Benji Marshall’s freakish flick stuns Titans in epic Rabbitohs comeback
Benji Marshall has turned back the clock to his most famous moment in a play that would have all Tigers fans crying in their beers.
Souths star Benji Marshall has made the NRL’s highlight reel for the rest of the season with a stunning moment to set up Alex Johnson’s try in Souths’ 40-30 comeback over the Titans.
Having been down 24-10 at halftime on the back of David Fifita’s rampaging hat-trick, the Rabbitohs were a different team in the second half.
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It took 13 minutes for the Rabbitohs to erase the Titans lead, with Marshall following up a line break from Keaon Koloamatangi to score an easy try next to the posts.
But it was his next act seven minutes later that had social media buzzing.
Marshall’s most famous moment came in the 2005 Grand Final, when a magic flick pass put winger Pat Richards in for a try.
It’s 16 years later but it appears the skills are no less sharp.
Now at 36, and having equalled the most matches by a New Zealand born player with 331, Marshall was playing like a 20-year-old again.
Having been let go by the Wests Tigers, the side he made his name at, he appears to have found a new lease of life with the Rabbitohs.
Named out of position in the centres after Latrell Mitchell’s suspension saw a backline reshuffle, Marshall shifted to the halves and had a second half blinder, including setting up Alex Johnston with an insane flick pass.
After Cameron Murray stuck his head through the line, he somehow got the ball away for Marshall, who headed towards the sideline 10m out.
But instead of going to ground, Marshall threw a no-look pass back on the inside, with Johnston in the right place at the right time.
WHAT ABOUT THIS ASSIST FROM BENJI?! BUNNIES BACK ON TOP!
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 23, 2021
âï¸ BLOG: https://t.co/MkUKXONvHm
ð² MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/Sa2OSGClGX
ðº WATCH via @kayosports: https://t.co/IOoYJA2lL5#NRLTitansSouthspic.twitter.com/BlLM0JcYrG
“It’s ridiculous, it’s amazing, Marshall to Johnston,” Warren Smith screamed on Fox League.
Steve Roach added: “We’ve seen some great tries in this game of football but none better than that. It's like Benjamin Button, that’s what they should be calling him”.
“He had to have had no clue, only trust and faith that Johnston would be there,” Smith said.
Roach then said that the pass “wasn’t brilliant” but threw it believing that Johnston would get there.
But social media were in raptures over the incredible effort from Marshall.
Even at 36, a confident Benji Marshall is amazing to watch. What a player. #NRLTitansRabbitohs
— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) April 23, 2021
Blocker said the pass wasnât brilliant....WHAT?!?! That pass from Benji was amazing!!
— Derek Rucker (@derekrucker5) April 23, 2021
Wait, now heâs said that it was brilliant.
ð¤¦ð½ââï¸#NRL
Tigers didnât want Benji Marshall ððð
— Ryan Brierley (@RyanBrierley) April 23, 2021
Benji Marshall inspires me to think that maybe Iâm not just a washed up unemployed has-been after all. Maybe. #NRLTitansRabbitohs
— Bill Woods (@bmrwoods) April 23, 2021
Benji! Still the ð #NRL
— á´á´Êá´É´ Êá´á´¡á´Ê (@AaronBower) April 23, 2021
Benji Marshall is one of my all time favourite rugby league players. ALL TIME. Brilliant try
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 23, 2021
Gould was also asked by a fan whether Marshall should be “considered for Immoral status?” replying “He’s an immortal whether they give it to him or not.”
Marshall then did it again, throwing a no-look cut out pass for Alex Johnston to run down the sideline, before handing the ball back for the ageless wonder to score his second.
At 36, Marshall hasn’t lost a step, and social media was also quick to remind the Wests Tigers of what they lost.
Rough night for Tigers fans - Benji blitz for Souths, Thompson terrific for Gold Coast.
— Matt Russell (@MattRussellFOX) April 23, 2021
Thems the breaks.
This is seriously embarrassing for @WestsTigers#benji#NRLTitansRabbitohs
— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) April 23, 2021