Entering his 19th NRL season Benji Marshall admits he felt like a fan as he watched his new South Sydney teammates run amok against St George Illawarra in the first half of their Charity Shield clash.
The Rabbitohs recruit warmed the bench as his team crossed six times to race to a stunning 32-4 halftime lead.
After spending the bulk of his career at Wests Tigers, Marshall got his first run in the red and green in the second half among a raft of changes as Souths cruised home 48-16.
"In the first half I felt like a fan watching some of the boys - the display - going 21 from 21 (sets) and a couple highlighted plays from the stars Cody (Walker) and Latrell (Mitchell)," Marshall told Fox Sports
"I thought our forwards laid a great platform; Tevita Tatola and Tom Burgess were outstanding and on the back of that our great players can play so I was happy to be a part of it."
Marshall, who turned 36 last week, played a variety of positions in his 21 minutes on the field, turning up in the halves and at hooker, lurking around the ruck.
He said he will come off the bench and play wherever needed.
"I'll play whatever, reserve grade, I'm not fussed; to be a part of this side is a privilege for me, to be a part of a team that's a genuine chance of winning the competition."
He said that South wanted to make a statement about their intentions for the season, as they look to improve on last year's preliminary final showing.
"People say it's only a trial but this is the start of our campaign," Marshall said.
"It's a tough round one match up against Melbourne (on March 11) but we laid a good platform to go off the back of."
Marshall made special mention of Mitchell, who set up the team's first two tries and scored one of his own as he continues his comeback from a serious hamstring injury.
"I'm just so glad the talk is really positive about Latrell as he's copped a hard rap in the past. But I've seen the work, especially in the last three weeks when he's been leading the fitness at training.
"We don't need him to try and be James Tedesco, we need him to be Latrell Mitchell and I thought he showed his strengths are exactly what this team needs."
