League: Only time will tell for Marshall

Benji Marshall (left) in action for the Dragons during a pre-season match against the Warrington Wolves in England last month.

Benji Marshall has had plenty of special moments to savour during his rugby league career.

The Whakatane superstar announced himself to the league world when he set up one of the finest grand final tries ever scored, during his break-through season with the Tigers in 2005.

Benji Marshall

He has since had a fantastic NRL career, albeit without making another grand final, and has featured in some of the Kiwis' best victories over Australia, including a world cup final victory in 2008.

But the question lingers - will we see any more special moments from Marshall in rugby league?

For many league fans, Marshall's failed move to rugby union last year, then switch back to league, marked the beginning of the end for the playmaker.

The sceptics would also be quick to point out he turned 30 last week and is playing for a St George Illawarra Dragons team, picked by most bookies to finish outside the top eight this season.

In terms of selection for the Kiwis, he has an uphill battle ahead of him, with Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson the obvious halves combination at present.

So, with the 2015 NRL season only days away, what evidence is left to say Marshall still has a bright future in the game?

The best response I can come up with is Marshall is still a quality player.

I watched him play a week ago against the Warrington Wolves, as the Dragons won that pre-season match 18-12.

With the scores tied at 12-12, Marshall skipped across the field and caught out the defence with a banana kick back towards the goal posts, setting up Josh Dugan for the winning try.

For those few moments it was like watching the Marshall of old - the maestro who has always been capable of doing something special and breath-taking on a league paddock.

So to say he is done in rugby league would be outrageous.

But perhaps that is all we will get to see from the Kiwi legend in his remaining years in the NRL, glimpses of his former brilliance.

As a league fan though, I honestly hope he does something special in years to come with the Dragons, perhaps a run deep into the NRL play-offs. But time will tell for Marshall.