Benji Marshall told by coach Paul McGregor, Dragons can’t afford him 2017

OFF-contract Rabbitoh Luke Keary looms as a potential hurdle to Benji Marshall’s hopes of staying at the Dragons next year.

CHARITY SHIELD

Benji Marshall needs a boom start to the season to prove to the Dragons why he deserves to stay on as Gareth Widdop’s halves partner next year.

As the 32-year-old veteran playmaker prepares for his 14th NRL season, Marshall revealed on Tuesday that he had been told by coach Paul McGregor that the club “don’t have the money to offer me a contract” for 2017.

Marshall is one of four Dragons who head into the season chasing a new deal.

Benji Marshall was told by coach Paul McGregor, the Dragons can’t afford him in 2017. Picture: Mark Evans

Club captain Ben Creagh, Joel Thompson and Mitch Rein are the other Dragons still to finalise their futures.

Asked if he was going into the new year with a point to prove when the Dragons tackle the Storm in Melbourne on Monday night, Marshall said: “It is for everyone.

“I really haven’t thought about contracts to be honest.

“All I know is that myself and Mary (coach McGregor) have regular meetings.

“He just stays honest with me about where they are at and at the moment they don’t have the money to offer me a contract.

“So at this point in time I am sitting back waiting, get through a few rounds of footy and hopefully start off with a bang.

Benji Marshall was told by coach Paul McGregor, the Dragons can’t afford him in 2017. pic Mark Evans

“If that’s playing here after that then it is, and if it’s not then I will have to move on somewhere else.”

But The Daily Telegraph has been told Dragons have indicated they are keen to keep Marshall providing he starts the year in good form — and is prepared to stick around for the right price.

It’s no secret coach McGregor drives a hard bargain, and he won’t pay overs for anyone.

In the end it will probably come down to whether they can negotiate a deal that satisfies both parties.

The Dragons preference would be to keep Marshall for another year or two, and get him to help groom a young halfback for the future.

There are several big name options also coming off contract this year, including South Sydney’s Luke Keary and Parramatta’s Corey Norman.

The man doing the negotiations at the Dragons is the highly respected Ian Millward — and he said at this point the club had not entered into any talks with rivals.

The Dragons say they have not approached Luke Keary. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We haven’t had any dialogue with any other halfbacks at the moment,” Millward said.

Asked specifically about Keary, Millward said: “I can give you an assurance we have had no dialogue with him or any discussion on Luke Keary at present or Cooper Cronk or anyone.

“Keep in mind we have a long-term half in Gareth Widdop and Gareth is our captain.

“That is why we don’t want to rule anything out with Benji because the right fit has to be with Gareth moving forward and Benji is doing a good job there at the moment.”

Millward said the club was in no rush to make a decision.

“Obviously when Paul took over with the salary cap (there were some issues),” he said.

“We working through that really well and we only have four key players off.

“So it is something we have spoken about as a club.

Ben Creagh is also off contract. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“As long as we are clear in our communications with the four players and keep them informed how things are going we don’t have to make a quick decision.

“We can assess things through the first part of the year.

“We don’t want to be reactive with anything.

“I can assure you we haven’t made a decision that Benji is not here.

“But obviously with four key players off contract we have to make some decisions moving forward.”

Marshall also made the point of saying he did not feel threatened about his future.

“I am pretty relaxed to be honest with you,” he said.

“All I know within myself is that I have got a lot to offer any team, whether that is here or whether it is not.

“I feel like my leadership has gone up another level and my control on the field will go up another level this year.

“It is something I am excited about, getting out on the field”