Mr Fix-it Farrar seeks permanent fitting
DAVID BENIUK
June 18, 2010 - 4:39PM
AAP
Ben Farrar has found a home as Manly's fix-it man and it's one he'd like to make permanent with a new contract at the NRL club.
Farrar's current deal expires at season's end following his move from North Queensland last year in a swap with Michael Bani.
He's filled in at centre, wing and his current position fullback since his move south and his improving form has made him a handy replacement for injured No.1 Brett Stewart.
"I've been here for a year now and I've really settled in and I love the place," the 23-year-old said.
"I definitely feel as though I've found a home and I'd love to stay for a little longer."
Farrar's manager George Mimis is working on that while Farrar - the nephew of former NSW centre Andrew Farrar - is happy enough having no fixed address in the Sea Eagles' backline.
"It's a bit of a cliche, but I'll play anywhere," Farrar said.
"In saying that, I haven't sort of found home in any of them.
"I take a little bit from each position, I think it makes you a better player, so it doesn't worry me to be honest."
From Newcastle, where Farrar played his junior football, to Parramatta and then a first proper contract with the Cowboys, it seems a long journey to have finally found a home.
"It has and it hasn't been," he said.
"I'm 23, so I moved up there (to Townsville) when I was 19 and they gave me an opportunity to go full-time and gave me my first crack, so I'm grateful to them.
"I left on good terms and I'm just very grateful to be at a great club now.
"It was an opportunity to move back a bit closer to home and one that I was pretty keen to take up so I'm just glad it's worked out well."
With Stewart (knee) and former Test winger David Williams (shoulder) to return from injuries next year, Farrar's future could be linked to off-contract centre Steve Matai's.
The pair will both play against South Sydney at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, with Matai running out for his 100th game amidst reports salary cap pressure could force the Kiwi international out.
"We will do everything we can to keep him with us and hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later," coach Des Hasler told the Sea Eagles website this week.
"Steve Matai doesn't want to play against Manly and we don't want him playing against us."
Fifth-placed Manly are looking to overcome a mini-slump of three losses in their past four games against the fourth-placed Rabbitohs.
Both sides welcome back big names - Matai (suspension), Jamie Lyon (ankle) and Anthony Watmough (groin) for Manly, and Issac Luke (suspension), Sam Burgess (England) and Dave Taylor (Queensland) for Souths.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...ar-seeks-permanent-fitting-20100618-ym9o.html
