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I know what you’re thinking. Yet another article about Benji Marshall? Really? Haven’t we heard enough about the mercurial rugby league five-eighth recently?
I know you’re thinking that, because I’m thinking the same thing.
Yet at the risk of being a hypocrite, there is one more question I want to ask, in regards to this subject. Specifically, why don’t you just play for another NRL club, Benji?
By now everyone is aware that Benji has decided to leave his beloved Wests Tigers, due to a breakdown in contract negotiations.
I don’t want to dwell too much on the details, as they have been widely reported on, but in a nutshell: Benji was promised a contract extension by the former CEO of the club, Steve Humphries, but only via a handshake deal.
When Humphries left the club a couple of months ago, the board of the Tigers, under no obligation to honour a handshake deal they apparently knew nothing about, refused to give Benji an extension. However, they did agree to increase his salary for the two remaining years on his contract.
It was evident that the breakdown in communications upset Benji, and as a result, he decided to leave the club, despite having two years left to run on his contract.
I can sympathise with both parties, but regardless of which side of the argument you support, the over-arching outcome was disappointing, because the consequence of the fallout was Benji being completely lost to the game of rugby league, instead pursuing a career in rugby union.
Which demands that I ask the question of why? Why go to rugby, Benji?
Not only have you stated before that you find rugby union boring, but at age 28, it will be a steep learning curve, with no guarantee that you’ll be successful at the code.
Additionally, your options are fairly limited, from both a club and financial situation, which ensures you’ll be taking a substantial pay cut.
You’ll also be under enormous pressure, considering the level of interest and intrigue that will follow your exploits in the 15-man code.
So why wouldn’t you just stay in rugby league? After all, it’s the code in which you’re familiar with, have excelled at when in-form, can maximise your earnings in, and for which you are almost universally loved.
I appreciate that you have such love for the Wests Tigers that you have stated you would never play against the club. But c’mon, you’ll get over it!
I once swore I would never marry anyone but Cindy Crawford, but circumstances change; things happen, reality needs to be faced, you need to adapt.
If you’re worried that fans will turn on you for going back on your word, I can assure you that 95% won’t care. Everyone knows you say funny things when you’re emotional; that you can make promises you may not be able to keep.
If it came down to you changing your mind versus leaving the game, most fans would take you changing your mind, without hesitation. That even includes your Tiger fans, who adore you.
Don’t worry about your legacy, or your love of the Wests Tigers.
Brad Fittler’s legacy is well intact, and two clubs he played for, the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters, revere him. I’m also fairly certain both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm will lay claim to Greg Inglis when his career is over.
Playing for two different clubs will not affect your legacy, nor does it need to diminish your love for Wests in any way. I still love Cindy Crawford, but Eva Mendes is not without her charm. It is possible to portion your love out, Benji.
Speaking of romance, rugby league loves you, and you love it.
Though you haven’t played your best football over the last 18 months, I firmly believe all you need is a change of scenery.
I don’t buy into any notion that you’ve lost your ability. You’re still a match-winner, and capable of doing freaky things on a football field. You simply need a fresh start.
Don’t listen to that silly Greg Martin. He hasn’t said anything astute this century. And you’re certainly not fat.
It’s not just about love either; money comes into this equation as well. Rugby league is where you can make the very most of your personality and popularity, and therefore maximise your commercial opportunities.
There remain plenty of NRL clubs that would love to sign you, Benj. If you wanted to stay in league, I’m sure the suitors would be lining up for your signature.
The value you bring to a football side extends well past your influence on a game. You’re extremely marketable, you’re a fan favourite – particularly among kids – and you bring plenty of media exposure to a football club. All such variables provide plenty of value, financial and otherwise, to a football club.
In short, Benji, though I’m just as curious as everyone else is to see how you would fair in rugby union, you’re a rugby league player. A rugby league player whose career is far from over. A rugby league player who should stay in rugby league.