NRL 2021: Benji Marshall’s bid to bring more glory to South Sydney

The Tigers dumped him and the rest of the NRL wouldn’t take his call, but it’s not revenge that drives Benji Marshall – it’s ambition.

South Sydney's Benji Marshall versus Gold Coast Titans in NRL match last night. Picture: NRL Images

Reborn Rabbitoh Benji Marshall has spoken of his desire to deliver South Sydney the 2021 NRL premiership and slammed suggestions he is motivated by his Wests Tigers axing.

Marshall was at his brilliant best on Friday night as the Rabbitohs overcame a 24-10 deficit to beat the Titans 40-30 on the Gold Coast.

In his favoured five-eighth role, Marshall was involved in a number of key plays to orchestrate the second half comeback and clinch Souths their sixth straight win to remain anchored in the NRL’s top four.

The Rabbitohs are gearing up for a tilt at this year’s premiership in what is coach Wayne Bennett’s final season at Redfern.

At 36 and with 331 NRL matches next to his name, Marshall may have lost the pace and step that made him one of the game’s most exciting players to watch.

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South Sydney's Benji Marshall was inspirational against the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: NRL Images

But he is as sharp as ever between the ears and a move to the Rabbitohs this season has given him the opportunity to chase a fairytale premiership in what could be his NRL swansong.

Marshall was shown the door by the Tigers, the beloved club he played 257 games for and won the 2005 NRL premiership with, at the end of last year and only received a career lifeline from Bennett in late January.

But the New Zealand legend insists his Tigers snubbing has not been motivation.

“It’s got nothing to do with it, I don’t know why everyone assumes it’s got something to do with it,” Marshall said.

“The reason I’m playing is because I love playing and feel like I can still play.

“The fact they didn’t give me an opportunity is just footy. It’s happened before to other players.

“What I did was I kept trying until I got an opportunity. I was ready to give it away if I didn’t but I got that chance.

“If I didn’t think I could play anymore then I would have retired. That’s why I kept fighting to find a spot in a team somewhere.

“Even though it looked like I would retire, they gave me an opportunity. In a way I’m trying to pay it back, but I’m also trying to prove to myself that I can still play.”

Marshall was shown the door by Wests last year. Picture: Brett Costello

Marshall has an opportunity to clinch a second NRL title in what is his remarkable 19th season.

The Rabbitohs are expected to go deep in the finals race given they have a red-hot squad and a seven-time title-winner in Bennett at the helm.

The suspension of star fullback Latrell Mitchell for four weeks is a hurdle to overcome, but Marshall believes the ingredients for premiership success are at Redfern.

“Potentially, yes, but a lot has to go your way in terms of luck with injuries,” he said when asked if the Rabbitohs could win the competition.

“We’ve lost Latrell for four weeks and that doesn’t help but we can cover him.

“You need to have a lot of luck. A lot has to go your way. In terms of potential, yes we can.”

Bennett brought Marshall to the Broncos in 2017 when his career was on the ropes and gave him another opportunity this year.

The coach has put his faith in Marshall filling in at five-eighth for the next month so Cody Walker can replace Mitchell at fullback.

Marshall said his relationship with the Rabbitohs had so far been promising after he faced the NRL scrap heap.

“No one really wanted me to be fair,” he said.

“They had faith in me and gave me an opportunity. Wayne knows what I can bring to a side.

“He probably needed a little bit of what I bring and I needed him to give me an opportunity.

“I see the way the fans love the club, how invested they are, and I see how much the players love the club. That makes me love it.

“We all don’t want to let each other down but we also don’t want to let the fans down.

“I feel lucky to play in a side with a lot of great players. I am loving my time here and enjoying every moment.”

Wayne Bennett signed Marshall at the Broncos in 2017. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

Bennett said Marshall had been the ideal acquisition for South Sydney and his experience was invaluable.

“I keep reading about clubs that are going to have overhauls of players and everything else, he is a guy that nobody wanted,” Bennett said.

“He has been wonderful for us. We love having him and he loves playing with us. You can’t have a better relationship than that.

“He is just your average guy, down to earth. He knows his game really well and the processes that go to make a good game of football. His second half performance was pretty outstanding.

“He brings a lot of experience and is in a good team so that helps him play better as well. He was great.”