Tigers confirm Marshall won't be at club in 2021

[Strider]

Benji at 40 would be better than Mbye, Reynolds and Brooks. This is very sad. Told a few weeks from end of season, when a couple of weeks ago they said its his choice. This is really upsetting me :'(

 

[TillLindemann]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....

I think it will unfortunately. The media seemed to think it was inexplicable that he was ever dropped this year.

 

[Telltails]

You can't win with the media they leak a story and then they blame the club when they don't like the way it comes out. They are parasites.

 

[JC99]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....


What a ridiculous comment. We simply aren’t re-signing a player who’s off contract it’s not press conference worthy. He wants to play on. Media always putting the boot in wherever they can

 

[Strider]

The only way I want to see Benji go out is by addressing the media standing next to the CEO and coach. This is sad indeed. Bad look. Im just gutted

 

[TillLindemann]

Hope Benji decides to hang up the boots after our last game. Hate to see him at some other club having to battle younger guys every week for a place in first grade. He deserves much better than that.

The idea of Benji turning out for Penrith or Parra next year is horrific! I really hope he retires. Or if he wants one more year of footy, a year in England might do him good. Win a premiership with Wigan or someone and end on a high.

 

[Tigerdave]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....

You should read the Tigers Facebook page.....full of numpties saying exactly that

 

[Strider]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....


What a ridiculous comment. We simply aren’t re-signing a player who’s off contract it’s not press conference worthy. He wants to play on. Media always putting the boot in wherever they can

I disagree. He is one of the most iconic players to ever play the game, he isn't some average Mbye type fella. Its like Jordan leaving. Or say, Cam Smith or JT. He is a true legend. He made Tigers a decent club, for a while, maybe last time ever! Jeez. We should be giving him parades on the street! I love him so much. I dont want to find from a press release.

 

[TillLindemann]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....

You should read the Tigers Facebook page.....full of numpties saying exactly that

Yep and lazy journos will pick up this theme. "Madge has lost the dressing room and now heartlessly drops a legend".

 

[tigerbalm]

England Benji.

 

[Tigercrb]

Benji is a club legend and was the real turning point for our club becoming relevant. Every kid wanted to be like Benji and he made the tigers everyone's 2nd favorite team.

This is how he should be remembered, so I hope he handles this with class.

The facts are, he was playing reserve grade when he was bought back to the club. Since then, he has signed 1 year deals with the understanding to see how the season played out before committing to another contract.
Both club and player need to assess this and it appears (correctly) that Madge has seen enough to suggest Benji's time is up. I'm sure there were conversations about this (and with Chris Lawrence) and he was given the chance to announce his retirement.

We can't just sign him for another year because he wants to go around again. I'm sure it would be a different situation with out the poo pile of Reynolds contract.

If Benji feels he has another year left, then best of luck to him. His contract is finished at the tigers (we are NOT dropping him, shopping him around or trying to cut him mid contract), and it will be interesting to see which clubs are interested.

I hope Benji handles this well because he will risk his legacy if he throws a tantrum. He will only look back with regret in the future. It's best to go a season early than a season late, and some would argue that is already the case.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Like the decision. Don't like the statement, comes across wrong and I think the media will hammer the club. I don't know the facts so I won't totally let rip but my sense is things have not been handled well in recent weeks.

 

[JC99]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....


What a ridiculous comment. We simply aren’t re-signing a player who’s off contract it’s not press conference worthy. He wants to play on. Media always putting the boot in wherever they can

I disagree. He is one of the most iconic players to ever play the game, he isn't some average Mbye type fella. Its like Jordan leaving. Or say, Cam Smith or JT. He is a true legend. He made Tigers a decent club, for a while, maybe last time ever! Jeez. We should be giving him parades on the street! I love him so much. I dont want to find from a press release.

As if there won’t be constant attention in Benji For the last 4 games

 

[Strider]

If it wasn't for Benji, Wests Tigers may not have made finals once in their entire history let alone have a premiership. I am in mourning!! I'd happily give him a year knowing for sure its his last. Why do we have Brooks instead? He wont offer more. Or Reynolds? disaster.

 

[jrtiger]

and here comes the fallout

 

[TillLindemann]

Really hope no bad press comes out about us mistreating/disrespecting Benji on this exit

How short the media's memories can be, it was the Tigers who called when he was doing nothing in reserve grade and gave him a second shot with two respectable years he probably wouldn't have got anywhere else. Yet I am sure all we will hear is how the tigers are punting a legend....


What a ridiculous comment. We simply aren’t re-signing a player who’s off contract it’s not press conference worthy. He wants to play on. Media always putting the boot in wherever they can

I disagree. He is one of the most iconic players to ever play the game, he isn't some average Mbye type fella. Its like Jordan leaving. Or say, Cam Smith or JT. He is a true legend. He made Tigers a decent club, for a while, maybe last time ever! Jeez. We should be giving him parades on the street! I love him so much. I dont want to find from a press release.

I agree that he's a club legend and it's sad to see it end like this, but I think his management leaked this and forced the club's hand to rush out the press release.

 

[Telltails]

And some are wondering why he was still picked to play!

 

[TillLindemann]

If it wasn't for Benji, Wests Tigers may not have made finals once in their entire history let alone have a premiership. I am in mourning!! I'd happily give him a year knowing for sure its his last. Why do we have Brooks instead? He wont offer more. Or Reynolds? disaster.

Unfortunately those guys have contracts, and if they won't go we can't force them to go. With Benji, it was just the club choosing not to re-sign him.

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

Good luck to Benji whatever he decides to do but surely he knows his time is up and he can move to the next stage of his life.

 

[TillLindemann]

England Benji.

Benji to Wigan, Hastings to Tigers?