Benji Marshall critics have short memories

Well written Dom...I have followed footy for more than 50 years...My happiest childhood memories are of my dad taking me to the football and nothing was better than heading out to the Cricket ground on Saturday for the match of the round.....Whilst we are Tigers fans and I love watching games at Leichhardt, the Saturday game at the SCG was magical......The greats of the day left you in awe for their skills, talent and guts......I have been very fortunate to see some of the most talented fottballers play the game that I love. Benji Marshall definitely falls into that category, one of those special players who come along. ....He was a wonderful ambassador for the game both on and off the field....And yes some of those "freakish " plays he pulled off not only made me cheer but burst with pride because he was a tiger...... I was at the game yesterday at the SCG and lots of fond memories came rolling back....The Tigers showed us what we can look forward to in 2014.....They're a young side, Luke Brooks looks the goods and I feel this team could be the start of a new football dynasty........Benji looked good and his post match interview was brillant, he conducted himself both professionally and honestly....He admitted that it hadn't really ended the way he planned it... Which demonstrates that Benji Marshall is human, imperfect, and someone who makes mistakes just like the rest of us.....I wish Benji all the very best in his new endeavour, I hope he achieves everything that he desires in Union and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for giving us Tiger fans a premiership, spectacular football and wonderful memories.......

any of you guys ever consider that the Blues may be able to reinvent Benji next season? New code, new scenery, new challenges -- Benji is doing something different and I reckon he will flourish. Not to mention NZ rugby DOES NOT suffer rugby league fools lightly. I could NOT believe the fuss made about SBW when he started playing at 6-7 (whatever the position is) or even about his passing game; it became obvious that no-one in the NRL watch him play rugby in NZ over the years (just an observation). NZ rugby believes in the running game more than the wallabies; just watch an ITM Cup game (NZ domestic rugby competition) to see the running, passing, tries and big hits!

The problem with Benji, at least as how I see it, is that he hasn't been able to adapt his game over time and, subsequently, once the speed starts to wane and the passes don't stick as often he starts to look pretty washed up. He's always seems to be looking for the flashy play, always looking to be the hero even when the situation doesn't warrant it, and most tellingly, he hasn't matured as a footballer to the point where he can recognize and eliminate the howlers from his game like Joey, JT, Fittler, Lockyer, Langer etc were able to do. A case in point would be his stunning in-ability to find the sideline on a penalty kick. This year alone he's failed about 6 times and the times he is successful he only gains about 10 meters! That is just pathetic for an 11 year veteran! All in all Marshall is just too one dimensional as a player and I don't know if that's caused by arrogance on his part or inadequate leadership and coaching on the Tigers part or some combination of those. It could help explain why the Tigers have only made 3 finals appearances in his 11 year career. All in all I think Marshall has been a bit of a disappointment, sure he's got a heap of style but he's lacking a bit of substance.

That's the way he plays - he often threw crappy passes that missed the target but other passes came off with tries and they were winning so no-one cared - now they are poor he is taking the brunt.

Jealous about the money he gets,he gets it because of the fans that pay to go watch the games every week,pay for foxtel,give nine the ratings so they pay the billion to have the rights.if it wasn't for the fans they would all be playing park footy.must be the teams fault to when he doesn't find touch of a penalty that changes the momentum of the game.poor benji he lost his mates to the sharks,they are playing alright because it's about being a professional no matter what team and what players you have around you.if he wanted the million a year he should play like someone that deserves it.the all blacks mustn't because they won't top up his payment like they did for sonny

I DON'T BLAME BENJI. When he talks about Loyalty he is talking to those who were present when the Deal was made. Now if the club say's they will no longer Honour that Deal. The Question than becomes who is Disloyal?. And I can tell you now it aint Benji. So for those of you's who say the opposite know Nothing about Loyalty so just give it up. Go Benji and hope you succeed in Rugby Union. Brisbane Broncos Fan

Nice piece Dom. I was 27 when Benji threw that flick pass (and about 20 bourbon and cokes to the good) and it still puts a smile on my dial too. But it's time for him to move onto a new challenge - as we all need to do at times - and I have no hard feelings about it. I wish him nothing but every success in the next stage of his life and career.

Btw id like to say nice article, glad you aren't just trying to be like everyone else and write stuff about benji that he doesn't deserve! People like you are one of the rare jounalists i have respect for. No one does seem to remember all the good he has done for the wests tigers and also the nrl in general. Im waiting for next season to see who they will put the blame on when his gone, i don't blame him for leaving anymore he deserves way better then they way everyone has been talking about him.

Excuse me 'jack tiger' im guessing you go for tigers, but im not sure how you can call benji arrogant, selfish, overrated & over payed ? First of all he is not one bit arrogant, have you seen him in person? A few weeks ago at his last game at leichhardt oval there was a whole bunch of people waiting for him. Loyal tigers supporters. And he stayed and had a photo and signed things for every one of us. He got asked by some security if he wanted to leave while i was next to him and i clearly heard him say 'nah i want to stay and make sure everyone's got what they want'. On that same night 'legend' Peter sterling walked past me and two others, and we said hey sterlo, and he kept walking and said 'nah your seeing things' now that's what I call arrogant. If his selfish why didnt he leave when he was getting offered way more money from other places when he was in his peak? He stayed at the tigers because he is not one bit selfish. His not overrated - he has done more in the game then many people have, nor is he overpayed - do you have any idea how much money he has brought to the game in the past 11 or so years? lol

The blokes playing around him haven't been giving Benji anything to work with all season. They're just sitting back and making him look bad. When Benji found some room last night and through a pass out wide was it he or the outside backs standing flat on their heels and watching Pearce waltz trough the gap (the same gap that anyone of four Tigers players should have been running into) and score against the run of play? No it wasn't. When Ellis and Heinno and Beau were there then he got support. Now these clowns that the management have recruited just don't get it. They're all jealous of the money he commands and his talent and everything else that comes with being Benji. So go Benj, good luck with whatever the future holds for you, I for one will miss you in the NRL and congratulations on 200 first grade games, a great milestone by anyone's standards.

I cant believe the Blues have paid 1/2 a Mil for Benji, That would have to be some serious money for an untried player based in a small country and given how hes been playing for the last 3 years. He's openly said he wants to finish the season giving his best for the Tigers and from what ive seen since then his best is pretty bad and no wonder the Tigers fans have started a petition.

There hasn't been a worse end to a marvellous career since Changas white boots grand final...ask your father Dom.

All i could think of as i read this was that Youtube clip a few years back from that crazed crying Britney Spears fan ... "Leave Britney alone!" Benji hasn't had one bad season. He has done nothing for several seasons. He is a trick shot. Doesn't put his body on the line, makes soft mistakes, and sulks more and more. 2005 was eight long years ago. And when you listen to alot of the past players they are all seeing his lack of intensity and effort and they are commenting because footballers hate seeing players who don't put their body on the line - especially ones who are supposed ot be leaders. One cross field kick does not a season make I'm afriad.

Short memories yes, but his form isn't getting any better and I can't see him being worth half the money the Blues have payed him to go Union.

People are not putting crap on Marshall because of some hidden agenda, it is merely a reflection of his effort and performance and brings the critics (well most of them) no great joy