Titans Re-sign Friend

[Foordy]

The Titans have finally woken up to themselves and re-signed Friend...

In-form hooker Nathan Friend says he's "stoked" to have signed a fresh two-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans, which puts an end to eight months of negotiations.

The 28-year-old hooker will stay at the Titans until the end of the 2011 season and likely to end his NRL career there after re-signing.

It's a major turnaround for Friend, who was on the look-out for a new club earlier this year after salary discussions fell through.

But after months of fruitless talks, the timely departure of prop Ian Donnelly to Cronulla - and the subsequent space in the salary cap - was all the club needed to start again.

Coach John Cartwright immediately organised a meeting with Friend and the two-year contract was drawn up and signed just hours later.

The deal is rumoured to be worth between $190,000 and $250,000 a season.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 14,00.html

 

[spoonbled]

congrats on them signing their 3rd choice hooker.

 

[ethos]

He's clearly their best hooker though, great player.

 

[Foordy]

congrats on them signing their 3rd choice hooker.

he may have been their 3rd choice hooker, but i really rate him. i think he is better value than either Farah or Smith

 

[The Brizz]

At 250k he is easily better value than Smith or Farah, quality player who tries his arse off every week and his become a very dangerous runner from dummy half to go with his solid defense and passing games.

 

[Jeba]

Agree FCB, his attacking game has improved a lot over the offseason. He never lacked in that area, but in 09 he is on fire.

 

[Hamm.0]

+ 1 FCB.

@$250k it was silly it went on this long really, wonder if Friend has been left with some ill feelings towards the club?

 

[Foordy]

IF i was the Titans i would have been happy to pay him the amount he was asking and would have signed him, up immediately

 

[Bannermania]

I think the Titans paid him for whatever he wanted, they cannot afford to lose him.

 

[Jeza23]

I think the Titans paid him for whatever he wanted, they cannot afford to lose him.

+1 to that. I cant say Donnelly would have been on a great deal but it would of been enough to top up the original deal they tabled to to Friend.

Was a must sign for the titans to become a force.

 

[Kimlo]

at 200k, it's an absolute bargain, one of the best hookers around, and easilyt he best value hooker in the comp tbh.

 

[Old Mate]

To begin with he wanted to sign for only 200k and they would only offer him 190k, yet they publicly offered Smith and Farah massive deals double that. Terrible administration to lose a player of his calibre by not offering him 10k more.

 

[lynx000]

And good for Donnelly as well, he probably wasn't going to get much top grade game time at the Titans, and with the injuries Cronulla have, he will be very useful for them. Wins all round.

 

[Coxy]

I think spoonbled was just pointing out how insulting to Friend it was to chase Smith and Farah so vehemently. They're lucky Friend stood by them. I wouldn't.

 

[spoonbled]

your right Coxy.

If they had a chance signing 1 of those guys i dont think they would be asking him to stay.

 

[Kimlo]

To begin with he wanted to sign for only 200k and they would only offer him 190k, yet they publicly offered Smith and Farah massive deals double that. Terrible administration to lose a player of his calibre by not offering him 10k more.

what?

 

[Coxy]

To begin with he wanted to sign for only 200k and they would only offer him 190k, yet they publicly offered Smith and Farah massive deals double that. Terrible administration to lose a player of his calibre by not offering him 10k more.

what?

I'm sick of translating for people when their point is easily noticed, albeit perhaps not worded the best.

Old Mate is saying the Titans RISKED losing a player of his calibre for wont of $10K.

If they had signed Smith or Farah, they would have lost him.

 

[Kimlo]

To begin with he wanted to sign for only 200k and they would only offer him 190k, yet they publicly offered Smith and Farah massive deals double that. Terrible administration to lose a player of his calibre by not offering him 10k more.

what?

I'm sick of translating for people when their point is easily noticed, albeit perhaps not worded the best.

Old Mate is saying the Titans RISKED losing a player of his calibre for wont of $10K.

If they had signed Smith or Farah, they would have lost him.

He said terrible decision to lose a player o his calibre by not offering him 10k more, they didn't lose him as he just resigned that's where I was confused.