Open door

Marshall is off contract at the end of the season and is likely to leave, with the club he won the 2005 premiership with, the Wests Tigers, considering a fairytale return.

The former Kiwi international has been told St George Illawarra will not meet his asking price, but with the Dragons’ season kicking off in Melbourne on Monday night, McGregor is still keen to keep Marshall.

“We want Benji to stay here,” McGregor said at Sydney airport before departing. “There’s no doubt in that, I’ve had a good conversation with Benji.” The Tigers are believed to be weighing up their halves options for next year, with Marshall in the frame to return if Luke Brooks or Mitchell Moses leaves the club.

The Dragons are interested in signing Souths playmaker Luke Keary. 

Keary was suspended for round one, with his replacement Cody Walker impressive on debut. Last week Marshall denied the contract situation was weighing on him, saying he has plenty left to give in the NRL against next season.

‘‘All I know is that myself and Mary have regular meetings and he stays honest with me about where they’re at and at the moment they don’t have the money to offer me a contract,” he said.

‘‘At this point in time I’m just sitting back waiting, get through a few rounds of footy and hopefully start off with a bang.

‘‘All I know within myself is that I’ve got a lot to offer any team, whether that’s here or whether it’s not.”

McGregor has denied the Dragons are interested in Storm halfback Cooper Cronk, however, it is believed Keary is viewed as a long-term option. Former Storm player Kurt Mann will make his debut for the Dragons against his former club at AAMI Park on Monday night.

Queensland representative fullback Billy Slater is expected to play for Melbourne, his first game since missing the State of Origin decider when he had shoulder surgery.