Marshall ready to run again for the Tigers

[madunit]

Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall says he's relieved to be freed of the responsibility of the No.7 jumper as he eyes a return to the running game which made him famous.
Marshall, showing the benefits of his first full pre-season in five years, is relishing his shift back to five-eighth for the 2013 NRL season, with new coach Michael Potter set to hand youngster Jacob Miller the halfback role.
With the Tigers without a recognised halfback in 2012, when then coach Tim Sheens moved Tim Moltzen to fullback, Marshall was handed the organisational role, which seemed to stymie so of his natural flair.
"It's something that's probably not as suited to my game," Marshall said of playing halfback.
"If I had to say there was a certain style that suited it's playing wider with a bit more space and a bit more room to move.
"Last year we didn't really have another choice at halfback, someone had to put their hand up and that was me.
"I was still getting the boys over the line, I just couldn't get over the line myself as much.
"I want to run the ball a bit more - last year my running game was down a bit, I was probably trying to ball play a bit too much.
"I set up a few tries but I want to score a few this year."
That's an ominous warning to the Tigers' NRL rivals, with Marshall revealing he had added some muscle following a torturous pre-season campaign under Potter.
"Mick Potter's brought back that old school mentality of run until you collapse or run until you vomit - that's been the case for us," Marshall said.
"I'd almost forgotten what it was like to have a tough pre-season - usually I don't have to be back until January so to be back in November was a bit of a shock.
"I really enjoyed it, got the chance to put on a bit of size and get a bit stronger for the season."
Marshall and Miller will get their first chance to impress in Saturday night's trial match against Parramatta at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Kiwi Test skipper said he was also looking forward to going into the season minus the expectation of premiership favouritism after the Tigers faltered badly when carrying the tag last year to miss the finals altogether.


http://www.nrl.com/marshall-ready-to-run-again-for-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/70735/default.aspx

 

[madunit]

Even benji acknowledges he wasn't a good halfback and much prefers being a five-eighth.

Yet there were people in here all last year saying Benji was a great 7 and were doing all they could to justify Sheens f**king stupidity.

"It's something that's probably not as suited to my game," Marshall said of playing halfback."

"If I had to say there was a certain style that suited it's playing wider with a bit more space and a bit more room to move."

And then there's the evidence of Sheens shithouse coaching:

"I'd almost forgotten what it was like to have a tough pre-season"

 

[madunit]

I personally think we may see Benji turn a corner this year, purely with consistency more than anything. He's put on a lot of extra muscle apparently, however this appears to have hampered his pace. I hope it's just a pre-season thing and his speed improves throughout the year.

 

[Matchball]

He says his running game was a bit down. A bit?

Cant remember one stand out break or step last season.

 

[Fordy20]

With the Tigers without a recognised halfback in 2012, when then coach Tim Sheens moved Tim Moltzen to fullback, Marshall was handed the organisational role, which seemed to stymie so of his natural flair.

Garbage. Moltzen has been playing fullback since 2009 after Hodgson left.

Edit: screwed up my quoting, should be quoting the article.

 

[madunit]

when you say 'playing' what exactly do you mean?

 

[Magpie Tragic]

when you say 'playing' what exactly do you mean?

LOL :lol:

 

[Matchball]

when you say 'playing' what exactly do you mean?

Pretending.

 

[innsaneink]

They all talk that much shit its hard to know what is genuine and what is what the club wants them to say

 

[Mader45]

This brings up one stat im really interested in. I heard Hayne say the other night its his first full pre season in years too.

I know itd be hard, especially considering its a team sport, but itd be interesting to see how players perform the year of a full pre season compared to one of recovery from ops and rep games.

 

[macnaz]

It is weird a player talks about running while also talking about putting on size. I like MU was hoping he would slim down to more of an athletic running build.His best has always been beating his opponent with speed and step not trying to bust through them , maybe the Sheens crap about wanting everyone to be another Laurie Daley is still stuck in his head.

 

[macnaz]

And why the f**k wasnt he back until January ? Bet that made the others feel great while busting their arses ( if thats what happened under Shines ).

 

[boonboon]

Macnaz u tool he wasn't back till jan because he was overseas on kiwi tours per Xmas the last few years. Did u even read the whole article or just enough to rant at an ex coach on a online forum

 

[innsaneink]

Macnaz u tool he wasn't back till jan because he was overseas on kiwi tours per Xmas the last few years. Did u even read the whole article or just enough to rant at an ex coach on a online forum

He couldve read it all 20 times, it wouldnt have answered his question

Tool indeed.

 

[macnaz]

lol.. oh well Ink at least he answered my question in a round about sort of way.

 

[super_coach]

Marshall will only succeed, if the forwards go forward and set a platform and if our no7 plays at the required standard of a nrl n07. They are two almighty IFS.

To expect him to come out and cause havoc with a poor or ineffective no7 and a pack that is under the pump is just plain dreaming.

Now if Miller can rise to the challenge, and I think he will and the pack at least hold their own (thats the big if) Marshall should have a very good season.

One last point, it will be interesting to see how he reacts to having Anasta
making some if not most of the big play calls