slammerman
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http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com.au/story/1641616/thanks-benji-its-been-a-wonderful-ride/?cs=1437
**Thanks Benji, it's been a wonderful ride**
By Scott Dougherty
I was sitting on the hill at Campbelltown Stadium when "that schoolboy touch footy player from Queensland" everyone had been talking about ran past, chipping a footy to himself to warm his legs up before making his NRL debut.
He looked different to other players about to introduce themselves to the world of professional rugby league.
He looked smaller, younger, skinnier, more confident, ready.
And when he stepped onto the field and past five Newcastle defenders, everyone at the ground could see he was different.
Everyone on the hill murmured to their mates, their dads, themselves: "This Kiwi kid is going to be a star".
That kid would be part of the Wests Tigers first grade team from that moment.
That kid turned into the face of the Wests Tigers for the next 10 years.
And now 193 games, 1078 points, a premiership, "that flick pass", 25 Tests for New Zealand, a Golden Boot and five shoulder operations later, that kid — Benji Marshall — won't be the face of the Tigers any more.
Kids putting on their jersey with the No.6 on the back will be showing their support for someone else.
It's not often a club is associated with a player and not vice versa.
When I think of Newcastle, I think of Andrew Johns. Likewise Parramatta and Nathan Hindmarsh.
When most people think of the Wests Tigers, they think of the Kiwi kid.
Many fans will be glad to see him go.
"Our youngsters coming through will be better", "Benji's past it anyway", "no one's bigger than the club", "he's asking for too much money", they say.
Others don't want him to go.
"He's only 28, still got heaps of good years", "he's done more for this club than anyone else", "his marketability is worth his contract alone", "he can change a game like no one else can", they say.
No matter what Tigers fans now think of him, Marshall has been a crowd-puller, a match-winner, a heart-stopper and a pleasure to watch.
He's been the biggest player at one of the biggest clubs in Sydney.
He's been the go-to man when the team needs something, anything.
Who will be the next Tigers prodigy to turn into a superstar?
**Thanks Benji, it's been a wonderful ride**
By Scott Dougherty
I was sitting on the hill at Campbelltown Stadium when "that schoolboy touch footy player from Queensland" everyone had been talking about ran past, chipping a footy to himself to warm his legs up before making his NRL debut.
He looked different to other players about to introduce themselves to the world of professional rugby league.
He looked smaller, younger, skinnier, more confident, ready.
And when he stepped onto the field and past five Newcastle defenders, everyone at the ground could see he was different.
Everyone on the hill murmured to their mates, their dads, themselves: "This Kiwi kid is going to be a star".
That kid would be part of the Wests Tigers first grade team from that moment.
That kid turned into the face of the Wests Tigers for the next 10 years.
And now 193 games, 1078 points, a premiership, "that flick pass", 25 Tests for New Zealand, a Golden Boot and five shoulder operations later, that kid — Benji Marshall — won't be the face of the Tigers any more.
Kids putting on their jersey with the No.6 on the back will be showing their support for someone else.
It's not often a club is associated with a player and not vice versa.
When I think of Newcastle, I think of Andrew Johns. Likewise Parramatta and Nathan Hindmarsh.
When most people think of the Wests Tigers, they think of the Kiwi kid.
Many fans will be glad to see him go.
"Our youngsters coming through will be better", "Benji's past it anyway", "no one's bigger than the club", "he's asking for too much money", they say.
Others don't want him to go.
"He's only 28, still got heaps of good years", "he's done more for this club than anyone else", "his marketability is worth his contract alone", "he can change a game like no one else can", they say.
No matter what Tigers fans now think of him, Marshall has been a crowd-puller, a match-winner, a heart-stopper and a pleasure to watch.
He's been the biggest player at one of the biggest clubs in Sydney.
He's been the go-to man when the team needs something, anything.
Who will be the next Tigers prodigy to turn into a superstar?
