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Benji Marshall is returning to the NRL, but as of yet we do not know what club he will be playing for.
Which brings up a good question – what team would receive the greater benefits of having a player of Marshall’s calibre?
I believe the North Queensland Cowboys would be best suited to accommodate the former Wests Tigers playmaker. I have to admit I am a beloved Cowboys supporter, and I do acknowledge other clubs also have good reasons for recruiting Marshall.
But here are the reasons I believe makes North Queensland the right choice.
Townsville
The Cowboys being based in the city of Townsville would be a major benefit for Marshall. It would help ease him back into the spotlight of returning to the NRL. The situation is on the same lines as when Willie Mason was looking for a new club after being let go by the Roosters. The Cowboys took a punt in signing him.
“If he signed, it would be good for him up here. He’d be coming to a town where we don’t get preyed upon by the media as much” said former Cowboy Aaron Payne before Mason signed.
This would be the same for Marshall as the limelight would be vastly decreased being away from the Sydney media-storm.
Johnathan Thurston
Even though he has only been away from the sport of rugby league for about seven months it will definitely take some time for Marshall to get up to speed of the game.
Particularly with the new ruck speed we are seeing this season, the former New Zealand captain will have to get used to it. So who better to play alongside then the best five-eighth in the game?
I personally would keep Michael Morgan at fullback, as he is showing glimpses every week that he could one day became an outstanding player in that position. So the solution is to play Marshall at halfback by replacing Robert Lui, who to be brutally honest has not been impressive at all in my opinion. Benji and JT in the halves has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
Marshall Magic
The Cowboys this season have been missing the spark left by the release of Matthew Bowen last year, with their attack being dismal and ill effective.
All clubs need an X-factor to provide a winning edge, particularly with the competition being so even these days. Marshall could be the solution to this problem.
There are only so many players who can create something out of nothing. Ben Barba and Anthony Milford are two that come to mind, and Marshall is a player I regard in the same bracket.
If the Cowboys did somehow sign up Marshall, he may be able to redeem himself to the North Queensland supporters for that famous flick pass in the 2005 grand final. He could become a hero by helping the Cowboys claim their inaugural NRL title this year.
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