Rush to re-sign Benji

[Magpies Forever]

I hope WT do not attempt to re-sign Benji until his form and reliability is shown in the premiership. I know how good he can be, but I also know his reliability and fitness have been one of the 2 achilles heel for the team on filed (the other is the half back problem).

I dont care what rush the WT management might be in or how much his manager (and himself) sprukes up other potential opportunities with RU, ESL or other clubs. Benjo will be demanding top dollar and before WT even commit to thinking about that, we have to balance that out with our other needs eg prop and half. If Benji soaks up a lot of our dollar (and Farah too if we can re-sign him) we will have no flexibility to restrucutre the team for the tap on the shoulder as so famously quoted by Teflon Tim.

 

[madunit]

I think benji has shown enough in the world cup to ensure we resign him at whatever he wants.

There's a certain John Morris who is taking up a fair bit of our cap who we can always release.

 

[Magpies Forever]

My doubt remains as to his fitness- I'd prefer at least 5 or 6 full on NRL games to see how he stands up to the rigours. He will not have a big pack to protect him like the Kiwi's could.

 

[madunit]

that maybe so, but how many other five eighths are there on the market?

Cos it seems as if he's looking around

 

[N.C.]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24725322-5006066,00.html

BENJI Marshall has told his World Cup-winning New Zealand team-mates that 2009 is likely to be his final season with the Wests Tigers. Marshall's manager has refused to deny the Tigers ace is on the move - and possibly to rugby union.
Concerned Wests Tigers club officials have requested a meeting with both parties over the next 10 days to determine Marshall's intentions.
"The Tigers have indicated they want to sit down and talk with him about his contract beyond 2009,'' Marshall's agent Martin Tauber said.
"I told them I wouldn't do anything until the end of the World Cup and as soon as that's over we'll sit down and listen.''
It is understood Marshall confided in his New Zealand team-mates during the month-long World Cup tournament about the prospect of leaving the Wests Tigers.
The departure of his closest teammates from the 2005 premiership-winning squad has left Marshall contemplating his own future at the club.
"He just thinks it's not what it used to be like when he first started with the club,'' a source close to Marshall said.
"The coach (Tim Sheens) is also off contract at the end of next year and Tim has always been a big influence on him.''
Only six other players remain from the 2005 squad - Robbie Farah, Dene Halatau, Liam Fulton, Chris Heighington, Bryce Gibbs and Todd Payten.
Farah is also off contract at the end of next season.
With a premiership ring and World Cup trophy to his name, Marshall, at 23, has already achieved the game's highest accolades, increasing the prospect of him leaving the NRL.
Tauber said he had received interest from English Super League bosses during the recent World Cup.
"I've had no other interest from another NRL club, Tauber said.
"But obviously with all the guys here for the World Cup, there was Super League wanting to know when he was off contract. One thing Benji has always said is that he would never go to another NRL club.
"So the only other option is to go overseas, possibly for rugby, or Super League in the UK.''
Tigers chief executive Scott Longmuir said the club was determined to keep Marshall and Farah.
"That would be the plan, if we could,'' Longmuir said.
"But until we have a meeting with Benji, that's all I can tell you.
"In the end, it's his decision as to where the future is going to lay, but he's always said that he loves playing under Tim.
"I think that's a big influence.''
Marshall was spotted at the club for the first time last Friday since steering New Zealand to World Cup success.
"He was back for a meeting with Tim. He's keen as mustard and really enthusiastic,'' Longmuir said.
"There's some really good signs there for Benji and the club.''

 

[Magpies Forever]

Marshall is not the "be all" for WT's- there are other options- maybe Morris stays and Marshall goes, there is also Moltzen and Lewis who can play 5/8.

As Marshall will demand top dollar, WT have to get better value for money than he is given in 2006, 2007 and 2008. 2005 he was brilliant, but how much should the more recent years balance out 2005?

 

[N.C.]

I wont cry if he walks away...

 

[Magpies Forever]

I wont cry if he walks away...

I will always remember that 2005 Grand Final- magnificent. But, if he wants (and expects) top dollar it may be time to cut the umbilical cord......

 

[westie]

If he leaves; we have one top class player. We suck as it is, and you guys find it acceptable to let him go?

 

[Magpies Forever]

If he leaves; we have one top class player. We suck as it is, and you guys find it acceptable to let him go?

NO, I'm happy for him to be re-signed but, he has to prove his fitness and game is back to a normal, acceptable levels. This can only be proved with a few NRL games under the belt where his form is maintained. IMHO- he has not yet displayed this in the NRL- sure the World Cup was fine, but that is not the NRL for its constant demands and punishment on the body and mind.

He will demand top dollar- for this we should expect no less than top results eg being able to be on the field most of the time and be on your game. Do you consider his form and injury & recovery run to be acceptable in 2006- 08 for the money he has been paid? All I'm saying is that WT should not rush into re-signing him unless he only wants bargain salary agreement (and I bet he does not).

If he wants to go elsewhere for the money or for new new challenges do you really think WT can stop him? Can WT really afford to be paying such top dollars and still be expecting a clean out of the ranks end of 2009 including possibly / probably / hopefully a new coach?

Also- bear in mind Farah is off contract at years end- in a bidding war who would we rather fight for? Marshall- when have other options or Farah - when we have just let go his natural replacement (Flanagan) to Canberra and we have no automatic replacement except Morris.

 

[westie]

IMO, Benji playing half the season on top dollar is better than 2 of the useless players we have now earning a similar combined wage. He wins matches, and if he is fit, tropheys. None of the other players we have, besides Farah, has shown any consistent world class.

There's plenty of talent in the younger guys, but true to form they'll be played out of position till they ship out. And likely they won't even won't till the next season to prove Sheens wrong, ala Te'o and Harrison.

 

[rupertpupkin]

Morris is actually being mentioned as a replacement? Having the Cronkster in lieu of Marshall is a scarier prospect than having nobody. Consider the relative $$$ value of the contracts in this. Another 3 years of Morris on about a 1/4 million $$$, would be the result.

 

[innsaneink]

Marshall is not the "be all" for WT's- there are other options- maybe Morris stays and Marshall goes, there is also Moltzen and Lewis who can play 5/8.

As Marshall will demand top dollar, WT have to get better value for money than he is given in 2006, 2007 and 2008. 2005 he was brilliant, but how much should the more recent years balance out 2005?

Youve lost the plot....Morris for Marshall???
f**k me dead.

 

[Magpies Forever]

No, dont get me wrong- I'm not advocating Morris for Marshall, I'm just saying anything is possible outt here in WT land- their recruitment and retention policy has not exactly been rational has it????

All I meant by it was that if Benji asks too much WT have options- I'm certainly not meaning to imply Morris is my option- just an option that WT might look at. Recall how well he is looked after by Sheens. I'd rather go with one of the young ones.

 

[westie]

If we lose Farah and Marshall, we'll be at reserve grade level.

 

[madunit]

NO, I'm happy for him to be re-signed but, he has to prove his fitness and game is back to a normal, acceptable levels. This can only be proved with a few NRL games under the belt where his form is maintained. IMHO- he has not yet displayed this in the NRL- sure the World Cup was fine, but that is not the NRL for its constant demands and punishment on the body and mind.

In all honesty, Benji's form in 2005 was helped significantly by the guy in the number 7 and the forward pack who were revelling with the quick play the balls. The 2005 forward pack imo, was still better and would be more dominant than the one we have now. Purely through the impact Skando provided alone.

If we had a top quality prop to partner Galloway, a decent halfback and a consistent fullback, Marshall will shine in every game, undoubtedly.

I think Lewis should play at 7 all year next year, we need to have consistency in the halves. Only change if someone gets injured, it's too vital a position to be f**king around with every damn week.

We need a good prop first and foremost. doesn't matter how good your halves are if your forwards are getting pounded and make absolutely bugger all impact.

Our fullback should have safe hands, decent speed and be consistent. I feel Gallant should be the fullback all year long, he's the best fullback at the club now imo.

Morris should be on the bench, if Sheens really wants him in the side, put him at Lock and make him tackle all day, he seems fairly good at doing that. It'll relieve him of the playmaking duties and the vast majority of the kicking duties. I'd rather not see that at all. he'd be better off on the bench.

Collis needs to get selected for NSW this year, anything less and he should be released. He's failed to produce anything worthwhile to justify his constant selection in the top grade in the last few seasons (albeit a handful of good performances early in the season a year or two ago).

At the end of this year, if Benji and Robbie have played more than 18 games each, they should be resigned - long term.

Morris should be given the arse, Halatau, Collis, Galea, Fulton all should be very afraid of being cut/not resigned as well.

There's also the possibility that Payten will leave at the end of next year.

We need a good young first grade prop now, more than anything else.

 

[The Gambler]

At the end of this year, if Benji and Robbie have played more than 18 games each, they should be resigned - long term.

This is the issue, they both want to sort out 2010 and beyond before the start of 2009 don't they?

 

[Magpies Forever]

This is the issue, they both want to sort out 2010 and beyond before the start of 2009 don't they?

This is why I say WT have to be hard and not rush to re-sign Marshall (and yes, even think twice about Farah)- let the season play out for a few rounds. If they are going to go to the highest bidders I sincerely doubt WT could actively play in that field anyway (and still do a clean out and bring in new players and coaching staff for 2010). If they (Farah and Marshall) are going to give WT a chance, WT will be able to lodge a fair offer in due time after a few rounds when their fitness has been shown.

 

[madunit]

it's looking like we'll be forking out a million a season to keep both.

 

[macnaz]

it's looking like we'll be forking out a million a season to keep both.

Yep that would be about right, if we lost both that would be some serious dollars to go player shopping with. But my fear is these clowns would come back with a wobbly busted up trolley full of f**king rejects fallen from the back of the shelves at ALDI's.:x