Benji Marshall. Photo / Getty Images
Benji Marshall is one of a host of Wests Tigers who will kick off their National Rugby League season in Saturday's trial match against Parramatta at Campbelltown Stadium.
After coming through last week's All Stars clash on the Gold Coast unscathed, Marshall confirmed he would play 40 minutes against the
Eels, before playing a full trial against the Sydney Roosters a week later.
Also returning for the Tigers will be skipper Robbie Farah, English second-rower Gareth Ellis, livewire centre Chris Lawrence and recently re-signed prop Bryce Gibbs.
The Tigers will be without backrower Liam Fulton, who copped a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Jonathan Thurston in the All Stars game.
Marshall said he wants to start the season on the right note for the highly-rated Tigers against Parramatta.
"I think it's probably a great chance to try and build on what we practised throughout the pre-season and try to get it right going into round one,'' Marshall said on Wednesday.
"To come through (the All Stars clash) uninjured and feeling fit, it's nice ... I don't expect to get injured and you don't plan to get injured, so we're just going to do the right thing for round one.''
Widely acknowledged as the game's premier player as the reigning Golden Boot winner, the New Zealand international said he was eager to put 2010 behind him and put the Tigers in a strong position in 2011.
''(Winning the Golden Boot) was last season, this is another season, you've still got to go out there and prove yourself every week, for me it's just about playing consistent and doing my job for my team,'' he said.
"I don't want to let anyone down this year and that's going to be my main focus.''
- AAP
