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Showdown between Todd Carney and Benji Marshall shaping as major attraction
* By Christian Nicolussi
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* September 06, 2010 12:00AM
IT LOOMS as the best individual match-up of the season - star five-eighths Todd Carney and Benji Marshall locking horns in the first weekend of the final series.
The NRL was granted an early September wish when Carney's Sydney Roosters and Marshall's Wests Tigers were drawn to clash on Saturday night.
The superstars have lit up the competition in the past month but are yet to come head to head this season. Carney was at fullback and then halfback when the Roosters met the Tigers during the season.
Legendary No. 6 Brad Fittler labelled the pair "the best two players to watch at the moment" and likened the five-eighth duel to "the Golden Slipper of the NRL" between two young headline acts.
A short-priced favourite to win tomorrow night's Dally M, Carney is keen for the Marshall challenge.
"I read an article about Benji and how stoked he is to have played a full season," Carney said.
"He's going into the finals playing some good football. He's very dangerous and you can't take your eyes off him for one second, otherwise he can hurt you. Benji and Robbie Farah are the Tigers' backbone.
"Benji is one of the best in that [five-eighth] position. It's going to be tough and I hope I'm up for the challenge."
Carney, who has enjoyed a fairytale return with the Roosters, has not given too much thought to the Dally M.
Marshall, who has hit his straps in attack for the Tigers, is sure to push him all the way for league's greatest gong.
The Roosters won 18-8 against North Queensland on Saturday and, while it was not a brilliant finals tune-up, Carney was happy with his side's defensive effort.
Fittler was on the sideline for Channel 9 during the Tigers' 21-18 loss to Gold Coast on Friday and watched Marshall closely.
He said there had been plenty of publicity ahead of the Roosters-Tigers final and it would only inspire Carney and Marshall to lift a gear.
"We've already got a great build-up with [coach] Tim Sheens taking over the SFS and making it a fortress, telling the Roosters, 'you can't train here'," Fittler said. "So there's a real animosity between the clubs.
"It will get both teams playing tough. If that happens, Carney and Marshall will be at their best.
"If Benji goes out thinking about passing, he won't have a good game. If he goes out thinking about tackling and getting his jumper dirty, I think the two of them will shine.
"They are the two best to watch at the moment. They have speed and skill. It's why you pay your money to go."
* By Christian Nicolussi
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* September 06, 2010 12:00AM
IT LOOMS as the best individual match-up of the season - star five-eighths Todd Carney and Benji Marshall locking horns in the first weekend of the final series.
The NRL was granted an early September wish when Carney's Sydney Roosters and Marshall's Wests Tigers were drawn to clash on Saturday night.
The superstars have lit up the competition in the past month but are yet to come head to head this season. Carney was at fullback and then halfback when the Roosters met the Tigers during the season.
Legendary No. 6 Brad Fittler labelled the pair "the best two players to watch at the moment" and likened the five-eighth duel to "the Golden Slipper of the NRL" between two young headline acts.
A short-priced favourite to win tomorrow night's Dally M, Carney is keen for the Marshall challenge.
"I read an article about Benji and how stoked he is to have played a full season," Carney said.
"He's going into the finals playing some good football. He's very dangerous and you can't take your eyes off him for one second, otherwise he can hurt you. Benji and Robbie Farah are the Tigers' backbone.
"Benji is one of the best in that [five-eighth] position. It's going to be tough and I hope I'm up for the challenge."
Carney, who has enjoyed a fairytale return with the Roosters, has not given too much thought to the Dally M.
Marshall, who has hit his straps in attack for the Tigers, is sure to push him all the way for league's greatest gong.
The Roosters won 18-8 against North Queensland on Saturday and, while it was not a brilliant finals tune-up, Carney was happy with his side's defensive effort.
Fittler was on the sideline for Channel 9 during the Tigers' 21-18 loss to Gold Coast on Friday and watched Marshall closely.
He said there had been plenty of publicity ahead of the Roosters-Tigers final and it would only inspire Carney and Marshall to lift a gear.
"We've already got a great build-up with [coach] Tim Sheens taking over the SFS and making it a fortress, telling the Roosters, 'you can't train here'," Fittler said. "So there's a real animosity between the clubs.
"It will get both teams playing tough. If that happens, Carney and Marshall will be at their best.
"If Benji goes out thinking about passing, he won't have a good game. If he goes out thinking about tackling and getting his jumper dirty, I think the two of them will shine.
"They are the two best to watch at the moment. They have speed and skill. It's why you pay your money to go."
