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From sportal.co.nz
Wests Tigers playmaker Robbie Farah has implored sought-after star Benji Marshall to remain at the club and help re-model the joint venture side following two years of disappointment.
Marshall is off contract at the end of the 2008 season and already has a host of clubs lining up for his signature despite ongoing shoulder problems.
The Gold Coast Titans have been the most aggressive movers and are prepared to splash out big money to entice the Kiwi international back to the area where he was schooled.
But Farah, who has committed to the Tigers long-term, is confident Marshall won't be going anywhere.
"There are these rumours going around but Benji's got a pretty cool head on him and he's a pretty loyal bloke," Farah told Sportal.
"We're got a pretty close bunch of mates at the club and if he's happy and the club looks after him - and he's playing well and his shoulders are sweet - I can't see why he'd leave."
"Benj has said as long as Sheensy's (coach Tim Sheens) here he'll stay and hopefully he'll sign and well all be one big happy family."
Farah and Marshall are at the forefront of the Tigers' plan to return to the play-offs.
Since winning the 2005 premiership on the back of brilliant attacking football, the club has missed the finals two years running.
"It's a massive year for us. It's time now to stand up and be counted," Farah said.
"It's not acceptable, the results of the last two years after winning the comp."
"We know that and we've sat down as a group and talked about that."
"There are no more excuses - we have to get back in the top eight."
The Tigers have been quiet in the player market during the off-season but did nab ex-St George Illawarra half-back Mathew Head.
Head was rated one of the NRL's rising stars before a knee injury curtailed his stint at the Dragons.
Farah believes the Tigers have made a shrewd purchase in luring the intelligent No.7 back from English club Hull.
"I think he showed that when he's at the top of his game he's one of the best half-backs in the comp," Farah enthused.
"The coaching staff are working hard to get him back to peak fitness and if he does that I'm sure he'll have a big year for us."
"We've got Benji, 'Hodgo' (Brett Hodgson) and myself so having that extra playmaker on the field makes it harder for opposition teams to shut us down."
"He's a good organiser and has a great kicking game as well, so having him to lead us around the park is a pretty big positive."
The Tigers are scheduled to kick their season off against Saints at the SCG, but they may have to change venues if the NSW cricket team wins the right to host the Pura Cup final.
Wests Tigers playmaker Robbie Farah has implored sought-after star Benji Marshall to remain at the club and help re-model the joint venture side following two years of disappointment.
Marshall is off contract at the end of the 2008 season and already has a host of clubs lining up for his signature despite ongoing shoulder problems.
The Gold Coast Titans have been the most aggressive movers and are prepared to splash out big money to entice the Kiwi international back to the area where he was schooled.
But Farah, who has committed to the Tigers long-term, is confident Marshall won't be going anywhere.
"There are these rumours going around but Benji's got a pretty cool head on him and he's a pretty loyal bloke," Farah told Sportal.
"We're got a pretty close bunch of mates at the club and if he's happy and the club looks after him - and he's playing well and his shoulders are sweet - I can't see why he'd leave."
"Benj has said as long as Sheensy's (coach Tim Sheens) here he'll stay and hopefully he'll sign and well all be one big happy family."
Farah and Marshall are at the forefront of the Tigers' plan to return to the play-offs.
Since winning the 2005 premiership on the back of brilliant attacking football, the club has missed the finals two years running.
"It's a massive year for us. It's time now to stand up and be counted," Farah said.
"It's not acceptable, the results of the last two years after winning the comp."
"We know that and we've sat down as a group and talked about that."
"There are no more excuses - we have to get back in the top eight."
The Tigers have been quiet in the player market during the off-season but did nab ex-St George Illawarra half-back Mathew Head.
Head was rated one of the NRL's rising stars before a knee injury curtailed his stint at the Dragons.
Farah believes the Tigers have made a shrewd purchase in luring the intelligent No.7 back from English club Hull.
"I think he showed that when he's at the top of his game he's one of the best half-backs in the comp," Farah enthused.
"The coaching staff are working hard to get him back to peak fitness and if he does that I'm sure he'll have a big year for us."
"We've got Benji, 'Hodgo' (Brett Hodgson) and myself so having that extra playmaker on the field makes it harder for opposition teams to shut us down."
"He's a good organiser and has a great kicking game as well, so having him to lead us around the park is a pretty big positive."
The Tigers are scheduled to kick their season off against Saints at the SCG, but they may have to change venues if the NSW cricket team wins the right to host the Pura Cup final.
