Bennett urges Benji Marshall to play on

Benji Marshall has vowed to play on after a conversation with Wayne Bennett, despite being squeezed out of his beloved Wests Tigers.

Benji Marshall has vowed to play on after a conversation with Wayne Bennett, despite being squeezed out of his beloved Wests Tigers.

Marshall wants to continue his NRL career and had intended on finishing it off with the Tigers. But any thought of a fairytale farewell has been quashed after the Tigers officially told their 2005 premiership winner his time was up at season’s end.

“I would’ve loved to have retired playing at the Wests Tigers but due to the club’s decision (made on me) it’s not going to be,” Marshall said on NRL 360 last night.

“I might have to play somewhere else if I want to keep playing. I’m not on a massive wage at the Tigers. I thought making a decision at the end of the year would’ve been fine because I’m not breaking the salary cap.

“The club has five halves on their books next year. I still feel like I have a lot to offer. There are still things I want to do.”

Marshall reached out to former Broncos coach Bennett on Tuesday when he realised his time with the Tigers was over.

Bennett told him if he still has the fire then keep on playing, giving Marshall hope that he

won’t have to call time on his decorated career.

Manly could be an option for the 35-year-old while playing alongside brother Jeremy at Canterbury may be another path he could explore given the long-term injury to Bulldogs recruit Blake Green.

Marshall approached coach Michael Maguire on Monday after reports surfaced he would have to exit the club.

“Since playing under Michael he has always been honest with me,” Marshall said. “When you hear about not being wanted by other sources, not from the coach or club, you want to find out if it’s true or not. I went in and asked if it was true.”

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Maguire came back with the news 24 hours later that the second-most capped Tiger would have to leave. Marshall played down talk of discontent among the playing group, despite some players being clearly agitated by Maguire’s coaching style.

“We haven’t reacted well to the whole season,” Marshall said. “You can’t blame the coach’s actions on the way we’ve played. Everyone has to take accountability for that.

“They will be searching for answers and they’ve started that with me not being there next year and there will probably be more to come. They need to be able to attract some bigger-name players.”

The Tigers are battling salary cap constraints. Next year they still have Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye and Russell Packer on inflated deals while Luke Brooks is also struggling to live up to his price tag.

Marshall made his debut for the Tigers in 2003 and was part of the club’s only premiership win two years later.

The Daily Telegraph