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.
Lawrie Barclay
Roar Rookie
I will admit up front that I am a Sharkie.......but for the good of the game we should consider how beneficial it would be to the game if Cronulla had a decent chance at a title. Picture this, Benji, Ennis, Robins, Morris, Lewis in the wheelhouse and supported by an engine room lead by Gallen,, Fifita, Graham feeding the outside guys. Finally a team with a backbone, players that will break Cronulla's psychological hurdle of failure once and for all. And we all know that has always been Cronulla's problem.....a loser's mentality.........let's add another winning team to the NRL and make tipping even harder for the sake of quality football.
Trenno
Guest
Benji's missus wants back into Sydney so anywhere out of NSW is totally out of the question. But even if it was he would be a bad pick. Lui has just been dropped because of his defense, this is why Thompson has been chosen at Half. Benji would be no better. Green has a defense first attitude so buy a turnstile is totally out of the question. If anything we need someone who can provide structure which hopefully Ray-Ray will provide.We dont need to buy a Hooker, we just need to give the right bloke his chance.Cameron King is coming back from injury, played his first game in a month for the Pride last weekend. He will get his chance at hooker at some stage and when he does everyone will be wondering why it took so long for his chance because he will make the position his own. With Tariq Sims heading down south next year the Cow's will be looking for a solid replacement - Chris McQueen has been touted which I personally hope come to fruition. Reithmuller is good at lock but doesn't fit into Green's 'Big is Better mantra', I think he deserves more of a run. Davin Crampton from the Pride would be another good pick-up as he can play in the forwards, in the backs and is a natural ball player which would be good off the bench. Speaking of which, the Cowboys need more mobility coming off the bench. Bolton, Hall and A.Sims are all props and with the game speeding up this year they have been found wanting. Ben Te'o may also be a good addition but McQueen would be better. Morgan will either get a chance to play Lock next year or come off the bench when Coote comes back or if Hezron Murgha gets a run at fullback. We are so close to having the squad to win a premiership we just need a couple of positional tweeks, one or two smart buys and bit of luck from the footy gods.
Dav
Guest
you think it gives me good insight Jimbo ;)
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
On recent evidence Marshall is well past his prime. The nail in the coffin for me was watching him being run down from behind by the 'Canes hooker. As a princess when a piggy does that to you it is time to consider your options. Retirement is probably the prime option.
Doug Graves
Guest
Benji should forget about an NRL return he's just not up to that standard anymore. Case in point, his last 2 years at the Tigers he was next to useless. He probably cost the Tigers 3-4 wins alone each season with his bad kicking, sideways running, stupid passing and general jackassery. Benji would be better of getting whatever contract he can in the UK and play out his career over there where less is expected from him.
Mantis
Roar Guru
We need a hooker more than anything
Jacksyd
Guest
Fact is, he switched to union after he was passed it as a NRL player and after failing there as well, I'm not sure why any NRL team would touch him. BM at his best or close to it would have ripped union apart, but we have to go back 2-3 yrs for that to have happened.
The eye
Guest
So explain the coach taking him out of there for this week..
eagleJack
Guest
That's probably the main reason why Benji's management would not have sounded out the Cowboys. I imagine after moving to Auckland where Zoe got a media gig, she would have demanded that if he is to go back to the NRL it would have to be either in Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne.
Cowboys
Guest
Shouldn’t have gotten rid of Segeyaro he was a local as well. Oh well that’s the salary and also stamps the big NO to your article they can’t afford him. Does the writer even know the NRL game? I have my doubts. Benji and JT are both flair players. What they have done can’t not be taught, its natural instinct. Any NRL fan will says there needs to be structure in the halves. Benji did well at the Tigers when Robert Lui was the structure half. Having two flair players would kill the season for the Cowboys. Benji should go to Melbourne etc.. I’ve had enough of this website today. This article is about two similar players playing in the same team, throwing out all team Structure. This basis of the article is just a fans boys wet dream. Clearly not a Cowboys fan, one would never accept Benji into the team after the rivalry from the 2005 GF.
Pikelet
Guest
Problem. Benji has a socialite wife that would no way move to Townsville.
Tigered
Guest
I agree, as a diehard tiger there are only 2 clubs that I would be comfortable with and that's the cowboys and warriors. Good fit for both clubs. If hegira to the sharks they will need a name change buy may also attract a major sponsor with all the tiger sharks hype. I wouldn't be surprised if no one signs him until 2016 due to the transfer fee the tigers will be asking for. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him join channel 9 commentary team and the footy show instead of playing this year. And go the tigers.....
Jimbo Jones
Guest
W(hy) aren't you sharing what you're smoking? It must be some really good stuff ...
Dav
Guest
Thompson's work at hooker end of last season was outstanding, and he is just now starting to get back into that form, I wouldn't move him if I were Green, I would put Morgan at 5/8 and slot Thurston back...
Dav
Guest
Mike, spot on...
The eye
Guest
Cowboys need a hooker who knows what he's doing..Ennis but preferably Ballin.
Mike from tari
Guest
Cowboys need a ball playing 2nd rower or Lock, they don't need Bengie.
Dav
Guest
To be brutally honest Fra-dog as nice as it would seem, there are some major negatives, salary cap is the major issue. Another being Benjamin's defence, and another being acceptance due to the 05 final and really you wouldn't put him through the pain of the irrelevance the Cows have to the N(SW)RL competition. If I was Thurston's management there would be serious discussions in light of the N(SW)RL bias on the Cows that he leave for a Sydney club, his great career is being infected at the Cows with Sydney jealously and their ability to puppet the cows due to there irrelevance in the larger supporter group. Which all concludes to the solution of let Thurston go and replace him Benji. Ironic that he would end up partnering with Lui again though? (A sad day it would be because Thurston has won the hearts of the Cows fans to the likes of Bowen, Bowman, Sing etc..)