Uldu leave wobbly Warriors further in gun
That was then. The question is: what can the 2018 version of Marshall bring to the equation?
The electric pace is long gone but the 32-year-old retains the smarts and guile of more than 250 NRL games, as well as that famous step, still effective close to the line. Marshall has been restricted to a behind the scenes role since moving to Queensland, with a fractured wrist last month following an Achilles problem early in the year.
“My whole point of coming to Brisbane was to change things up and be coached by Wayne [Bennett],” said Marshall. “I’m back playing five-eighth and don’t have to worry so much about organising the team. I can focus on running the footy a bit more. I came here to enjoy my footy and I’ll look to do that this week.”
Marshall is wary of the Warriors. Despite their poor position on the NRL ladder, the Auckland club traditionally find their best form in June and July.
“They are in a bit of a tough patch at the moment, but historically this is the game they turn up every year, when they play the Broncos around Origin time,” said Marshall.
“They did a job on us last year [36-18 at Mt Smart] and we have spoken about that. I am pretty sure that any team coached by Stephen Kearney will be fired up to play us. We’ll have to do the same.”
Marshall, who has never played alongside Broncos halfback Ben Hunt, faces the Kiwi test combination of Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson tomorrow night.
“It is [a big ask],” conceded Marshall. “But myself and Ben are pretty experienced at first grade level and we won’t be overawed. We have a pretty good chemistry and when you have that trust in each other off the field, it’s easy to translate on to the field.”