Benji A Dragon!

[tumbidragon]

The two week "trial" for a 1/2 continues.Your turn next Benji.

Yep. What's It been? Witt>Williams>Quinlan>Witt>Williams>Bunji. Fmd Pricey...

 

[gregstar]

Didn't Stanley get a go as well this season?

 

[tumbidragon]

Nah, think he's just been used as bench hooker. May of filled in Rnd1 after Witt's early injury though? f**k It! We'll count It lol.

 

[dragon-83]

I nearly fell off my seat when Benji said that the dragons have a solid fwd pack oh plz. Did see the games against the roosters, broncos and rabbits lol!

 

[MadPie]

Cant wait!! Dont forget those 30 yard cut out passes to the wingers...Morris and Nightingale licking their lips....

Too bad he'll be throwing them from 15 yards out.

Might work out ok though if you have that same touch judge from the GF

 

[getsmarty]

Benji Marshall joins Dragons with a point to prove

By ADAM PENGILLY

May 9, 2014, 9:30 p.m.

New recruit Benji Marshall is welcomed to the Dragons by coach Steve Price. Picture: GETTY IMAGES

RUGBY LEAGUE

Lazy and too comfortable in his former NRL life, a rejuvenated Benji Marshall is convinced he has left a troubled finish to his Wests Tigers career behind him as he prepares for his rugby league second coming.
Moments after ending drawn-out negotiations which sealed his return to the NRL with the Dragons, the 29-year-old said he’d rediscovered his spark for the game after a failed rugby union stint.
And he could make his Red V debut as soon as next weekend with coach Steve Price set to mull over parachuting the premiership winner straight into a mouth-watering halves combination with Gareth Widdop.

The Dragons will face the Eels at Pirtek Stadium next Saturday.




Marshall on Friday evening confirmed he had spurned interest from Cronulla to ink a 2-year deal with the Dragons.
He said he was prepared to do whatever it took to win over the confidence of his new teammates, whom he will train with for the first time on Tuesday.
‘‘I’ve definitely got a point to prove, not to everyone else but to myself,’’ Marshall said. ‘‘I left on a low and my form was terrible.
‘‘I guess that came down to attitude at the time. It was probably down to laziness and getting too comfortable. This move to the Dragons gets me out of my comfort zone.
‘‘Am I past my best? No. Is it going to take time? Probably. I feel I’ve got back the desire and ambition to be at my best.’’
Marshall had imposed a 5pm Friday deadline on the Dragons to table a formal offer after days of discussions with St George Illawarra top brass.
At 3.30pm his manager notified the Sharks he was accepting an offer from the Dragons.
The deal will keep Marshall in Wollongong until the end of 2016.
Dragons boss Peter Doust denied Marshall’s capture was a gamble despite his form dipping with the Tigers and his failure to make an impact on the 15-man game with the Auckland Blues.
‘‘We’re confident – absolutely confident – he’s going to deliver ... in his next career phase,’’ Doust said. ‘‘He doesn’t look too old to me and he sounds like a young person who’s enthusiastic about this opportunity.’’
Now the Dragons will be forced to juggle their roster for next season and beyond.
Halves Sam Williams and Michael Witt are both off contract at the end of the season and likely to be caught in the halfback squeeze with Marshall arriving.
Utility Kyle Stanley’s deal also runs out at the end of this year.
But Marshall had the support of Dragons senior players when an opportunity came knocking, even though Price wouldn’t guarantee him a walk-up start in the top squad.
‘‘I’ve consulted a number of players in our playing group and not a lot is going to change,’’ Price said. ‘‘There’s no promises and we’ve got the right structures and systems in place and that will continue.’’
Marshall’s former club, Wests Tigers, are expected to seek compensation from the Dragons as he left the joint venture with two years to run on his deal. But it’s understood they don’t anticipate blocking his return to rugby league.
It is believed the Sharks offer was $100,000 less than what was on the table from the Dragons.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...l-joins-dragons-with-a-point-to-prove/?cs=302

 

[GT0007]

As a tigers supporter I'll say congrats saints. Benjis time with Tigers was done but sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. If benji plays to 75% of his ability he will win you games. At tigers he was playing at less than 50% of his ability for his last 2 seasons but who knows he might come good again. I sure hope he does, except of course, against us.

Nice post mate, it's too easy for some to forget we are all league fans

 

[GT0007]

Think you'd find there is a mixed reaction on the Sharks forum and I'm sure its the same in these parts. I don't think anyone could deny Bunji's marketability.....he's second only possibly to SBW in that regard. He could have been very valuable to the Sharks in that regard. My only concern for you guys is the fact that while you have possibly one of the best backlines in the Nrl....I think most of you would realise that you are a couple of big forwards away from having anything like a dominating pack. (With the exception of Merrin and Creagh & Fritz on a good day). Crucial for you guys to jag a couple of big boppers in the off season to give Bunji the go-forward and hence the room to create his magic. I will be among plenty of footy fans that'll be very interested to see how it all pans out. Get the feeling that it's a bit of a last roll of the dice for both Doust and the Chinless one. Best of luck with Bunji guys....(with the exception of the return derby of course!)

Good call thx for your view

 

[GT0007]

Hopefully Benji uses his marketability to increase our fan base, but also importantly, decrease the age of our fan base. Our fan base is ageing, and we can't be relying on the older generation forever. We don't seem to have any element of a young and hip culture like e.g. Tigers, Dogs, Warriors and Souths (to an extent) do.

Lack of consistant recent success, I'm sure we picked up a few fans in 2009-2010. I converted my partner from a Bronco fan during that period or otherwise she would be an ex!

 

[GT0007]

Disagree regarding the comparison to mundine & blake.

They had quiet games where they didn't get involved. They never had shockers.

Marshall has shockers when he's not on his game. Furthermore, you could count the good games Benji has had since '05 on both hands of a leper.

Benji always had to try too hard and do everything, he never played with anyone on widdops level.

 

[GT0007]

About a year ago I said Marshall would be a Dragon in 2014.

Now it's full steam ahead for Sheens

I said a year ago we would have Sheens for better or worse but never saw Marshall coming til 3 weeks ago but makes sense..... I guess

 

[natheel]

Honestly think the Dragons was his best option. Having so many ex-tigers at the Sharks could cause Benji to fall into a comfort zone where at the Saints he may see it as a 100% new change and fresh start. Good luck to him and hope we see him in round 10 v Eels at Parra

 

[Slippery Morris]

Benji with a good half beside him is great news. He lacked that at the Tigers since Prince left. Apart from Lui he had all juniors and unknowns like Moltzen, Sironen, etc. He will be awesome. It will also improve Widdop's game. Can't wait. Who would of thought Saints would have a backline with Dugan, Marshall and Widdop 14 months ago. Throw in Moz, Nighty and Beale and it is one of the best backlines Saints have had in many years.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Benji choosing Saints also proves he is out there to get stuck in and prove he still is a great player especially after last seasons bagging. If he went to Sharks it would have been the easy option and just so he can be with his mates.

 

[saints4me]

Yep....Looking forward to watching his combinations with Widdop.
Welcome to the greatest club in the world Benji.

 

[Willow]

Think you'd find there is a mixed reaction on the Sharks forum

I meant at the club. Did you read their press release?

 

[DUB888]

Benji with a good half beside him is great news. He lacked that at the Tigers since Prince left. Apart from Lui he had all juniors and unknowns like Moltzen, Sironen, etc. He will be awesome. It will also improve Widdop's game. Can't wait. Who would of thought Saints would have a backline with Dugan, Marshall and Widdop 14 months ago. Throw in Moz, Nighty and Beale and it is one of the best backlines Saints have had in many years.

Benji choosing Saints also proves he is out there to get stuck in and prove he still is a great player especially after last seasons bagging. If he went to Sharks it would have been the easy option and just so he can be with his mates.

Agree Slippery , He clearly wanted to sign with us. He sees the potential in the team moving forward. I think (and hope) Price's time is up and gives Doust the mandate to employ a quality NRL coach and new support staff which will bring sponsorship , marketing and most importantly "The Fans".

 

[St Georgio]

Wayne Bennett take 2?

 

[jenninga]

how thrilling; another d*ckhead.

Interesting you have your photo on all your posts because you really are a muppet

 

[jenninga]

Agree Slippery , He clearly wanted to sign with us. He sees the potential in the team moving forward. I think (and hope) Price's time is up and gives Doust the mandate to employ a quality NRL coach and new support staff which will bring sponsorship , marketing and most importantly "The Fans".

I like what Benji said in the pressa,exactly what we hoped to see,a humble champ who is hungry for more success .
12 months ago we were sceptical with the Duges,hopefully Benji thrives as much as the Duges has.