Update: 6:58PM BENJI Marshall will return to the NRL with the St George Illawarra Dragons after finally agreeing to a two-and-a-half year deal.
The deal is believed to be worth just over $1million.
Marshall informed the Dragons of his decision just after 3pm today.
By linking with the Dragons, Marshall has ignored the opportunity to join Cronulla where the majority of his ex-Wests Tigers team-mates now play.
“We made Benji a very good offer and are disappointed he won’t be joining our club,” Sharks CEO Steve Noyce said.
“We have strong values surrounding mateship here at the Sharks and with a collection of his good friends at the club thought that may have swayed him. As it turned out that obviously wasn’t the priority for him with his final decision. We can accept that and we wish him well.”
Noyce went on to explain, while he would certainly have complemented the current playing group, he is confident the Sharks possess more than capable personnel to cover for Marshall not joining the Cronulla club.
“It must be said in Todd Carney, who is on a long term contract here, and Jeff Robson who has been terrific for us this year, along with others we have coming through our lower grades, we certainly have quality players in the halves and confidence in their ability to do the job for us,” Noyce said.
Marshall annnounced on Easter Monday that he was returning to the NRL, after failing to make the grade in his switch to rugby union with Super Rugby’s Blues.
