Benji Marshall seeks release

Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall has asked the club for a release from his contract.

Marshall, 28, is contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2015 season but his manager Martin Tauber has contacted Wests’ Chief Operating Officer Grant Mayer to advise Marshall would be seeking a release from the final two years.

The former New Zealand captain has been the key playmaker for Wests since making his first grade debut in 2003, and in his 193 matches for the club he has gone on to become their all-time leading points scorer.

On the Tigers official website Mayer said, “From a Wests Tigers perspective, we are extremely disappointed to receive the news as we believe that we have been exceptionally generous to a player that has given us wonderful service over a number of years.

“Benji has obviously made a decision that he believes is right for himself and his family. All we can do is thank him wholeheartedly for what he has done for not only the club but the game as a whole.

“Benji Marshall in the eyes of all Wests Tigers supporters is a superstar and we have no doubt he will continue to support the club from afar.”

Mayer said the board of the Wests Tigers would consider the release once the official notification is received and he added, “I would expect that this would be resolved relatively quickly.”