Benji is getting even worse

[Magpies Forever]

After he was dropped to the bench there was an article where Benji was quoted and not once did he use Potter's name, it was only 'the coach'. Benji continues to suffer from a damaged ego and he seems unwilling to accept new ways and demands on him to change the way things were done before (ie under Sheens). This non acceptance of the new way is manifesting itself on the field- despite being given the privilege and responsibility of captain in Farah's absence- he seems unwilling to really put his heart into it and step up.

He should be fronted and face demands to either accept the new way an Potter or leave right now before the 30 June deadline. Our club deserves better what Benji is prepared to give at this time. It cannot go on.

 

[deemac77]

HORRIBLE... How can he even consider himself as captain material after hes last few performances.
If hes offered another contract past 2015 i wont support them....

 

[macnaz]

After he was dropped to the bench there was an article where Benji was quoted and not once did he use Potter's name, it was only 'the coach'. Benji continues to suffer from a damaged ego and he seems unwilling to accept new ways and demands on him to change the way things were done before (ie under Sheens). This non acceptance of the new way is manifesting itself on the field- despite being given the privilege and responsibility of captain in Farah's absence- he seems unwilling to really put his heart into it and step up.

He should be fronted and face demands to either accept the new way an Potter or leave right now before the 30 June deadline. Our club deserves better what Benji is prepared to give at this time. It cannot go on.

I think you have summed it up nicely . The more i think about it id rather not give him the option to improve, because we have exposed his real character and pride for the club and should future adversity arise we will just see this shit surface again from him.

 

[Magpies Forever]

I think you have summed it up nicely . The more i think about it id rather not give him the option to improve, because we have exposed his real character and pride for the club and should future adversity arise we will just see this shit surface again from him.

Yep. Saints did it with Soward in somewhat similar circumstances, we can do it with Marshall. WT need to grow some balls. It will sure send a message to any other prima donna in the squad. Blair seems to have got the message and is playing a bit better now as a prop in rotation (although I still want him out or reduced contract).

 

[Trollhammaren]

After he was dropped to the bench there was an article where Benji was quoted and not once did he use Potter's name, it was only 'the coach'. Benji continues to suffer from a damaged ego and he seems unwilling to accept new ways and demands on him to change the way things were done before (ie under Sheens). This non acceptance of the new way is manifesting itself on the field- despite being given the privilege and responsibility of captain in Farah's absence- he seems unwilling to really put his heart into it and step up.

He should be fronted and face demands to either accept the new way an Potter or leave right now before the 30 June deadline. Our club deserves better what Benji is prepared to give at this time. It cannot go on.

In fairness, Benji often referred to Sheens only as 'coach' as well in the media so I wouldn't read too much into that.

That being said, he is getting worse and that's very concerning. I wouldn't be unhappy to have him move on and get some players in who have a dig. Last night Benji was abysmal.

 

[hutch]

Yep. Saints did it with Soward in somewhat similar circumstances, we can do it with Marshall. WT need to grow some balls. It will sure send a message to any other prima donna in the squad. Blair seems to have got the message and is playing a bit better now as a prop in rotation (although I still want him out or reduced contract).

Difference is, soward has always been a gimp. Benji is one of the most talented players of his generation and a recent golden boot winner. Instead of trying to boot him from the club ASAP, we should be trying to figure out what is wrong so we can get him back to his best. He needs a halfback to run the show, he may have the number 6 on his back but it is pretty clear that he is the halfback. I am not willing to write him off yet, but he also needs a shift in attitude on his behalf. He has never defended that bad before, it was horrible.

 

[Magpies Forever]

In fairness, Benji often referred to Sheens only as 'coach' as well in the media so I wouldn't read too much into that.

That being said, he is getting worse and that's very concerning. I wouldn't be unhappy to have him move on and get some players in who have a dig. Last night Benji was abysmal.

I've just gone and googled 'Benji Marshall on Tim Sheens' and he consistently uses 'Tim', not 'the coach' time after time with only a few exceptions that I saw. Maybe its the search terms I used but, IMHO, I think there is something to it. However we generally agree that Benji's time is up.

 

[deemac77]

What are the serious chances of him being dropped to NSW cup in the next few weeks if nothing improves.
Honest. Do you think Potter would do this?

With Anasta out for a further few weeks, its simply not an option as much as what its probably needed. Its not like we are going to make the finals or anything so may as well...

I cant honestly see any club seriously wanting to buy him, oh wait theres always Cronulla.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Instead of trying to boot him from the club ASAP, we should be trying to figure out what is wrong so we can get him back to his best.

Do you honestly believe he will ever get back to his best?

 

[b.bear]

Tedesco does some things well, but has no idea how to chime into the backline. He needs to develop a passing game.

Sort of agree , I dont quiet see what everyone is raving about about. I think he is getting praised for doing things that really are expected of a half way decent fullback.There is potential but he is no world beater yet..

 

[37916319]

All this talk about our pack being the problem is bullshit, its a problem, its not the problem.

You could not pay me to watch that game again but i would love to know how many we were between the 35-50m line and this dope chipped, spread the ball on the last (i recall Reddy kicking 3 times) or kicked down the throat of the winger/fullback.

If Benji continually kicked straight into the corners rather than his fancy hook kicks and/or found touch at least once anywhere in the Broncos 30m then we can blame anyone and everyone. BUT the field position he gave the Broncos meant we had to continually work it from our 10m, each and every bloody set.

When we were holding our own in the middle he would spread it, when we needed a good kick he would spread it and when he should have run he would spread it, maybe he can move on to a marketing role at Nutella.

 

[Radical Rat]

All this talk about our pack being the problem is bullshit, its a problem, its not the problem.

You could not pay me to watch that game again but i would love to know how many we were between the 35-50m line and this dope chipped, spread the ball on the last (i recall Reddy kicking 3 times) or kicked down the throat of the winger/fullback.

If Benji continually kicked straight into the corners rather than his fancy hook kicks and/or found touch at least once anywhere in the Broncos 30m then we can blame anyone and everyone. BUT the field position he gave the Broncos meant we had to continually work it from our 10m, each and every bloody set.

When we were holding our own in the middle he would spread it, when we needed a good kick he would spread it and when he should have run he would spread it, maybe he can move on to a marketing role at Nutella.

But this is the point, he is not a kicker, he is not a good defender. As Hutch stated, Benji needs a solid halfback to do all the organising and all the kicking. And he also needs a solid defender to protect him in the defensive line. He's not the first playmaker that's needed that.

It has been pointed out that Benji is playing first receiver again. He is absolutely horrible at first receiver.

His role needs to be completely redefined. Watch the way Albert Kelly is playing for the Titans at the moment. He has a roving role, sniffs around the edges, backs up the forward always looking for an offload. He has Sezer to do everything else. Benji needs to strip down 5kg's to get his agility back and that's exactly how I'd like to see him utilised.

IMO Benji could still have something to offer and I think it's worth trying something out of the box like this before getting rid of him.

In saying all that, if he is given a contract extension, it has to be severely reduced.

 

[madunit]

So you agree he should be punted then? Good.

I'm definitely not opposed to dropping him out of the 17. If the team starts to win and perform better without him and play more consistently, then I'd also be happy to have him leave the club.

But on the other hand, I don't think this will solve our problems.

It's a known fact that all halves work better behind a decent pack. Benji is only half the problem. The forwards, especially the back row is the other problem.

I am opposed to calls to release Lawrence and Ayshford. The poor bastards have had no chance to play good footy with an out of form Benji, a constantly changing halves combination and a beaten pack for a year and a half.

I challenge any centre to look good when the forwards are getting smashed, your five-eighth is out of form and there are no combinations with the centres and the halves.

It's just never going to happen, I don't care how good the centre is.

 

[phenisha]

Sort of agree , I dont quiet see what everyone is raving about about. I think he is getting praised for doing things that really are expected of a half way decent fullback.There is potential but he is no world beater yet..

he seems to get injured every tackle as well. he has the slowest play the ball of any tiger

 

[Tiger05]

But this is the point, he is not a kicker, he is not a good defender. As Hutch stated, Benji needs a solid halfback to do all the organising and all the kicking. And he also needs a solid defender to protect him in the defensive line. He's not the first playmaker that's needed that.

It has been pointed out that Benji is playing first receiver again. He is absolutely horrible at first receiver.

His role needs to be completely redefined. Watch the way Albert Kelly is playing for the Titans at the moment. He has a roving role, sniffs around the edges, backs up the forward always looking for an offload. He has Sezer to do everything else. Benji needs to strip down 5kg's to get his agility back and that's exactly how I'd like to see him utilised.

IMO Benji could still have something to offer and I think it's worth trying something out of the box like this before getting rid of him.

In saying all that, if he is given a contract extension, it has to be severely reduced.

I disagree. He isn't the same player that came into first grade. He doesn't have that ability. He can set up his outside men and he can make a bust occasionally and he can put in some good kicks. The problem is his good play to bad play ratio.

He will never be a great runner of the footy again and the excuses for his poor play need to stop. A chip kick that comes off say one in 20 times when you are right in the game and it is close to half time. Missed tackles on Scott Prince and a flat backrower. These plays are killing us. He did set up his outside men last night I thought well. He did look dangerous in attack. At the same time he lost us that game. He is playing like a rookie half at the moment.

 

[madunit]

But this is the point, he is not a kicker, he is not a good defender. As Hutch stated, Benji needs a solid halfback to do all the organising and all the kicking. And he also needs a solid defender to protect him in the defensive line. He's not the first playmaker that's needed that.

It has been pointed out that Benji is playing first receiver again. He is absolutely horrible at first receiver.

His role needs to be completely redefined. Watch the way Albert Kelly is playing for the Titans at the moment. He has a roving role, sniffs around the edges, backs up the forward always looking for an offload. He has Sezer to do everything else. Benji needs to strip down 5kg's to get his agility back and that's exactly how I'd like to see him utilised.

IMO Benji could still have something to offer and I think it's worth trying something out of the box like this before getting rid of him.

In saying all that, if he is given a contract extension, it has to be severely reduced.

This is all exactly right. Kelly now is playing the way Benji did in his early days when he was most damaging.

He has never been a good kicker
He has never been a good defender
He has never been a good organiser

These are facts.

Sheens forced into the halfback gig a few years ago and convinced Benji that he was already playing as halfback. It was a load of shit.

Things are so bad I was even thinking the Tigers should consider signing Nathan Fien to play halfback next year.

 

[Tiger05]

I am opposed to calls to release Lawrence and Ayshford. The poor bastards have had no chance to play good footy with an out of form Benji, a constantly changing halves combination and a beaten pack for a year and a half.

Ayshford got some good ball last night. Admittedly it was his first game back but he was poor and he had some chances.

I don't think he deserves a spot in the centres anymore. Maybe give him some time but Simona, Nofo, Koro, Lawrence, Richards, Reddy (who was also terrible) and probably more juniors are all in the mix. Does Ayshford deserve to be there based on ability ?

 

[madunit]

yes he does.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Benji is only half the problem. The forwards, especially the back row is the other problem.

Of course our pack is a problem, especially the back row. But Benji is a BIG BIG problem. This shouldn't be understated.

Give him a halfback and a great pack, do you think he will automatically stop attempting chip kicks with 1min to go in the first half? I doubt it. He is simply a dumb footballer.

I challenge any centre to look good when the forwards are getting smashed, your five-eighth is out of form and there are no combinations with the centres and the halves.

I think Simona has looked reasonably good with all these issues.

I also think Ayshford has always been immensely overrated. Was never anything more than an average first grader.

 

[madunit]

Of course our pack is a problem, especially the back row. But Benji is a BIG BIG problem. This shouldn't be understated.

I did say he alone was half the side's problem, I think that's pretty fair.

Give him a halfback and a great pack, do you think he will automatically stop attempting chip kicks with 1min to go in the first half? I doubt it. He is simply a dumb footballer.

of course not, but as they were in the past, they won't hurt anywhere near as much as the better quality side could recover from it.

I think Simona has looked reasonably good with all these issues.

He has looked good. He's also played with just 1 (and a bit) halves combo this year (the few mins where Benji was on the bench v Souths excepted). That helps.

I also think Ayshford has always been immensely overrated. Was never anything more than an average first grader.

overrated very possible. Immensely, a bit harsh.

Put him outside a decent set of halves and he'd be quite a damaging runner. He's plenty strong enough and a reliable enough defender. You don't need much more than that.