It's a bittersweet farewell for Benji

Will he, won’t he, will he or won’t he and finally confirmation – Benji Marshall has asked for a release from the remaining two years of his contract with the Tigers.

This move will see Benji take up a contract in rugby union, either with the NSW Waratahs or, more likely, the Auckland Blues.

Since 2003, Benji has been the most recognisable face of an extremely underachieving Wests Tigers side.

In 10 years, they made the finals only three times, including of course the famous 2005 title triumph.

Never before had such a polarising figure played for the club.

He began as a spectacular, highlight reel-grabbing youngster and later turned into a giant chunk of the salary cap.

Through out all of this, his numbers stacked up as some of the best in the league. He twice lead the NRL in try assists and in 2010 even won the ‘Golden Boot’ for the World’s best player.

Despite all this he always had his detractors.

The knock often came from outside the ranks of Tiger fans. Opposition supporters with longer memories were quick to point out the numerous errors and poor play which was littered in between his brilliance.

For the most, people were hooked by his star – the million dollar smile and pin-up boy attitude made him a fan favourite, and even the face of the league at one point.

His off field behaviour matured with his play, and he seemingly changed from a wild child to a community leader, using his profile to raise money for numerous charities while also becoming a media darling.

So where did it all go wrong?

2012 was a watershed year for the Tigers. After two spectacular and ultimately cruel finals campaigns, the squad could not live up to expectations and came crashing down to earth.

While former coach Tim Sheens took the fall for the poor form, the rumours of unrest within the playing group were widely reported.

In the same off-season, a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement lead to an increase in the salary cap that activated an upgrade clause in Marshall’s contract.

For months, the club and Benji have been in negotiations. Benji wanted to stay until 2017, the club wanted him until 2016, and to pay him less money. Benji felt insulted, and now he has gone.

Amidst all this, Benji’s game has been on a downward slide for the last two years.

The telling point was against the Cowboys when, on a breakaway, he was chased down from behind by James Tamou, a prop.

His kicking game leaves a lot to be desired.

While he has perfected a twisting grubber which frees up his outside men, a kick few in the world of rugby league can do, he still cannot land a bomb with any accuracy.

While he still steps across field and opens up half opportunities with his footwork, he can no longer has the finesse to hit the last pass and often looks out of sync with the remainder of his squad.

Sadly, father time has caught up with Benji and it hasn’t been kind.

His game was built on improvisation – playing what was in front of him – but sadly he lacks the pace and agility to do that anymore.

While he has tried to adapt his game to his capabilities, the fact remains for the price he was asking for, his capabilities were not worth it.

Benji has been the Wests Tigers.

No player has brought more eyeballs and newspaper columns to the club.

He inspired a generation of young boys across the world to try the “Benji-step” and flick pass.

While has value to the Tigers could still be counted through commercial and marketing returns, the fact remains he can no longer win games for the club.

So what’s next for the Tigers?

With a heap of salary cap room now available they can do what they’ve been threatening for the last few weeks, and pay the next crop of Benji wannabees their dues.

More cap space should allow the club to lock in the talents of Tim Simona, Markia Korebeite, Mitchell Moses, Brendan Santi, Kyle Lovett, Nathan Brown and of course the highly touted Luke Brooks.

To lock in one playmaker or to secure on long contracts the services of seven future rep players…?

I know which option I would take.

While Benji could definitely have assisted in bringing the next generation through the club, his salary expectations were not worth it.

If he took a pay cut and wanted to 2017, do you really need to think how average he would be in four years if his decline continues?

And so this bittersweet relationship, which has brought as much love as it has vitriol will come to an end when the Tigers miss the finals this year. It’s not the way it was meant to end, but it’s the way it had to end for the sake of both parties.

Benji leaves with his legacy intact, and the Tigers can continue the cultural overhaul they’ve been threatening since the termination of Sheens. I for one could not be more excited about the future of this proud club.