This Forum Endorses #KeepBenji

[Joel Helmes]

We ran a survey recently and one of the questions was “Should Wests Tigers re-sign Benji for 2021?” 90% of respondents said no. If you love Benji you should be helping him maintain his legacy. It comes a time for every player, his time was truthfully at the end of last year.

 

[Magpie1969]

He needs to announce his retirement with dignity and grace before season ends. Had a brilliant career. Won a premiership and captained his country.

 

[JC99]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

 

[TigerWest]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

Harsh.

 

[Furious1]

I agree with the overwhelming sentiment to let him go. I have nothing against him if he wants to play on elsewhere. You're a long time retired and who are we to tell him he is not allowed to play footy anymore?
I find it sad that his time has come, but it was always coming and the sadness is due to the end of an era. If i'm completely honest it's also offset by an excitement of what is to come for the club. I know in 20 years or so when talking about Marshall i'll always be fond of his time here and the general feeling for me will be in his prime i never thought we couldn't win while he was on the field.
In my whole time of supporting both Balmain and Wests Tigers (40 years) he is easily the most dangerous player ive ever seen for either club.
I wish him all the best for whatever he does in the future and i hope this doesn't turn into a Benji bashing thread as some of the stuff spewed out on this site over the last few days has been disgraceful. ( yes i wanted to throw a brick through the tv when he kicked it too)

 

[TheDaBoss]

I recognise your opinion

And I agree he will forever be a club legend

But sorry, if we want to move on as a club we need him to do the same and leave

 

[JC99]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

Harsh.

It’s not wrong though, his only offer is from a reserve grade team in England and he can’t see that it’s time to retire

 

[OzLuke]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

Harsh.

It’s not wrong though, his only offer is from a reserve grade team in England and he can’t see that it’s time to retire

which team was it??

 

[JC99]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

Harsh.

It’s not wrong though, his only offer is from a reserve grade team in England and he can’t see that it’s time to retire

which team was it??

Leigh Centurions apparently.

 

[OzLuke]

Yeah, nah. Benji is done and he won’t retire because his ego is too big. No clubs even want the bloke.

Harsh.

It’s not wrong though, his only offer is from a reserve grade team in England and he can’t see that it’s time to retire

which team was it??

Leigh Centurions apparently.

wowsas.....

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Lovely post @Kul and I like your emotion. I too have enjoyed Benji and he has given me great joy. But his time has passed. He should retire with dignity.

 

[TigerTownSFS]

The worst possible outcome would be for Benji to leave the club in a spiteful way. He and Robbie are the top 2 Wests Tigers legends and if he leaves respecting the club he will be forever remembered as a great player and person. Tigers have him the respect of bringing him home and washing away the bad taste from whole Auckland Blues saga. The best thing Robbie has done is keep a low profile over the past year.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Imo the club would offer him a place if jrey moved on but that looks highly unlikely. I believe he has 1yr left as a squad player not starter like when he was at Brisbane.
I thank him for all he’s done and will cheer him if he gets a start at another team but I do believe the club is doing the right thing.

 

[mike]

Imo the club would offer him a place if jrey moved on but that looks highly unlikely. I believe he has 1yr left as a squad player not starter like when he was at Brisbane.
I thank him for all he’s done and will cheer him if he gets a start at another team but I do believe the club is doing the right thing.

I would hope the club has the maturity to not do something that stupid even if jrey moves on. Benji’s time is up, period. Retirement is his future.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

I was all for Benji hanging up his boots at the end of this year, but lately I’ve been thinking where the hell is our attacking spark gonna come from if he isn’t there? He is just about the only player in our team consistently looking to create opportunities, Brooks does it occasionally, but nowhere near often enough and Grant, who is an absolute gun will not be here next season either.

Yes he makes mistakes, they all do, but at least he is trying to create something for us, otherwise what would we have going on - 5 hit ups and a bomb at the end of every set? Unless we have secretly signed some great playmaker to take his place for next season I think he should play on another year.

The other reason I wouldn’t mind keeping him for just one more year is that, if all reports that JAC is coming to us are true, then I would love to see them on the field together. Imagine JAC in the space that Marshall created for Kepaoa out wide the other night. It would be shut the gate!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

No sir.

No siree Bob

 

[2005magic]

Sorry, but Benjis time on the field is up. The club is hamstrung by 3 high priced, not really performing contracts next year. Benji has a place at the club, but it should now transition to off field as a club ambassador, talent scout and maybe assisting in attacking coaching.

 

[Tigercrb]

In the salary cap and squad limit era, these decisions are vital. If we could shift Reynolds, I wouldn't be opposed to another year.
But Reynolds is going nowhere and Benji is off contract. He is also 35 and still makes brain fade decisions that I'm sure do not fit Madge game plans.

I will acknowledge he is our attacking spark and question where points will come from next year.

We need to free up the squad spot and salary. I understand he is not on huge money, but imagine missing out on JAC over $100k because we rolled with Benji for another season?

 

[Guest]

Can't say that I endorse this at all. His time is up.

 

[Cairnstigers]

How does that song go
** You've got to be cruel to be kind
In the right measure **
Some perceive the clubs decision to be wrong or Cruel to not re sign Benji
But the Club and many of us supporters know Benji's career is over
We as a club do not want Benji to damage his Legacy
It is clear that his time is over
So in a way we are being kind
None of us want Benji to make o fool of himself by playing a season to many