He’s 2nd in the NRL for try assists but Benji’s time at the Tigers is up
Wests Tigers are looking towards the future — and it reportedly doesn’t include Benji Marshall as the club looks to offload the veteran.
NRL
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After slumping to a disappointing 30-6 defeat to the Panthers on the weekend, Tigers coach Michael Maguire was resigned to the fact that his side’s season was over.
Despite promising signs during the year he was unable to take the team to their first finals appearance since 2011.
Maguire conceded that the time was now to test combinations for the future, suggesting that part of his focus for team selections will be on next season.
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“I’ll definitely be looking at (picking the team with a focus on the future). I want to be able to see the depths of some of the people we have in the organisation,” he said.
Unfortunately for legendary Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall it appears he won’t be part of that plan.
The Sydney Morning Heraldreports that while Marshall is keen to go around again next year, Tigers officials don’t believe it should be with them.
Form or Marshall’s age has little to do with the decision according to the Herald.
His try assist for David Nofoaluma on the weekend was his 16th — the second most behind Sharks star Shaun Johnson.
Instead, it is the fact that the club has $1 million to put into five vacant spots in its roster and it is opting against spending more money on halves.
Marshall is expected to still be part of the team for the final rounds of this season though.
Josh Reynolds and Luke Brooks will both remain at the club and take up $1.6 million of the cap.
This is despite growing criticism of whether Brooks is the halfback to take the side forward and into the finals.
“The big question mark for me is Luke Brooks,” Fox League’s Michael Ennis said after the loss to Penrith.
“This is the eighth season now where he hasn’t played finals. That’s 145 games and he hasn’t played a finals game.
“Michael Maguire needs to ask if he’s the guy that can take them to win a premiership.”
Brooks has struggle to create with 10 total try involvements from 14 games.
In contrast, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Shaun Johnson and Marshall have 35, 32 and 23 respectively.
Brooks’ game management has also been questioned along with his defence.
For the time being though it is Marshall who is set to leave the club.
Meanwhile, the Herald also reports that the eye towards the future is also expected to see gun hooker Harry Grant’s time in the side restricted or completely taken away.
Jacob Liddle will be given more time in the No. 9 jersey while rising star Jake Simpkin could also come in.
Originally published as He’s 2nd in the NRL for try assists but Benji’s time at the Tigers is up