Benji Marshall is 36, but the veteran playmaker says he feels like a teenager again coming off the bench for South Sydney.
As South Sydney super sub Benji Marshall prepares for his first finals series since 2017, the champion playmaker is yet to decide if he’ll extend his stellar career.
Marshall hasn’t featured in the finals since lining up for Brisbane four seasons ago under Wayne Bennett, his current coach at the Rabbitohs.
The Kiwi veteran, who has played 343 NRL games since making his debut with the Wests Tigers in 2003, remains tight-lipped about his future.
Marshall wants to focus on Souths’ finals charge, his seventh playoff campaign in 19 seasons, before making a move on his career.
“That (my future) is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment,” 36-year-old Marshall said.
“And I don’t want to make it about me. It is about the team and getting through Penrith this week.
“I haven’t thought about it (my future) yet.
“In the past I’ve said I’ll decide at the end of the season, and I’ll do that again.”
Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker was only 13 when Marshall made his NRL debut back in ’03.
Walker praised the former Kiwi World Cup winner for helping him become a better player.
“Benji has been outstanding for me,” Walker said.
“When he comes on, he puts me in positions where I get the ball early and when I want it.
“I’ve been chatting to him about different things in the game because he has been in the game for a number of years.
“Most of the guys in the NRL in our positions really looked up to Benji from that 2005 and 2006 era, when he was just tearing blokes apart.”
Marshall is Souths’ most experienced player, but the 36-year-old isn’t worried about playing off the bench.
In fact, he loves being the impact player for the Rabbitohs.
“It is good, and I enjoy the role,” he said.
“I don’t even know what it is, to be honest; I just prepare for anything.
“I’ve played every position this year, except for wing.
“I just love playing footy and at the moment, I’m in a team where it is enjoyable.
“We won 20 games during the regular season, which we’ve never achieved, which is pretty special.
“To be a part of that is pretty good for me and my job is easy. I just come on wherever I’m needed and bring the energy.”
Souths aren’t expected to beat Penrith on Saturday night, especially without suspended star Latrell Mitchell, but Marshall has faith in coach Bennett’s plan.
He says the seven-time premiership-winning mentor has a powerful ability to inspire his teams to perform in the finals.
“Wayne puts the work in during the pre-season and throughout the year to make sure that he is all about player welfare and getting to know his players,” he said.
“What he does do is give you the confidence to believe in your ability and when he puts you out there, he backs you.
“That is all you want from your coach and if you have that, you can find another gear and he (Wayne) is one of the best at it.”
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