We have had some cracking signings in Barba and Ennis but for me without doubt the guy that has got the team into a winning culture is BBQ.
As long as he's in our squad each year I'm confident we'll be there at the pointy end of the season.
I agree.
Maloney is the best halve I have ever seen play for the Sharks. And as such, is probably the most important player we have ever had, at least since I've followed Rugby League (even if not the best, though he may be that, too).
I think Ennis and Barba were key to last year, but we had a magnificent squad across the board, and we still do. I thought they might be hard to replace, but I'm gaining confidence that we may come close, and everyone else lifting a few percent covers the rest.
But I can not imagine effectively replacing Maloney over the next few years if we don't extend him. What are the odds of "developing" a 5/8, or buying one from another club, who is the best 5/8 in the game? We already have the best 5/8, keep him until he retires.
Townsend isn't in that class yet, but is developing so well, don't break up the combos. I'm with bad boy bubby, re-sign him for a good few years also. A stable, top shelf halves pairing is such a solid basis for a team, we would have to fall off a cliff off field or with recruiting not to be a regular finals contender with them together, in form.