London can't afford him, discussion closed.

Why are you so certain? They must be way way below the salary cap limit with all the no name players they have recruited this season. The team has not a single star -- unless you want to include the long term injured Kieran Dixon. This current London team is a bargain basement side. They have previously forked out big money for Craig Gower, and later Jamie Soward. They can do the same for Benji Marshall if there is a will.

Even Benji in his pomp couldn't carry this London team, but he hasn't 'done it' for a couple of years at least. And his agent has categorically ruled out a move to the UK. More chance of him getting a hefty wodge for a short stint in France or Japan if there really is no NRL contract. Find that hard to believe though.

More chance of him going back to the Tigers than coming to SL.

it was saying on tv last night that for rest of season he only wants $100.000

David Hughes can afford that.

I don't see any NRL club wanting to pay even that to keep him as cover in the NSW Cup awaiting their first choice halves getting injured. They don't really need him that badly. London and perhaps Bradford do.

sharks were mentioned again as favs on the "back page"
london havnt any money, maybe under cap , but they are skint

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him land with the Sharks - he's got some good mates already at the club, and I think he'd be welcomed.

I'm not so sure he's exactly the type of halfback the Sharks need to partner Carney though. Generally Carney has played his better rugby with a calming organiser style half back rather than another maverick.

Having said that, once the Sharks have their 1st choice pack avaiable for selection, a player like Marshall could flourish with the new rule interpretations speeding up the game.

Jeff Robson does the job as scrum half alongside Carney. Cronulla Sharks have suffered from a huge injury toll among their forwards. Yet once Gallen returned last week they played very well against the reigning premiers, and only lost by 6 points. Once their forwards are all available the team will be a force in the NRL premiership. The coach knows that. If I was Cronulla's coach I would be very hesitant to upset a current halves combination that works.

I am sure that Benji doesn't[i want [/ito come to England. But if he doesn't get a decent paying offer from the NRL, he may reconsider his position. Nobody wants to be unemployed!

That's what I was getting at, although he's certainly no world beater, Robson is the ideal style half back to accompany Carney, and Carney plays a lot better when Robson plays. For a little half , He's a great little defender is Robson too.

The Sharks are a great roughie bet to win the NRL with a current price of 66/1. Even though they're only 1 from 6, with the amount of upsets so far in the NRL, they're only a couple of wins from the 8. Although I'd still suggest they are probably a couple of centres short of a premiership winning team, but as they showed last year, on their day they can and do mix it with the best. I'd suggest it's worth a cheeky fiver bet.

And back to the original point, it still wouldn't surprise me to see Marshall sign with the Sharks, even though I don't think they really need him. There is talk of Robson moving to 9...

i'll bet you a pint of tooheys new that he plays nrl this season?

100k, David Hughes, via his actions has made it clear the current club is there to fulfil a fixture list, as he doesn't want to fall out with his friends at Red Hall. He won't be investing anything more, not one red cent, so theres either enough change from the Sky Money, or there isn't. I suspect if there was, TR would've called Benji by now.

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Dragons have Gareth Widdop playing superbly at five eighth and Michael Witt (former London Bronco) playing well at scrum half. Sharks have Todd Carney as their star five eighth and Jeff Robson doing fine at scrum half. Neither club will pay big money for a player who is likely to be playing NSW Cup and waiting for one of the first choice halves to be injured. So my original claim that no NRL club will want Benji for the money he is asking stands unrefuted. That leaves Benji with Super League as his only option. Much has been made of Marwyn Koukash's earlier quest for Benji. But Salford have an abundance of halves, and the coach is unlikely to recommend a costly addition to the roster in that position. Perhaps another SL club might be interested. Perhaps several will be interested. But I would think that London could make best use of him --- if they want to pay his asking price, and if they can get him fit.'" news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sp ... 383qm.html

Quote: JEAN CAPDOUZE "Dragons have Gareth Widdop playing superbly at five eighth and Michael Witt (former London Bronco) playing well at scrum half. Sharks have Todd Carney as their star five eighth and Jeff Robson doing fine at scrum half. Neither club will pay big money for a player who is likely to be playing NSW Cup and waiting for one of the first choice halves to be injured. So my original claim that no NRL club will want Benji for the money he is asking stands unrefuted. That leaves Benji with Super League as his only option. Much has been made of Marwyn Koukash's earlier quest for Benji. But Salford have an abundance of halves, and the coach is unlikely to recommend a costly addition to the roster in that position. Perhaps another SL club might be interested. Perhaps several will be interested. But I would think that London could make best use of him --- if they want to pay his asking price, and if they can get him fit.'" news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sp ... 383qm.html

That's St George Dragons that play in Super League cos the NRL St George don't want or need him

After watching his first game for St. George, he was truly awful! Knock ons, Forward passes, Passes straight into touch, the lot! Can only get better after that performance I suppose.