Just to clear up any uncertainties:

[BennyV]

Again Old Timer, you're arguments and tangenst are continuing to get more absurd and have less and less to do with the aquisition of Farah and the advantage it gives us over Rein.
- It's not just available and cheap, it's about being better than what we have. The 'cheap' is just a bonus.
- Yes, we can all agree that Friend woud be a wonderful aquisition, but that's not an option right now.
- I dont give a f**k what SBW did for the Roosters or what Burgess did for Souths, its completely irrelevent. Which monstrous superstar did we have to land in 2010? Who did Manly bring in 2011 that brought them success? Or Melbourne in 2012? Or Cowboys this year? Dont need to hit the market for a series of superstars in order to win. Fact is, our team would benefit from a better hooker, and while he may not get us an automatic premiership, it would be a step closer.
- The reason we have the roster we have and still have salary cap issues comes down to decisions of management over a number of years, to the appointment of Craig Young as recruitment manager to the signing of local juniors on long-term, overvalued contracts (including Rein) and even down to the appointment and re-appointment of Price. But again, that is a whole other discussion and has nothing to do with the advantages of signing Farah over Rein!

 

[Old Timer]

BennyV

Yes the conversation is diverse and it got that way as a result of options offered other than purchasing RF so will get back to Farrah in a moment but to address all points.

Manly had a lot of forward planning and had already recruited talented youth and moulded it with an existing strong roster in the couple of years leading up to them being highly competitive and winning the comp.

I think the resigning of Gasnier and the arrival of Boyd and Bennett might have had a fair bit to do with us winning in 2010. Without them no 2010 premiership.

Before you blow up and say Gasnier was older just like your reasoning for getting RF for mine it is a different equation. We already had the roster, should never have lost Gasnier in the first place and were already on the doorstep of the premiership we just had to get a couple of the missing pieces of the puzzle and open the door and that is why Bennett was brought in.

Today we have an average roster and are a long way from competing for the premiership so IMO we need to build for a few years and the blocks we use to build have to stay for 4 years I simply do not believe RF has that in him. Maybe you think he is like Moses and should lead us around in the wilderness but never see the promised land because I don't think we will have a roster that close within 2 years. (I really hope I am wrong)

The wash up is that I acknowledge MR has some issues that must be addressed but am willing for 1 more year of the existing investment and cut the losses at the end of 2016 if necessary. I do believe with really good specialist coaching MR can make it to that next level and acknowledge you do not share that belief so for you Carpe Diem which is perfectly understandable but just not my preferred option.

So I would play with what we have and pray that Havilli is a sound purchase and can slot in if necessary and save any spare $$$$ for 2017 and beyond.

Just to close out on the exchange earlier you said that we competed for Cronk some time ago. I believe he turns 33 this next season so if he is the last close call of a top young signing then no wonder we are where we are as a club. Loved Albert as a player, disliked him as a coach and on the basis of your last post conclude he is hopeless in his recruitment role.

 

[BennyV]

Re: Cronk, this was a few years ago when he was in his prime.

Seems that an 'agree to disagree' is lurking in the midst of all this. In closing though, Farah doesnt mecessarily mean short term gain for long term pain. But you say he won't help us push for a premiership in 4 years time - IMO, neither will Rein. He has been in first grade uncontested for years and hasnt got the basic skills up to the level they need to be, I am not willing to forego a premiership window for that. The signing of Farah gives us a very good hooking option for the next few years and allows us to find the best up-and-comer in that position and tutor him under a top level, experience mentor. If it makes us into a premiership contender in the interim, its a bonus. THAT is future planning.

Mind you, that is what we should have been doing with Benji - well see how that goes in the next few years.

 

[coast_dragons]

Luke Page and Kelly Tate have signed with Burleigh Bears.

 

[Crossbow]

Was that war and peace I just endured.You guys are on a super rant.yes or no will suffice.Farah yes .Rein no.He can't pass for shit!Lets just buy every hooker on the market.Heard Mick Anus is available as well!.Now there's a good buy