Having ridden out out his own storm, Ben Barba is sure it’s only a matter of time before Benji Marshall bounces back to form.
Two of the NRL’s most electrifying stars, Barba and West Tigers superstar Marshall have plenty more in common than being linked by NRL chief executive David Smith’s famous `Benji Barba’ gaffe at the season launch.
Both have experienced this season how fragile confidence can be for even the most gifted of footabllers.
After spending the opening rounds of the season in a rehabilitation facility following a breakdown of his personal life, Canterbury fullback Barba has taken six games to get back to glimpses of his best.
Still mired in a slump is Marshall – struggling for form, penning newspaper columns admitting his game is `off’ and now suffering the indignity of being benched by the last-placed Tigers for Friday’s clash with South Sydney.
Barba believes he knows what Marshall needs, getting it is another matter.
“Confidence is a big thing with players,” Barba said on Wednesday.
“It’s easy to have it, but it’s just as easy to not have it.
“I’m sure Benji will work on it and come back bigger and better.
“We all know what sort of player he is and what he can do.
“It’s only a matter of time before he gains that confidence again and he’s back playing great footy for the Tigers.”
NSW Origin centre Josh Morris is also familiar with Marshall’s situation, having been dropped to reserves two seasons ago.
Rather than be rocked by the demotion, Morris returned to first grade a fortnight later and within a year had earned a State of Origin recall.
“I went down to NSW Cup for two weeks and played some good football down there, got my confidence back and haven’t looked back since,” Morris said.
“Whether he has to do that or play off the bench I’m sure it’s going to work out either way for Benji because he’s a great player.”
One thing’s certain, an out-of-form Marshall is still capable of causing a ripple of concern amongst his opposition – even from the bench.
“If Benji starts or he’s off the bench he’s still a capable player,” South Sydney coach Michael Maguire said.
“He does a lot of things in their game and then all of a sudden you might be standing under the posts.”
