While there was always a chance Benji Marshall would return and play against the Wests Tigers, few could’ve predicted it would happen so soon.
Not even 12 months after Marshall’s release from the Tigers to take up an offer with Super Rugby franchise the Auckland Blues, Benji returns as a St George Illawarra Dragon.
Not only is Marshall back in the NRL and playing for one of the Tigers’ modern-day rivals, he also faces the kids whom the Tigers boldly invested their money in, leaving Marshall feeling just a little unwanted.
While the likes of James Tedesco and David Nofoaluma will be missing, Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses and Curtis Sironen are reminders of why Marshall was cut loose, despite having two years left on his contract.
Marshall’s departure was a win-win scenario. Benji was out of form. In his own words he was lazy, out shape and stale. He needed a shake up. He thought the move to rugby would give him a new lease of life. Perhaps it did, but his failed stint in Super Rugby appears to have become his shake up.
Benji realised that the auto pilot function he spent the past few years of his life on wasn’t enough. It wasn’t pretty and the only way back for Benji was to start again.
The Dragons, in desperate need of a playmaker, made the move for Marshall and despite some early signs of struggle, things appear to be progressing well. Marshall’s form has steadily improved, complementing the attacking threats of Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop. There is now plenty of optimism for Dragons fans.
But what of the Tigers? As I touched on earlier, Benji’s release from the Tigers was a win for both parties. Marshall got the move he sorely needed and the Tigers freed up significant money, allowing them to lock up almost all of their highly regarded juniors.
Now this Sunday Marshall will go head to head with Luke Brooks, a kid he was nurturing only 12 months ago. Then there’s Mitchell Moses, on fire last weekend. Both Moses and Brooks credit Marshall for helping them during his final days at Wests. Now they’ll look to get one over him in what shapes as one heck of match!
tigerdave
Guest
I agree Widdop is the one who got awat from Melbourne and they will live to regret it. I don't know if Benji is up to that standard now. The former Golden boot winner seems to eb tthriving with Widdop but he is stilla turnstile, still makes terrible defensive reads and hos front on tackling isn't getting better. If he hasn't approved that by now, it's never going to happen.
Conner
Guest
Well actually mate, they cut him loose in the sense that he wanted to leave and they had the say. That's the correction of something you had to go and fail.
Charles NSW
Guest
Having Widdop in as the other half has helped Benji tremendously. These two have the talent to be one of the best halves in the competition over time.
Francis C
Guest
Correction - your article needs some editing. He wasn't cut loose. He left. Get your facts right buddy.