The New Zealand Warriors are the latest club to say no to Marshall after he walked out on the Blues on Monday for an intended switch back to the NRL. The Melbourne Storm remain a possibility but even then money is likely to be an issue.
A move to the Auckland-based Warriors might have been a neat fit for Marshall and wife Zoe following their move from Sydney, but new coach Andrew McFadden shut that particular door yesterday when telling reporters: "He's a high quality player, but he's probably not what we need right now.
"We've got our own things to work on and although it's disappointing for Benji for sure, I think he'll find somewhere to go, but at this stage we've got other things to focus on."
Most NRL clubs have ruled out making an approach to Marshall, but all have the ability to conveniently change their minds. However it does seem that 29-year-old Marshall's reintegration into the sport that made him rich and famous will not be straightforward.
"I think he just needs to find his groove again, and rugby obviously wasn't that," McFadden said.
"If he goes back to league, I'm sure he'll find his form again."
The United Kingdom's Super League remains an option, with Salford owner Marwan Koukash making noises about signing Marshall recently, but that was when the player's stocks were considerably higher than they are now.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Marshall said he was only an "average" rugby union player but insisted he was better for his failed experiment at the Blues.
The franchise must also take some share of the blame for how the saga has played out. There were several odd decisions made during Marshall's brief stay, but yesterday the Blues insisted they could not comment for contractual reasons.
Marshall was more forthcoming to the Sydney newspaper.
"My lack of the technical aspects of rugby union was what was letting me down and I felt like I was playing rugby league on a rugby field with 14 other rugby players," he said.
"But I definitely don't regret it because I have got everything I wanted to get out of it except the performance on the field, which just hasn't worked out the way I wanted it to and I am just an average rugby player.
"I got a fresh start back in New Zealand, got fit, got the motivation, got the hunger and I feel real good and feel fresh.
"I had a crack at it and it just didn't work out, but honestly I haven't been this happy for a long time and I feel like I am a better person for being here."
He said he had watched "every game" of NRL this season.
"It might take a few weeks to get a feel for it again but in my head I understand the game properly which is probably the most important thing."
- By Patrick McKendry of APNZ
