Wests Tigers players credit favourite son Benji Marshall for changing the club’s culture

BENJI Marshall has only been at the back at his beloved Wests Tigers for four months but he is already having a profound effect on his peers and the club as a whole.

Benji Marshall’s positive attitude has been infectious. Picture: Phil Hillyard

BENJI Marshall has only been at the Tigers for four months but he is already changing the team’s culture.

Senior Tigers Elijah Taylor and Luke Brooks believe an upbeat and experienced Marshall has made joint-venture club a calmer and happier place.

From staying back and doing extras with the young players to organising team functions, the veteran playmaker is making a significant impact.

Most importantly, Taylor says Marshall has played a vital role in helping the Tigers put aside their usual drama and distraction to focus on football.

Benji Marshall’s positive attitude has been infectious. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Benji has been so influential,” Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.

“He always brings a positive energy, especially to training sessions.

“There is just a good vibe about him when he walks in.

“It’s great, because he brings a lot of enthusiasm to everything we do. He has also taken on a leadership role helping the young players develop their skills.”

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Brooks has particularly benefited from Marshall’s return to the Tigers.

The pair regularly work on their passing and kicking games, while they’ve built a tight bond off the field.

Brooks has no doubts Marshall will help him take his game to another level in 2018.

“Benji has been great for me,” Brooks said.

“He brings a lot of energy to training, which is good because it does get tough in pre-season when you come in on a Monday morning and you’ve got a big week ahead.

“But Benji is always upbeat and that helps the boys.”

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The Tigers have lost over 700 games of NRL experience following the departures of seasoned players like James Tedesco, Matt Ballin and former skipper Aaron Woods.

On the plus side, the club have picked up a cast of experienced campaigners in Marshall, Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer, Chris McQueen and Ben Matulino.

Taylor says these recruits have provided the Tigers with valuable class, composure and drive at training.

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“They’ve all been massive for us, because experience is something that we missed a bit last year,” he said.

“That was especially the case in tight games. We were winning a lot of games at halftime last year, but we weren’t able to ice them off.

“But experienced campaigners know what to do when the game is on the line and guys like Benji and Reynolds will be perfect for that.”

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Originally published as Wests Tigers players credit favourite son Benji Marshall for changing the club’s culture