Fit Benji ready to Marshall the troops

Dragons halfback Benji Marshall says his body is in good shape despite an injury-disrupted start to the 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

Marshall has been limited to just six games in 2016 due to a hamstring strain that flared up either side of the Round 5 clash in North Queensland, but appeared unencumbered in the return clash against the Cowboys before last week's bye. 

In a positive sign for Dragons fans, Marshall ran for a season-high 85 metres and was able to kick freely despite the dewy conditions against last year's premiers. 

"I felt really good actually. There was no soreness in the hammies or back or anything like that. If anything I just had sore shoulders from making a few more tackles than usual," Marshall quipped. 

"I had a bit of a program last week where I had to train Tuesday and Friday at around game speed and I felt pretty good."

The 31-year-old is no stranger to injury after repeated shoulder and knee setbacks plagued his first few seasons in the NRL with the Wests Tigers. 

Marshall said he was still feeling the effects of those injuries but conceded there was no point focussing on the past as that wouldn't help him going forward.  

"I've had shoulder after shoulder injuries before," he said. 

"You can look around and ask 'why does this keep happening to me?' 

"But the harder your work the better you're going to get. I think we've done a lot of hard work this year and hopefully that puts me in good stead for the rest of the season.

Author: 
NRL.com