BENJI Marshall has been sensationally dumped to the interchange bench by coach Mick Potter for Friday night's match against Souths at ANZ Stadium.

Potter - in the most courageous decision of his coaching career - has named veteran Liam Fulton at five-eighth and young Curtis Sironen at halfback.

Marshall isn't carrying any injuries - he has simply been dropped.

The drama at Concord immediately divided opinions last night.

"It is a terrible insult to Benji Marshall," said Tigers legend Ben Elias. Another Balmain champion, Garry Jack, countered by saying: "Potter is the boss and I give him 100 out of 100 for sticking to his beliefs."

The move will stun Marshall, the Wests Tigers' $1 million man, and the club's disheartened fans.

Marshall, 28, has been critical of his own form this year but no one would have predicted he would start round 10 in jumper No.14.

The Wests Tigers released the team last night and the club's website said: "There has been a significant change in the halves."

One source near the club said: "It will be interesting to see how Benji takes it. I wonder if Japanese rugby union will come up in the next 48 hours."

Wests Tigers are running last on the competition table but have been hit by a horror injury run.

Potter obviously felt the need for change given his team has won just two matches this season.

"I'm stunned," Elias said. "You don't drop a bloke like Benji Marshall. He is the centrepiece of our club. There is no doubt he has been dropped. The next step is 'see you later'.

"You have to get to know the bloke's personality. Benji is a real confidence player.

media_camera Benched Tiger Benji Marshall. Picture: Costello Brett

"As I said, I am shocked."

Jack, the former NSW and Australian fullback, was fully supportive of Potter's decision.

"It's a big call but I think it's a good call," Jack said.

"Potter is the boss and he is doing what he thinks is right.

"A lot of people will disagree but I give him 100 out of 100 for sticking to his beliefs. This is showing people who is in charge. He will stand or fall by his decisions."

There were suggestions last night that Marshall has been playing above his preferred weight.

Just last week, teammate Chris Lawrence admitted Marshall's form had been down.

"By his own admission he probably hasn't had the greatest 12 months," Lawrence said.

"But a lot of that is probably not just put on his shoulders but on the rest of the team as well.

"At times he might have been trying too hard and forgetting what his role in the team is.

"I'm sure he'll get back to his best form and when he does a lot of people will change their minds and be saying he's worth every cent."

There was confusion recently over reports Marshall was about to sign a new $4 million deal.

It has since emerged that it wasn't a new contract but an upgrade after a salary cap increase.

The drama comes after Elias told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that the club's board was split and the Wests and Balmain factions were at loggerheads.