Peter Sterling, Matthew Johns: Time for Benji Marshall to accept responsibility of a senior player
An old criticism of Benji Marshall might be heard by him again if Mick Potter shares the opinion of top rugby league analyst Peter Sterling.
Wests Tigers have had a mixed start to the year, holding on for a 10-point win over Penrith in round two after getting thumped 42-10 by Newcastle in round one.
And while they've shown glimpses of brilliance Sterling believes Marshall could be responsible for throwing wins away if he keeps choosing low percentage plays in the closing stages.
"I was concerned about some of the things he did towards the end of that win over Penrith," Sterling pointed out, speaking on his new show Sterlo on Thursday night.
"When you get to that last 10 minutes in the game holding a lead, I'd like to see the Tigers play to the fourth or fifth tackle and then have a shot at four, have a shot at field goal or roll it into the in-goal. That's how you play out a game."
A guest on the Sterlo panel was Marshall's Tigers teammate Braith Anasta.
The former State of Origin ball-player agreed that the genius five-eighth was still yet to find the right balance within the Tigers' new structure under Potter.
"It's about finding a balance, I think," Anasta said.
"He's still got to play the way he does with his instinctive play and play off the cuff.
"He can read the game so well but at times he may need to pull it back, play with the structure a bit more and just be a bit more patient I suppose."
Fox Sports rugby league expert Matthew Johns went a step further, saying it was time for Marshall to finally grow into the responsibility that comes with being a senior player.
