Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will seek a release from the final two years of his contract.
Marshall's manager Martin Tauber has confirmed to Fairfax Media that he has told Tigers officials of the Kiwi representative's desire to leave the club at the end of this season. The 28-year-old will now likely play rugby union.
Marshall has returned from a holiday in Bali adamant that he will leave the club which he has played with for more than a decade, and helped to a remarkable premiership success in 2005.
''I've had a conversation with the chief operating officer Grant Mayer, and I've advised him of Benji's decision,'' Tauber said. ''Benji will play out the balance of the 2013 year but will seek an early release.'' Tauber has been in negotiations with Tigers officials since earlier this year, but those talks broke down after Marshall was benched by coach Mick Potter for the clash with South Sydney in round 10.
Marshall is known to be disillusioned that the Tigers did not honour a handshake agreement for him to sign a contract upgrade and extension, which would have seen him stay at the club until the end of 2017.
Recent discussions between the Tigers and Tauber have only centred on an upgrade of his current deal, which expires at the end of 2015. Marshall's current contract allowed for a renegotiation following an increase in the salary cap due to the new broadcast rights deal.
He has long been adamant that he would not play against the Tigers, which leaves Super Rugby as his likely destination.
Auckland Blues coach John Kirwan has held talks with Tauber, who is expected to now commence formal discussions with Waratahs coach Michael Cheika. Tauber stressed that Marshall did not have a deal confirmed with any rugby union outfit.
''This has been a very difficult decision. This young man has given 12 years of his football life to a club that he has great regard and affection for,'' Tauber said. ''However with what's transpired, he believes it's time for him to take up another challenge, for what will basically be the next five years of his life. We have many regrets but we understand that the club has a business to run. It's unfortunate that it has come to this. It would be remiss of us not to express our thanks to a number of the board members, and the chief operating officer for all their considerations.
''Benji has always stated that he would not play for another rugby league club, as he felt great thanks to all the sponsors who have supported him, and the fan base who have always cheered him on.''
The decision will come as a massive blow to the Tigers, who have lost a number of players in recent seasons, including Chris Heighington, Beau Ryan and Gareth Ellis. Marshall will be the biggest departure of those; he has been the club's marquee player for most of his time there, and his loss will be felt off the field as well as on it.
Marshall's form has been down this year, but he has shown signs of improvement as the Tigers have won three of their past five matches. They will now play the Warriors on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval, as they continue to fight for a top-eight spot, knowing that Marshall wants out.
Tigers boss Grant Mayer said he was disappointed by his star's decision but remained confident of a bright future for the Tigers.
"Benji is a fantastic role model not only for the club but for the game as a whole," he said.
"I believe no one person who has watched the game over the past 12 years would have one negative thought about what he's done for this
great game.
"Wests Tigers are obviously disappointed with the decision. We understand that he has broader things to consider than simply himself,
and we wish him all the very best."
Mayer, though, stressed that any release would need to be approved by the board.
"A request for a release is something that we would have to consider," he said.
"No doubt the board will do this very quickly.
"We are extremely confident, no matter what the outcome, Benji will continue to be first class both on and off the field for Wests Tigers
for the rest of this season."
Earlier this month, Marshall revealed to Fairfax Media why he was considering moving on, maintaining that he believed he had agreed to an extended deal with the club.
''To my knowledge, I'd done a deal to stay at the Tigers until 2017, but with the changes to the CEO and the club, they've informed me that won't be the deal any more. I've got a lot of things to weigh up,'' he said.
Of a switch to rugby union, he said: ''Growing up, it was a dream of mine to play for the All Blacks. That changed and I started playing rugby league. But I'll consider rugby, absolutely.''
