case/)
