Benji
If you've read a book going by the same title as this article, you'll understand Benji Marshall. You'll understand the type of person he is and what drives him in life and sports.
As a true blue league fan, I wasn't happy that Marshall decided to part ways with the Blues. As well as being a true blue leaguie, I am also a jaffa. A jaffa raised in the terraces, raised with images of Carlos Spencer, Adrian Cashmore etc and so it goes without saying that I am a true Blue. I would have loved Marshall to restore some pride and success in the Auckland Blues but it didn't work out and it kinda sucks on all levels. It sucks for Benji, it sucks for John Kirwan and it sucks for the Blues ... no matter where the fault my lie.
Every cloud has a silver lining however and for mine, the silver lining on this stormy cloud is very important. The Benji Marshall who left the West Tigers and the Benji Marshall who left the Auckland Blues are two very different people.
There is nothing more humbling than being somewhere outside your comfort zone, somewhere unfamiliar. The Benji Marshall who will re-enter the NRL could be a very valuable piece for some teams. Experienced play makers on the free market are very rare, especially when you can pick one up before the half way stage of the season and turn your season around. Marshall possibly has more to offer a team than he did before he went to rugby and the majority of it is mental.
You'll have to confirm this with the man himself, but from all signs, Marshall looks and sounds like he is keen to fit in to a team and genuinely help that team ... well he doesn't really have any other option. The Cowboys for example could definitely use someone with class and experience alongside Jonathan Thurston ... the dropping of Robert Lui with Ray Thompson shifting to halfback clearly demonstrates that they're still searching.
The Cronulla Sharks have had their name put in the mix also as the most likely suitor. But they have the most stable combination with Jeff Robson, Todd Carney and Michael Gordon all fitting the mould of Cronulla's style. Robson does a simple halfback job allowing Carney to play how Benji used to and Gordon ... well I don't know what Gordon offers but they seem to like him and I can't see them pursuing Marshall to take over at fullback (he could definitely slip in as an NRL fullback though).
The Melbourne Storm would be an awesome place for Benji Marshall. His role would be simple and very defined, but you would expect Craig Bellamy to allow Marshall some scope for individual talent. There are some strong leaders in Melbourne and it would be an easy place for Marshall to buy in to the culture, game plan and he could definitely push them from mid table to contender. They have Ben Hampton currently playing at 6 but have experimented with Ben Roberts ... I'd prefer Benji over both of them.
Who else? We don't know who has some salary cap space, but I'm gonna chuck the Gold Coast Titans in there. They have two fantastic young halves, but don't have quite the same class at fullback and Benji Marshall has stated that he's keen to try some fullback. The experience he'd offer Aidan Sezer and Albert Kelly would be awesome while he would greatly add to their team with his all round play making ability.
The Dragons get seem to get put in to any races for a class player and it's no different here. I'm unsure, Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall are very similar 6's and like the Sharks their halfback (whoever it is - Witt/Williams) plays their role to allow Widdop to do his thing. They definitely don't need a fullback so it would appear that they would only show interest in Marshall as a half. A Widdop/Marshall combo is definitely possible but I'm not sure if I'm convinced. I wouldn't be surprised, but I don't think it'll happen.
The Knights? No. The Dogs? No, well maybe. They're in the market for a fullback and with the we've seen this season that a fullback at the Bulldogs doesn't have to do too much with the way their forwards and halves play. It could be an intriguing fit, but only if both parties are happy with Marshall at fullback - Des Hasler is key, but it could be a good way to fulfill their needs relatively cheaply. The Eels? No. The Tigers? No. The Panthers? No. Manly? No. Rabbitohs? No. Roosters? No. Raiders? Hmmm, doubt it but a possibility. Imagine Marshall and Milford? In fact imagine Marshall, Milford and Campese? The problem here is that Ricky Stuart has labelled Jack Wighton as his long term 6 so that would make things tricky, but you could definitely bring in Marshall to give you some short term gain in term of wins, as well as long term gain by sharing his knowledge and experience with Wighton who has definitely looked like a work in progress. This also raises some of the external factors, would Benji want to live in Canberra? Craig Bellamy didn't think Marshall would want to move to Melbourne, so who knows. You would think however with everything that's happened, Marshall would just want to play footy some where where he can win and genuinely add to that club ... he'll only be there for a few years so lifestyle etc shouldn't really come in to the picture.
Ah the Warriors. When Marshall and his manager sit down, they'll rank their options and priorities. Does he want to just make a few bucks? Does he want to just be some where cruisy with a nice coffee scene? Which team has the best fit? Etc etc. You would imagine that with everything that's happened, Benji Marshall would not want to go anywhere near the Warriors. There are some aspects of the Warriors that could suit Marshall ... they don't have a consistent 6 and have some young players who could use some guidance. Forget anything that comes out of the Warriors camp, they haven't done anything to earn the public's trust and as we've seen in the last few months they lie, a lot. It's not whether the Warriors want Marshall, it's whether Marshall wants to play for the Warriors. Would you?
It all depends on what Benji Marshall wants. Does he want to join a contender? Does he want to just play footy and guide the young? Is he ok with a limited role like coming off the bench? The Benji Marshall of the past week looks comfortable with himself, he seems humbled, he seems eager to prove his worth and he seems genuine in all his intentions. This is a Benji Marshall who could have a big impact on the power balance within the NRL.