Parramatta gives Benji Marshall a nightmare return to the NRL.
Whoever is writing the screenplay for Benji Marshall NRL return, it must be a horror movie.
The former Wests Tigers player returned to the NRL and was greeted by 36-0 scoreline as they Parramatta Eels continued their resurgent season by winning in front of a packed Pirtek Stadium reports Back Page Lead.
Marshall showed signs of the touch that, at one stage, made him one of the most irresistible attacking forces in the competition.
But after just one week of training alongside his news teammates at the Dragons, mistakes by Marshall and the rest of the red and white side when combined with a slew of penalties, killed any chance they had of victory.
Two refereeing decision haunted the Dragons in the first half, a try-assist from Marshall was ruled forward, and a lack of advantage from an Eels knock-on which led to another four-pointer, only to see it called back, were crucial in the flow of the game early.
Also, it could be argued the Eels were luck to have Will Hopoate on the field after what appeared to be a clear professional foul inside the first five minutes.
But both were just footnotes in what was another impressive performance from Parramatta who made their opponents pay for almost every mistake they made, along with staying solid defensively on their own line on the few chances the Red V looked on the hunt for points.
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