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MrCharisma
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LESS than a hour after leaving the field with his seventh shoulder injury in three years, Wests Tigers discussed the possibility of switching five-eighth Benji Marshall to fullback to preserve his career.
Marshall, 22, will have scans on his right shoulder today to determine the extent of the damage sustained in a tackle only five minutes into the Tigers' 30-12 win over Melbourne Storm at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night before meeting specialist Des Bokor to find out if another season is over.
Yesterday, Tigers coach Tim Sheens dismissed suggestions Marshall's body wasn't suited to the heavy contact sport, stressing that regardless of the medical report it was not the end of the prodigiously talented New Zealand star's career.
"There's no indication of that," Sheens said. "I'm sure we won't lose him."
Even if he makes a successful recovery, it is understood the coaching staff has already held preliminary discussions about moving the Tigers' best player to the last line of defence.
Captain and regular fullback Brett Hodgson, 29, holds down the spot but is off contract at the end of next year and has been used by Sheens at times as an option in the halves.
The only hurdle facing the club in any switch is the fact it has been grooming injured rookie Shannon McDonnell for the position.
Channel 9 commentators Phil Gould and Matthew Johns also backed the move yesterday, hypothesising Marshall could even drop back there to defend before assuming his preferred position of five-eighth in attack.
The Tigers obviously have to come up with a plan B after Marshall reeled out of an attempted tackle on Storm winger Israel Folau and left the field clutching his dislocated shoulder.
The club has had medical advice that the ligaments in Marshall's shoulders are genetically weak, implying he will always run the risk of dislocation in a high-contact sport such as rugby league.
Although he has had operations on both shoulders, it is the right one that has given him the most trouble since he made his first-grade debut in 2003, requiring two operations in the past two years.
There are concerns Marshall might be facing another long stint on the sidelines as it took medical staff some time to pop his shoulder back into place. As a rule the longer it takes, the longer the rehabilitation.
However, all parties remained confident after the game that his latest injury will not be season ending.
"He's had both ends of the ligament done, so it depends on which one it is," Sheens said.
"The original one had held when he hurt it again and it was a new one.
"Until we get scans we don't really know what the scenario is and what the specialist is going to suggest."
Traditionally, the Tigers have struggled without Marshall, managing to win only 30 per cent of their games compared to 60 per cent when he plays.
Bookmakers reacted accordingly, with Lasseters Sports leaving the Tigers at $17 to win the title despite the fact they scored a convincing win over the premiership favourite.
"It was a big victory and on face value they should come into $11," Lasseters spokesman Gerard Daffy said.
"Recent history shows they don't go too well without him but they didn't have him last night and they looked like world beaters.
"I don't know what to do but I'd imagine no-one is going to want to back them."
Marshall wasn't the only injury concern for the Tigers, in-form centre Dean Collis sustained a medial knee ligament injury towards the end of the match.
The club could ill-afford to lose Collis as he is the next-choice goalkicker behind Marshall, with Hodgson still recovering from knee surgery.
The Tigers' other concern was replacement Danny Galea being placed on report for a dangerous throw on Storm forward Ben Cross.
In better news for the club, Tigers hooker Robbie Farah did his chances of a maiden New South Wales State of Origin jumper no harm, after scoring a try and making the most of the playmaker role with halfback John Morris in the absence of Marshall.
Farah has turned in strong performances in his past two matches against Origin-class hookers - NSW's Danny Buderus whom he opposed for City against Country last Thursday night and Melbourne and Queensland rake Cameron Smith in Gosford on Saturday night.
The 23 year old is not expected to dislodge NSW captain and incumbent hooker Buderus but he is locked in a fierce battle with Newcastle fullback Kurt Gidley to fill a spot on the Blues' bench.
"He's played two very quality hookers and someone said 'he outpointed them' but I don't think he outpointed them," Sheens said.
"He just showed he's as good as them and that's all he needed to do."
The Australian
