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South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says he would sign unwanted Wests Tigers veteran Benji Marshall if there was an opportunity with his NRL club.
Wayne Bennett says he'd happily sign unwanted Wests Tigers veteran Benji Marshall if South Sydney had room for him.
Bennett coached Marshall at Brisbane in 2017, with the Rabbitohs mentor full of praise for the Tigers legend.
Marshall has been told by the Tigers he will not be re-signed for next year, ending his second stint at the club where he made his debut back in 2003.
The 35-year-old is now considering his future, but Bennett felt he would be an asset for any NRL club.
While he wouldn't reveal details of their conversation, the coach said he had spoken with Marshall and would give him a lifeline with Souths if he could.
"I would if there was an opportunity here, but there isn't an opportunity here so that can't happen," Bennett said on Thursday.
Bennett said while Marshall only played 13 games during that 2017 season he impressed all with his professionalism and was a mentor for young players.
"We've all seen Benji for a long time so I don't think I need to tell everybody about him, but I will tell you what you don't see.
"He is an outstanding bloke and he was outstanding with the players that we had at the Broncos at the time.
"We had a lot of young players there and I can't give him enough accolades for the contribution he made.
"He didn't get a lot of regular first grade, but he just respected being part of the team and he got a great deal of respect from the players because of his attitude, professionalism and the way he helped a lot of them."
Bennett said he wouldn't tell Marshall his thoughts about retirement versus playing on, with North Queensland and Canterbury raised as possible new homes.
"It is not about what I think, it is about what he thinks," he said.
"It is his body; he knows what he has done in the game and where he is at in life.
"The club has made its decision and he has got a decision to make himself and I just wish him well with it."
