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Benji Marshall has signed with the St George-Illawarra Dragons, after rejecting an offer to join the Cronulla Sharks.
Marshall has been talking with a number of NRL clubs, with negotiations coming down to the Dragons and Sharks.
“I’m very excited to be back in the NRL and grateful to the Dragons for the opportunity to represent this great club,” said Marshall.
“To me, the Dragons are a team on the rise which I am very keen to be a part of. I’m looking forward to meeting all the boys and getting back into training and try to earn a spot in the team.”
Coach Steve Price is delighted by the half’s decision, and believes he will provide an exciting dimension to the roster.
“Benji is a quality player who I believe will bring that real “x-factor”, especially in our attack,” said Price.
“I have met with him a couple of times, he is a very proud man who wasn’t happy with how his rugby league career ended and is really determined to make the most of his second chance in rugby league.
“He is fit, he trained at number 15, fullback in rugby union throughout the off-season and it will not take too long for him to get back into the swing of rugby league. He is a winner, a senior player who will be a great fit for our squad.”
Dragons CEO Peter Doust is pleased by Marshall’s decisionr.
“Benji is a marquee player but, more importantly, we believe he comes with the right attitude of playing rugby league again and doing so with the Dragons,” said Doust.
“There is no doubt also that he is a very marketable athlete for our Club and I believe the game and I know that the playing squad are pleased to welcome him to our roster.
“We are looking forward to his contributions both on and off the field.”
Cronulla’s chief executive Steve Noyce made the following statement, noting that Marshall chose not to rejoin a number of his old friends at the club:
“We made Benji a very good offer and are disappointed he won’t be joining our club,” Noyce said.
“We have strong values surrounding mateship here at the Sharks and with a collection of his good friends at the club thought that may have swayed him. As it turned out that obviously wasn’t the priority for him with his final decision. We can accept that and we wish him well.
“It must be said in Todd Carney, who is on a long term contract here, and Jeff Robson who has been terrific for us this year, along with others we have coming through our lower grades, we certainly have quality players in the halves and confidence in their ability to do the job for us.”
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