Benji Rumour

[Tiger05]

He would be a fullback or wing in union. Obviously he's more suited to 7's. Anyway, he's past his best now, time to move on, people who rely on pace first and foremost always peak early. He should have been a fullback with the Tigers, they'd have won more matches with him there in my opinion.

Israel Dagg is a better all-round fullback than him. Savea and Ranger on the wings. The Rio 7's he's obviously aiming for.

I just can't see him being a great union player. He doesn't have the same running game he had when he came into first grade right now and he would probably have to play as a 5/8 in union. I personally doubt he could really be great in that role. He has to get better in the a pretty similar role now in the game he has played for years.

Personally I think he will stay in league.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Terrible kicking game for a five eight in rugby.
Got no zip left in his running game....oh....and got no running game left.
Cant see it working on any level.

 

[Matchball]

Union suits his style of play.
Mid field bombs, kicks out on the full and can hide in defence.

He ticks all the boxes.

 

[southwalesrabbitoh]

I suppose he could give five-eighth a go in union, they often do have more time to kick out of hand than in league, most people would be surprised at that comment, but have a look to those people who would argue against that.

Well stay in league then and see if he can become a better five-eighth, part of the problem is that Foran and Johnson will be the Kiwi halves in the WC.

 

[R2Coupe]

The Brooks' article in the Tele this morning is interesting. Did anyone pick up on the toughening stance re negotiations on Marshall's new contract ie accept what we've offered or we are prepared to let you walk?

A new policy, a new era. The Club may recognize through its juniors it is in a position to assemble a very good team.

 

[Eddie Lab]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ne...ts-tigers-keeper/story-fndv39ms-1226673414764

Blues coach John Kirwan said Benji might need to consider a pay cut to make the switch

Benji isn't going to the Blues then.

 

[Magpies Forever]

The Brooks' article in the Tele this morning is interesting. Did anyone pick up on the toughening stance re negotiations on Marshall's new contract ie accept what we've offered or we are prepared to let you walk?

A new policy, a new era. The Club may recognize through its juniors it is in a position to assemble a very good team.

Yep. I think Benji is in a reality shock. WT have options now with up and comers coming through the ranks and being honest comparisons have to be made by management judging worth and longevity.

Who do we want to loose or keep?

 

[FootynRacing]

How exciting is it to see the club appearing to make the right calls ? Finally !!!

 

[macnaz]

I certainly think Benji has plenty left to offer our club and would love to see him finnish as a Tiger for life..BUT he has to be staying for the right reasons and have his heart in it. We all know that he has lost his zip over the last few years but if u go back to last year without the selfish distractions he was 2nd in try assists behind Cooper Cronk while playing in a side that failed to even make the 8 , that demonstrates he still is a great footballer and still can be if he makes up his mind on what it is that he really wants. Until that happens we will not see the real 100% Benji playing for us. The ball is in his court, if your not happy move on or else stay and be committed to building the club and leaving a positive legacy .

 

[madunit]

Benji's greed has shot him in the foot.

 

[Matchball]

Its must be a joke to pay him 800k a season for the next two seasons. That's what Tauber is asking
He makes 500k from us and another 500k with media and endorsments as it stands now.
He should accept what he is on regardless if he has a clause to up his salary.

300k more a season is too much, that's a new prop money.

 

[madunit]

the increase in salary along with the marquee player and loyalty discounts means we aren't really shelling out that much for him.

 

[Matchball]

the increase in salary along with the marquee player and loyalty discounts means we aren't really shelling out that much for him.

How does that work? I thought we used that card with Farah.
Can it be done with multiple players?

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

I can't believe that Benji is asking for $800k.

Thats about $100k for every time he's taken the line on in the last two years. He used to have the best step in Rugby League yet I haven't seen him even attempt to put on a step in about 4 years. Now he just runs toward the sidelines and throws his little flick passes back inside.

He is still a reasonable footballer and can be very destructive on his day, but he is not worth anywhere near $800k imo. I would happily pay that sort of money to Farah, but Benji isn't even worth half that anymore.

 

[R2Coupe]

Benji and his manager may ask for $800k but there is the feeling the Club has budgeted x amount for Marshall and no more.

Probably what is available after retaining other younger players?

There are a couple of hints that other players may be on the move. Is this the first sign of the changing of the guard?

 

[Magpie Tragic]

Benji and his manager may ask for $800k but there is the feeling the Club has budgeted x amount for Marshall and no more.

Probably what is available after retaining other younger players?

There are a couple of hints that other players may be on the move. Is this the first sign of the changing of the guard?

"There are a couple of hints that other players may be on the move"
Names please ???

 

[BrotherJim05]

IMO Tigers want Benji to stay but its just ridiculous that we would keep him here on $800k a season for the next 5 years.

Although...give Benji a monstrous forward pack and he will be unstoppable yet again.

 

[The Charlatan]

There was a whisper on the WT forum that Ayshford has requested a release.

 

[Tiger05]

There was a whisper on the WT forum that Ayshford has requested a release.

I think that this would be good for us. Good player but we have so many outside backs coming through.

As for Benji - we shouldn't overpay but I'd like to see him stay with us for a couple of years especially if we see the controlled Benji that we have been seeing over the last couple of weeks.

 

[Pistol_Pete]

The controlled Benji ? Is that the one who, in the wettest week in Sydney in 6 years, on a sodden Leichhardt, when up by 12 with 4 minutes to play against the Premiers, throws a soap like Steeden 30 f**king metres on his own 40 and to Ayshford's ankles ? Is that the control you speak about ? f**k me dead this is his 11th season of first grade, he's not a kid any more. Whilst we got away with it on Saturday night we didn't get away with his brain dead play vs the warriors in 11, the kick out on the full vs the dragqueens in 10 or the abortion that was soufs at the SFS last year.

Benji is not there for his control he's there to run and split sides open and he no longer runs. 800k for a player to `control' would buy you a Cronk or Thurston who don't make the same f**k ups Benji does and are the same age

And for the record I have always maintained (until last season) that Benji was a once in a generation player. Without him between 04 and 2011 we were complete f**king toilet and had zero creativity. Everything we did came off him. He put defences in 2 minds and on edge. No he passes it or kicks on tackle f**king 2 like a non bi polar version of Tim Smith. He's lost his mojo and I can't ever see him getting it back and for 800k a season it shouldn't be with us.