PJ Marsh facts for kids
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Personal information
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Peter-John Edward Marsh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 19 February 1980 Gladstone, Queensland, Australia |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Playing information
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 80 kg (12 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Hooker, Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Peter-John "PJ" Marsh, born on February 19, 1980, in Gladstone, Queensland, is a former professional rugby league player from Australia. He played as a hooker for the Queensland State of Origin team. During his career in the 2000s, he played for several clubs in the NRL, including the Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors, and Brisbane Broncos.
Contents
Early Life and Background
PJ Marsh was named after his uncle, Peter John Marsh. He went to St. Brendan's College, Yeppoon, where he also played rugby league. PJ Marsh has some Aboriginal heritage.
Playing Career Highlights
PJ Marsh started his professional career with the Central Queensland Capras in 1998. He then joined the Parramatta Eels in the NRL.
Starting with the Parramatta Eels
Marsh made his first big game debut for the Parramatta Eels on April 23, 2000. This game was against the Newcastle Knights. In his first year, he played in a preliminary final game.
In the 2001 NRL season, Marsh played in 22 games for Parramatta. The team had a fantastic year, winning the minor premiership. They only lost two games during the regular season. Marsh was part of the team that played in the 2001 NRL grand final. However, they lost to the Newcastle Knights in what was a big upset.
Moving to the New Zealand Warriors
After his time with Parramatta, Marsh moved to the New Zealand Warriors. He also began playing for his home state, Queensland. His first game for Queensland was in the 2002 State of Origin series. He played in two games that year. He also played in the 2003 and 2008 State of Origin series.
Marsh was the starting hooker for the Warriors in the 2002 NRL Grand Final. They played against the Sydney Roosters but unfortunately lost.
Injury and Recovery
In 2003, Marsh suffered a serious neck injury during a game. This happened in a tackle by a Parramatta player. He described feeling intense pain and fear after the tackle. This injury meant he could not play for the rest of the 2003 NRL season. He also missed the entire 2004 season while recovering.
Returning to Parramatta and Brisbane
Marsh returned to the Parramatta Eels for the 2005 NRL season. He helped Parramatta win the minor premiership again that year. However, they lost in the preliminary final. His last game for Parramatta was in the 2007 preliminary final.
In November 2007, Marsh signed a three-year contract with the Brisbane Broncos. This move brought him back to his home state of Queensland.
Marsh later shared that he felt his playing was not the same after his neck injury. He played five games in 2009 before a back injury forced him to retire. He officially retired in March 2010 due to medical reasons.
Advocating for Player Safety
Because of his own experience, Marsh now speaks out about dangerous tackles in rugby league. He believes there should be stronger penalties for these tackles. He wants to see more players sent off or suspended. Marsh feels that small fines are not enough to stop dangerous play.
Life After Rugby League
After retiring, Marsh found it hard to adjust. He felt that the NRL did not support him after his injury. He had to pay for many medical expenses himself. He also found it difficult to do simple activities like running or going to the gym.
Marsh shared that his mental health was affected. He even started to dislike rugby league. He did not want his own children to play the sport. He gave away most of his old jerseys, keeping only one special State of Origin jersey.
Marsh lived in Middlemount for several years with his family. He said this was a way to step away from the public eye. As he started to feel better, he studied youth work. He then worked at headspace for two years, helping young people.
Family and Renewed Interest in Rugby League
Even though Marsh was hesitant, his wife, Kelly, signed their children up for rugby league. Seeing his children play has inspired Marsh to get involved with the sport again.
Marsh now lives with his wife and children in Yeppoon. He works on a drill rig at a coal mine in Central Queensland.
His oldest son, Braelan, played in the Under-16s team in 2022. He was also signed to the Dolphins Academy. Marsh's daughter, Waverley, played in the Murri Rugby League Carnival in 2021. She scored nine tries and was named in the Queensland Merit team. She also played in the annual Beef Vs Reef game in 2022. In 2022, his youngest son, Jay, was part of the Yeppoon Seagulls Under 14's team.
Images for kids
-
PJ Marsh playing rugby league.
