The Gold Coast Titans must have deep pockets in regards to their efforts to lure star hookers Robbie Farah or Cameron Smith to the sunshine state. But it could have a detrimental effect on one of their most consistent players.
In just their second off-season, the Titans are already planning for big things come 2009, and that means luring one of two of the best dummy halves in the competition.
Although no Titans supporter can blame this stance on things, spare a thought for current Gold Coast hooker Nathan Friend.
He was a feeder player to Smith at the Melbourne Storm at the start of his career, and he went to the Titans to get more game time.
That is what he has gotten at the Gold Coast, with Friend now becoming an integral part of the side, with his high tackle counts and consistent quality out of dummy half.
But now he faces a new threat to his football career, if the Titans get their way.
If either Farah or Smith make their way to the Sunshine State next season, Friend will most definitely find himself on the bench, at best.
Even though one cannot deny the match turning effects of either Farah or Smith, Friend does not deserve to sit on the sidelines for the majority of an NRL contest.
The Titans hooker really does give it his all for the team and has become one of John Cartwright’s favourite players to work with over the last couple of seasons.
But despite his effort and form over the past year, Friend will be one of the few Titans sitting at home in the off season, pleading that the Gold Coast opt for his services rather than ones who have so far accomplished far more than he has.
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