Michael Chee Kam can be one of the NRL’s most damaging players, says Benji Marshall

Wests Tigers legend Benji Marshall believes Michael Chee Kam will develop into one the most damaging forwards in the game if coach Michael Maguire can unleash his potential.

Chee-Kam has all the attributes to make an impact. Image: Phil Hillyard

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Michael Chee Kam could be anything.

That’s Wests Tigers legend Benji Marshall’s take on the 27-year-old super sub who delivered his latest matchwinning heroics last Thursday in the 14-9 win over South Sydney.

For the second time this season, Chee Kam scored a late, long-range try to ice a game for coach Michael Maguire’s side.

Despite his outstanding form, Marshall said the Mount Wellington Warriors junior had barely scratched the surface of what he was capable of.

Chee-Kam has all the attributes to make an impact. Image: Phil Hillyard

“I think he’s our best attacking player off the bench, for the impact he brings into our side and how he can change a game,” Marshall said.

“But with Chee, I don’t think he understands fully right now how good he can be.

“In the moments where he’s doing those things, it brings a bit of confidence out of him but when it clicks for Chee, he can be one of the (most) damaging back-rowers in the competition.”

Chee Kam started his time under Maguire on shaky ground after he was stood down by the Tigers this year after pleading guilty to common assault, following an incident in 2018 with an Uber driver in Bondi.

But in a show of faith, Maguire extended Chee Kam’s time at Concord for a further two seasons in May this year.

The only question is if the man himself can take the step up. Image: Phil Hillyard

“The club re-signing him is unbelievable because he has a lot of potential … there’s something there long-term, he could be anything,” Marshall said.

Marshall also believes Maguire is the right man to help elevate former centre Chee Kam’s game to the next level.

“Back-row is one of the hardest positions on the field. The thing he has on his side is we have a great coach here, who will invest in that part of his game … the mindset part too and challenge him every week to want to be a starter. He’s lucky that he’s got Madge (Maguire) here to mentor him through that,” he said.

Chee Kam revealed that Marshall and Maguire inspired him to the clutch play that sank the Rabbitohs after a difficult week at Concord where illness ripped through the club.

“Before the game, there was a couple of us that were really sick during the week, and Benji was just like ‘I think you are going to win us the game’,” Chee Kam said.

“I wasn’t thinking too much into it, I was rattled, I just wanted to get through the game. It’s crazy how you can speak things into existence.

“Even Madge called me before the game, when I was driving over. He said ‘I know you’re doing it tough but everyone needs you’.”

Chee Kam hasn’t come down from the high of the Rabbitohs clash.

“I’m buzzing still. It’s pretty crazy. I have watched it like 50 times,” he said.

Marshall said another strong display against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night at Bankwest Stadium will edge Chee Kam closer to a starting spot.

Originally published as Michael Chee Kam can be one of the NRL’s most damaging players, says Benji Marshall