KICKOFF: Marshall still the best bet

That was the position Kickoff intended to take this week before Monday’s 36-6 humiliation at the hands of Manly at Brookvale Oval. The Dragons were comprehensively beaten in every area on a night rightly labelled “embarrassing” by coach Paul McGregor. 

Marshall’s one run for 18 metres, a poorly timed chip kick for himself and an intercept that saw Dylan Walker streak away for a 90-metre try has ensured he’s attracted his share of criticism. However, looking back, the reasons this column felt Marshall should be re-signed prior to the Manly clash haven’t changed. 

To his complete credit, Marshall has never bristled at the constant questions surrounding his future that could have been considered premature in preseason but are now becoming more poignant with each passing week.

He backed himself to earn a new deal coming into 2016 and after finishing second in Dally M voting the year before and finishing third in the league for try-assists in a side that scored the second least amount of points in the competition, the confidence was not misplaced. 

He correctly felt that he was integral to the Dragons attack and to the club on and off the field and would have taken confidence into this season. He was also within his rights to reject an initial offer of $300,000 for another year – it’s his future, his gamble, his career. He also couldn’t have known that a minor hamstring complaint would turn into a major headache.

He’s also 31 and the Dragons were certainly wise not to rush into a new deal. The club’s stated goal from the start has been to find a long-term halves partner for Gareth Widdop. Given he’ll be 32 next season, Marshall doesn’t fit that bill but given the current state of the player market, re-signing him for another season is the best option. 

The Dragons went hard after Jack Bird before he signed a one-year extension with Cronulla. They were also linked to Cooper Cronk who is set to remain in Melbourne and chased Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote as a five-eighth option before he re-committed to the Cowboys. The way Rabbitohs half Luke Keary was snatched out from under their nose by the Roosters was well publicised. Who does that leave?

The’ve now been linked to Trent Hodkinson who is just one season into a lucrative three-year deal with Newcastle. He could be a good option, particularly if the Knights are willing to prop up his contract, but his ongoing knee issues and form this season don’t make him a compelling choice as a long-term option. 

For the past two years there’s no doubt the Dragons have been at their best when Marshall’s been at his. With no genuine long-term fix on the market, the Dragons would be best served to keep Marshall on for another season. They also have young-gun Drew Hutchison and Josh McCrone as back-ups who will be off-contract next year as will Widdop.

It would put the club in a strong position to delve into a halves market for 2018 that will include Jack Bird, Luke Brooks, Jackson Hastings, Ben Hunt, Shaun Johnson, Anthony Milford, Mitchell Pearce, Adam Reynolds,  Ash Taylor and Chad Townsend.  

It will also be the final year of McGregor’s three-year deal. No coach wants to go into an off-contract year in a holding pattern and with their finals hopes this year looking slim McGregor will need a good year to earn an new contract. That considered, Marshall still remains the best option.