Benji Marshall kicks the ball during the NRL Rugby League, Round 12, Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers match at SFS in Sydney, Monday, June 2, 2008. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan
When the Wests Tigers dazzled their way to a Premiership in 2005, many thought Benji Marshall had taken his first steps to becoming the NRL’s most dominant playmaker.
The flick pass to winger Pat Richards in the first half against the Cowboys was the moment that cemented Marshall’s name in Rugby League folklore forever.
It was also the defining passage which allowed the Tigers to win their first premiership as a joint venture, thus putting an exclamation mark on a finals series filled with brilliant attacking football from the premiers.
Since that unforgettable October night, it has been slim pickings for both Marshall and the Tigers, with the club yet to make a finals appearance since winning the NRL competition five years ago.
For the best part of four seasons, Marshall was sidelined with injury in a period where the 25 year old’s future in the NRL was uncertain.
A growing interest in Japanese Rugby Union was eventually put to bed when Marshall inked a deal last year that would keep him with the Tigers until 2011.
Since that announcement, Marshall’s quest to become the most dominant player in the NRL has met no bounds, playing 45 of his last 46 games for the Tigers including last night’s brilliant performance against the Parramatta Eels.
The Kiwi captain was at the centre of everything the Tigers did well in possession, setting up winger Lote Tuqiri’s opening try with an accurate grubber kick.
In the second half, Marshall handled the ball twice in one clinical movement to score under the posts to provide Tim Sheens’ men with a 15 nil lead.
Even when the Eels responded with two quick tries to revive memories of their victory last season, Marshall, to his credit, never went into his shell in a tight moment of the match.
With the game literally on a knife’s edge, Marshall was still dictating terms comfortably, using his combination with hooker Robbie Farah to great effect around the ruck.
The constant interchange of passing between both Marshall and Farah allowed mobile forwards such as Chris Heighington, Todd Payten and Gareth Ellis to produce the second phase play necessary to spark the brilliant attack we often associate with the Tigers.
It seems now that Marshall has so much time in his hands to decide whether or not he should run, dummy or produce the killer ball necessary to ignite an offensive raid.
Even after he played a starring role in the Tigers fairytale premiership victory in 2005, the raw talent Marshall displayed back then pales in comparison to what he is producing now
No longer burdened with injury, Marshall has now approached a stage in his career where he has the opportunity to become the most influential footballer in the NRL.
At his best, Marshall is unrivalled as a playmaker, constantly tormenting opposition defences with his vast array of speed, footwork and ball playing ability.
It is a shame that his name has not been associated with finals football for the past four seasons given the excitement he brings to the game of Rugby League.
But with seemingly the worst of his career behind him, Marshall has since gathered full steam in a two year period which has arguably laid the foundation for the 25 year old to finally realise the potential that for a period there, was in serious danger of being left unfulfilled.
Now it appears that Marshall really has earned his stripes in the NRL, thus becoming the epitome of every young footballer desperate to crack into first grade and replicate the magic that only Benji can conjure.
Steven Robertson
Guest
It annoys the hell out of me how Benji always ends up with his name up in lights after every game, yes he has a brilliant step and yes his attacking skills are second to none, but there is a hell of a lot more to making a player a complete player, until he learns to tackle without a forward shielding/helping him and not delivering hospital passes to his mates he will never be remembered next to the Sterlo's or Wally's of this game. It gives me the shivers when Benji gets all the raps and a bloke like Fulton or Ellis etc. have busted their gut in the event of a victory where Benji is the talk of the town.....G'rrrr Yes I know it's a March article but I just found ROAR....now where is a hate Gus article.....lol
simonjzw
Roar Pro
I'm one of the more unusual AFL fans - because I also really enjoy League. Living in Sydney the television broadcast arrangements allow me to watch what ever I want from either code. When I'm at home on a Friday night I usually record the first NRL match and watch it mmediately the AFL Game finishes. And how happy was I Iast Friday?... Geelong were magnificent from half way through the third quater and after that I had the Benji show. He was fantastic - flick passes, deft steps & dummies, drop goals, pace to burn.... Elecrifying skills Super player and great ambassador for his club and the game.
Jeff Dowsing
Guest
Imo, Benji's appeal owes much to his Touch football background, where skill and creativity is the cornerstone of the game. Brains over brawn.
sportsfanslife.com
Roar Guru
Alan, after years of struggling for depth, the Tigers are close to bursting at the seams with quality, especially their backs. Fullback prospects Moltz,Tuqiri,Brown and young Mullaney in the 20's (who is an awesome talent) aren't all going to fit into the side,and you still have to fit Tuiaki in as well.Ryan also deserves his spot,especially after Friday night's performance. Benji is a lock at 6, but for half,while Moltz is seemingly the best option right now, Lui and also Blake Lazarus will be starting halves somewhere in the NRL in the coming years...it may not be at the Tigers though. Not to mention Arana Taumata,who is also a freakish talent...where does he play from? A good problem to have,but at some point some of these players are going to potentially be rubbing the Tigers noses in their good form for other clubs unfortunately....
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I love watching Benjy play but he can be a worry. No one would ever question his brilliance but he does some things that are just not required like a flick back pass on his 10 m line when the game is in the balance. Our 2 best coaches bennett and bellamy would scream over stuff like that. he also is a poor defender, but hey, lets love him for what he is - a freak.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
alan, I dont rate him in the same class as Moltzen.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I love watching the Tank play, yeh when he comes back back to NSW cup probably for Lui
alan nicolea
Guest
MItch Totally agree that Tuiaki has to start once he gets back. Prior to his injury last year, he was arguably the most dominant winger in the NRL. Indeed Lui is still a young kid and will get his chance in the future.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Someone's gotta miss out, I dont think he can fit on bench with Flanagan being the utility player, Lui probably needs time to develop into the position but at moment I dont think you could drop Ryan, Moltzan or not bring in Taneila
alan nicolea
Guest
What would happen to Robert Lui then?
M1tch
Roar Guru
The deja vue when Hayne chipped and chased and got the regather was incredible, the match itself was best of the year so far, the Tigers short week was well spent id say with Sheens just drilling in defence and more defence.. Agree with CJ about Ryan to fullback when Tuiaki comes back he looked good there and Moltzen is a good number 7
CJ
Guest
Benji's performance last night was exceptional, and it wasn't just the tries he scored and set up, it was everything he did in between. His linking with his forwards and interchanging around the rucks with Farah is slick yet uncomplicated, and the patience shown in his kicking game and team organisation was another highlight. These are the areas where I feel he has really grown - he is in total command of his game right now, and reminds me very much of Darren Lockyer's peak years in the early part of the 2000s where, from fullback, he controlled the play so flawlessly. Much like Lockyer in younger times, Marshall is incredibly dangerous when he gets some room to drift across field - alarm bells ring every time. When Tuiaki comes back what a combo he and Tuqiri will make on the wings. With those two on the wings, I'd put Beau Ryan back to fullback permanently, with Moltzen staying halfback (he looks so much more comfortable there than fullback). Good luck to Benji and the Tigers, hopefully they can keep it up! They are great for the game.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
What a great game of footy to watch. I didn't really care who won, as long as they entertained. And they delivered. Hopefully the Tigers can make the semi's this year, as on that performance, they deserve to be one of the teams in the top 8 at the end of the year.
jimbo
Roar Guru
Brilliant game by Marshall and the difference between the 2 sides. Hayne had a quiet one and made a few errors of judgement. Benji played with bruised ribs and a couple of painkilling injections, so he was carrying injury as well. Tigers, Roosters and Saints have made a good start and looking forward to when they play the Saints.
alan nicolea
Guest
sportsfanlife Indeed Benji is one of those players you would be happy to pay money to watch. He almost guarantee's a brilliant moment in a match and is perhaps the most exciting player to watch IMO. I have no doubt that if the tigers replicate their defensive showing against the Eels for the rest of this season, a finals place is a certainty. On another note, what will you guys do when Taniela Tuiaki comes back from injury? Tuqiri is playing the house down and Beau Ryan is becoming a very reliable player.
sportsfanslife.com
Roar Guru
Alan....this piece is music to my black and orange ears! It seems Benji will always be tarred with the injury-prone brush, regardless of how long his injury free run may last. He gets the wraps for his flashy brilliance, but his toughness is under rated and rarely mentioned. 5 shoulder reconstructions would have sent almost any player to an early retirement, not to mention he played with needles for a rib issue last night. His performance was brilliant, but as a Team, the Tigers put in one of their most impressive performances in recent memory....making up for last week's disappointment vs your Chooks. I'm already itching for next week!