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THIS is not Benji being a bighead. This is simply Benji stating fact. Now, to put you in the picture, he's sitting down relaxing at NRL headquarters shortly after yesterday's media conference to announce the 2011 All Stars team.
And the topic turns to that one question every footballer just hates being asked.
So tell us, how good are you, Benji?
Like, what's he expected to say?
But we ask anyway, given the wrap that just came minutes earlier from Wayne Bennett, who had declared Benji's best days were still ahead.
And so Benji's thinking about the question, obviously not wanting to sound too much like a wanker, but be as honest as he possibly can.
And the more he thinks about it, the more he agrees.
"Yes, I think my best is still to come," he says, not smiling, not joking, no hint of carry-on.
"I think I'm faster, probably the fastest I've ever been. I was slow when I was young. My legs still haven't stopped growing."
But what Benji's getting at here, which is what Bennett was getting at earlier, isn't about being more brilliant. But bettter.
And there's a difference.
"One of my goals last year was to try and get through every game," he says. "There were some games when I had niggling injuries, which I managed to get through.
"But, you know, the more games you play in a row, the more timing you have, and confidence plays a big part. I do feel like I've grown in maturity. I feel like I'm growing as a leader. Not only for the club, but my country. I'm 25 now."
And he stops you dead. Still only 25.
This guy who debuted way back against Newcastle in round 20, 2003.
Who won a comp with the Tigers in 2005\. At 20.
Who has already come back from some of the worst injuries known in the game, including four shoulder reconstructions.
And he's still 25 and about to come into his best years as a player.
"I've definitely still got a lot to learn in the game," he continues.
"Each week I find myself learning something new. Whether it be from the older players or the younger players, I just want to make sure I can be consistent this year.
"I've always been a pretty confident guy. But after a few injuries, that sort of knocked me back a little bit.
"I still put on a confident front. But in the back of my mind, sometimes I wasn't as confident."
Like in 2007, when even Benji was starting to wonder why the hell he even played the game. This kid who grew up not knowing who his father was, who left home at 16 to take on a Tigers scholarship, living away on the Gold Coast and playing for Keebra Park High. Who was brought down to play sevens against the best players in the world while still at high school.
And who had now hit rock bottom after busting his shoulder - again.
"When I had my fourth shoulder reconstruction, I had to miss the second half of the season," he recalls.
"It's not that I'd had enough, I always had so many good people.
"I had Sheensie ringing me every second week to make sure I was OK mentally.
"But the hardest part was just not being able to play, and after all the injuries I had, there was a lot of doubt in my mind."
But with perseverance came belief.
Which is probably why when coach Tim Sheens is asked about the most naturally gifted player in our game today, he doesn't talk about his brilliance or razzle dazzle - but toughness.
Which is about the best wrap you could ever give a footballer.
"2008 was the start of it," he says.
"I started going into tackles without fear of what might happen to my shoulders, and I basically haven't had an injury from 2008 until now.
"I have done a lot of work in the gym, a lot of work on my shoulders and a lot of work on my tackling technique.
"So now, when I go into tackles, it's not in the back of my mind like it used to be. And even when I run the ball, I don't have the same doubts anymore.
"I was 76kg when I first came down here. I'm 91kg now. I'm not sure what a player's best age is.
"Year after year I seem to find different things. I still feel young. But, at the same time, at Tigers training or New Zealand training I am still the one doing all the talking.
"I think I was a little bit selfish back in my 2005 days because Princey used to run the team and I used to just do whatever I liked.
"Now I realise I have got to provide an example."[Source](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/my-best-is-yet-to-come-benji-marshall/story-e6frfgbo-1225996369600)
And the topic turns to that one question every footballer just hates being asked.
So tell us, how good are you, Benji?
Like, what's he expected to say?
But we ask anyway, given the wrap that just came minutes earlier from Wayne Bennett, who had declared Benji's best days were still ahead.
And so Benji's thinking about the question, obviously not wanting to sound too much like a wanker, but be as honest as he possibly can.
And the more he thinks about it, the more he agrees.
"Yes, I think my best is still to come," he says, not smiling, not joking, no hint of carry-on.
"I think I'm faster, probably the fastest I've ever been. I was slow when I was young. My legs still haven't stopped growing."
But what Benji's getting at here, which is what Bennett was getting at earlier, isn't about being more brilliant. But bettter.
And there's a difference.
"One of my goals last year was to try and get through every game," he says. "There were some games when I had niggling injuries, which I managed to get through.
"But, you know, the more games you play in a row, the more timing you have, and confidence plays a big part. I do feel like I've grown in maturity. I feel like I'm growing as a leader. Not only for the club, but my country. I'm 25 now."
And he stops you dead. Still only 25.
This guy who debuted way back against Newcastle in round 20, 2003.
Who won a comp with the Tigers in 2005\. At 20.
Who has already come back from some of the worst injuries known in the game, including four shoulder reconstructions.
And he's still 25 and about to come into his best years as a player.
"I've definitely still got a lot to learn in the game," he continues.
"Each week I find myself learning something new. Whether it be from the older players or the younger players, I just want to make sure I can be consistent this year.
"I've always been a pretty confident guy. But after a few injuries, that sort of knocked me back a little bit.
"I still put on a confident front. But in the back of my mind, sometimes I wasn't as confident."
Like in 2007, when even Benji was starting to wonder why the hell he even played the game. This kid who grew up not knowing who his father was, who left home at 16 to take on a Tigers scholarship, living away on the Gold Coast and playing for Keebra Park High. Who was brought down to play sevens against the best players in the world while still at high school.
And who had now hit rock bottom after busting his shoulder - again.
"When I had my fourth shoulder reconstruction, I had to miss the second half of the season," he recalls.
"It's not that I'd had enough, I always had so many good people.
"I had Sheensie ringing me every second week to make sure I was OK mentally.
"But the hardest part was just not being able to play, and after all the injuries I had, there was a lot of doubt in my mind."
But with perseverance came belief.
Which is probably why when coach Tim Sheens is asked about the most naturally gifted player in our game today, he doesn't talk about his brilliance or razzle dazzle - but toughness.
Which is about the best wrap you could ever give a footballer.
"2008 was the start of it," he says.
"I started going into tackles without fear of what might happen to my shoulders, and I basically haven't had an injury from 2008 until now.
"I have done a lot of work in the gym, a lot of work on my shoulders and a lot of work on my tackling technique.
"So now, when I go into tackles, it's not in the back of my mind like it used to be. And even when I run the ball, I don't have the same doubts anymore.
"I was 76kg when I first came down here. I'm 91kg now. I'm not sure what a player's best age is.
"Year after year I seem to find different things. I still feel young. But, at the same time, at Tigers training or New Zealand training I am still the one doing all the talking.
"I think I was a little bit selfish back in my 2005 days because Princey used to run the team and I used to just do whatever I liked.
"Now I realise I have got to provide an example."[Source](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/my-best-is-yet-to-come-benji-marshall/story-e6frfgbo-1225996369600)
