Benji Marshall has fat chance in rugby union, says former Wallaby Greg Martin

BENJI Marshall rejected a $600,000 pay rise from Wests Tigers before being described as a "fat, spoilt brat".

BENJI Marshall rejected a $600,000 pay rise from Wests Tigers before being described as a "fat, spoilt brat".

And The Daily Telegraph can reveal Wests Tigers management was aware of a clique at the club which included Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Chris Heighington, Blake Ayshford and Beau Ryan.

Moltzen will be last man standing at Concord -- but he is currently in St Helens after asking the club for a three-week mid-season break.

In a day of drama yesterday, we can reveal:

* FORMER Wallaby Greg Martin launched a stinging personal attack on Marshall.

* WESTS Tigers will still celebrate Marshall's 200th NRL appearance in a round 25 match against Souths at Allianz Stadium, his final match in Sydney as a Tiger.

* WESTS Tigers were forced to watch Eddy Pettybourne (Wigan) and Blake Ayshford (Cronulla) leave the club due to salary cap pressures resulting from Marshall's new offer.

Marshall has stunned Wests Tigers and rugby league by asking for a release from the final two years of his contract. His request, though, has angered Martin, the ex-Wallaby fullback with nine Test caps.

Benji Marshall

"What a spoiled brat," Martin said.

"I haven't seen him make a break this year. He makes Quade Cooper look like Trevor Gillmeister in defence.

"He's going 'bugger you blokes, I'm going to go and play rugby'.

"Benji, we don't want you.

"It was the dream of a lot of people to play for the All Blacks but you've got to be good enough, mate.

"You're old, you're no good and you're too fat."

Martin's attack was heard yesterday by Triple M listeners in Brisbane.

BLUES STEP UP BID TO LAND BENJI

MARSHALL IGNORED NRL CALLS

The Wests Tigers board will decide this week whether to release Marshall, keep him or give him a conditional release which allows him to play rugby but not join another NRL club.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Marshall, on a base annual salary of $500,000, earnt a $100,000 pay rise this year under the club's upgraded deal. The offer was to rise to $700,000 next year and then $800,000 in 2015.

That is a combined pay rise of $600,000 and a contract worth $2.1 million.

Stats show Marshall's form this year has been down in most areas compared to last season, including average runs, average metres, tackle busts, linebreaks, linebreak assists and try assists.

"Benji is a very close mate and he has made his decision and I fully support him in whatever he decides," Marshall's teammate Robbie Farah said.

"Unfortunately it won't be at the Tigers. No one is bigger than the footy club (but) it's not the best scenario. I always thought Benji would see out his career playing next to me.

"There are a few things that have gone on (at Wests Tigers) that I am not too sure about. I came back to the hotel from dinner last night and he'd contacted me.

"He said he wanted to let me know first before it was out in the media.

"We've been through good times together and bad times. But I am shocked, I thought he was going to stay. It's a massive loss for the game, you want your best players playing."

Marshall's contract at the Waratahs wouldn't be massive but he could supplement his wage with a short stint in Japan.

"We were genuinely surprised," Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said.

"We were very confident the deal would be accepted. We made Benji a priority."

Marshall's departure will allow Wests Tigers to re-sign a cluster of rising stars which will take their club into the future.

"Pretty shocked and disappointed," Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence said.

"I would liked to have seen him be a Tiger for life. It's going to be a big change."

Marshall's manager, Martin Tauber, said his client needed a change.

"We've had handshake deals under the previous CEO that never eventuated before he resigned . . . and that hasn't been fulfilled," Tauber told Fox Sports.

"I understand that business is business and the club have still given us what is still a very healthy offer but Benji has made his decision."