Benji Marshall says Wests Tigers’ belief is strong as they aim for first NRL finals appearance in nine seasons
Benji Marshall says rival clubs no longer fear the Wests Tigers. But being underdogs suits his team just fine heading into the 2020 NRL season.
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After failing to reach the finals for eight successive seasons, superstar Benji Marshall has conceded rivals NRL teams “aren’t scared” to play his Wests Tigers.
And in a brutally honest interview with The Daily Telegraph, Marshall also admitted opposition sides do not respect Wests Tigers and “no one gives a chance - we are coming from underdog territory again.”
Just seconds later though, Marshall issued a warning about his side’s chances this season by declaring: “We will shock the experts.”
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Wests Tigers – with key additions Joey Leilua and Adam Doueihi – are bullish about the looming season despite fans fearing another season of broken promises and hearts.
Rival clubs privately claim Wests Tigers can be easily worn down and fall over late in an arm wrestle.
While Marshall claimed he hadn’t asked opposition players what they think of Wests Tigers, the champion five-eighth did admit rival clubs didn’t harbour any fear playing his team.
“I have never asked anyone what they think about Wests Tigers but I guess people aren’t scared to play us, you know.
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“In the past they thought we have beaten ourselves a lot. It’s up to us to decide what other people think,’ Marshall said.
“We will probably shock the experts who say we can’t (win) but I don’t think it will shock us. We have done the work. We might shock people but, with the belief that we have, we will do everything we can to win.
“The good thing is that no-one has really given us a chance. When I was a bit younger that might have annoyed me but it doesn’t motivate me any more than already wanting to be the best, already wanting to win.
“People can say what they want. I guess it takes the pressure off when people – or the experts - don’t expect you to do well. It’s a good position for us.”
The Daily Telegraph asked Marshall whether opponents have respect for Wests Tigers.
“Probably not. The results determine a lot of things and in the last how many years we haven’t made the semi-finals. Answering your question – it’s probably a no. That’s ok,” he said.
“But we won’t be playing this year to earn team’s respect. We just want to win. We are coming from underdog territory again, which is all good with us. We are trying to change so we can grind out other teams and stay in the fight. We have to prove that.
“There is a lot of belief in the club and within the team and that’s the most important thing. As long as we can trust and believe in each other, that’s half the battle. We have to go out and show it. You don’t truly know until you go out into the battle and do it.”
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Marshall, 35, continues to defy the ageing process in rugby league. He remains clever, shrewd and retains his famous footwork.
He wouldn’t commit to playing next season just yet – the competition is still a week away from starting – but wouldn’t completely rule out another season in 2021.
“It was my last year the last three years. I’m not sure. A lot of people ask me that. I have been enjoying every year as if it would be my last,” he said.
“I’m feeling pretty good within my body but it’s a long season, mate. It’s so hard to say ‘I’m sweet to play’ until you go through the grind of 24 rounds and them semi-finals. It’s too early to say yes or no.
“For me, it’s more about whether my body can do the things my mind wants to do. And if I feel like it can’t then that’s probably time to call it.”
Marshall did admit he may one day consider coaching.
“I like coaching – I enjoy working with the young guys. I don’t know about going straight into a coaching role but I actually do enjoy giving my knowledge to younger guys, team-mates,” he said.
“I have been playing for a long time and I actually like passing on the stuff I have learnt. Coaching? Potentially.”