Nervous wait for Marshall

[Broncodroid]

Nervous wait for Marshall

8 February 2005

The extent of the shoulder injury suffered by Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will be known today.

Marshall dislocated his right shoulder while making a tackle in the Wests Tigers' 78-4 mauling of an Italian side at Ulladulla on Saturday night.

It was the 19-year-old's first match since reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder last year and he immediately recognised damage, walking from the field midway through the first half.

The exciting junior with an electrifying sidestep missed most of the 2004 season with his left shoulder injury.

The Tigers expect Marshall to be fit for the round one match against Parramatta on March 12.

 

[bulldog]

Hoping the guy can recover for the start of the season and doesn't have to deal with this his whole career. It would be a shame to see such a talent not reach it's potential.

 

[Broncodroid]

This has to be concerning if your a Wests Tigers fan.

Benji Marshall, albeit still only 19, is fast becoming a player you grimace over each time he makes a play in the Tigers jersey given his small frame.

The youngster may have a "electrifying sidestep" though I would hope this is not all he will be known for over the next few seasons given the enormous amount of hope and time invested in the young kiwi.

Marshall is not likely to play another trial as reported, there is a chance he may miss the Round 1 opener...hardly an ideal lead up for Sheens and co. given we are still only talking about a NRL player with 11 first grade appearances to his credit.

Again, I do not doubt his talent, though admittedly he is a player that the media has built up to the point of falling into the "overrated" catergory as he has not really done anything to solidify his hype apart from a few choice side steps.

"The next Brad Fittler!"....hardly :roll:

 

[Eddie.]

he is a player that the media has built up to the point of falling into the "overrated" catergory as he has not really done anything to solidify his hype apart from a few choice side steps.

"quote]

Theres no doubt that it is a big concern about his small frame and if he will be able to stay fit for a long period

however IF you had seen a couple of games from 2003 (newcaatle and Brisbane) and 2004 (parramatta) you would realise that he has more then a "few choice side steps".

 

[beave]

like bad pair of shoulders :roll:

why don't they use him like matt bowen, at fullback in defence and let him chime in when needed at 2nd reciever, works for bowen, i am sure the tiges could do the same.

 

[innsaneink]

It is very concerning, 10 or 11 games and hes done his shoulder three times.

Could be just bad luck, though the ratio seems to suggest otherwise.

Unless something changes I cant help but expect to see it happen again.

Sheens said this morning its nothing to do with technique or style, but youd expect that from his coach I guess.
I think personally his style is flawed, he seems to swing his arm only, his body prone, at times....though I may well be incorrect.

The expectations for me now are not what he'll do when he gets the ball, its will he last thru the next game.

 

[Broncodroid]

however IF you had seen a couple of games from 2003 (newcaatle and Brisbane) and 2004 (parramatta) you would realise that he has more then a "few choice side steps".

There is 3 games :| I will give you this, it's 3 from 11...not bad I suppose though hardly evidence that backs up his hype.

I am not 'baiting' Tigers fans, I do want Marshall to succeed in the NRL though the staunchest Tigers supporter I know admits to the fact that this kid is a touch overrated. He is not in the bracket that Hunt, SBW and Anthony Tupou sit. No, my mate does not speak for all Tigers fans though it's good enough for me given I witnessed his "ability" in all but 3 games in 2003 including the Newcastle game you mention.

Not to be rude, though even some of the most overrated a## clowns in the history of the NRL have played 3 good to very good games in the NRL...hardly a way to 'prove me wrong' so to speak stating 3 decent games Benji has had.

We will see what happens, I am hoping he lives up to his hype and undoubted potential, I am hoping he is not just another kid with potential who was not able to scale the lofty heights that those looking for a story in the media placed him...give me a full season in the NRL and let's go from there IMO.

All in all, I am simply stating that I hope these injuries are not a sign of things to come as it will not allow him the chance to live up to his potential.

 

[Booyah]

like bad pair of shoulders :roll:

why don't they use him like matt bowen, at fullback in defence and let him chime in when needed at 2nd reciever, works for bowen, i am sure the tiges could do the same.

Sure, and that'll leave the equally diminutive Hodgson defending in the front line.

 

[Eddie.]

[quote="Broncodroid"

There is 3 games :| I will give you this, it's 3 from 11...not bad I suppose though hardly evidence that backs up his hype.

I am not 'baiting' Tigers fans, I do want Marshall to succeed in the NRL though the staunchest Tigers supporter I know admits to the fact that this kid is a touch overrated. He is not in the bracket that Hunt, SBW and Anthony Tupou sit. No, my mate does not speak for all Tigers fans though it's good enough for me given I witnessed his "ability" in all but 3 games in 2003 including the Newcastle game you mention.

Not to be rude, though even some of the most overrated a## clowns in the history of the NRL have played 3 good to very good games in the NRL...hardly a way to 'prove me wrong' so to speak stating 3 decent games Benji has had.

quote]

Yes i would agree that the media overhype him

On SBW, KH and AT they all play for teams that are successful and they can slot in well, With benji he was asked to RUN a struggling Tigers team with a weak forward pack. Im not at all doubting the talent of the 3 you mentioned, but they certainly have been eased in more then Marshall who was really thrown into the fire, having come straight from SCHOOL BOY football to 1st grade, incidently the Tigers are 5-3 with marshall in the halves including wins over the Buldogs, Broncos, Newcastle, Parra, and Canberra.

All im saying is the kid has more then a "few choice steps"

 

[melon....]

I guess its a consequence of rushing a young kid into the top grade when he isnt physically ready for it yet.

 

[Broncodroid]

All im saying is the kid has more then a "few choice steps"

I perhaps was being a little harsh, I will agree with you here.

No doubt, Hunt, SBW and Tupou were all in better situations than Marshall, though Marshall is not being asked to "RUN a struggling Tigers team with a weak forward pack".

Marshall was outside a very good half last season in Scott Prince, the incumbent QLD number 7 who had a breakout season with the Tigers. Prince is the teams general on the field, not Marshall.

As for the "weak forward pack"? I wouldn't call the 2004 Tigers pack weak, more underrated lacking the glamour of other NRL clubs. In 2004 you had Sattler, Skadalis, Galea, Senter, Graham, Mears, Payten with the emerging Gibbs, Laffranchi and Halatau...each to their own though I wouldn't undersell your pack to add weigh to your Benji argument.

 

[Broncodroid]

I guess its a consequence of rushing a young kid into the top grade when he isnt physically ready for it yet.

And perhaps that is the 'nice way' to sum this whole situation up...

Marshall was being asked to defend in the front line where in comparison Hunt for example was at the back getting valuable playing time and learning on the job with less chance of being "roughed up".

Both Hunt and Marshall were at the same age perhaps the same build, though Hunt wasn't necessarily having to deal with the 'extra attention" from coaches looking to wear out the youngster.

 

[Foz]

I saw the tackle that Benji hurt his shoulder in.
Didn't seem to be much in it at all.
Hopefully for his sake it was just pure rotten luck.
Ongoing shoulder problems at 19 could scar the kid for life (not even mentioning the effect on his football career).
If it happened again I'd be considering giving up the game.

 

[simon says]

Our pack was dominated regularly last year....on our best day we held our own,on our worst we got smashed.

Not enough metres,quick play the balls and few dominant tackles.Asking blokes like Benji and Prince to shine in these conditions is nigh on impossible.

And its a big worry for Tiger fans this year......if newbies like Harrison/Halatau/Meredith and co dont start getting the metres we are in trouble deep again.

And a little bit on Benji....I have no doubt at all that if he can staty on the filed he would be as good as the other Kiwi boys that shone last year.Its just his style,the way he tries to put HUGE hits on that is getting him in trouble.He MUST pull his head in and either go really low or high Alfie style.

I fear that if he doesnt we may never see his talents come to fruition.

 

[innsaneink]

I guess its a consequence of rushing a young kid into the top grade when he isnt physically ready for it yet.

And perhaps that is the 'nice way' to sum this whole situation up...

Marshall was being asked to defend in the front line where in comparison Hunt for example was at the back getting valuable playing time and learning on the job with less chance of being "roughed up".

Both Hunt and Marshall were at the same age perhaps the same build, though Hunt wasn't necessarily having to deal with the 'extra attention" from coaches looking to wear out the youngster.

I suppose Marshall and sheens wanted to give his shoulder a good going over, no point coming back from a shoulder op and not testing it out fully.
Gotta have confidence in it and a few dumping tackles the minutes before THE tackle would have given him confidence, match conditions wise.
I suppose they thought a trial against a combined Italian/metro cup side would be a good way to start testing out his left, recently repaired shoulder.
Hes been used on the wing in defense in the past,.......a rotating role in attack & defence may be necesary in future.
Or maybe get some old videos of Alfie and he can study his defensive technique.

 

[borat]

I too saw the tackle. Its like Marshall thinks he is SBW but has the body of Brett Hodgson. He likes to for the big outrageous shoulder charge but he just isn't beig enough to pull it off.

 

[gregstar]

poor tigers - my best mate is devastated!

 

[5/8]

I guess its a consequence of rushing a young kid into the top grade when he isnt physically ready for it yet.

Obviously he has troubles with his shoulders, which from now will be throughout his career. He has two options: Wait 3 years working hard in the gym. Or Rotate positions, and manage it smart, he could easily get away with it, especially in today's flat and almost touch football like attacks most teams have adopted.

 

[God-King Dean]

I have a terrible feeling Marshall will be retiring very premature

 

[Broncodroid]

Studying Alf's tackling technique is not advised, he may break a leg let alone his shoulder ;-)

Seriously, Alf had a penchant for going high as well and this worked to some degree though in other situations, he was a liablility. If I am Marshall, simply being a smarter footballer and as a member said not thinking I am SBW looking to lay the smackdown on a would be attacker. I would look at tapes of guys like Buderus, Cam Smith etc....small framed guys who are not injuring themselves in defense.