The Madge factor has Marshall torn between signing off and playing on

[mike]

Benji always had a lot of mistakes in his game even in his prime but people ignored those mistakes then because he did some outrageously and wonderful good things.

Today Benji has more errors in him with way more less good things. But that’s ok when he is on minimum wage. I just don’t see a future keeping Benji on, low wage and all. Benji is not an organiser either and I think he and Farah have hindered Brooks this year.

I’d just like to invest more in younger players moving forward.

My view exactly, the club is being held back by these 2, just because they are supposedly cheap doesn't make it right, they both are selected every week regardless of form, and that is just plain wrong

They are selected each week because of their form. When better options are available they’ll be gone.

 

[Arya Blind]

The only reason the club is forced to use both RF OR Benji is because they're the best players available. They are the only players capable of leading the team around or even in helping put points up on the board.
Yes, Benji has always had trouble with his execution and if this club continues to fail in talent development for our halves, (and I mean no disrespect to him) Brooks will most likely go the same way. I trust Madge with his decision.

 

[Strider]

I dont understand all the 'Benji is holding others back' - do we really have somebody else to pick? Who is demanding to take his spot?

 

[jirskyr]

You want them badly enough, you keep them.

James Tedesco says hello.

 

[The_Patriot]

Credit where it is due. Marshall is playing better than the way he did under Cleary.

Must be one of the best value for money halves in the comp.

I wouldnt re-sign him but thats just me.

 

[kiwitiger]

Paps was one that got away... but I’d still rather have a Dane Laurie, Gareth Ellis or Fifita than a speedy outside back who lacks a team giving him punch up the middle. Do you honestly think Ryan would be anywhere near as good in our meagre line up? C’mon paws

i'd rather a boil on my butt than Dane Laurie. To be honest looked like the body of an rugby league player but lacking in the brain/life skill department. Had talent/natural ability but the rest is missing. no thanks

 

[TieDye]

@kiwitiger he’s obviously no longer playing NRL. No longer looked after by Todd and the boys like other average RL crims but yeh mate, great point when packer is clearly responding so well?

Tbh, Laurie was great under sheens and just never excelled in the off-field dept. purely his fault and a shame at the time for all tigers fans - think you’d agree- he had the mongrel and gained metres that ^ in my original post clearly stated is more of what we are missing now under Madge. In their primes, Laurie or A Bryce Gibbs wouldn’t go astray right now.

It’s a moot point though, and doubt we’ll be signing any quality bookends from outside the club within next couple of years... merely saying Madge needs better pigs than he does outside backs to be capable of results (disclaimer: it is obviously a fine balance) but a half decent centre should prove to be cheaper. Where’s Phats or Collis when you need them?

 

[Arya Blind]

Madge is on NRL360 now, for those interested.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

@Arya-Blind
One word for Madge IMPRESSIVE

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Two words: massively impressive

 

[Tiger_Steve]

As much as I appreciate the many varied points of view on this forum, I’m going with Madge and his evidence based opinion that Farah and Marshall are an enormous positive influence on our team at the moment.

 

[tony soprano]

@Elderslie_Tiger two words testicular fortitude

 

[tony soprano]

@Jay they haven’t thought that far ahead god bless them

 

[851]

@Arya-Blind
One word for Madge IMPRESSIVE

He reckons it is only the their bodies keeping them out of the NRL team, (Packer, Reynolds, Matulino), we shall see, Grub has had 2 games back, Packer due back this week.

 

[tony soprano]

@Tiger_Steve reading between the lines Marshall yes Farah no

 

[851]

@Tiger_Steve reading between the lines Marshall yes Farah no

That was my take on it as well, but not at all happy if that's the case, another year of a $700k plus player playing CC while a 35 year old tries to hang on to past glories in the NRL team

 

[tony soprano]

@851 yep Reynolds was a terrible signing.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

@Tiger_Steve reading between the lines Marshall yes Farah no

Yep 100% agree

 

[mike]

@Tiger_Steve reading between the lines Marshall yes Farah no

That was my take on it as well, but not at all happy if that's the case, another year of a $700k plus player playing CC while a 35 year old tries to hang on to past glories in the NRL team

The reason the $700K player is in CC is a) his body and b) his form. It has nothing todo with what Benji wants. I want the best players available in first grade. If that means a $700K player is in CC then so be it.

 

[izotope]

Benji is our best half by a mile, Brooks trying to run the show is a massive disaster he is not an organising half at all.

Not that benji is the best as it but a mile better then brooks.

Farah looks burnt out, time to retire old champ.