Where does Benji Marshall Rank as NRL'S 5/8's?

[Raider_69]

he scored a couple of long range tries at parra in 01, and he is a hell of a lot faster than Co#ell

:lol: Dude, Daryl Halligan is faster then Covell... and being slower then Halligan, now thats a hard thing to achieve

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Maybe Billy Johnstone paid him a couple of visits when he was over there lookin after arsenal

 

[The Colonel]

He did score some long range tries at Parramatta and looked for the stretcher after them. He isn't a speed machine by any means.

 

[Darth Bobo]

:lol: Dude, Daryl Halligan is faster then Covell... and being slower then Halligan, now thats a hard thing to achieve

Halligan was fast enough to run down Willie Carne. ;-)

 

[Misty Bee]

OK. Time to asssome sese to this debate.

Benji Marshall is one of the genuine excitement machines of the NRL. I don't care who he his better or worse than, when I watch Wests this year I get a League hard on. They are playing the bright, beautiul style that the Warriors had a few years ago.

Benji is to Brett Hodgeson what Joey was to Robbie O a few years ago. Off the top of the head plays that you can't script a defence for.

As for comparisons, let me just say that since the retirement of one B Fittler, there is a gulf at 5/8 that is yawning to be filled. Lockeyer is the shoe in, but he's been clubman material at best at pivot. Shone v the Poms, yes. Lockey only shot at League immortality is back at fullback - quicksmart.

Post fittler, it says a hellof a lot that possibly the most effective pivot in a rep jumper has been Shaun Timmins. That tells you of how I rate Barrett, Anasta etc.

The rep 5/8's have been shown up by the non reppies this year in the NRL. Jason Smith - bar injury, has been the player of the season. Geez he makes Canberra look good. John Morris is so underrated - Tim Smith has a great kicking game - Morris has been fathering him at Parra, and that combo could well lift the trophy in 2 months time.

In patches, Preston Campbell has been good as well. He's the only thing with spark at Penrith these days, bar the barbie in the Panther's bistro.

John Sutton, of course, is the other revelation. What price a Marshall/Sutton duel in the World Cup final in '08?

This year, ignioring games missed through injury, I'd have, in order

1) Jason Smith
2) Benji Marshall
3) John Sutton
4) John Morris
5) Daylight.

 

[Mr Saab]

Halligan was fast enough to run down Willie Carne. ;-)

he didnt run him down...he had an angle on him and carne was not in full flight (semi between dogs/broncos 1995)

 

[Mr Saab]

This year, ignioring games missed through injury, I'd have, in order

1) Jason Smith
2) Benji Marshall
3) John Sutton
4) John Morris
5) Daylight.

yeah ignore lockyer....he is the main reason why the broncos lead the comp and at one stage won 10 in a row. Thats ok misty, you continue to base Lockyers entire season around 2 origin losses...thats fine :roll:
Yeah on form John Morris and sutton are better than Lockyer.
Once again misty you talk thru your fat hairy a$$

 

[Darth Bobo]

:lol: I'll never forget the shock of the crowd and the commentators when they realised who got Carne.

 

[eloquentEEL]

did he actually run the 90 metres himself, or did he just manage to get there in time to get the final pass?

 

[Misty Bee]

Originally Posted by TheEelsFanatic
im just curious abt something, would you guys rate drew of 01 better than piggy & PJ of this yr??

Drew and PJ, just. Drew was unbelievably quick out of dummy half that year. One of One of Brian Smith's gems to let him go :roll:

PJ was nippier back then. This year he is just a punching bag for softcocks.

Ridell is wonderful. Sadly he has a silly habit of bagging the opposition when we are ahead late in the 2nd half, then drops the ball like a big dingbat.

Oh, and final word re Benji and kicking - Brett Kenny had a woeful kicking game - and that never stopped him being the greatest 5/8 we have seen since Bob Fulton.

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

This year form alone id have

1.Locky
2.Barret
3.Jason Smith
4.Marshall
5. John Morris
6. Sutton

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Misty Bee ur almost as bad as BBSF

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Don't recall mentioning Luke covell as classic 5/8's, do you?

Thas why i said almost

 

[Murphdogg1]

As a Kiwis fan i would NEVER swap benji marshall for anybody, i don't care if lockyer was eligible for NZ

that said, Lockyer at this stage is definitely the better player, its just that Benji is soo damn exciting!

hopefully he will improve and become one of the greats.........leading the revival of the international game!





oh and dykes................ :lol: :lol:

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

that is tru, but rite now its more like 'leading the revival to the game whre GB, Aus and NZ play in' it not very international is it, but i suppose this is a post for another forum (international)

 

[colonel_123]

Benji cant play half IMO as he doesnt have the organisational or kicking skills to play half.

In 2003 Marshall played half back when Lincoln Withers was injured, including the upset win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

I think Marshall does have a kicking game and good organisational skills, he's just not playing that role for the Tigers at the moment and isn't being asked to kick (with Prince, Hodgson and Farah sharing those duties) or run the team.

Those things will come in time and with experience.

Marshall is also an excellent goal kicker, something Sheens has recently revealed, with Sheens stating that he is as good a kicker as Hodgson. There's just no need for him to kick the goals for the Tigers at the moment. It's the same with long kicking, and running the team from first reciever. While other players are filling this role, Marshall can play a more limited support role which plays to his obvious strengths.

 

[Kiwi]

Right thanks the mod who removed the crap

Back on topic....

I think the only two things Marshall is missing, is a kicking game ( which can be taught ) and leadership abilities ( which will come with experience ).

Now I don't think there is a club in the NRL that wouldn't find a spot for Marshall in the halves, and only 2 clubs would play him in the 7 ( Dragons and Broncos ). And if Marshall came up through the Broncos ranks Lockyer would have remained in the number 1.

Someone said Morris is better all round ect, bollucks, Morris would be dumped to the bench or PL so fast he'd get wind burn if Marshall joined the Eels tomorrow.

And the person who said Dykes is better needs some serious help, and fast.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

I never thought I'd live long enough to see me type the following;

Dead right Kiwi.

 

[The Colonel]

Someone said Morris is better all round ect, bollucks, Morris would be dumped to the bench or PL so fast he'd get wind burn if Marshall joined the Eels tomorrow.

While I don't think he is better I doubt he would be dumped straight away. Morris complements Smith's game and would do so better than Benji. Benji is ad lib and would put more pressure on Smith whereas Morris to an extent relieves it.

 

[Kiwi]

I never thought I'd live long enough to see me type the following;

Dead right Kiwi.

You take that back right now....now dam it