He's back: Benji Marshall is heading back to the Tigers. Credit:NRL Imagery Marshall's return to the Tigers will be one of the stories of 2018: A favourite son coming back to help a club that's going through a massive rebuild under new coach Ivan Cleary. Marshall met with Cleary when the Tigers played the Broncos in round 11 this year and very nearly joined the club then. "We talked about a mid-year switch," Marshall said. "But in the end I felt like I wanted to see this year out with Brisbane because it's been so good for my game and I've still got work to do with Brisbane. I'm their professional 18th man. My time here with Brisbane has really turned my game around and it has rejuvenated me." Marshall doesn't have many regrets in his career but the way he exited the Tigers is one that is driving his return to the club.

Coming home: Benji Marshall. Credit:NRL Imagery "The way I announced I was going to the [Auckland] Blues seemed right at the time, but now that I look at it, I wish I had done things differently," Marshall said. "I never wanted to leave the club, but they didn't want me and I probably could've handled things better back then. The great thing about returning has been telling my family. Most of them are still Tigers fans and they are really happy with the decision. And I'm really happy because I love the club. I tried a few times to come back since I left, but the opportunity just wasn't there under Jason Taylor or Mick Potter. "Now it's there I hope I can make a difference as a senior player and as someone who might be able to mentor the younger players. "I come back to the club as a different person and player. I now know how to have a good look at myself and realise how to accept responsibility for my actions and how to fix what I may be doing wrong. In the past it was easy to blame other people instead of owning my flaws or errors." Marshall knows he will be playing second fiddle to the likes of Luke Brooks and new recruit Josh Reynolds, but he hopes to fit in somewhere and help educate the team.