Star five-eighth Benji Marshall is still on the hunt for a club for 2021 after being let go by the Tigers and the Bulldogs have now emerged as an interested party with the Sharks’ interest fading away, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Marshall was linked to the Cowboys, where he’d reunite with new coach Todd Payten, his 2005 grand final teammate. However, Marshall backed away from the deal due to his desire to remain in Sydney.
The Sharks entered the conversation given key playmaker Shaun Johnson will miss the start of next season through injury, but the club is reportedly close to re-signing young half Braydon Trindall which will ultimately cancel out any chance of Marshall signing.
I understand they’re about to re-sign Braydon Trindall, their young half coming through the ranks and given that they already have Chad Townsend and Shaun Johnson at the club, I don’t think Benji Marshall will be heading to the Shire.”
The Telegraph reports the Bulldogs have discussed Marshall as an option for 2021 to add both depth and experience to their young halves stocks but it all comes down to whether new coach Trent Barrett can lure across Penrith playmaker Matt Burton.
Canterbury have offered Burton a two-year deal worth $800,000 from 2022 but remain hopeful the Panthers will release him early to make the move to Belmore for 2021.
If the Bulldogs can’t land Burton for next season, the club will likely begin talks with Marshall’s camp.
It seems though, Canterbury have more than the Panthers to worry about with Riccio revealing the Sharks also have interest in the highly regarded half.
“Interestingly, the Sharks are making a little play for Matt Burton,” he said.
“We all know the Bulldogs are in the box seat to pry Matt Burton out of Penrith, however, I understand the Sharks — as somewhat of a replacement for the off-contract Matt Moylan at the end of next year — Matt Burton is right on their radar.”
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
