St George Illawarra Dragons halfback Benji Marshall admits it’s a big game for both he and his teammates against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Saturday.
The Red-and-Whites require a further two competition points to certify their berth in the upcoming Finals Series without having to rely on other external factors going their way.
The Keebra Park junior will be paired with five-eighth Drew Hutchison in the halves following the omission of Gareth Widdop (cork) through injury.
Marshall, 30, admits the team are capable of controlling their fate and is hoping to do whatever he can against his former club come kick-off.
“It’s a big game for us a s a win will guarantee us a spot in the Finals,” said Marshall.
“On that note it’s a massive game but I know all the boys including Drew will do their best to get us over the line.
“It is sad news about Gareth as he did train with us during the earlier stages of the week, including a light jog to get the legs going, but he is being looked after by our Medical Staff.
“At the beginning of the season our goal was to make the top eight as obviously our team has not done that for the past few years so that was our immediate goal.
“We are a chance now of scraping in their in eighth spot and at the end of the day if we reach the Finals, which I hope we do, then it’s a new ball game and everyone steps up and takes it to a new level.
“Some of those games we played earlier in the year with the teams placed higher than us shows we can match it with the big boys and we’re going to have to do that again if we are to have a chance.”
