Benji brilliance suggests good times ahead
Roar Guru By Alan Nicolea, 8 Sep 2008 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Benji Marshall, Brett Hodgson, Gold Coast Titans, Rugby League, Tigers, Titans, West Tigers, Wests Tigers
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Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall knows he is number one. On his day, the step, the speed and the swerve all dominate, as they did yesterday afternoon against the Gold Coast Titans.
Marshall’s brilliance resulted in a 28-12 win for the Tigers over the Titans in the last round of the 2008 NRL season.
Forget the match was a dead rubber. Forget the game had no effect on the make up of this year’s top eight. And at least try and forget that it was Brett Hodgson’s last match of a 225 game career in the NRL.
The focus was on Marshall. And, quite simply, he was brilliant.
With the ball in hand, the fans up on the Gold Coast were made to suffer, yet appreciate the skills of a Kiwi who is strongly considering leaving the game he loves in exchange for Croissants more greens.
There was one moment in the second half that summed up Marshall’s “Hollywood on the Gold Coast” antics.
On the last tackle, the Kiwi representative received the football, grubbered through the defence, stepped past Titans fullback Ben Jeffrey, and flick passed to the waiting hands of Tim Moltzen, who was eventually pinned for knocking the ball on.
In the end, the try of the season never came, but Marshall’s presence at Skilled Stadium earned the Tigers enough points to end 2008 on a high.
If anything can be consolidated from another failed campaign for the Tigers, it comes in the form of Marshall – a player who has gone to hell and back in regards to injury, but who is again starting to show his instincts with the footy in hand.
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- Benji Marshall, Brett Hodgson, Gold Coast Titans, Rugby League, Tigers, Titans, West Tigers, Wests Tigers
September 8th 2008 @ 8:12am
LeftArmSpinner said | September 8th 2008 @ 8:12am | Report comment
I will say it first. Great Skills, Great kid, great for the kids but he is unlikely to ever reach his potential due to:
1. more physical injuries and the mental scars that last much longer
2. his ineligibilty for the game’s pinnacle, SOO
3. the week in and week out grind that NRL has become.
Finally and further, the playing style currently in vogue, and Steve Folkes observed the same, of conservative, one out play for the first 4 tackles.
There is no room for Benji, except in games that dont count, like the Titans last weekend.
Sad but true!
September 8th 2008 @ 8:32am
alan said | September 8th 2008 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Left Arm
Since 2005 the game as a spectacle has gone backwards and the Tigers have suffered the most. It is too conservative and their needs to be a change to accomodate Marshall and co. to perform at a elite level for most of the season. Fans want to see him succeed with the footy in hand. More Sunday afternoon footy should help. Can you believe the game’s pinnacle is playing for state, not Country? I am happy Marshall chose New Zealand. regardless of how much they struggle, he is a kiwi and damn proud of it aswell.
September 8th 2008 @ 5:35pm
Marco said | September 8th 2008 @ 5:35pm | Report comment
Benji certainly has the talent to be one of the greats, lets hope he remains injury free and lets hope that Tim Sheens finds a way to open up some space in the defence so he can fully excel and bring league back to the entertainment spectacle it should be.
September 8th 2008 @ 6:15pm
Alan Nicolea said | September 8th 2008 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
Marco
Hopefully Benji is alive and well during world cup time for New Zealand. Without Sonny Bill Williams and Frank Pritchard and Roy Asotasi, Marshall has to steer the ship. Although he will be against the odds, this could bring out the best in Marshall.
September 8th 2008 @ 6:17pm
Steffy said | September 8th 2008 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
“the week in and week out grind that NRL has become.”
Eh?
September 8th 2008 @ 7:28pm
Alan Nicolea said | September 8th 2008 @ 7:28pm | Report comment
C’mon, you know what he mean’t steffy. Nobody’s perfect.
September 8th 2008 @ 7:37pm
Steffy said | September 8th 2008 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
He has mentioned it on several occasions but I am not sure what he means by it.
September 8th 2008 @ 9:04pm
Phil Coorey said | September 8th 2008 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
He’ll be playing union before you can say “How did he do that flick pass?”
September 8th 2008 @ 9:24pm
westy said | September 8th 2008 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
Phil Coorey what is sad about this comment is it may well be true and says more about the strength and depth of our Australian rugby. But please do not complaimn about his defence! He will never be in aside to tackle!
September 8th 2008 @ 9:29pm
Alan Nicolea said | September 8th 2008 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
Rugby League is officially f***ed if Marshall goes to Union