Benji Marshall celebrated the 100th NRL game he never thought he'd reach in emphatic style yesterday by scoring 24 points as the Wests Tigers executed a record 56-10 demolition of Cronulla at Toyota Stadium.
Marshall produced another dazzling display with two tries and eight of 10 conversions as the Tigers stretched their winning streak to six games by toying with the hapless Sharks in front of 12,982 fans.
It was a day of records for the Tigers with the 46-point margin their biggest over the Sharks, surpassing the 46-6 mauling they dished out in 2005 on their way to the NRL premiership. Winger Taniela Tuiaki scored a hat-trick to claim the club's tryscoring record in a season, his 21st try of the year in the 78th minute moving him past the 20 tries Pat Richards bagged in their premiership season of 2005.
It was hard to ignore the similarities with 2005 as Marshall, hooker Robbie Farah and outstanding fullback Tim Moltzen destroyed a Cronulla outfit on its last legs.
For Marshall it was especially sweet, playing his 100th first-grade game in his seventh season after five shoulder reconstructions. ''There were times when I didn't know if I would make it to 100,'' Marshall said. ''There was times I wanted to stop training, give up and go on a holiday and [my family] brought me back down to earth and kept me there.
''You always doubt yourself but I'm lucky I've got a competitive nature where I want to get back and be the best.
''In the back of my mind it meant something getting [100 games] after the setbacks I've had.''
Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons praised Marshall for reaching the milestone and warned his best football was still to come.
''It's amazing he is even playing the game,'' said Simmons. ''He is going to keep getting better and will get better over the next 18 months.''
Winger Beau Ryan and centre Blake Ayshford also bagged doubles against the Sharks, while Moltzen scored a sensational 85m solo try to start the second stanza as the Tigers crossed five times in each half.
The Tigers moved to fifth place on the NRL table, but Marshall says their biggest test is to come against form sides Parramatta, Gold Coast and the Bulldogs.
''If we want to be serious about semi-final football you've got to match it with the tough teams and they're three of the toughest teams going around at the moment.
''It will test our form, if we're good enough to make it.''
The Sharks, meanwhile, will equal the club's longest losing streak of 10 if they lose their final three games against Gold Coast (away), Manly (away) and South Sydney (home).
''We have got three games to go and we don't want to finish our season like that [getting belted]'', coach Ricky Stuart said.
''We've done too well this season to finish off without commitment in our football.
''They've been terrifically courageous in regards to their football and what's happened.
''We've handled the adversity well.'' AAP
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