Fan goodwill at Benji Marshall's decision to leave the Wests Tigers and join the Blues is steadily being replaced by vitriol as supporters insist the struggling playmaker be dropped for the remainder of the season.



In the latest indication of a change in mood towards the Marshall, an online petition has been launched demanding coach Mick Potter axe the former Kiwis captain from the Tigers three remaining NRL games - and deny him chance of reaching the 200-game milestone before relocating to Auckland.



The petition on www.change.org is headed: Michael Potter: Drop Benji Marshall NOW!!



That outlet for fan frustration adds to a number of anti-Marshall topics already underway on www.weststigersforum.com.



Marshall received a standing ovation from Tigers fans when he played against the New Zealand Warriors last month, days after he revealed he wanted to leave the club two years before his contract expired.



The code swap was inspired by the current Wests Tigers management disregarding a lucrative extension Marshall had negotiated with former chief executive Stephen Humphreys.



Although fans were initially supportive of Marshall's desire to leave, his on-field performances and a decision to wear a Blues jersey when confirming a two-year deal with the Super Rugby franchise culminated in him being jeered during Monday's 56-14 loss to the Sydney Roosters.



A loose pass that bounced into the arms of try-bound Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce summed up the 28-year-old's late-season form - a slump that threatens his legacy at the club he helped guide to a premiership in 2005.



"Benji's efforts have been an embarrassment to a bloke that used to care more about his team than his pay cheque. You're a disgrace and should stand down if you don't care about winning," said Aaron Rynehart after signing the petition.



Alan Stevenson added: "He is playing with NO passion or care factor. Give young [Luke] Brooks a shot before next year."



The petition was launched yesterday, shortly before Potter named Marshall at five-eighth for Saturday's round 24 match against St George Illawarra at the Sydney Cricket Ground.



If Marshall retains his place he will play his 200th game against South Sydney next Friday.



Fans have been lobbying for Marshall to be replaced by under-20s star Luke Brooks - and the veteran did nothing to alleviate the criticism with another poor performance against the Roosters.



He had just threes run for ten metres, made three errors and three missed tackles.



Potter told Fairfax Media that no player was exempt from being dumped but said: "You have to remember that Benji has been part of this club for a long time. A decision like that won't be taken lightly."



Brooks, meanwhile, is confined to the under-20s and NSW Cup competitions because the club has already exhausted its second tier salary cap exemptions while coping with a significant injury toll.



Marshall trained with the squad today and appeared typically jovial as teammates fronted the media.



Former Kiwis second-rower Adam Blair - no stranger to fierce criticism since his arrival from Melbourne in 2012 - understood the frustration of fans but felt the anger directed at Marshall was unfair.



"He's obviously a great player and he's done a lot of great things for rugby league.



"They [fans] should get out there and support the game of rugby league and support us.



"We've had supporters that have stuck by us the whole way through, those are the ones that are true fans."



Asked if he thought Marshall was still trying his best, Blair replied: "I hope so. We need three big games from him to give the boys a bit of belief and a bit of hope.



"He knows what he's got to do. Hopefully he just gets back to running the ball, that's the big thing for Benji - run the ball and take the line on."