Marshall can be Broncos X-factor: Tallis

Brisbane great Gorden Tallis believes Benji Marshall can be the Broncos' NRL finals X-factor after capping a remarkable comeback.

Benji Marshall.

Gorden Tallis is the latest to tip big things from Benji Marshall (pictured) in the NRL finals. (AAP)

At 32, Benji Marshall won't be expected to repeat his now-infamous 2005 NRL grand final flick pass.

But Brisbane great Gorden Tallis still believes the veteran will emerge as the Broncos' finals X-factor after capping a remarkable comeback.

A year after contemplating retirement, Marshall will line up at halfback against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Marshall slots into the halves with pivot Anthony Milford in a backline reshuffle caused by the loss of skipper and fullback Darius Boyd (hamstring).

Tallis said Marshall had justifiably hung his hat on his 2005 heroics that sealed Wests Tigers' memorable grand final win.

Marshall will forever be remembered for the outrageous pass that sent winger Pat Richards trybound to all but seal the 2005 decider against North Queensland.

But Tallis believed the experienced Marshall could still add to his highlights reel.

"Finals is about your big players stepping up ... and he is one of them," former Brisbane captain Tallis said of Marshall.

"He won a grand final as a young kid and probably dined out on that a long time because he won a competition with that magic moment that will go down in history.

"But what he has done at Brisbane so far is steady the ship but now I think he will worry a few sides."

Roosters great Anthony Minichiello said Marshall had shown enough this year to sound alarm bells for the Tricolours.

"He's been outstanding. I have been really happy for him," Minichiello told Fox Sports.

"He's in the side again and it's a big game.

"And he's one of those players you still have to watch because he's got those great skills, that passing game.

"Their halves are a nice mix and someone we will have to watch out for."

Marshall's pairing with Milford marks Brisbane's fifth different halves line-up in their 11th different spine combination of the season.

"His attacking game is massive," Brisbane forward Alex Glenn said of Marshall at halfback.

"He is like Milf, he can pull anything out of the hat plus he has that big-game experience."


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Source: AAP



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