Dugan/Widdop/Marshall/Farrah Spine??

[BennyV]

Having trouble understanding the thinking process some people have around Farrah.
He would struggle to be in the top 4 in Australia as 3 Qld hookers all rate better than Farrah.
The same can be said re halfbacks the top 3 are all Qld's and that's why they have a mortgage on the SOO.
If the Qld's not picked for SOO were able to be picked for NSW no doubt in my mind Friend would get the nod for the hooker and Pearce would not even be on the radar.
In fact under that selection system how many NSW players would actually get picked?
We need to wake up as a club and stop buying hacks and understand that yesteryears good player is not the player of the future.

3? Which 3?! Smith, yes. Friend, yes. Noone else. And while those 2 are obviouslybrilliant, they havent had to carry a team of no hopers on their shoulders for years, they are surrounded by superstars.

Farah would bring leadership and direction from dummy half. He would be able to control the game and act like the halfback we dont have. He would allow Benji and Widdop to combine much more smoothly and both play their natural running games. All this, plus the ability to pass the ball straight and create opportunities. And his kicking game is moles above Rein, as is his ability to play 80 minutes. Defense is also on par, at worst. Rein is quicker and probably a slightly better ball runner, but we have 2 of those in the halves.

And he has a solid 3 years in him, which gives us plenty of time to scour the juniors for the next Jake Friend.

 

[Old Timer]

Granville and at a pinch Mc Cullough.
Farrah has averaged only 25% of club games for the last 4 years. So he might play 80 minutes but he misses a lot of games so can't see the real value in that.
Not his job to be the half. If we need a half best we get one and stop making compensatory decisions and purchases.
He hasn't always played behind no hopers and if he hasn't been able to do the job with an average side in black and gold how can he do such a miraculous job with a slightly above average side in red and white?

 

[Old Timer]

Sorry for the error should have said missed 25% of club games for each one of the last 4 years

 

[BennyV]

Granville and at a pinch Mc Cullough.
Farrah has averaged only 25% of club games for the last 4 years. So he might play 80 minutes but he misses a lot of games so can't see the real value in that.
Not his job to be the half. If we need a half best we get one and stop making compensatory decisions and purchases.
He hasn't always played behind no hopers and if he hasn't been able to do the job with an average side in black and gold how can he do such a miraculous job with a slightly above average side in red and white?

25% of games missed is not that big a deal.

Why can't it be his job to the an organiser? We've got imbalance in our spine and we need an organiser, why not the hooker, especially one with vision and leadership (which we currently lack)? It allows Benji, Gareth and Dugan to do what they do best, and all 3 are more valuable to the team and better at what they do than Rein (and that's not a terrible shot at Rein, just fact on how strong the other 3 are). A bit of creative coaching is exactly what this team needs to shake the comp. And it's hardly different to what the Roosters have done with majority of their attack coming through Friend.

Neither Granville nor McCollough are in Farah's league. Both had a strong year, but Granville has the same deficiencies as Rein (inconsistent passing and less minutes) and McCollough does have anywhere near the creativity that Farah does.

The difference between his Tigpies of the last few years and our 2016 side is that we will have firepower in the forwards and skillful halves. Since 2013 he has been working with poor or inexperienced halves and a dominated forward pack.

 

[Saints Forever]

Is Robbie coming ?

 

[Dragons4lyf95]

There are that many mixed signals ... Anyone have inside news ?

 

[Old Timer]

25% of games missed is not that big a deal.

Why can't it be his job to the an organiser? We've got imbalance in our spine and we need an organiser, why not the hooker, especially one with vision and leadership (which we currently lack)? It allows Benji, Gareth and Dugan to do what they do best, and all 3 are more valuable to the team and better at what they do than Rein (and that's not a terrible shot at Rein, just fact on how strong the other 3 are). A bit of creative coaching is exactly what this team needs to shake the comp. And it's hardly different to what the Roosters have done with majority of their attack coming through Friend.

Neither Granville nor McCollough are in Farah's league. Both had a strong year, but Granville has the same deficiencies as Rein (inconsistent passing and less minutes) and McCollough does have anywhere near the creativity that Farah does.

The difference between his Tigpies of the last few years and our 2016 side is that we will have firepower in the forwards and skillful halves. Since 2013 he has been working with poor or inexperienced halves and a dominated forward pack.

For me it is always about looking forward
Mc Culliugh / Granville best years are ahead of them as it is for Rein IMO
Can't say the same for Farrah his best is a while ago
Temporary fix at best but return on investment??
If we chased hard for Friend no problems but In most forums Farrah is portrayed as fixing an existing problem in the halves. For me deal with that first then see what we have.
I firmly believe in what I posted in "Leader of the Pack"

 

[BennyV]

For me it is always about looking forward
Mc Culliugh / Granville best years are ahead of them as it is for Rein IMO
Can't say the same for Farrah his best is a while ago
Temporary fix at best but return on investment??
If we chased hard for Friend no problems but In most forums Farrah is portrayed as fixing an existing problem in the halves. For me deal with that first then see what we have.
I firmly believe in what I posted in "Leader of the Pack"

Yep, the last 2 years people have been saying that this us the year Rein will step it up, but I just can't see him becoming a leader. He just doesnt have the game vision for it. He has improved this year because he picks his moments better and he's had Benji and Widdop calling the shots, but hes not the guy to direct a team around the park. Plus theres the whole passing issue (and the guys been a hooker for years, surely he gets this right!).

Farah fixes both these issues. Plus it gets the best out of our very impressive halves pairing. Looking through our spine, if I could replace one to improve the team, it'd be Rein - and TBH I'm surprised anyone would argue that. That doesnt mean hes a terrible player, just that the other guys are stronger. And I get why people love him, if games were won on heart and effort he be a match winner. But they arent. And in a team/spine that needs more balance, it just so happens that he'd make way, given that we have an opportunity to get that balance with the purchase of Farah.

As for looking forward; I dont think Rein is our future. I think the club showed its hand when we chased McInnes and bought Havili - they want someone else for the long term. Realistically, hes got this year to get it absolutely right or he'd struggle getting a contract with us, certainly not on the money he is rumored to be on now. And with Farah, we would gain an experienced to line hooker with a good few years in him, giving us the opportunity to grab the best young hooker around and goose him into first grade. Really is win/win.

 

[hardbaby]

I've seen no evidence that Farah is coming and if he was, surely, he would have swapped with Rein. The moment Ballin signed that crueled any chance we had. Despite his protestations I'd imagine he is off to England...like it or not.

 

[BennyV]

I've seen no evidence that Farah is coming and if he was, surely, he would have swapped with Rein. The moment Ballin signed that crueled any chance we had. Despite his protestations I'd imagine he is off to England...like it or not.

Agree with that. Shame.

 

[Twenty10]

All all seriousness I am Hearing farah has signed with us. Heard this today from good source.

Go.

 

[The Nick]

All all seriousness I am Hearing farah has signed with us. Heard this today from good source.

Go.

Did he put pen to paper before or after he turned up to Tigers training?

 

[18to87]

Did he put pen to paper before or after he turned up to Tigers training?

Well that is interesting. A few blokes on twitter are talking like it is a matter of days until he leaves the Tigers and they believe he is coming to Saints.

 

[Coffs dragon]

Well that is interesting. A few blokes on twitter are talking like it is a matter of days until he leaves the Tigers and they believe he is coming to Saints.

Yeah and hopefully it's St. Helens!!!!

 

[Jubileeboy]

For all that Farah may bring, it will mean too much money tied up in the position of hooker if we are to keep Rein and Havili.
It really throws an imbalance to the squad and would mean less money available for the next number of years in trying to entice some decent backs.
Wouldn't be something I would do unless a currently contracted hooker leaves of his own free will.

 

[Old Timer]

All all seriousness I am Hearing farah has signed with us. Heard this today from good source.

Go.

If this is true then perhaps we can a few more of their unhappy players and become the big black v and therefore resolve the alternate jersey issue?
Interesting how much faith so many people place in other clubs malcontents?
Anyone up for Carney as the halfback and ditch the Farrah idea?

 

[coast_dragons]

Farah can stay at the Tigers they desreve one another.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I've loved watching Farah over the years, make no mistake he is an absolute champion, but right now at this stage of his career and with the way our team is looking at present, I cannot see how he would be a wise acquisition.
Yes, he is a great player, but does the fact that a lot of credible sources are saying how poisonous his influence has been at the Tigers not ringing any alarm bells for anyone? Not to mention the fact that he maybe has one more (MAYBE two) good year/s left in him.
Next year, if he signs on, sure, he could bring us close to a premiership. But what happens to Rein? Surely a player of his ability doesn't just waste away in NSW cup, a club will entice him with a full time first grade hooking position and pick him up. And when that happens we will be stuck without a hooker when Farah's time is up rather than putting faith in a young hooker on the rise.

Also, let's not forget, Farah won't be cheap. This might force out some more players that we don't want to let go of. Not to mention he won't be available for a good chunk of the season.
Believe me, I f**king love the idea of the NSW hooker joining our squad, but maybe 2 or 3 years ago. It's just not the right time now.
I'm sorry if this all seems very pessimistic. I'm just trying to think practically.

 

[Como Connection]

I've loved watching Farah over the years, make no mistake he is an absolute champion, but right now at this stage of his career and with the way our team is looking at present, I cannot see how he would be a wise acquisition.
Yes, he is a great player, but does the fact that a lot of credible sources are saying how poisonous his influence has been at the Tigers not ringing any alarm bells for anyone? Not to mention the fact that he maybe has one more (MAYBE two) good year/s left in him.
Next year, if he signs on, sure, he could bring us close to a premiership. But what happens to Rein? Surely a player of his ability doesn't just waste away in NSW cup, a club will entice him with a full time first grade hooking position and pick him up. And when that happens we will be stuck without a hooker when Farah's time is up rather than putting faith in a young hooker on the rise.

Also, let's not forget, Farah won't be cheap. This might force out some more players that we don't want to let go of. Not to mention he won't be available for a good chunk of the season.
Believe me, I f**king love the idea of the NSW hooker joining our squad, but maybe 2 or 3 years ago. It's just not the right time now.
I'm sorry if this all seems very pessimistic. I'm just trying to think practically.

I prefer to win a comp in the next two to three years with Farah aboard and worry about the future young hooker then. I think Mary would also. FACT

 

[rainman44]

I prefer to win a comp in the next two to three years with Farah aboard and worry about the future young hooker then. I think Mary would also. FACT

Exactly