Earlier in the year I posted the club's top 25 roster in an attempt to explain some of the more bizarre team selections. This squad was assembled by Jason Taylor prior to Mark O'Neill's arrival.
Well today I am sharing the updated list which reflects the departure of Buchanan & Drinkwater who were both in the original top 25 squad.
Effectively it is Sundays team inc 18th Man Chee Kam along with: Brooks; Farah; Ballin; Cherrington; Sirro; Hunt and Natahan Milone!!
Both Elijah Taylor & Nathan Milone were added to the top 25 squad with the departures of Buchanan & Drinkwater.
This helps explain the recent absences of JAC & Felise, as we have now exhausted 2nd tier cap. The club is hoping all 3 teams qualify for finals because then there is a rather convoluted exemption given which may allow us to play both in the NRL side in the semis.
For those of you that read my brief post regarding Elijah Taylor's management contacting Justin Pascoe on the same day Farah was dropped notifying him that they have received offers from both the Warriors & the Knights I can now confirm the Warriors have offered $450k x3; the Knights $500k x2 + 1 year club option. Pascoe will do everything in his power to retain ET, and I'm told matching the Warriors offer should be enough i.e. $450k x 3.
So in summary Farah was in fact dropped to force his hand in an attempt to 'find' $450k to sign ET. The club is very confident they will achieve this with a final decision on Farah's future to be known before the semis. I'd be a bald face liar if I claimed I know where Farah will end up but he definitely won't be here next year! Both St George & Souths are in the running, the Newcastle deal which involved Uate was never that appealing for the club or Robbie. But I repeat he won't be here next year, he has burnt some bridges with people of greater influence than Jason Taylor! All I can say is that in 2016 coaches are accountable to CEOs / Boards, and Boards generally don't like hearing any comments that could be viewed as sexist / misogynistic - even if in jest.
Jason Taylor continues to have rock solid support but Pascoe is a performance driven pragmatist and his own 3 year plan which the Board is about to sign off on calls for top 8 success for 3 consecutive years starting 2017\. This year a top 8 finish would guarantee Taylor would coach next year, as Ivan Cleary is still asking more than the club is prepared to pay. Pascoe & Cleary are very tight, but equally Pascoe & Taylor's relationship has strengthened in recent weeks. Pascoe and Marina Go families are very close.
The club contrary to some prophets of gloom and doom is still a happy place to be. No major signings on the horizon for 2017, the club is exploring whether an attractive trade / swap could be put together as part of Farah's departure. For 2017 - 2020 we appear to have most bases covered and will definitely re-sign 3 of our 4 marquee players and quite possibly all 4 ( Brooks currently ranked 4th / Teddy #1)
As previously stated the club has huge wraps on Ryan Papenhuyzen along with Paseka; Mapesone and course Liddle. Papenhuyzen's goal kicking is improving nicely, though he may not be seen again in 2016 due to off filed commitments.
Nothing else substantive to share, just a personal comment which though it sounds trite is genuinely sincere - Robbie Farah has been a great player for the club, certainly within the top 6 most consistent players we have had since inception. He should be afforded the opportunity for the club's fans to show their thanks and appreciation, but he must and will leave the club at seasons end - which for Robbie will be a send off against the Raiders in the final round at Leichhardt - I'm told if we're out of contention he will be in the starting side if not possibly on the bench ( provided the exit strategy has been finalized)
