Marshall in mourning but will play
AFTER the death of his grandfather in New Zealand, Wests Tigers co-captain Benji Marshall will tonight play one of the most emotional matches of his NRL career.
Marshall was granted personal leave this week to say his farewell in his home country, but declared a certain starter to take on Newcastle.
“He missed the one session, which is not unusual for Benji anyway. He was back for our main session yesterday,” coach Ivan Cleary said yesterday.
Marshall, who after the match will head back across the ditch for the funeral on Saturday, considered his grandfather his No.1 fan.
Cleary said it was important that Marshall was given the chance to be with his family, adding the 33-year-old was in good spirits upon his return with the playing group.
“I think he’s all right,” Cleary said. “It was good for him to get the opportunity to go back and say his farewell. We had a good chat yesterday and he seemed his bright self.”
Marshall’s long-term future remains undecided as he and fellow Tigers veteran Robbie Farah weigh up whether to play for another season.
Cleary said there was value in having both players kick on in 2019.
“I’d love them to play next year,” he said. “Benj and Robbie have had such long, distinguished careers. Certainly at this club, what they’ve done has been enormous, and they’re still playing well.
“But it’s one of those things where it’s just that time in their careers where they’ve got to be sure that they want to go around and we’ve got to be able to make it work as well.”
The ninth-placed Tigers are four points behind the eighthplaced Warriors with five games remaining.