THIRD time’s a charm.

It’s a cliche but it’s true for Benji Marshall.

Essentially shafted from the Wests Tigers in 2013 when the club reneged on a contract upgrade and extension, Marshall thought he’d never wear the black and orange again.

While Marshall made the phone call to Ivan Cleary that sealed his homecoming, the playmaker has revealed there were two previous failed attempts to return to the club over the past four years.

Round 20

After leaving the club for a forgettable stint with the Auckland Blues in rugby, Marshall’s management reached out to the Tigers before signing with St George Illawarra in 2014.

It was clear he wasn’t wanted.

Even before he moved to Brisbane, the feelers were put out yet again but met with a blunt no.

Benji Marshall leaves the ground. Source: News Limited

Most players would’ve developed a complex but Marshall never took the rejection personally.

“This is about coming back for me where it started when I didn’t want to leave in the first place,” Marshall said.

“It’s no secret I was sort of told to go. I just never had a chance to come back until now. I did try and come back after the Dragons and they had other plans.

“I tried again before I went to Brisbane and it was a no again and third time lucky.”

With new coach Cleary keen to link back to the strong roost of the past, Marshall was exactly what the club was searching for.

Having helped guide the joint venture to their maiden premiership in 2005, Marshall represents the club’s rich history among a smorgasbord of new recruits including Josh Reynolds, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer and Chris McQueen.

Benji Marshall and former coach Mick Potter. Source: News Limited

Interestingly, Marshall’s relationship with Cleary started inside the Fox Sports base in Artarmon.

Back in 2016, the pair were in the building on the same night to film NRL360 and NRL Tonight respectively where they would chat about the game before going on air.

Having built a rapport, Cleary made a play to bring Marshall home earlier this year after Mitchell Moses requested a release from his deal to join Parramatta.

It was a chance meeting which got the ball rolling before Wayne Bennett knocked it on the head.

“It’s funny because during the year we (the Broncos) were playing the Tigers in Brisbane and I went to see a few of the boys,” Marshall explained.

“I had breakfast with them and Ivan was actually there and said hello and had a bit of a chat. Next thing you know, there was a bit of talk they were trying to get me mid-year. There was a bit of a chat about it.

Benji Marshall poses with the trophy. Source: Getty Images

“I tossed it up to Wayne and he said; ‘no I’m not letting you go’ and they signed Tui Lolohea anyway.

“… I rang Ivan and said I’m in Sydney and would like to have a chat with you about the possibility of coming back.”

Over a coffee in Olympic Park, Marshall pitched his plan to act as a mentor, challenge the club’s spine and happily fill a utility void if needed in a bid to play on.

The pair struck the deal on little more than a headshake.

The legend of Leichhardt was back.

Turning 33 in February, Marshall signed a one-year deal with the club but wouldn’t rule out playing beyond next season.

Benji Marshall at Concord Oval. Source: News Corp Australia

With his body rid of the niggling hamstring injury that plagued him during his time with the Dragons, Marshall said he’s in great shape both physically and mentally.

“The body makes the decision for you but I feel pretty good now,” he said.

“I’ve come back in pretty good shape and did well in the testing.”

While his playing career mightn’t be winding down, his post-football career is also a consideration.

While he stopped short of calling himself ‘coach Marshall’, he did admit to having developed an interest from coaching.

While acting as a mentor was part of his pitch to Cleary when striking his deal, Marshall confessed that he’s taken it upon himself to do some specialised coaching with some of his new teammates.

Benji Marshall farewells the crowd. Source: News Limited

“I want to do a bit of coaching when I finish,” he said.

“I’ve already started doing some things one on one with the guys.”

One player he’s working with is Luke Brooks.

While working on the 22-year-olds game is important, aiding the young half on the field is also a goal for Marshall.

“He’s unfairly had a lot of the pressure with the raps he’s been given over the years with being ‘the next Joey’ and things like that but he just wants to be Luke Brooks,” Marshall said.

“He needs to have some of the pressure taken off him and that’s where I think I can help with some of those things.”

One thing that’s clear is Marshall’s not in Concord to take Brooks or Reynolds’ jerseys.

“I won’t be taking Brooksy’s spot,” he said.

“I want to be in the team somewhere. At the moment that’s probably looking like 14 or 17.

“One of the things Ivan did make clear is he’s promised Brooksy and Josh is they’ll be in the halves.”