Just to clear up any uncertainties:

[The Charlatan]

This is a baffling statement... Barring some fairly serious injuries this season, he's clearly been in career best form the last 2 years. Admittedly Jason Taylor's style of attack has stifled Farah this season be showed just what he was capable of the week he was told he was free to leave.

He's the #2 hooker in the game behind arguably the greatest hooker of all time. For the life of me I cannot see how he's "over rated"....

As a Tigers fan this statement this has been regularly used by Farah's supporters in the wake of the announcement that the club were moving him on, and it baffles me.

Cherrington showed plenty more from hooker than Farah did during 2015, and I doubt that Taylor is giving his hookers different instructions. Farah is a self preserving and somewhat egotistical individual and after the news came out that he would be moved on I am not surprised he put on a masterclass just to stick it up Taylor and the Wests administration.

He has not been in career best form in the last two years, in fact he is waning. His best years by a long way were 2006-2009 where he carried the club on a busted back.

He will offer the Dragons more than Rein, but he is in decline and the lack of class hookers coming south of the Tweed and Ennis being an abject failure at Origin level is the only reason why he is still first choice Blues hooker. From a Tigers perspective, he is not worth his salary, but if you guys pick him up for a song, it's obviously worth your while if Mary can handle his "personality," and injuries are kind to him.

 

[The Nick]

As a Tigers fan this statement this has been regularly used by Farah's supporters in the wake of the announcement that the club were moving him on, and it baffles me.

Cherrington showed plenty more from hooker than Farah did during 2015, and I doubt that Taylor is giving his hookers different instructions. Farah is a self preserving and somewhat egotistical individual and after the news came out that he would be moved on I am not surprised he put on a masterclass just to stick it up Taylor and the Wests administration.

He has not been in career best form in the last two years, in fact he is waning. His best years by a long way were 2006-2009 where he carried the club on a busted back.

He will offer the Dragons more than Rein, but he is in decline and the lack of class hookers coming south of the Tweed and Ennis being an abject failure at Origin level is the only reason why he is still first choice Blues hooker. From a Tigers perspective, he is not worth his salary, but if you guys pick him up for a song, it's obviously worth your while if Mary can handle his "personality," and injuries are kind to him.

Hard to tell because the Tigers have been dreadful for so long, but his performances in SOO in '14 and '15 indicate otherwise. Put some decent players around him and he seems to go alright.

 

[bottle]

Given Farah's injury woes over the past two years it is almost certain that he will spend time on the sideline, for whoever he plays. And he is not a spring chicken. Only my opinion, and I will be shouted down by many, but I see Farah as a poor investment.

Injury to Farah is my concern as well, and if we lose Rein in the wash up it means we are trying to compete at NRL level with an unproven youngster and a proven nuffy. Has disaster written all over it.
Money would be better directed where it's needed.

 

[BrissyRedV]

Injury to Farah is my concern as well, and if we lose Rein in the wash up it means we are trying to compete at NRL level with an unproven youngster and a proven nuffy. Has disaster written all over it.
Money would be better directed where it's needed.

This. Farah is a short sighted and opportunistic recruitment strategy with potential to go either way. Not to say that rein won't get injured and leave us in the same position but the risk is less with a younger player and Reins past history.

 

[The Charlatan]

Hard to tell because the Tigers have been dreadful for so long, but his performances in SOO in '14 and '15 indicate otherwise. Put some decent players around him and he seems to go alright.

Still doesn't explain why the young bloke offers more than he does, until he's told to POQ.

 

[Old Timer]

Quality of an investment is dependant on the value of the investment itself. If Farah gets here for less or equal to Reins salary, then I cant see how it could possibly be a poor investment given his superior playjng ability.

Rein has a year to go so if he goes somewhere else we will have to back end his contract.
So any potential $$$ saving could be minimised. Not sure if anyone on the forums knows the real answer to how the money sits with players.
Whilst you see RF as a superior player I am not convinced there is that much of a significant difference as both have good and bad in their game. Rein has youth on his side, seems to be improving year on year and I believe could be coached to achieve higher skill levels but has a bad passing game Farrah has a good vision and passing however is getting long in the tooth playing only 75% of matches over the last 4 years and is a more individual style player and no doubt will want the team to play to accommodate his style which I can't see as being an advantage as we already have BM and JD.
For once I would like to see us chase youth with skills and longevity for the club and not ageing players who at times are still very skillful.
JMO

 

[getsmarty]

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2015/11/13/dragons_commence_pre.html

Dragons announce pre-season schedule

Nov. 13, 2015, 3:50 p.m.

St George Illawarra have announced their schedule of five pre-season fixtures in the lead-up to the 2016 NRL season.
The Dragons first hit-out will be at the Auckland Nines at Eden Park on February 6-7 with the players not involved in the tournament to take on Queensland Cup side Wynnum-Manly at Redlands the same weekend.
The Dragons will play against South Sydney in the Charity Shield at ANZ Stadium the following week with players not involved to combine with the Illawarra Cutters against the Canterbury at Belmore a day later.
Paul McGregor will take a select squad back to New Zealand for a week-long camp leading into a trial clash with the Warriors at Trafalgar Park, Nelson on February 20.

Players not chosen for trip will be part of the Illawarra Cutters match against the Wyong at WIN Stadium the same day.

A final trial fixture against the Central Queensland Capras at Rockhampton on February 27 will round out the preseason.



http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3490831/dragons-release-trial-schedule/?cs=302

 

[BennyV]

Rein has a year to go so if he goes somewhere else we will have to back end his contract.
So any potential $$$ saving could be minimised. Not sure if anyone on the forums knows the real answer to how the money sits with players.

Not sure what you mean about backending Rein's contract, doesn't seem to make sense. But it still stands, Robbie Farah on equal or less money (based on what the Tigpies pay) gets us better value than what we are getting paid (especially considering what it is rumoured that we are paying Rein).

Whilst you see RF as a superior player I am not convinced there is that much of a significant difference as both have good and bad in their game. Rein has youth on his side, seems to be improving year on year and I believe could be coached to achieve higher skill levels but has a bad passing game Farrah has a good vision and passing however is getting long in the tooth playing only 75% of matches over the last 4 years and is a more individual style player and no doubt will want the team to play to accommodate his style which I can't see as being an advantage as we already have BM and JD.

Anyone who knows the game of Rugby League would see Farah as a superior player. There are some who put MItch on the same level, but in general they would be classified as one of the following demographics; a) over-the-top one-eyed Dragons fans from the Illawarra region, b) foreigners who've never seen the game of league, or c) Mitch's family! The only thing Rein has on Farah is that he is younger. He has improved this year alone due to simplification of a game plan (ie not having to make decisions himself) and use of a bench hooker, but his passing ability and creativity levels are several levels below Farah. And let's be real here, the guy is 24, spent 4 years in first grade uncontested and hasn't learnt to throw an accurate pass yet! And it can't be blamed on our forwards, they did more than what was required of them this year. The 75% thing means nothing and as for individual style player, Farah's ability to create for his teammates are far above Mitch's anyway, while MItch's strength is his individual running game. Farah's passing is also more likely to give guys like Marshall, Widdop and Dugan more space and time with the ball.

Seriously dude, it's literally just youth. And that's a hard argument to make as a reason to pass up one of the best hookers in the comp.

For once I would like to see us chase youth with skills and longevity for the club and not ageing players who at times are still very skillful.
JMO

Yeah, I too wish we would chase younger blokes about to hit their prime who have big futures...unlike the over-the-hill nuffies we've signed over the past few years, like Dugan, Widdop, Frizell, Thompson, Ah Mau, Cooper, Mata'utia, Havili, Mann, Milne...those guys are all super old...

 

[dragondonar1]

Spot on benny v

 

[Objective View]

Too bad we weren't able to hold on to him long term, but I guess just like Bennett he's done his job and moved on.

The musings of a footy sage. :crazy:

Straight Shooter

 

[Old Timer]

Benny V in reply to your post #28
1) Not withstanding that we have differing opinions about MR & RF if we are paying Rein big $$$$ as people suggest and we push him out to fit RF in surely we will have to pay the difference in the Rein contract to whoever buys him. If you are correct and he is over paid someone will want to pick him only if he is cheap. Unless we really know what that $$$ it is hard to say exactly what the monetary value of such a deal would be.
2) For mine the RF of 4-6 years ago would not cause any argument from me. If all is true re the skills of the RF of today then how come the "boom" young players (esp the 2 halves and young Sironen) at WT have not excelled more and in fact some have gone backwards. The 1 ex WT player who has gone ahead significantly is BA after he changed to the Raiders under who is possibly one of the worst coaches going around. Can RF play footy the answer is "yes" is he as good as he was for mine "no" thus I believe he is an ageing investment and not value for money
Yes we have invested 4 years in MR some 2 under SP (can't blame him for that) and now a full year under PM who has actually stated that MR had a "breakout year in 2015". For all the talk the PM doesn't like MR etc why would he recognise him as one four improving players?

3) I said Widdop was the last big signing and lamented how we should chase youth at the top of their game and you responded with the somewhat sarcastic

"Yeah, I too wish we would chase younger blokes about to hit their prime who have big futures...unlike the over-the-hill nuffies we've signed over the past few years, like Dugan, Widdop, Frizell, Thompson, Ah Mau, Cooper, Mata'utia, Havili, Mann, Milne...those guys are all super old...

Dugan was forced out of his club so technically not a signing where we paid top $$$ to make sure we secured him. If Canberra had of tolerated his behaviour perhaps he would never have joined us.

Please tell me which one of the following from your list (Frizell, Thompson, Ah Mau, Cooper, Mata'utia) was actually at the top of his game when we purchased them. Yes they were young none of them were expensive and none of them were at the top of their game. Their skills have developed to higher levels during their time with St GI.
So in fact they would now constitute an expensive purchase for another club as they are still young and "now" at the top of their game.
Re new purchases you noted Havili, Mann, Milne. Agree that all of these are young with potential but again none of them are at the top of the their game. Hopefully that will come in the years ahead. Remember these purchases could easily become a "Josh Drinkwater" outcome as we don't really know if they will actually achieve the high expectations we have for them.

In all honesty we got Dugan buy default other than him we only paid a top $$$ to get Widdop There has been no significant outlay to get a "gun young marquis player" and in fact we have let some of our juniors go because we baulked at paying good money to hold them while we have purchased some journeymen, older players, players pushed out for behavioural reasons and much to my chagrin repurchased ex juniors who failed to live up to expectations at other clubs.
From those we purchased this year there were no newspaper headlines
"ST GI pull of major coup and signed ??????"

 

[BennyV]

Benny V in reply to your post #28
1) Not withstanding that we have differing opinions about MR & RF if we are paying Rein big $$$$ as people suggest and we push him out to fit RF in surely we will have to pay the difference in the Rein contract to whoever buys him. If you are correct and he is over paid someone will want to pick him only if he is cheap. Unless we really know what that $$$ it is hard to say exactly what the monetary value of such a deal would be.

Depends on how much they take REin for - but if you are assuming that someone will only be taking Rein for cheap, it's just as easy to assume that we would get Farah for far less than what we are paying Rein. And if we aren't so be it - Farah is better, and the how much better he is would likely be reflected in the difference in price. Either way, we would be getting Farah for under value.

2) For mine the RF of 4-6 years ago would not cause any argument from me. If all is true re the skills of the RF of today then how come the "boom" young players (esp the 2 halves and young Sironen) at WT have not excelled more and in fact some have gone backwards. The 1 ex WT player who has gone ahead significantly is BA after he changed to the Raiders under who is possibly one of the worst coaches going around. Can RF play footy the answer is "yes" is he as good as he was for mine "no" thus I believe he is an ageing investment and not value for money

Now this is a new kind of ridiculous - now it's Farah's fault that some of the Tigpies youngsters haven't kicked on? First of all, the rise of Tedesco completely ruins your theory. But realistically, it's more likely that said players just can't cut it yet. I mean, Sironen was always shit and has only made it first grade on his surname (and this has come from a number of younger players I've spoken to). And as for their 2 young halves - it's hardly Farah's fault that they've been thrown into first grade at 19 and 20 years old with zero guidance from experienced halves and no fallback options!

Blaming it on Farah is a long bow to draw...

Yes we have invested 4 years in MR some 2 under SP (can't blame him for that) and now a full year under PM who has actually stated that MR had a "breakout year in 2015". For all the talk the PM doesn't like MR etc why would he recognise him as one four improving players?

Because he has improved. Noone has doubted that. And let's be honest, the bar was pretty low last year! But his running game is better, he isn't making braindead decisions at cruicial times and his defense is stronger. A lot of this has to do with being interchanged with other hookers. But his biggest issue, the passing thing, hasn't changed. And this isn't really about him improving, it's about Farah being an instant improvement for at least the next 2 years. As for Mary - well, if Mary was a huge Rein fan, why was he chasing one of the most highly rated young hookers in Australia in McInness?

3) I said Widdop was the last big signing and lamented how we should chase youth at the top of their game and you responded with the somewhat sarcastic

"Yeah, I too wish we would chase younger blokes about to hit their prime who have big futures...unlike the over-the-hill nuffies we've signed over the past few years, like Dugan, Widdop, Frizell, Thompson, Ah Mau, Cooper, Mata'utia, Havili, Mann, Milne...those guys are all super old...

Dugan was forced out of his club so technically not a signing where we paid top $$$ to make sure we secured him. If Canberra had of tolerated his behaviour perhaps he would never have joined us.

Please tell me which one of the following from your list (Frizell, Thompson, Ah Mau, Cooper, Mata'utia) was actually at the top of his game when we purchased them. Yes they were young none of them were expensive and none of them were at the top of their game. Their skills have developed to higher levels during their time with St GI.
So in fact they would now constitute an expensive purchase for another club as they are still young and "now" at the top of their game.
Re new purchases you noted Havili, Mann, Milne. Agree that all of these are young with potential but again none of them are at the top of the their game. Hopefully that will come in the years ahead. Remember these purchases could easily become a "Josh Drinkwater" outcome as we don't really know if they will actually achieve the high expectations we have for them.

In all honesty we got Dugan buy default other than him we only paid a top $$$ to get Widdop There has been no significant outlay to get a "gun young marquis player" and in fact we have let some of our juniors go because we baulked at paying good money to hold them while we have purchased some journeymen, older players, players pushed out for behavioural reasons and much to my chagrin repurchased ex juniors who failed to live up to expectations at other clubs.
From those we purchased this year there were no newspaper headlines
"ST GI pull of major coup and signed ??????"

Well hold on cheif, you've moved the goal posts! You're initial post was that you lamented that we 'didnt chase youth with skills and longevity for the club'. I responded with a list of players who we've signed that are young, skillful and will offer longevity to the club.

Now you are saying you want players who are young, skillful with longevity at the club AND are at the top of their game when we sign them? AND it seems you want to pay top dollar to get them (based on you saying "Dugan was forced out of his club so technically not a signing where we paid top $$$ to make sure we secured him"). I mean, personally I think buying players who have shown they are comfortable in first grade and are about to hit their prime is a brilliant strategy, but by all means go ahead and lobby for top dollar-contracts for young, skillful, experienced top-of-their-game players! But your criteria has pretty much narrowed it down to David Klemmer or Anthony Milford. That's it.

 

[Dragon66]

Well done OT. No hysterics like Vas and some of our other resident loonies , just a well reasoned argument.

Always a pleasure to read your posts.

 

[Old Timer]

Benny V
If you think that Klemmer & Milford are the only young players at the top of their games that could be purchased I am not sure what you watch every weekend? Keep in mind contacts look to be easily broken these days.
Like Vas you do not want to see beyond that 1 potential signing and oppose any that offer argument against it. Surely RF is not the only alternate because he can pass the ball better than Rein? I note you keep avoiding any discussion on JF. He is without a doubt young and at the every top of his game and a person that has put a lot of baggage behind him (APTH). If not for Smith he would be the Qld and Australian hooker and RF and ME would be yesterdays news.
For many on the forum that are bit undecided on Rein if the option was JF I am sure the anti another hooker noise would dissipate a lot.
I note you mention that Mary is supposedly now chasing McInnes so why would he be doing that if like many here think the RF deal is done and dusted just need to wait for the announcement?
Re the boom youngsters of WT not going ahead I just note that if the 2nd best hooker IYO is giving them service then how come the boom came and went yet BA moves and is now supersonic. Yet you imply that Rein is responsible for the poor performance of our halves one of which I is a former international playing completely out of position IMO. MR might serve up some bad passes but not all BM mistakes and brain snaps can be attributed to MR.
Your argument that people are thrown in the deep end at 19 & 20 is a bit of a stretch because many other clubs blood their junior talent that young and do succeed we unfortunately rarely blood our jnrs well and in recent times appear to be availing ourselves of the BM / RF offers.
As I said never news articles about ST GI signing the likes of an Inglis (he was younger and a star when he went to Souths), Burgess (still young and a star), SBW (also young and very good when he left the dogs) Ferguson, RTS but we are supposed to be happy with BM & RF. Give me a break and ask why we should be happy with players on the back end of their careers instead of people on the rise from an already lofty position.
If we are all really honest about our recent signings how many of them could be considered truly inspirational rather than aspirational e.g. Packer out of NRL for 2 years and it will be 5 years since he played for NZ, McCarthy a 27 year old NRL rookie from England not playing at international level, didn't read any articles about Mose killing them in SL. Is there any compelling press articles saying that our signings are "gun players".
I welcome them all and wish them well and will cheer for them but I am a realist about what we will achieve with them and somehow if you think RF will raise them and the current list to greater heights but played no role in his current WT players not progressing then that seems illogical to me. It is not just about the skills of RF it is also about RF himself and that also is why I question the worth of the supposed investment.

 

[TruSaint]

Benny V
If you think that Klemmer & Milford are the only young players at the top of their games that could be purchased I am not sure what you watch every weekend? Keep in mind contacts look to be easily broken these days.
Like Vas you do not want to see beyond that 1 potential signing and oppose any that offer argument against it. Surely RF is not the only alternate because he can pass the ball better than Rein? I note you keep avoiding any discussion on JF. He is without a doubt young and at the every top of his game and a person that has put a lot of baggage behind him (APTH). If not for Smith he would be the Qld and Australian hooker and RF and ME would be yesterdays news.
For many on the forum that are bit undecided on Rein if the option was JF I am sure the anti another hooker noise would dissipate a lot.
I note you mention that Mary is supposedly now chasing McInnes so why would he be doing that if like many here think the RF deal is done and dusted just need to wait for the announcement?
Re the boom youngsters of WT not going ahead I just note that if the 2nd best hooker IYO is giving them service then how come the boom came and went yet BA moves and is now supersonic. Yet you imply that Rein is responsible for the poor performance of our halves one of which I is a former international playing completely out of position IMO. MR might serve up some bad passes but not all BM mistakes and brain snaps can be attributed to MR.
Your argument that people are thrown in the deep end at 19 & 20 is a bit of a stretch because many other clubs blood their junior talent that young and do succeed we unfortunately rarely blood our jnrs well and in recent times appear to be availing ourselves of the BM / RF offers.
As I said never news articles about ST GI signing the likes of an Inglis (he was younger and a star when he went to Souths), Burgess (still young and a star), SBW (also young and very good when he left the dogs) Ferguson, RTS but we are supposed to be happy with BM & RF. Give me a break and ask why we should be happy with players on the back end of their careers instead of people on the rise from an already lofty position.
If we are all really honest about our recent signings how many of them could be considered truly inspirational rather than aspirational e.g. Packer out of NRL for 2 years and it will be 5 years since he played for NZ, McCarthy a 27 year old NRL rookie from England not playing at international level, didn't read any articles about Mose killing them in SL. Is there any compelling press articles saying that our signings are "gun players".
I welcome them all and wish them well and will cheer for them but I am a realist about what we will achieve with them and somehow if you think RF will raise them and the current list to greater heights but played no role in his current WT players not progressing then that seems illogical to me. It is not just about the skills of RF it is also about RF himself and that also is why I question the worth of the supposed investment.

OT..favour please, can u use spacing between paragraphs. Im enjoying this dailogue but my eyes hurt.

 

[coast_dragons]

Rein will see out his contract after that who knows.

 

[BennyV]

Old Timer - dude, there is a hell of a lot of sidestepping and dribble in that rant, but I'll address what I can:
- I didnt say they are the only yiung players at the top of their game, but they are the only 2 I can pinpoint that fit all your criteria. Again, changing goal posts.
- No idea what Jake Friend has to do with anything. The reason that Vas, myself and others discuss Farah is that he is available and cheap. Friend is neither. Very strange tangent that one...
- The 19 and 20 year old thing regarding Moses and Brooks is very valid. Feel free to name me any other club thay has blooded kids that young with no experienced mentors in the halves and done so successfully. Very different to one off insertions of youth. Still dont see how Farah is the cause of that, seems like you're going a long way to defend Rein and find faults in Farah.
- Comments re: Blake Austin are ridiculous! He was very good at yigpies, despite being played out of position.
- Again, banging on about not signing Inglis, Burgess, SBW and so on is a very odd tangent and stinks of deflecting from the argument. Moreover, its a ridiculous reason to not sign Farah. We have had our fair share of cracks at superstars, Cronk being a big one, but realistically we are a club who produces superstars and personally I love that, you want to chase every monster name then go support the Dogs.
- Dragons chasing McInness happened earlier this year prior to him re-signing with Souths. Was well documented. Fell through when Luke signed with Warriors.
- I never said Farah was the number 2 hooker, nor did I imply that Rein is the cause of our problems. But yes, better service would be beneficial to our halves (and forwards). We have the opportunity to get that for low cost, with the added bonus of extra creativity and a kicking game to boot. It boggles the mind that people wouldnt want that!

 

[Old Timer]

Benny V
Not sure how you would actually know what young players would fit my criteria but fair to say many more than the 2 you highlighted.

Apologies if you did not say Farrah was No 2 hooker it was certainly mentioned by someone in an earlier post.

If I was making the decisions on who the club buys it would certainly not be made on the premise of available and cheap. IMO that philosophy is somewhat how we ended up with the roster we have.

My statement about JF is just that if a hooker is actually what we need I would rather pay big $$$ to get him rather than lower $$$$ to get RF.

The comment re Inglis, Burgess etc is the very core of the argument for mine. We never go all out to get the superstar who will make an indelible difference for today and tomorrow.

Did SBW get the Chooks competitive and ultimately a flag, did Inglis / Burgess do the same at Souths. If the expectation of the fans is win a flag then that type of player will go a long way towards it but IMO RF will not get that result with the roster we have. Do we have some good players yes but do we have some chaff I am sure we do.

At club with a stronger roster and just a tiny bit missing he probably would get great a better result but the issue for me is even if I was wrong and RF could do wondrous things our roster is not that strong for him to achieve an outcome in the time he has left.

My thoughts are to get someone (not necessarily a 9) who has at leat 5-6 years left in them before they go to England or another club, work with our core group who incidentally must be maintained and get consistently good results in 17,18,19.

I would have thought the Souths halves would have fitted the bill as far as youngsters blooded and achieving at an early age. I think Reynolds was really unlucky as his injury held him back from higher honours.

I said earlier that my support has always been for the junior talent we create to be retained but more often than not we forgo the opportunity to keep them due to $$$$.

I agree we have produced many fine players but lots on the forum decry the Morris brothers, TM who I believe would have made our roster stronger than what it is but instead we got Nabuli, Farrell, Vidot but to name a few.

If the Moriss' & TM were at the club and it was 2013/14 I would certainly have said RF would have made a very big difference but that time is gone. We did not entice him when he would have costs us a bomb but now that he is older and cheaper he is still a good deal doesn't quite cut it with me.

What really boggles the brain for me is looking at the roster we have how the hell do we have a salary cap issue which precludes us from buying high quality rep players yet other clubs with plenty of internationals seem to keep getting more.

No doubt that was probably a question lots asked in the 60's.

 

[TruSaint]

Benny V
Not sure how you would actually know what young players would fit my criteria but fair to say many more than the 2 you highlighted.

Apologies if you did not say Farrah was No 2 hooker it was certainly mentioned by someone in an earlier post.

If I was making the decisions on who the club buys it would certainly not be made on the premise of available and cheap. IMO that philosophy is somewhat how we ended up with the roster we have.

My statement about JF is just that if a hooker is actually what we need I would rather pay big $$$ to get him rather than lower $$$$ to get RF.

The comment re Inglis, Burgess etc is the very core of the argument for mine. We never go all out to get the superstar who will make an indelible difference for today and tomorrow.

Did SBW get the Chooks competitive and ultimately a flag, did Inglis / Burgess do the same at Souths. If the expectation of the fans is win a flag then that type of player will go a long way towards it but IMO RF will not get that result with the roster we have. Do we have some good players yes but do we have some chaff I am sure we do.

At club with a stronger roster and just a tiny bit missing he probably would get great a better result but the issue for me is even if I was wrong and RF could do wondrous things our roster is not that strong for him to achieve an outcome in the time he has left.

My thoughts are to get someone (not necessarily a 9) who has at leat 5-6 years left in them before they go to England or another club, work with our core group who incidentally must be maintained and get consistently good results in 17,18,19.

I would have thought the Souths halves would have fitted the bill as far as youngsters blooded and achieving at an early age. I think Reynolds was really unlucky as his injury held him back from higher honours.

I said earlier that my support has always been for the junior talent we create to be retained but more often than not we forgo the opportunity to keep them due to $$$$.

I agree we have produced many fine players but lots on the forum decry the Morris brothers, TM who I believe would have made our roster stronger than what it is but instead we got Nabuli, Farrell, Vidot but to name a few.

If the Moriss' & TM were at the club and it was 2013/14 I would certainly have said RF would have made a very big difference but that time is gone. We did not entice him when he would have costs us a bomb but now that he is older and cheaper he is still a good deal doesn't quite cut it with me.

What really boggles the brain for me is looking at the roster we have how the hell do we have a salary cap issue which precludes us from buying high quality rep players yet other clubs with plenty of internationals seem to keep getting more.

No doubt that was probably a question lots asked in the 60's.

Good post my friend. Love the spacing ( and content ).

 

[coast_dragons]

Mitch Rein is the number 9 simple as that really.