Matt Marshall
August 13, 2009 12:00am
DISGRUNTLED Bronco PJ Marsh has launched a stinging attack on his club, declaring: "I haven't been given a go."
A frustrated Marsh, who believes he is still Brisbane's No. 1 hooker, has played just 15 NRL games in nearly two seasons since joining the glamour club.
The 29-year-old has been plagued by injuries since arriving from Parramatta on a three-year deal worth $750,000.
The blossoming of Dogs recruit Michael Ennis in 2008 and teen Andrew McCullough this year has also blocked his path.
However, Marsh, who snapped a five-year Origin drought in Game One last year before his Broncos stint soured, also blames the club's coaching hierarchy for a stalled NRL career.
"It's certainly not my form. I haven't been given a proper chance if you ask me," Marsh told The Courier-Mail. "As far as I'm concerned, no disrespect to anybody, I still consider myself to be the No. 1 hooker at the club. It's just disappointing other people don't see it the way I do.
"You've got to be given a good three to four weeks to settle in. I wasn't given that chance, but it's the way it is. Sometimes you just don't fit the dynamics of a club or team. I think I fit in quite well."
Marsh has played just five NRL games this year his last in round 15 at Cronulla. After knee surgery in early July he is eyeing a return next weekend with Central Comets, where he has played nine state league games in 2008-09.
Asked if he held out any hope of forcing his way back into Brisbane's NRL squad this year, Marsh said: "I very much doubt it. I was hoping to get a run somewhere, on the bench or starting, but injuries haven't helped me. I can't play injured but when I was fit, I wasn't really getting a go anyway.
"It's disappointing. I know there's lots of other clubs out there who could do with a hooker."
Unless another viable option arises, Marsh plans to see out his Broncos deal in 2010.
"If I was a young bloke I'd probably go chasing a game," he said. "But I've got to look after my family and make sure I know where my next pay cheque is coming from.
"It's hard to be hungry because the season's over for me really. It's another four to five months until I can do anything about it. Of course the fires are burning. I believe I've still got plenty of years still in me. The average person thinks you only play for money but I'm a footy fan, I'm dying to play footy."
Broncos coach Ivan Henjak yesterday disputed Marsh's claims he has not received a fair go, praising the efforts made by both McCullough and Aaron Gorrell to leapfrog him.
"PJ's had two really interrupted seasons with injury," Henjak said.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25920704-10389,00.html
