@Nelson said:@cktiger said:@GNR4LIFE said:@cktiger said:Why not?
We bought a reserve grade hooker already ruled out for season last year.
That worked out well.
When did Ballin play reserve grade?
The simple answer is this year …with us.
He was released from his 2016/17 contract with the Eagles because he was not in Manly's first grade plans just after he signed a new contract.
He never got a chance to play reserves there because of injury.
Once here he conceded himself he would be playing reserves for us (courtesy of The Australian in May this year)...
'The man meant to be Robbie Farah's replacement has conceded he will have no problems playing reserve grade for the rest of the season if coach Jason Taylor desires, with Matt Ballin conceding the State of Origin veteran deserves the No.1 hooking job.'
Make of it what you wish.
Actually he didn't get injured until round 24 last season and had stayed in first grade after they had announced they wanted him gone (mid to late July), so he did have a chance to play reserves but as far as Toovey was concerned he was their number 1 hooker and he played first grade.
.
Toovey and Ballin handled things well.
Taylor and Farah could learn a lesson or two from it.
We now don't pick our best 17 for must win games and Farah takes pot shots at the coach in the media.