Benji and Teammate almost come to blows

[Bricey]

Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall almost came to blows with a team-mate at training as tempers flared in a heated session at Concord Oval.

Marshall and 114kg rookie prop Andrew Fifita had to be separated by forward Chris Heighington during a tense face-off.
The problems came after Fifita put a shoulder shot on Marshall, who was clearly upset by the treatment from a player trying to make his mark at the club.
Fifita, who with identical twin brother David played in the Toyota Cup last year, confirmed that Marshall had taken offence at the tackle.
But Fifita stressed there was no malice intended in the tackle.
The 20-year-old said the hit was just a rookie prop trying to impress the coaching staff.
"Benji was going off and we just had a little push and shove and that . . . but that happens you know," Fifita said.
"I'm just a kid learning the game. I can't wait to get a run in the first trial and try to impress the right judges and go from there. It's unreal."
Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah missed the flare-up, but he was sporting a cut in the corner of his right eye and a swollen left hand after the heavy training session.
There is no suggestion the Tigers hooker was involved in the incident, but he confirmed the Tigers had stepped up the intensity in the past month.
"I didn't see anything like that (the Marshall showdown), but I can tell you we've been ripping in, mouthguards and all," Farah said.
"It's a good thing to see at this time of the year. Now is the time of year when you do all the hard work to prepare for the season ahead."
Fifita made a name for himself monstering opponents in the Toyota Cup and was a key member of the Tigers side beaten 24-22 by Melbourne Storm in the grand final.
Last October, both Andrew Johns and Wendell Sailor labelled the front-rower, who originally hails from Griffith, as the best player in the decider.
The rookie prop is set to serve as a back-up for regular props Keith Galloway, Jason Cayless, Bryce Gibbs and Todd Payten.
Fellow Tigers rookie Robert Louis confirmed Heighington rushed in to stand up for Marshall and cool the situation.
"Yeah, Fifita got Benji with a pretty good shot and he wasn't too happy about it," Louis said.
"Then Heighno (Heighington) came running in to stand up for Benji."
The flare-up will be welcome news to Tigers fans as the 2005 premiers hope to play their first finals series since the watershed premiership - as long as Marshall doesn't get hurt fighting out of his weight division.

 

[macnaz]

lol funny stuff, not a great idea to fight with ya team mates but it does show he has a bit of fire in the belly. I didnt realise he was 114 kg , with that size and a good atitude he could end up with a permanent 1st grade spot. I think he is going to be great player of the future from what ive seen so far , he also is handy scoring tries . I was worried about our pack this year but knowing the fifita bros are waiting for a chance i think we are well covered.

 

[westie]

Would surprise me if these brothers do anything. Seem like big lazy dopes to me.

 

[bubblesunlimited]

Would surprise me if these brothers do anything. Seem like big lazy dopes to me.

Westie, unfortunately I do not think you are too far from the mark.

they lack that certain something......

Time will tell and i hope we turn out to be wrong.

 

[slammingsam]

Well Andrew is certainly the better of the two.
He has great attacking ability - seems a little lazy though and would have to loose a few kgs too.

 

[snickers007]

Benji needs to suck it up. What's he going to do when an actual first grader puts a shot on him?

 

[TrigaTheTiger]

Guys.

This is a good thing.

1. Young fella's feel they can get a chance if they perform
2. They are taking pre=season training seriously for once

Snickers - Its a generally accepted rule that forwards don't put big hits on the halves in training.
In NFL - Quarter Backs wear different coloured jerseys in training specifically so they dont get hit.

We dont want to lose B before the season just because someone wants to make a name for himself.

If Fifita wants to make a name for himself he should have floored Galloway or someone bigger than him.

 

[alien]

Andrew Fifita will get his chance in firstgrade this year. Every team gets injuries in the forwards and Andrew is probably the first or second backup.

 

[westie]

If he's in our front row, we're f**ked.

 

[Borat.]

If he's in our front row, we're f**ked.

haven't seen anything to suggest this guy wont make the very top level- getting big wraps by former palyers and was wonderful in the TYC GF

 

[alien]

According to westie, Heighington should be playing in the NSW Cup and Ben Reynolds was the best player never to play for Australia.

 

[TimmyB]

Don't rate Fifita either. He just doesn't seem to hit the line that hard. It's all well and good dominating at U/20s level, but it's a huge step up for prop forwards; more than in any other position imo.

 

[alien]

Yeah don't expect him to be a star straight away. He is still very young but with the right coaching and attitude he could be good. He is only a backup player this year. I expect him to play most of the year in NSW Cup unless we have a few long term injuries in the front row.

 

[meltiger]

Aren't the twins young enough for another TYC season?


As for the article - meh, what a nothing story. though yeah, would prefer Marshall stays uninjured before at least r1 lol

 

[N.C.]

A hit on Marshall? Wow. Who next - Fitzy? What a shame Gallants not on the books anymore. If this guy wants to impress, go put a shot on Ellis or Gibbs. Cat.

 

[mcfly]

At times even the backs have troubles putting Marshall down...

...sounds like he is mobile prop? Good mix if he's 115kg.

Sounds like he's got some ticker... good to hear.

A hit on Marshall? Wow. Who next - Fitzy? What a shame Gallants not on the books anymore. If this guy wants to impress, go put a shot on Ellis or Gibbs. Cat.

 

[DanOz]

Guys.

This is a good thing.

1. Young fella's feel they can get a chance if they perform
2. They are taking pre=season training seriously for once

Snickers - Its a generally accepted rule that forwards don't put big hits on the halves in training.
In NFL - Quarter Backs wear different coloured jerseys in training specifically so they dont get hit.

We dont want to lose B before the season just because someone wants to make a name for himself.

If Fifita wants to make a name for himself he should have floored Galloway or someone bigger than him.

Agree - put Keith, Todd or Jason on their arses and I would be impressed. Lockyer smashed Marshall, its nothing to beat your chest about.

 

[westie]

At times even the backs have troubles putting Marshall down...

...sounds like he is mobile prop? Good mix if he's 115kg.

Sounds like he's got some ticker... good to hear.

It would be a good mix if he was 115kg of fast muscle.

 

[DanOz]

It would be a good mix if he was 115kg of fast muscle.

Like Daine Laurie...

 

[scarcev]

Like Daine Laurie...

Daine Laurie had nothing, take off the dreads and the publicity and hes another run of the mill footballer with a poor attitude trying to get into FG. Laurie has terrible hands, is a poor defensive read, has poor tackling technique, is lazy in defence and I remember the night he started the game out at Cambo and looked over and he is in the defensive line with his hands on his knees after 4 minutes!! Fifita might be no better at the moment but he is 7years younger with a better attitude and half the salary, I know who Id rather.