Fairfax Media can reveal Marshall is the biggest-name casualty following the Dragons’ second-half capitulation to the Roosters, marking the first time he has been axed during his incredible NRL career. 

Marshall finished the 2015 Dally M medal race in equal-second spot behind Johnathan Thurston after helping the joint-venture outfit to an unlikely finals appearance. However, the 31-year-old has been hampered by hamstring problems all year and has struggled to reproduce that form.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor has a high opinion of Marshall, but has finally lost patience and is tipped to replace him with young playmaker Drew Hutchinson.

It’s unclear whether Marshall will be made to play for feeder team Illawarra Cutters in their clash with the Wyong Roos at Morry Breen Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Marshall, off contract at the end of the season, is keen to continue playing. However, he is struggling to attract interest from NRL clubs and it’s likely he will contemplate retirement.

The Dragons are out of playoff contention and, unless he earns a recall for the round 26 encounter with Newcastle, Marshall may not be seen in first grade again. 

It would be an inglorious end to a wonderful career in which he has achieved every conceivable honour. The former New Zealand international revolutionised the game with his wicked step and no-look passes, which have been mimicked by a generation of fans and players.

The fresh-faced pivot was instrumental in guiding the Wests Tigers to their inaugural premiership in 2005, catapulting himself into superstardom in the process. A slew of honours followed including the Golden Boot, the Kiwi captaincy, All Star honours and being chosen as NRL’s ‘‘face of the game’’.

For all the success he enjoyed, it appears Marshall may not go out on his terms. Having parted company with the Tigers with two seasons left on his contract for a brief rugby stint with the Auckland Blues, Marshall returned to the 13-man code with the Dragons.

He enjoyed mixed success with the Red V, although his halves combination with Gareth Widdop has failed to fire this year. The pair have largely been blamed for the club’s inability to score points, forcing McGregor — himself under pressure after a failed campaign — to wield the axe.

McGregor did not respond on Monday to requests to comment on Marshall.

Marshall and former teammate Robbie Farah were among those chiefly responsible for steering the Tigers to the maiden title, but both now face the prospect of finishing their careers out of the limelight.

The game against the Eels next week marks the historic last match at Pirtek Stadium before it is demolished and redeveloped. The absence of Marshall will rob the game of one of the its drawcards, but could usher in a new era for the visitors.

After missing out on Corey Norman, Luke Keary, Jarryd Hayne and Lachlan Coote, the Dragons are poised to give Hutchison a chance to impress. The former Junior Kangaroo has made three first-grade appearances.

Former Dragons star Mark Gasnier, speaking on Fox Sports’ Sunday Ticket program, said it was time for Hutchison to be given an opportunity.

‘‘I said it before the game, if they are to lose they’ve got to think about the future,’’ Gasnier said.

‘‘Drew Hutchison is that way because everyone remains unsigned at this stage. You’ve got to think about next year.’’