Payten keen on Marshall

Cowboys confident of signing star

THE Cowboys are closing in on the signature of Benji Marshall – the playmaking whiz who broke North Queensland’s hearts in the 2005 grand final.

New Cowboys coach Todd Payten is in negotiations with Marshall, armed with a oneyear, $150,000 contract in the hope of luring the 324-game Tigers legend to Townsville.

Before the arrival of Payten, the Cowboys told rookie playmaker Jake Clifford he was free to negotiate with rival clubs and his departure could open the door for Marshall to join Michael Morgan and Scott Drinkwater in the halves.

Clifford is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of next year but is tipped to join Newcastle in the coming weeks after fielding interest from the Knights.

Marshall was the architect of Wests Tigers’ fairytale 2005 premiership win, famously producing the magical flick pass that inspired his side’s 30-16 grand final defeat of the Cowboys.

Now, 15 years later, the 35year-old veteran, unwanted by the Tigers for next season, could join the Cowboys club he once tormented.

Payten, Marshall’s Tigers teammate in the 2005 decider, is a huge fan of the former New Zealand Test captain and believes his experience, leadership and playmaking knowhow could provide support for Morgan and Drinkwater.

It is understood Marshall is keen to sign with the Cowboys, but one possible impediment is his lucrative media contract with Fox Sports in Sydney, which could be jeopardised if he moves to Townsville.

But the Cowboys remain confident they will get their man and are hopeful of striking a 12-month deal with Marshall within the week.

Despite his advancing years, Marshall has exhibited some sublime touches in the past two seasons and says he is reading a game better now than he did in his embryonic years as a flashy playmaker.

The Cowboys are desperate to hit back after three consecutive bottom-four finishes and believe Marshall can help Morgan bring some composure and option-taking class to North Queensland’s scrumbase. Payten has spoken to Clifford about remaining at the club to potentially learn from Marshall, but it is understood the 22-year-old is ready for a change.

Clifford has shown some promise in recent years but some Cowboys insiders do not believe he can take the club to a premiership.

Marshall, who made his NRL debut in 2003, last month revealed he was not ready to retire after being shown the door by the Tigers.

“I feel like I can add a bit of leadership and mentoring to some teams,” he said.