In a twist that will hit many people like a bolt from the blue, the prodigal son is coming home.
Benji Marshall will finish his brilliant career at Wests Tigers after signing on for the 2018 NRL season.
Five years after leaving the club in controversial circumstances, the 32 year old will come home to the club where it all started for him as a 17 year old schoolboy rugby league star way, way back in 2003.
Marshall, who played 201 games for Wests Tigers before leaving to play rugby, will always be a club legend thanks to his key role in the grand final win over the North Queensland Cowboys in 2005.
That was also another bolt from the blue and Benji will always be remembered for the incredible flick pass to big Pat Richards who went on to score just before half time and set up a victory that was celebrated long into the night at Campbelltown and Balmain.
Marshall’s departure in 2013 divided the club and the Wests Tigers fans, much the same as when his partner in crime in that premiership win, Robbie Farah, also parted company with the black and gold.
But while Marshall’s return is being warmly welcomed, there isn’t a snowflake in hell’s chance that Farah would ever return.
Apart from anything else, Marshall has been performing impressively whenever Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has thrown him in the fray.
No doubt that would have been a factor in the decision to offer him a contract at Wests Tigers for next year.
In the media statement issued this morning, it was obvious that Wests Tigers head coach Ivan Cleary was happy to have Marshall as part of his 2018 campaign.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Benji has been one of the premier players in the NRL since his debut season and it’s great to be able to welcome him back to Wests Tigers,” Cleary said.[/social_quote]
“He brings more than 250 games of NRL experience back to this club which will be invaluable for our young side.
“I look forward to working with Benji over the coming year, he has a lot to offer this club and I know he’s keen to return and make a positive impact on Wests Tigers,” he said.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that Marshall would bring a wealth of experience to the club.
“The whole club is really excited to be welcoming a legend like Benji back,” Pascoe said.
“Benji has as a long history with this club, with the members, with the fans and with the stakeholders and bringing back a Life Member to help continue to transform this footy club is a great result for everyone.
“Benji will add experience and leadership to our young group of players coming through, not only on the field, but also off the field,” he said.
“Benji will be given every opportunity to compete for a starting position and put pressure on those ahead of him and he will also be expected to, and is looking forward to, be a mentor for the younger players coming through.
“What excites me the most is that Benji can see and believes in the direction the club is heading and wants to be a part of that, he sees that the future of Wests Tigers is extremely bright.”
Marshall has played 264 NRL games for Wests Tigers, the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos and won the Golden Boot award in 2010.
He has represented New Zealand on 25 occasions and was named a Wests Tigers Life Member in 2013.
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