Yesterday’s Charity Shield at ANZ Stadium didn’t make things any easier for Michael Maguire when it comes to choosing a full-time No.9 for 2017.
Bringing home a 32-14 victory, the Rabbitohs put in one of the most decisive wins in this year’s NRL pre-season trials.
Despite the absence of Greg Inglis, there was an incredible synergy to the Bunnies spine.
Once again, Alex Johnston proved how safe he is at fullback.
With 49 tries from 61 games, he’s Souths’ top try-scorer, so it was only fitting that he brought in a four-pointer in the first twenty minutes.
Receiving the Steeden from Adam Reynolds, he wove his way through the entire right edge of the Dragons’ defensive line to land one of the deftest tries of the afternoon.
Cody Walker was great as well, with a smashing run down the field at the beginning of a Rabbitohs set paving the way for Angus Crichton’s try at the 62nd minute.
Adam Reynolds, too, demonstrated a super sense of control across both halves.
Yet what really made the spine shine was the addition of Robbie Farah and Damien Cook at No.9.
Over the first half, Farah proved adept at creating opportunities and demonstrating consistent control around the ruck, freeing up space and building forward momentum for Reynolds and Walker.
Two minutes in, Farah preceded a repeat set for the Bunnies with a series of instructions to the team as a whole.
It was a gesture of leadership that paid off, with the ex-Tiger putting down his first try in a Souths jersey moments later.
Farah’s sense of organisation was evident once again at the 27th minute, when he sent the Steeden over to Cody Walker just as Siosifa Talakai was getting into position, allowing the burly No.4 to simply stroll over the line.
Yet Damien Cook was just as impressive in the second half, even if he didn’t receive the same bevy of opportunities.
His most emphatic answer to Farah came fifteen minutes in.
Choosing to run the ball, he accelerated rapidly up through the ruck and then pivoted a banana kick off to the right on the run, in a move worthy of Craig Wing.
It landed right on the chest of Hymel Hunt who planted it square in the corner.
Later in the game, Reynolds pulled a similar move, opting for a pivoting short kick to the right on the second tackle that allowed Braidon Burns to put in a double in his debut Charity Shield appearance.
With Reynolds taking inspiration from Cook and mainly converting tries in which Farah or Cook had a hand, it was clear that both hookers made their mark on the spine.
Michael Maguire now has an interesting decision to make. Does he opt for Farah or Cook?
Or does he take a more unusual approach and alternate hookers over the first couple of matches?
That kind of shifting spine worked in the Bunnies’ interests yesterday afternoon.
If it gave Souths a bit more of a volatile flavour than usual, it also prevented them ever congealing enough for the Dragons attack to make headway either.
Whatever the outcome, it must be good for Rabbitohs fans to see the team spoilt for choice as first round looms near.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Jacko, That sounds about right but for 2018 I think Souths are paying about $600k, unconfirmed of course but that is what I have been told. So for 2 seasons at Souths, Souths are contributing about $800k and the Tigers $750k. Robbie is still out of pocket to the tune of about $350k over 2 seasons on his previous TigersContract. That shortfall will be made up of TPAs as the Rabbitohs have plenty of those to go around where the Tigers do not.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Birdy, The Tigers board has issues like many others. This Board was put in place in September 2014 so in effect, they have had 2 and a half years to try to correct the wrongs of the previous Pro-Balmain Board. Their previous board got them into this mess at no fault of Robbie Farah. Robbie took pay cuts for the good of the club, Robbie took less originally on his previous contract to help keep Tedesco. "Remember" Tedesco signed for the Raiders then reneged? Teddy didn't renege out of love for the Tigers, it was for extra money! Farah,s money! In this current 4-year contract, Farah took less for the first 2-years to help keep both Brooks and Moses. The Previous Tigers Board back ended that deal, that is why his contract for 2017 is for $950k and his contract for 2018 is for a cool Million! Robbie's manager estimated that the Tigers owed him about $500k from those previous 2 contracts. It was mentioned in the Press in 2015 when Robbie was looking at his options. Robbie wanted to come to Souths for the 2015 Season but a payout figure wasn't agreed upon. Souths just refused to pay for the Tigers mess! 2017 and 2018 were to be the years they coughed up the dough. NOW the New Tigers Board with the Pro-Wests Ashfield is in control since May 2016. Their first order of business is to clean up their CAP Mess by shifting Farah and they tried to move him on without paying him out. Any hooker in the NRL being a spine player would be worth at least $600k per season. An Origin Hooker should be worth at least $800k per season. Cam Smith is on about a Million. Isacc Luke is on about $850k I am told that the Tigers also paid towards Martin Taupau for 2016, I am not sure about 2017?
Chook
Guest
Im not relying on Inglis at all. If he has a good year that will be a bonus. But Im not banking on it
Birdy
Guest
I still believe they should have kept Potter. Actually i believe the entire Tigers management should have been sacked and we should have keot Sheens. '16 had a lot of stale faces and people had to be moved on.Farah will have new life and goals at a new club (souths) as well as a few others leaving no excuses for a top 10 finish for the Tigers , which should be acceptable for their last year of the salary cap problems.
chivasdude
Guest
Way too early in the season to decide. And nor does a decision need to be made. Robbie is very experienced and tough and will go 80 minutes and pretty much the whole season (he had had remarkably few injuries over his career, but as one ages...). For team balance and to allow the great talent that Souths has in its arsenal, I reckon Robbie is the perfect foil for Reynolds. But young Cook is a great talent. I my view, Maguire will play them both as the young legs can really make a difference towards the end of a game. A nice problem to have. I think Souths are looking good even if it early. If Inglis is fully fit this year...
Chook
Guest
It would be interesting to hear an undiluted opinion on how cook and Farah feel about that option. They are the ones that have to make it work.
Chook
Guest
....and we don't want a top 8 finish. Top 3 will do nicely
Chook
Guest
No it is in the hands of the Team with astute coaching and management and luck.....
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'm not convinced coaching is the problem. If the Tigers only had these problems under Taylor I could see your point, but he's their third coach in a row that has seen issues. I'm looking forward to seeing what the post-Farah era brings.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Also, will actually give the ball to the halves.
Birdy
Guest
Your saying things i dont want to hear 3 hats. I agree with Brooks in that he has to prove himself this year. But your saying the Tigers board is not up to scratch. That means another failure this year, another clean out and the rebuild starts again. We the fans dont deserve that and i think that would be too big a test for the NRL as well. Hope your wrong but even Ennis said yesterday something along the line that the club has never functioned since Sheens left. Or at least their core players.
Jacko
Guest
Speed between the ears is what counts most of the time. Farah was impressive yesterday. He seemed to link with his halves ok
Jacko
Guest
Does that mean Souths are paying $200k and Tigers $750k ?
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Well, it is $750K but still, their Management is amateurish, to say the least.
andrew
Guest
I do not understand why this questions is popping up everywhere as to which to play. You play both. In regards to yesterday, both did well, but Farah was more impressive with his organisation and timing. Cook did well, but it was a second half ambush, where as Farah helped lay the platform for the win. What was note worthy; Walker plays a similar style to Moses and he seemed to gel pretty well with Farah...
jacksyd
Guest
Totally agree. Much quicker and sharper around the ruck which is a must for Souths go forward.
jacksyd
Guest
For me, swap Farah for Cook.
Jacko
Guest
Definately the coaching at the Tigers was ( and still is) the problem. And to think the Tigers are still paying him $950 for this year.......Sad
jacksyd
Guest
Damien Cook must be the 1st choice hooker hands down after watching the Charity Shield, not to mention the last 5 games of 2016 after fully recovering from 4 concussions over the season. Farah did some good things but overall looked 1-2 meters slower than Cook around the ruck and can't give the same go forward that Souths need if they are to be a genuine force this year. Farah is not the same player he was 2 years ago and beyond and I suspect the reasons he was let go from the Tigers will be exposed within the 3-4 games of the year.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
You are correct about Farah, he is sharp and creates plenty of space. Last year for the TigPies, Farah wasn't the problem, Taylor was. Brooks is not a First Grader... Yet. The Tigs went ok when Brooks was out and Moses was running the show. Reynolds is an Origin class player so we can all see the difference. In this heat having 2 No.9s is imperative as the forwards get tired quicker and the gaps open up around the ruck. Enter Damien Cook. In the cooler months, you may go back to an 80-minute dummy half.