Overrated Benji - Nothing has changed

[Demonborger]

? Benji was great from 2010-2011 and horrible last year. A large part was due not having a halfback, when Lui was there he played a lot better.

He;s far from perfect and is more of a support player than a player to control a game, but as a support player he is most likely one to break a game open.

Hopefully with Miller (or Brooks) we will see the best of Benji.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Benji has been disappointing at various times through the years, however there are other mitigating circumstances other than just not kicking on. Being groomed into a halfback which he clearly lacks the organisational skills for is just one. He has a clean slate this year. New coach, hopefully a genuine halfback that will get an opportunity to call the shots and hopefully an improved attitude. As for under-performing in the All-Stars game, he's never been a representative level player IMO and as a result this should be no surprise, nor any indication of how his club season will pan out.

I am giving the whole team a clean slate this year. They all have a great opportunity to cast off the poor performances of years gone past (obviously excepting 2010/2011.)

As for the OP, that's a pretty belligerent and condescending way to start a thread.

 

[bigsiro]

Agree with you Demonburger.

And I honestly don't think Benji is overrated. His role in a game is just over-hyped.
Benji has never been consistent. Big deal. Fittler wasn't consistent either - he went missing in games. So did Jason Smith, Hanley, Renouf - all very erratic. So what? When they were hot they were on fire, just like Benji. That's why I love him. He will do a few amazing things during a game, but you need to remember that he will rarely dictate pace and momentum like Thurston, Lockyer, Johns, Lewis. He just isn't that type of player.
So what? Brett Kenny and Laurie Daley were also not that type of player - and their status in the game is not questioned.

What did Kenny and Daley (both five-eighth's) have that Benji doesn't? Consistency - thanks to a solid halfback (Sterling and Stuart, respectively).
Prince was a great foil for Benji and I really think that once we get someone to play consistently at halfback then we will see the real Benji. He may have lost pace but he is still brilliant. If you are an opposition team then you underrate him at your peril.
We have know for years that he is rocks or diamonds. He is completely unpredictable but that is what makes him awesome, so just embrace it because in 20 years his status in the game will be like that of Kenny and Daley - if not greater.

 

[happy_tiger]

Black and Gold I agree with a lot of what you have said However mate , I have been giving it to Benji all weekend and I have had no posts deleted or been put or been on mod preview so the shot at Willow and the boys is wildly off the mark

Benji has been underperforming and seems to have lost his speed and willingness to take on the line , but as I said earlier it was his attitude that stank on Saturday night The same attitude we saw throughout 2012 from the whole team

He needs to play more direct as many others have said but he needs to do it at speed as well The result are even if he doesn't make a break , if he can get a quick play the ball it should then create room for Farah to then use the backline against a defensive side that is on the back foot

The other Benji issue is the lack of consistancy , we can't have benji having those half a dozen shockers he has a year You can live with 2-3 as long as you can still see him putting in you can live with it

If benji has another season like 2012 and can't stand up when we play the Top 4 sides the club must look at getting rid of him He takes up far too much cap space to be underperforming year after year

And as i have said , I hope you make me choke on my words Benj but i won't hold my breathe either

 

[Rufus_Marshall]

Not saying that there is an agenda on this forum, im simply saying that the majority of people will blindly support the view of the club, moderators or admins.

Or perhaps those who have a different opinion to yours are right and you're wrong.
By the way, those who disagree with you just happen to include the MAJORITY of expert League analysts and the MAJORITY of NRL followers.

But I guess YOU being wrong is not very likely, is it?

 

[happy_tiger]

Not saying that there is an agenda on this forum, im simply saying that the majority of people will blindly support the view of the club, moderators or admins.

Or perhaps those who have a different opinion to yours are right and you're wrong.
By the way, those who disagree with you just happen to include the MAJORITY of expert League analysts and the MAJORITY of NRL followers.

But I guess YOU being wrong is not very likely, is it?

Rufus most the knowledgable fans I know from other clubs say Benji is overrated ,overpaid and extremely inconsistant

The mistakes he makes on a football field far outweighs his genius moments and he never steps it up on the big arena in the big games and we pay him how much ??????????

 

[alex]

Let's see how he goes with a real halfback and real fullback in the team before criticising his whole career. Many people make the point that he led the comp for line/try assists and he created most of our opportunities. I definitely think that's because there's only him and Farah to create those chances. Don't forget we made the finals with Lui at 7 and Mckinnon in the team as well.

2013 is the time for Benji to step up and shine. New coach. A proper 1 & 7\. No more Sheens shuffling the halves every two weeks - he's been rightfully returned to the 6 jersey. And like most other players in the squad, he now has some very hungry and talented juniors breathing down his neck.

 

[tigsta]

Yeah he had a decent couple of halfbacks on saturday night and that did squat.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

IMO this year will be Marshall's biggest test.

He will have a genuine halfback next to him and a more traditional structure so he should have the platform to perform.

Obviously alot depends on our forwards, but with a genuine halfback outside him he should be able to play his own game and not overplay his hand.

Not to mention that we will likely have TWO extra kicking options (Miller and Anasta) so that should also be a positive.

 

[bigsiro]

I feel sorry for you guys that knock his whole career, on these threads and other threads.
He has a bad game and it's "Dump him", "Drop him" and all this garbage.
Saying stuff like "mistakes he makes on a football field far outweighs his genius moments" is utter crap.

In 20 years "the knowledgable fans" will look back and admit that Benji was a great of the game. They might not even support the Tigers but they WILL admit it. And you, as Tigers fans will remember what you wrote and that you think we should get rid of him. Shameful.

Brad Fittler had some average games for Easts, do you think the fans ever thought of dumping him even for a millisecond? No way! And those Roosters fans are meant to be fickle!

I agree with Newtown on this one.

 

[alex]

Yeah he had a decent couple of halfbacks on saturday night and that did squat.

Counts for squat - a one off game with people you've had a handful of minor training sessions with is not even worth comparing to a full season with the same squad.

 

[cktiger]

The problem is not having a real or proper half inside of him - it's having the SAME person there consistently.
The reason he went well in 05' , '10 and '11 is because he had the same guy inside him who grew an understanding of him .
This is the reason he generally plays poorly in rep games - halfbacks don't get enough time to get to know his game - and the half usually ends up playing poorly too.
Last years constant rotation of halfbacks was a debacle and I'm hoping we decide on who's staying there for the WHOLE year early on.

 

[alex]

The problem is not having a real or proper half inside of him - it's having the SAME person there consistently.
The reason he went well in 05' , '10 and '11 is because he had the same guy inside him who grew an understanding of him .
This is the reason he generally plays poorly in rep games - halfbacks don't get enough time to get to know his game - and the half usually ends up playing poorly too.
Last years constant rotation of halfbacks was a debacle and I'm hoping we decide on who's staying there for the WHOLE year early on.

Exactly. Australia and QLD have had the same 1,6,7,9 for the last 7 years. In the last 7 years Benji has played with numerous halves partners for the Kiwis, as well as playing both 6 & 7\. Definitely impacts effectiveness and form.

 

[sheer64]

Lets start with 2012\. Apart from some great performance by Robbie, Woods and late in the season Koro, we won games on the back of Marshall. Our team was changed weekly due to injuries and other (leave that one alone), hence were not able to provide the foundation to allow us to make the eight. In fact it became embarrassing having to watch Marshall try to make opportunities off the back of poor sets that more times ended up in us losing ground, possession etc. Having said that, Marshall is not a great defender, most likely the result of multiple shoulder reconstructions, nor is he the type of player who is dangerous behind forwards not getting over the advantage line consistently. My only real criticism of Marshall is his reluctance to take on the line more. But to rubbish him as B & G has shows no understanding of why League is a TEAM game with great individuals who excel within it.

 

[tigsta]

I feel sorry for you guys that knock his whole career, on these threads and other threads.
He has a bad game and it's "Dump him", "Drop him" and all this garbage.
Saying stuff like "mistakes he makes on a football field far outweighs his genius moments" is utter crap.

In 20 years "the knowledgable fans" will look back and admit that Benji was a great of the game. They might not even support the Tigers but they WILL admit it. And you, as Tigers fans will remember what you wrote and that you think we should get rid of him. Shameful.

Brad Fittler had some average games for Easts, do you think the fans ever thought of dumping him even for a millisecond? No way! And those Roosters fans are meant to be fickle!

I agree with Newtown on this one.

He doesnt just have one bad game. I think ratio is 1 great game and 2 below average games at the moment at best.

I think he is great when he is on fire and love watching it. But with Benji you dont know what you are going to get nowa days,,, Mircale Benji, Good Benji, Average Benji, Below average Benji, woeful Benji.

If you to compare him to a good consistant number 6 then why dont you compare him to Darren Lockyer.

 

[tigsta]

Yeah he had a decent couple of halfbacks on saturday night and that did squat.

Counts for squat - a one off game with people you've had a handful of minor training sessions with is not even worth comparing to a full season with the same squad.

Tell that to JT who had an outstanding game at 6 with an unfamiliar halves partner.

 

[barra]

Well that's your opinion B&G, but I'm sure as heck glad that it is not mine or the majority of WT supporters!

I also back what bigsirro has said.

It might take some time to de-Sheens Benji, and for a good halves combination to set. I'm prepared to be patient.

Lastly, for those who bang on about Benji's lack of attitude, I simply can't agree. He wants to win as much as anyone in the team, and is regularly the last man chasing, giving his all.

You don't think the 'give it to Benji' attitude of the team last year wouldn't weight on him?

All the best for 2013 Benji.

 

[sheer64]

Quote "Tell that to JT who had an outstanding game at 6 with an unfamiliar halves partner."

You have got to be living under a rock, Prince has been part of the Queensland squad for as many years as Thurston!

 

[Fraze23]

I struggle to understand the criticisms placed on Marshall. Last season he played out of position, with 9 different halves pairings, the majority of which were not genuine halves options. He played behind a forward pack that failed to dominate at all. Despite all that he still managed to lead the try assist stats in not only our club but the entire competition. Under a new coach, with a real halfback and playing his natural position, Benji still has a lot to offer and will show that this season.

 

[tigsta]

Quote "Tell that to JT who had an outstanding game at 6 with an unfamiliar halves partner."

You have got to be living under a rock, Prince has been part of the Queensland squad for as many years as Thurston!

Living under a rock?

Can you tell me how many times they have played together in the last 5 years?? Enlighten me.