Marshall relishing retur.....

[hammertime]

It will be a tough call for Benji this year. He's still playing well enough to play on. But you never want to go 1 year too many.

Let's consider him depth and if it happens, so be it. At worst, he's still going to be a bloody good backup and can help the young guys mature.

But next year would definitely have to be the last. We need to keep him around the club after that.

 

[teddy23]

Idc what anyone says another year of Benji would be a great outcome for us - he’d be on minimum dollars, still playing good enough footy, brings competitors for spots and also having a player like him in your team that lifts the young guys as well seems to be a wonderful on field mentor

Much prefer one final year of Benji, then signing some dud on a minimum deal

 

[jirskyr]

It baffles me why he gets so much praise. All the rubbish is swept under the carpet. Sure he does some good things, but man he dishes up some ordinary stuff too. I don't think I can take another year of him playing. We have options now. It's time.

Why can't Benji be one of those options? If he's happy to take a low wage and train hard, I say keep him. It puts pressure on the other halves and every account I hear is also about how good Benji is around the club, as a leader, motivator and strategist. He's done everything in the game possible for a Kiwi - premiership, golden boot, World Cup champion.

Sure you can have that influence also as a member of non-playing staff, but why not keep him on if he's fit? Unlike Farah in 2019, Benji doesn't really seem to be slowing physically this year. Every club that's had Benji on hand as a backup has used him to good effect - he's arguably the best "backup" half going around.

In fact Benji has missed 4 matches this year and is still 8th in Dally M - ahead of Tedesco, Keary, Munster, DCE etc.

 

[trentrunciman]

Our favourite son!

 

[Needaname]

I strongly feel Madge has shifted his view on who he feels is best equipped to be our ‘halfback’ or game manager for the team.
It appears with this news that it getting more and more likely that Benji will be retained in that role until we sign a new halfback or Madden is ready.
Brooks is 5/8 or bust. Personally I don’t feel he has the skills to play five eight.
Prehaps Madge has seen enough in Walters to believe he can turn him into the organiser we need and Benji is helping him transition into that role.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

The Mole is full of it. Benji has publicly stated multiple times that he would make a decision after the season is over. And since he doesn't take up a huge space on the salary cap, it's not urgent for the club to get it done.

 

[earl]

I reckon Benji might be up for signing a long term contract. Let's keep him here for another 5 years.

 

[851]

I think BENJI should come out and declare this will be his last season it will clear the air and give the younger guys in the squad more incentive.Also he's only one bad game away from a forum crucifixion.He has a media career in front of him and with training could be the new Ronnie Palmer for WT'S

I said this a month a go, the Benji stories will be a distraction, we should not entertain another season, and he should retire.
Walters showed he can cut it, we have Brooks, Madden and Grub on contract next year, we have Douiehi and Talau who are halves, let’s just stop living in the past for once

 

[the_third]

Just sign him up. No need to talk roles the following year. If it doesn’t work out he can retire, we get cash back in the cap and he can either work for us later or go play in England a’la inglis and Burgess.

I don’t see what the problem is.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

Us WT fans eat these articles up. I swear I saw the same article in 2018 and 2019.

The Benji trend!

Gets dropped or scathing article comes out → Works way back into team → Plays well on return → Continues to play well for 2-3 weeks → Form gradually dips → REPEAT

It's like as soon as he gets comfortable he switches off. Perhaps Madge should threaten to drop him every game.

Well i would not be reviewing any existing contracts until the end of the season, unsure about him going around again so will sit on the fence for now.
Wonder if this is a gee up for someone to write an article, one big win 1st game back after non quality opposition convinces me of nothing.

 

[jadtiger]

Benji has just got back in the side after being dropped for being the worst player in defence in the NRL.He has played 1 (one) game and that was against a dreadful outfit.Benji should retire he is the past of the club not he future

 

[Harvey]

2 years at 600k I reckon

 

[tigerbill]

It baffles me why he gets so much praise. All the rubbish is swept under the carpet. Sure he does some good things, but man he dishes up some ordinary stuff too. I don't think I can take another year of him playing. We have options now. It's time.

Nope, I disagree entirely. From what I see he is rubbish when the entire side is rubbish and he is trying to pull something out of nowhere. No 6 or 7 can play well behind a poor pack. Some of his kicks are poor but he can pull off some amazing plays, he holds on to the ball to attract defenders and he always puts in a little step just to put the opposition in 2 minds. If my choice for next year is between brooks, Benji and JR...lolz that's not a choice, Benji by a mile.

 

[jadtiger]

Benji by a mile.

Certainly a mile closer to the dreaded wooden spoon if he plays next year

 

[izotope]

better 7 then brooks will ever be

 

[cochise]

It baffles me why he gets so much praise. All the rubbish is swept under the carpet. Sure he does some good things, but man he dishes up some ordinary stuff too. I don't think I can take another year of him playing. We have options now. It's time.

Nope, I disagree entirely. From what I see he is rubbish when the entire side is rubbish and he is trying to pull something out of nowhere. No 6 or 7 can play well behind a poor pack. Some of his kicks are poor but he can pull off some amazing plays, he holds on to the ball to attract defenders and he always puts in a little step just to put the opposition in 2 minds. If my choice for next year is between brooks, Benji and JR...lolz that's not a choice, Benji by a mile.

Agree mate.

 

[tigerbill]

Benji by a mile.

Certainly a mile closer to the dreaded wooden spoon if he plays next year

Care to explain?

 

[jadtiger]

Benji by a mile.

Certainly a mile closer to the dreaded wooden spoon if he plays next year

Care to explain?

If you cant see how a 36 year old poor defender is a liability then i cant help you.Off course you could always be a troll and you caught me very nicely