The Benji equation...

[Royce]

Here is the problem:

1\. Benji was told when negotziating his last deal that he would get a new contract and contextual upgrade in relation to the new salary cap. In other words, a verbal contract / our word was given.

2\. He has been a loyal servnt. You dont go backon your word to loyal servants ( though under humphreys honour and a man's word mean little…)

3\. Our best young olayers coming through are halves. We need to sign some experienced, hard headed, big forwards to protect them for the next five years.

4\. Signing Benji to millions will prevent this.

5\. Sign Benji and you basically have to build around him for another four years...when he has shown very little for 18 months now. Instead of rebuliding around Brooks, Moses and Siro...you have to rely on Benji for four more. If he fails, as is likely, the whole club sinks.

6\. As stated, we gave him our word last contract he would be upgraded and extended. Dont do it and we basically lose all credibility with NRL players far and wide that our word is worth SFA...especially after the Heighno, gibbs, beau fiasco.

Tough, tough decision coming up.

IMO we NEED to build around the youngsters and buy them some big forwards for protection. Benji for four more rules that out.

 

[Black_n_White]

yes he was offered the option for re-negotiation upon a salary cap increase, which is fair and should be honored. What happens from there on in at the negotiation table has very few strings attatched. In my opinion they should allow him the process as promised and negotiate him down on his current contract. Explain to him that if he doesnt like it he can always stay on the current payment plan and agree to an end of season review, which will once again take into account his performance and his percieved value to the team on the field.

I do not think it is all that difficult for those in power to get their heads around…

 

[system]

His current contract needs to be re-negotiated at an increase in line with the cap increase. The condition was in the contract and must be adhered to

 

[king_sirro]

The extension part is the problem

 

[pHyR3]

His current contract needs to be re-negotiated at an increase in line with the cap increase. The condition was in the contract and must be adhered to

by renogotiated do you mean halved? :laughing: is benji honestly gonna ask them for more money cause the cap's gone up with his recent performances?

 

[Black_n_White]

so the cap rose by what 22% (at a guess) so give him a 22% increase… no more, no extension. Make it unfavourable to force him to call for a future re-negotiation down the line, mean while use the extra $300k a year odd we would be better off by not offering him his $4m 5yr retirement plan and fill the cap out so his re-negotiation again stalls due to lack of money. Because if he finds form we will find a way to make space, if he doesnt, he has few options.

We shouldnt bend for him at present, and he should understand why. If he was still the asset he once was he would be worth it, but on present form he is a liability. It will be a massive failure of the club to be extended in any way in this negotiation.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

I doubt the intention to extend Marshall has anything to do with his current form… If its being driven by the Board, it will be for corporate reasons and you can probably put it down as a done deal?!

 

[Black_n_White]

0k then $480k a yr for 5years… get change from $2m... all contractual obligations met.

Not rocket science.

 

[Royce]

0k then $480k a yr for 5years… get change from $2m... all contractual obligations met.

Not rocket science.

He is on nothing like that mate.

This is an era where Soward gets more than that…and Carney and Thurston are on 750 000 plus.

After the increase, Benji will be on similar numbers.

I dont begrudge him the money.m

However, it is going to kill our cap position for years.

 

[laufoofan]

You must be joking. When someone negotiates, it is from a position of strength. What has Benji got to offer now and he is not negotiating from a position of strength, more like a paper tiger, toothless.He has slow and his shoulder probably holds him back.He is at the bottom of the second half in the five eight position in the NRL.He is probably more suited as a media personality now. His best is behind him and he has nothing left that will have the team go forward. These are not very nice things to say, but unfortunately it is reality.If he is a champion,he should realise this and move on. Of course I would like to be proven wrong but this is the sad truth. If he wants a pay rise, he has to prove himself first.Sign him for another 5 years and you will be sentencing the West Tigers to anothe 4 years of oblivion.

 

[Black_n_White]

This is an era where Soward gets more than that…and Carney and Thurston are on 750 000 plus.

I never thought I would say it but this is also an era where Soward is worth above Marshall, hell 60m drop outs and 40-20 today… Benji either cannot find touch or struggles to make double digits... Thurston, Carney and Farah all rep players, Benji cut as Kiwi captain and will struggle to make the team, he has even said himself that if he doesnt improve Potter has said he will struggle to make our FG squad. This is professional sport with a salary cap, there is no time for golden handshake retirement plans. If he hasnt the form to be worth the money, we will struggle to attract players on preferred financial terms, so he costs us double essentially. People can bleat his advertising potential, but they will also dwindle if we continue to struggle.

I dont hate the guy, and pray he finds form, I really do, but speculating he will return to top form thus be worth a top line contract especially in the twilight of his career is a low percentage shall we say "Benji play".

I didnt get the stats for the Knights game, wouldnt be plesant, but this is what he has delivered in the first third of a season, a supposed marquee player, who stunningly is negotiating a raise to the top tier in the game. Its madness if we buckle to him without a safety net of some sort of incentive scheme. Im all for big money if its value, but we need to be able to stop the haemoraging if he continues to flop.

6\. Marshall - 39 metres in attack, 1 try, 4 goals, 1 line break, 1 try assist, 6 tackle breaks, 9 tackles
6\. Marshall - 1 try, 5 goals, 113 metres in attack, 2 line breaks, 12 tackles, 7 mssed tackles, 2 errors
6\. Marshall - 31 metres in attack, 1 offload, 1 tackle break, 10 tackles, 1 missed tackle, 2 errors
6\. Marshall - 59 metres in attack ,1 try, 1tackle break, 7 tackles, 4 missed tackles
7\. Marshall - 28 metres in attack, 1 offload, 5 tackles, 6 missed tackles, 3 errors
6\. Marshall - 28 metres in attack, 2 offloads, 11 tackles, 1 missed tackle, 2 errors

 

[Tbone]

I havent seen the clause in his contract and I doubt anyone here has, but you'd have to think it isnt an automatic increase, but rather a proportional increase commensurate with the cap increase. Whether it was expressly mentioned or not, such a clause (or verbal agreement) would inherently and logically be based on his continuing performance, not just extra money when the cap increases. (Note to self - are they that stupid? We can't possibly speculate if we don't know though)

Of course the simple solution is, the clause doesn't matter if the contract is no longer in existence (terminated) or other terms of his contract cant be agreed (eg its not renewed).

Another option is a very small increase as alluded to above, effectively making it a big pay cut compared to other players. If he was man enough, he'd be embarrassed to push the case, given he acknowledges himself that he is on the brink of being dropped to NSW cup (according to his latest daily article).

 

[Team_Tiger]

He's signed until the end of 2014… I don't even know why this is even an issue at the moment. I'd refuse to talk to him for another 12 months minimum. Make a decision then.

 

[Shooshmeister]

He's signed until the end of 2014… I don't even know why this is even an issue at the moment. I'd refuse to talk to him for another 12 months minimum. Make a decision then.

Exactley. Maybe make the 22% increase on the remain contract, and negotiate towards the end of it. Not worth the money he wants, and I'm sure he knows it too. It will kill off all the talent if he signs for 4 years, would be a waste.

 

[happy_tiger]

Our word didn't mean much to some other players that have been screwed over in the past

Simple Benji ,perform like you did in 2010/11 and we will give you the world

Keep the current BS up , and your previous contract should mean diddly squat and we should pay you diddly squat

 

[happy_tiger]

Surprised we haven't heard Tosspot Tauber banging on how Benji might sign with Japanese Rugby , WWE,drive F1 cars or some other hairbrained scheme :brick:

 

[RatedRKO]

So we have two options:

1\. Keep our word but suffer for four more years

2\. Go back on the deal hurting our rep but allowing us to make the changes necessary to become competitive

I know which one I'd pick..

 

[TigersFan4Life]

I don't see a problem resigning him IF Potter has this lineup in mind for the future:

1 Tedesco
3, 4 or 13 Sironen
6 Marshall
7 Brooks
9 Farah

 

[Tiger_Watto]

So we have two options:

1\. Keep our word but suffer for four more years

2\. **Go back on the deal hurting our rep** but allowing us to make the changes necessary to become competitive

I know which one I'd pick..

I get what and why you are saying this, but I really feel the Moltzen/St George saga is hurting the club and is a major factor why we dont seem to be able to attract any big name players…

I think we need to start putting integrity first!

 

[Shooshmeister]

Integrity would be Benji showing us he's worth the money he's asking…......that integrity!