Wests Tigers are pleased to announce that Benji Marshall has signed a new playing contract with the club for the 2020 season.
The new, one-year deal will see the Life Member remain with Wests Tigers in 2020 and extend his NRL playing career in to its 18th season.
A product of Keebra Park High School, Marshall would make his first-grade debut for Wests Tigers as a teenager in 2003 — coming off the bench to steer Wests Tigers to a 52-12 win over the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Inducted as an inaugural Life Member of the club in 2013, Marshall would play 203 games in total for Wests Tigers over a decade before switching to rugby union.
Coming back to the NRL via St. George-Illawarra, Marshall would play 54 games for the Dragons across two-and-a-half years before signing with Brisbane in 2017.
After playing 13 games for the Broncos, the Kiwi international would return home to Wests Tigers in 2018 and has played 40 games for the club since — bringing up his 300-game milestone earlier in the year against the Parramatta Eels.
Benji: A long walk to 300
One of just six players to register 300 NRL games having played for Wests Tigers during their career, Marshall is currently the club’s second-most capped player of all time with 241 games and the club’s all-time leading points scorer with 1,144 points.
The 34-year-old said he was delighted to extend his playing career with Wests Tigers.
“I’m really excited to sign on for another season with this club,” Marshall said.
“From my debut through to now, Wests Tigers has always been such a big part of my life and it’s pretty special for me to be able to continue and finish my playing career with this club.
“I’ve been really impressed with the direction we’re heading in.
"As a playing group and a club overall, I think we’re in a really strong position and I’m looking forward to being able to play a part in us achieving the success our Members and fans deserve.”
In addition to his countless achievements at club level, Marshall has amassed 28 Tests for New Zealand over 14 years with World Cup and Four Nations success.
Wests Tigers Coach and current Kiwis Coach Michael Maguire highlighted Marshall’s positive impact on the club and his contribution to rugby league as a whole.
“Benji has played an incredibly important part in the history of this club and I’m really pleased to see him extend his playing future for another season,” Maguire said.
“I’ve been able to see firsthand the influence and impact that Benji has had on the game of rugby league, New Zealand and Wests Tigers and he has done a terrific job giving back to the game in that way.
"He has achieved everything there is in rugby league but still has a firm desire to keep achieving with this club moving forward in to 2020. His leadership and experience were invaluable assets to us throughout this year and I have no doubt he will continue to play a key role for us on field in the year ahead.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe praised Marshall for his leadership on and off the field, and his contribution to the club throughout the years.
Benji Marshall has an unquestionable passion for Wests Tigers...
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe
“As a club, I speak for everyone when I say how excited and pleased we are to see Benji Marshall commit to another season with Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said.
“Not only has he had tremendous success on the field, he has a phenomenal impact off the field with fans, Members and sponsors alike, and continues to inspire generations of sporting fans to greater things.
“Benji has an unquestionable passion for Wests Tigers and epitomises the values that we want to be known by, so we’re delighted to see him remain a part of our club in 2020.”
