Why is Lockyer now both five-eighth and captain of Australia. Once again you prove that you really have no idea.
As for Marshall, maybe when he actually achieves something in the game (besides the noteriety of an eccentric side-step) we should up the ante. Until then however he's displayed nothing to warrant extra attention as far as I'm concerned. 250K is a joke, seeya later Benji.
You usually are on the money MB but what the hell is this blather? What the f*ck does Bennett moving Lockyer to 5/8 permanently have to do with the Australian Captaincy? He got that as a fullback and he got it because Joey was injured, Tallis retired and he was clearly the next in line with daylight second. Lockyer is the best player in the game at the moment 1, 6, 7, 3, 4 wouldn't matter what jersey he'd be the best. As the worlds best player and team captain he gets whatever jersey in the Australian team he damn well wants. He's a 5/8 now so he plays in 6. If he hadn't been quite as successful for the Broncos the Australian selectors though would put him at fullback and select Barrett because of course for them salary caps don't matter. If Australia finds itself in the position where all the good fullbacks are injured, but there are good halves available Lockyer will go back to fullback.
He didn't get moved from fullback cause he was no good there, he was moved because the Broncos needed the worlds best player permanently closer to the action. Bennett didn't want to move him, Gus suggested it two years ago and Bennett poo-pooed the idea. If you don't think the money Lockyer gets and the limits this places on Bennett recruiting a gun half are a significant part of the reason behind the move - fine believe what you will. But like I said, if you really believe Bennett would have made this move if he could have just bought a gun you smoke too much gear.
As for Marshall I have my doubts about if he is really all he is cracked up to be as well. But that's not the issue. The issue is do the Tigers want to keep him or not. If they want to keep him and decide that in the halves is his spot then they are going to have to pay what the market says he's worth, not what you or I think. If the Tiges are happy to try and use someone else then fine offer $150 and then wave bye-bye. Other clubs obviously believe he's worth more than that, so guess what - he is! How many games he's played or what he's done don't come into - just what other clubs are prepared to pay. If the Tigers don't see him as a half then wave goodbye now. Other clubs do and they are prepared to offer big bucks.
The Tigers have a big decision with Marshall - is he a marquee player who they can build a club around and who will be the face of the Tigers for a decade? If they think the answer is yes then they are going to have to start paying him like it sooner rather than later or else someone else will. If the answer is no, he's just a kid with a flashy step who isn't really gonna be a champ in the long run then they should just let him go to some sucker club that is gonna pay too much for him. It's a tough decision to make and if they get it wrong it's gonna hurt big time. Glad I'm not the one making it frankly.
