Is Benji Marshall’s career approaching a tragic finale? And is this the death knell for the game’s ‘we’ll fit you in somewhere’ attitude towards off-contract blokes in their 40s?
With no offers on the table and his Dragons career officially nuked, it seems the attacking artiste is set to be callously abandoned on the doorstep of footy’s facility for the aged.
It proves rugby league – the game built on loyalty – is now loyal to nothing except being a ruthless shrew.
Remember the days when free agents in their twilight would always find a home, no matter how many functional hamstrings they were down to? When supple rules and creative accounting could create ‘room on the roster’ at a club for an old stager who still had ‘something to offer’?
These were the grand old days of loose administration that helped Jason Smith reach 250 games on a final contract of tobacco.
The sad reality now is these sorts of sunset nicotine deals are a thing of the past, which is a real commercial shame, because we all know the kids love their smokes.
So what’s the prediction of the people? Will the 31-year-old Kiwi be granted one last chance to boost his super while being fitted for a Smokey Dawson chair? Or will the salary cap continue to bite, and thusly, blow?
Here’s his top life choices presented to you in the way most things are shoved down our throats these days – as a betting market.
Media: $1.50
For a media darling like Benji, no wonder this is the standout option. He is an impressive orator and more savvy than those average 250-gamers with severe, long-term concussion. He’s engaging, candid and not Beau Ryan. Already he sounds appealing to network executives.
As any former great will tell you, talkin’ footy for money is an institution. What makes it such an attractive industry is the fact there’s no salary cap and they’ll take anyone. Basically, it’s all of the best parts of footy without the bone bruising and communal showering.
Almost unbackable.
Coaching: $4
Does Marshall have the chutzpah to deal with those day-to-day headaches of coaching, like juggling personalities and ushering out washed-up playmakers?
Becoming an a-hole disciplinarian over your former peers is usually the domain of those fiercely clinging to the last remnants of their footballing identity.
In fact, 98 per cent say they coach out of pure desperation to retain their rugby league selfhood. The remaining two per cent is Mal Meninga, who does it purely to nark Wayne Bennett.
I’m not sure mentoring suits Benji. Much like George Costanza’s God-given ability to parallel park, teaching kids about genius ankles and how to get caught in possession on the fifth tackle is pure instinct. These talents simply cannot be coached.
Possible, but not probable.
Melbourne: $8
Blake Green is leaving the Storm. Marshall can point to Victoria on a map. What more do you need?
Benji has made it clear he is desperate to return to his trademark running game, where he was flamboyant and off-the-cuff. It would fit perfectly with Craig Bellamy’s style.
Take the silly price on offer. Frankly, I can’t see where this could go wrong.
Parramatta: $12
Not as crazy as you think. The Eels are in the market, and Brad Arthur needs an excuse to ensure Jeff Robson doesn’t renege on retiring.
However, if you viewed Parramatta as a pie chart of risk/reward, you’d probably never eat another pie again.
Take it in an each-way bet, with a failed third party agreement.
England: $31
The Super League forms the trifecta with media and coaching as the mistreated fallback booty calls of the retired footballer. For earning such an honourable title after decades of being the last girl on the dance floor when the lights come on, it definitely deserves a mention.
Unfortunately though, Benji’s already ruled this out as an option. Plus he’s way too young to be playing Super League.
Newcastle: $51
The pitiful Knights organisation exists as a real option for Marshall while ever it maintains its wide range of unattractive qualities as an employer.
Newcastle are so hungry for talent they are linked with anything and everything. The other day, there were rumoured to be in discussions with a cupcake. The whisper grew legs, and next thing, Matt Gidley was on the phone to Sara Lee.
Shame it’s all rubbish though – they could do with the sugar high.
Benji joining forces with the Knights is a highly unlikely outcome, but at least there’s one thing going for it – he’s willing to take a paycut, and they have no money.
John
Guest
I feel for Benji, I wonder if he decided to hang up the boots last year would we have the same sort of comments we have from people on Ennis' and Parker's retirements.
kiwijack
Guest
I agree Widdop is not so flash without Slater, Smith and co.
FrustratedDragon
Guest
At the end of the day Benji has no one to blame but himself and his ego. When the dragons offered to extend his contract for $300,000 he said no thanks and Believed he was worth more. Eventually he showed he didn't have it anymore and that offer was his best and maybe only option. I'm happy he said no because tasty would really have been a waste of the Dragons cap. Greed got the better of him and now he's paying for it.
Benedict Arnold
Roar Rookie
I'm afraid Benji Marshall should just hang up the boots and retire. He, in my opinion, is riding on his reputation for things he has done in the past but has been very ordinary as of late. There are some aspects of his game that just don't work like they used to, defence is much better, and running sideways no longer is effective. Some of his impulse passes and kicks to nowhere are things that, I believe, have crept into his game over the years and are such bad habits that I don't believe he can unlearn them. It's case of only benji knows what benji is doing. You can't form a cohesive combination on the field if your team mates don't know what you may pull out of the bag on any given play. People are saying structure may suit him but I'm not convinced. Players who play to their own tune get found out a lot these days, hell, even DCE looked abysmal when he was allowed steer the ship for the maroons when cronk broke his arm. He looked ordinary and that was in an amazing team partnered in the halves with JT. Benji just seems to always go for a big play, but really, how often can you pull those off? I honestly hope he kicks off a long and rewarding post NRL career in the media because I think he presents well and offers a different point of view to a lot of the other personalities.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Parra is the only club where you could make anything even close to a convincing argument that Benji was going to strengthen the halves.
The Barry
Roar Guru
One way or another, it would be fascinating to watch. I'm hoping it's the storm...
Celtic334
Guest
I'm leaning towards benji becoming a bench utility. Someone to come on the field with 20 to go to snipe at dummy half. Plus having him in the bench would provide cover in the halves if injuries occur. It'd prob also prolong his career. A team like the raiders or Titans would be a perfect fit for this.
terry
Guest
Ha certainly not in the tough world of NZ Rugby
nopuritan
Guest
give the kid a dog suit and a movie deal!
GD66
Guest
Might be time to get a (gulp) JOB, son....
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Benji embarks on an entrepreneurial mission after obtaining the rights from the NRL to launch a collectors range of action figures. The dolls are only mailed to fans after winning them in a Pokemon' Go style play of augmented reality. Thousands of people are seen lining the streets attempting to kick, catch, and pass invisible footballs. Some of the collectables are exceptionally rare, with The Benji Marshall action doll being the prized possession of the lot. The only way to obtain the Benji doll is to scale Mount Cook in New Zealand and perform an intricate flick pass and regather to oneself at the peak. Benji becomes the first person the collect the entire range of action figures and sells them to David Middleton on Ebay for the equivalent of 4 years NRL salary.
The EYE-BALL Opinion
Roar Pro
Well - what does one say, everyone has an opinion on Benji. Coach Sheens was probably the only coach he ever had any respect for, and sadly, his cross field running style no longer suits the modern game. Coaches since Sheens have never focused on turning Benji into something they want in a halfback, they have left him alone to do his thing and therein lies the problem. These days he has his bad days, and the occassional better day, but never a good day. Hhe has become a punching bag for coaches with little to offer a team on the skids. Blame Benji, blame the halves lack of everything needed. He was great once, sadly never again as the game has moved on. You can't retrain an old circus lion, and as willing as Benji is to play NRL, he is embarrassing himself taking paycuts just to stay on the field. Move on Benji and hold you head high.
The EYE-BALL Opinion
Roar Pro
Common - best 'YouTube highlights reel' ... did you not see the Hayne NFL highlights reel ...
Rod
Guest
He would fit perfectly into Australian rugby than.
Jacko
Guest
Im disappointed that St George believe its all Benji's fault. Ive watched Widdop play for a number of seasons now and he is not an inventive no 6 at all. He plays like a lazy backrower. I would have liked Mary to play Benji at 7 with this new guy to see if Widdop is the problem. Mary is getting rid of Benji yet when Benji missed about 7 games thru injury this year Saints still lost so a bit hard to blame him. I hope he goes to Melbourne as a decent coach there but whether he plays on or retires I have loved watching him over the years and will miss hiss ability to do the impossible in a game fast becoming mechanical
terry
Guest
Forget Rugby too slow cant tackle
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Billy slater comeback ..... Tell him he's dreamin .
Curaeus
Guest
I just have a feeling Benji might get a 1 year deal back at the Tigers as an experienced back up for the two young halves and maybe as a cover for Teddy
MAX
Guest
jamesb; excellent observations. Marshall & Farah @ Redfern, given their form sheet(s) may see the end of Madge. On the other hand, Farah would be on a bigger earn of rabbit droppings than what they would pay for Benji. That may cause friction when a pass is wide of the mark.
MAX
Guest
The Dane Eldridge Pearl Farm never stops producing that special and compelling read. On Thursday you gave us one of your best of the season : a beautiful Black Tahitian and today a top quality white. After last nights exhibition at Ammi I reckon Benji should head south to aid and comfort the great Bellyache. He needs someone to give Coop a rest. The Storm understand the Kiwi language so Benji should not have the problems he faced understanding the English dragon at Kogarah. Incidentally your piece on Thursday must have been a prime mover to inspire the most exhilarating and skilful exhibition of ball handling this season. Wayne engaged a Kiwi guru to encourage his troops to "trust the ball" Dane, there has to be a future for you in the ''mind games sporting arena" Trust the Dane.