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Message: [QUOTE="Danoz Direct, post: 2782724, member: 8457"] [h=1]A heart-to-heart conversion between Benji Marshall, Wayne Bennett lead to Broncos offer[/h] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]BENJI Marshall will formally sign with the Broncos within 48 hours after being talked out of retirement by Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Marshall’s manager Martin Tauber revealed how a heart-to-heart with Bennett saved his NRL career, with the veteran playmaker telling the super coach: “I don’t want to retire.”[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Bennett’s lifeline to Marshall is genuine with Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee to rubberstamp a contract offer by Friday. The 31-year-old will ink the basic fulltime deal, worth around $100,000-a-season, immediately, sealing his move to Queensland for a season of redemption in Broncos colours in 2017. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Bennett is taking one of his biggest recruitment gambles by signing Marshall but Tauber said money came secondary to the former Kiwi Test skipper’s desire to prove he is not a spent force.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Asked if Marshall will join the Broncos, Tauber said: “The deal will be done, yes.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Benji will receive a contract from the Broncos in the next 24 to 48 hours and he will sign it.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“He desperately wants to continue his career at the Broncos.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Whether it’s a one-year or two-year deal we’re not sure, maybe there will be an option (for a second season), but either way he’ll be moving to Brisbane.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“If he had his way, Benji would play another two or three years. Guys like Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith (Melbourne trio) are playing well into their 30s.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“This is not about the money, it’s about the opportunity and Benji’s desire to play on.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“In his words, he said he’s not ready to retire.”[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]A veteran of 255 NRL games, Marshall is viewed as a possible left centre following the retirement of Jack Reed.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Reed’s replacement late last season, rookie Tom Opacic, could miss the start of the 2017 premiership due to two shoulder operations that will sideline him for five months. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]Bennett’s interest in Marshall only developed in recent days after the off-contract Dragons playmaker phoned him to seek the coach’s counsel as he weighed up his future.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Benji actually rang Wayne for some career advice and that’s when the conversation turned to well what are you going to do Benji,” Tauber said.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Benji said, ‘I’m not sure, I’m just looking for an opportunity’ and that’s where it all began.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Wayne gave Benji some advice and that’s when the conversation turned. That’s what began the contract discussions.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“Wayne Bennett has a huge regard for Benji, he wrote the foreword to his book and always said he would like to coach him.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“By the end of the week, we’re expecting a firm contract offer in Benji’s hands.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“This is a good move. Wayne is a great coach and Benji would bring the quality of leadership and mentoring to Brisbane’s young players.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=Merriweather Sans]“He is a great ambassador for rugby league and he will do well in that regard for the Broncos.” [url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/a-hearttoheart-conversion-between-benji-marshall-wayne-bennett-lead-to-broncos-offer/news-story/117c6155f730531d25cf2449366eea9a]No Cookies | The Courier Mail[/url][/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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