Benji Marshall's impending return to the NRL has caught some by surprise, and others, not so much! Few gave Marshall a glowing reference in his bid to make it in Rugby in the first place, so it's perhaps no surprise he's making his way back already. For me, the biggest surprise is how soon it's happening.
Benji hasn't even completed a full rugby season and has apparently opted out because it was too hard. Or it wasn't worth his time. Where's the modesty? Where's the commitment to not so much honoring his multi year contract but more his development in returning to Rugby?? Did he really expect it to be so easy?? Given the poor form he left in the NRL he surely could've seen that this would take time. For me, Marshall's decision to leave the Auckland Blues must surely have let down John Kirwan, the Blues coach who put all his faith in bringing Marshall in.
What's done is done though and if you believe the reports, Marshall is close to signing with the Cronulla Sharks. No matter where he ends up though, the question needs to be asked - What do the Tigers get out of all this? And, should they get something out of all this?? In my opinion the answer is simple here. Yes. Yes, we should.
Marshall was granted a release from the final 2 years of his current contract because he was "disillusioned" with life at the Tigers. A clause in his release stated that Marshall could not return to another NRL club until 2016. That's clearly not going to be the case now. The Tigers probably have two ways they can go with regards to relaxing this clause. Obviously the fair thing to do is to let Marshall play football.
The first thing the Tigers may look towards is financial compensation. Could the Tigers ask to be paid a portion of what Marshall would've cost them over the next season and a half?? A situation similar to Ben Barba's release to the Broncos. Whilst Barba and Marshall's release scenarios aren't similar, Marshall was released under the proviso he ended up in Rugby. A financial compensation package would at least aid the Tigers who clearly lose out here given Marshall's marketability.
The other option and one not suggested at this point is to have the Tigers only allow Marshall's clause to be waived on the ground that Benji does not play against the Tigers this season and possibly next season where his contract with the club would've ended. Whilst this would ruin any potential match up for Marshall versus the Tigers in that time frame, the decision to effectively "cup-tie" (to steal a football term) him against his former club isn't exactly unfair and could be a resolution worth considering.
Ultimately, the Wests Tigers will not stand in Marshall's way. He deserves the right to return so long as all parties agree. There is little doubt though that the Tigers need to be compensated though, or at the very least have it offered to them.
Watch this space!
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