They said it could happen?? They said there was a chance at some point in the future that Benji Marshall would return and play against the Wests Tigers. And they were right. Except few could've predicted it would happen so soon. Not even 12 months removed from Marshall's release from Wests Tigers, in which he took up an offer with Super Rugby franchise the Auckland Blues, Benji returns as opponent this weekend with rivals St George Illawarra.
The script itself could not be better written for this occasion. Not only is Marshall back in the NRL and playing for one of the Tigers more modern day rivals, Marshall also faces the kids this weekend of which the Tigers boldly invested their money in and left Marshall feeling just a little unwanted in his eyes. Whilst the likes of James Tedesco and David Nofoaluma will be missing, the sheer presence of Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses and Curtis Sironen this weekend is a reminder of why Marshall was cut loose despite 2 years left on his contract.
Marshall's departure from my point of view is looked at as a win-win scenario. Benji was out of form. In his own words he was lazy, out shape and certainly also stale. He needed a shake up. He thought the move to Rugby would give him a new lease of life. Perhaps it did? But his failed stint in Super Rugby appears to have become his "shake up" moment. It became a moment in which Benji realized that the auto pilot function he's spent the past few years of his life on had broken down. It wasn't pretty and the only way back for Benji was to start again.
A a couple of months removed from that massive moment in his career and another door opens at St George Illlawarra. The Dragons in desperate need of a playmaker made the move for Marshall and despite some early signs of struggle in the relationship things appear to be taking a turn for the better. Marshall's form has steadily improved and with him in the side complimenting the attacking threats of Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop, there appears to be plenty of optimism for Dragons fans once more.
But what of the Tigers? As i touched on earlier, Benji's release from the Tigers was a win for all parties. Marshall got the move he sorely needed and the Tigers were then able to free up significant money. The end result being that in the space of some 10-11 months Wests have locked up almost all of their highly regarded juniors.
Now this Sunday Marshall will go head to head with Luke Brooks, a kid only 12 months ago he was nurturing. Then there's Mitchell Moses, on fire last weekend. Both Moses and Brooks credit Marshall for helping them during his final days at Wests. Now they'll look to get one over him in what shapes as one heck of match up this weekend!
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