This Forum Endorses #KeepBenji

[Bob]

Any chance of a poll going up, to see where the members sit?

(Not on if we should support #keepbenji it’s your sandpit, kul we are only playing in it.)

 

[Rowdy12]

Every one of us remembers where we where when it was confirmed that benji would be making his debut. I was in year 10 at high school.

I supported a team that was very poor.

17 years later the game has long since changed, benji did the most changing!. He inspired, he excited, he enraged and he empowered.

I don’t have anything powerful or influencual that could make people make decisions. But what I do have is a website that I started in 2004, in a dark time when we - as a club - had nothing. But Benji changed everything.

I don’t need to post about how benji changed rugby league. What I want to tell you is how he changed me. He gave me confidence, he gave me inspiration. I wanted to “be benji” when I played rugby.

The hardest things I’ve ever had to do was come out to my parents. Going to Leichhardt to cheer on Benji and the boys was something that helped me and my parents bond. Benji was the “thing” that helped us relate and bond.

Benji changed us, he changed US as a whole. Every one of us suddenly had faith in the crap clubs that we followed. Now we had a chance....

That’s my story but We know there are so many more. Stories about young girls and boys doing sidesteps or people cheering loudly on the sideline, our stories are all different but Benji remains a constant.

He’s time is too soon and it’s not yet!

It is not right that someone who changed the game so much is left adrift like this.

If you want him to play again, let him.
If he is going to play again, it should only EVER be in a WESTS TIGERS jersey. No other, nothing else.

I encourage you all to tweet, post and email as much as you can to keep Benji, to keep our hero, to keep the person who we love.

stuff like this is why we are the embarrassement of the NRL

 

[shifty]

Stick a fork in him, he’s done.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Benji looks like Ricky Ponting in his last year of test cricket. Flashes but overall it just wasn't happening.

It was kind of embarrassing watching him play in that last year. He was a shell of the player he was. He persisted for a bit, before he realised there was no chance of turning his form around. Benji needs to realise that his problem is the fact he never learned how to tackle. It is not possible to learn that skill this late in his career.

 

[balmain boy]

The glaring truth is that Benji should honestly evaluate his own playing performance when considering his future...he should say to himself ''I have done plenty for this game and now want to devote my time to my family"...retirement is the go...sit back,grab a beer cuddle your kids while watching a game on tv and say "" kids Ive been there done that"" and have a swig of beer...

His ego won’t let him. It’s a real shame. Coming back, it gave him a second chance to end things the right way. But again, his ego has gotten the better of him. And once again he’s going to go out the wrong way. As much as I wasn’t a fan of Farah, he did the right thing by the club and didn’t try and go out looking for another club to plod around for another season. His legacy for the most part is in tact. Benji is looking to ruin his for a second time.

He had the opportunity to retire with grace, to go out with his head held high and on a solid grounding with WT and its fans. Now he's blown that up in his face and tarnished his legacy for a second time!

It's such a shame that our two greatest players are also our most divisive. Somewhat destroying their club legend status. He'll go out knowing he was unwanted and with fans calling for his head, rather than walking out for a final lap of glory with all the fans cheering him on.

I can't wait until our next crop of legends come through the ranks!

 

[fibrodreaming]

I think not extending Benji is the correct decision; however, I wouldn't be upset if the club offered him one more year.

There are risks in extending Benji. While his defence has never been a strength, it has deteriorated markedly from last season to this season. If it continues on its downward trajectory, he position in the team would become untenable.

And therein lies the major risk for the club in extending him. Can you imagine the negative press we would get if he spent the season in Reggies. The club would cop it from all sides for the whole season. It would become an embarrassment and a major distraction.

Not extending Benji is the wisest decision. The club will be trading some short term bad publicity (a couple more games) for a season of bad press next year.

 

[ElleryHanley]

No.

He has sulked and pouted too long. Terrible D. Poor leader. Culture needs to change.

Was great as a kid. But you can't live on 2005 forever.

 

[Cairnstigers]

No.

He has sulked and pouted too long. Terrible D. Poor leader. Culture needs to change.

Was great as a kid. But you can't live on 2005 forever.

But 2005 is all we have

 

[851]

If we can offload Jrey, I would entertain him as a backup. I think he's still value at his price tag. But I doubt Josh will go to the UK.

No way would I endorse keeping him as you say "a back up", for starters Benji's ego won't allow him to be a back up, he see's himself as a starting half.
Secondly you have seen the media circus from his mates at FOX and the Telegraph since it become known he won't be offered a deal for next year.
Can you imagine the circus next year, we either play Benji and keep losing games, or not play him and have his media mates bag out the club for the poor treatment of a club legend.
It is a lose lose scenario for the club, the only decision is the one they made, cut ties with his playing career, the rest is on Benji to try show some dignity and respect, so far that hasn't happened, and I doubt it will.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

Good to see Benji inspired you.
Great player club icon but we need to move forward, time to retire or move on.

His legacy is also fading all these negative reports from FOX sports shows he is also using his media interests to continually push his case.

Think about this why are all these player unrest rumours coming out now since Benji has been told no contract next season.

Club has made the right call, let’s move forward.

 

[851]

@Kul I love what you have done with the forum over the years, but I can't agree with any of what you said, a 33, 34 and 35 year old Benji didn't get us in the 8, a 36 year old Benji will not get us close to the 8.
Treasure your memories of 2005, 2010 and 2011, but Benji lost his gloss in his first stint at the club, and that gloss is beyond buffing now, time to get a new ornament mate.

 

[Russell]

No.

He has sulked and pouted too long. Terrible D. Poor leader. Culture needs to change.

Was great as a kid. But you can't live on 2005 forever.

But 2005 is all we have

Only if you want it to be.

 

[twentyforty]

@Kul I love what you have to with the forum over the years, but I can't agree with any of what you said, a 33, 34 and 35 year old Benji didn't get us in the 8, a 36 year old Benji will not get us close to the 8.
Treasure your memories of 2005, 2010 and 2011, but Benji lost his gloss in his first stint at the club, and that gloss is beyond buffing now, time to get a new ornament mate.

Have to agree. It’s had a few coats of Maguire’s.

 

[Harvey]

If Reynolds leaves, Benji was willing to take a minimum contract and play Canterbury cup for the majority of the year without whinging and feeding stories to the media, then I would be happy to sign him.

I am doubtful that even 1 of the above will happen and so it is thanks for the memories Benji.

 

[happy_tiger]

Sorry @Kul I'm slightly confused .......not a fan of Good Charlotte and the Benji movie is a bits past it used by date

You surely weren't referring to Marshall ..he is done and dusted and has been since 2011 in all reality

He has had some good moments in attack from time to time ...but rugby league has two main areas and Benji is one of the worst defenders running around

 

[innsaneink]

There's no forum without members, and it looks like the members have spoken

We do not endorse #keepbunji

 

[mike]

#TimetoRetireBenji
#RetireBenji

 

[gallagher]

Not a chance. We got up the courage to tell him he's gone, it would be madness to go back.

 

[bigsiro]

There's no forum without members, and it looks like the members have spoken

We do not endorse #keepbunji

Yep. @Kul I'm afraid this backfired.
The same can't be said of those facebook petitions.

 

[851]

@Kul I love what you have to with the forum over the years, but I can't agree with any of what you said, a 33, 34 and 35 year old Benji didn't get us in the 8, a 36 year old Benji will not get us close to the 8.
Treasure your memories of 2005, 2010 and 2011, but Benji lost his gloss in his first stint at the club, and that gloss is beyond buffing now, time to get a new ornament mate.


Have to agree. It’s had a few coats of Maguire’s.

I like what you did there