Shocked Wests Tigers players are resigned to the fact Benji Marshall will be granted an early release from his NRL contract, with the Kiwi superstar set to switch to rugby union in 2014.

Marshall, through his manager Martin Tauber, on Monday night sought a release from the final two years of his contract, with a Tigers board meeting on Tuesday night to consider the request.

Tigers interim chief executive Grant Mayer said a decision was unlikely before Thursday, but Marshall’s teammates don’t expect the champion five-eighth to be at the club beyond this season, claiming the development could act as a finals motivator this year.

“Pretty shocked and disappointed,” centre Chris Lawrence said of Marshall’s release request.

“I would have like to have seen him be a Tiger for life.

“It’s going to be a big change.

“We all want to send Benji off on a winning note – he deserves it for everything he’s done for the club.”

Marshall is believed to have had a handshake agreement with former CEO Stephen Humphreys for an upgraded and extended contract through to the end of 2017.

His future became murky when Humphreys stood down, though Mayer had expected the 28-year-old would agree to an upgraded deal – believed to be worth more than $700,000 a season – through to the end of 2015.

“We were very, very confident that we were headed in the right direction with Benji but the phone call last night was surprising,” said Mayer.

“But I can understand the reasons Benji made the decision.”

Asked if he believed Marshall already had a deal with a rugby union franchise, Mayer said: “I take his manger at face value and he says he hasn’t.”

Marshall has been linked with a move to Super Rugby teams the NSW Waratahs, Auckland Blues and also to Japanese rugby union.

Earlier, Tigers captain Robbie Farah said that despite his disappointment he supported close friend Marshall’s call.

“I was shocked, I thought he was going to stay,” Farah said.

“(But) he’s made his decision and I support it.”

Marshall has had his issues with the club over the past two seasons, the 28-year-old a key figure in the demise of longtime coach Tim Sheens in 2012.

But his relationship with new coach Mick Potter doesn’t appear to be much smoother, Marshall at one stage this season dumped to the bench.