David wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 12:24 pm
My Q & A with Farhan:
Q:
Credit due to you, Farhan. You called this WEEKS ago. Do you think the club was leaning to Rourke as the starter and Reilly was disinclined to be the '1B' back-up? Or was Neil asking him to take a pay cut that he wasn't aligned with? Either of these or just the right time to walk?
A:
If Michael wanted to play again he would have been the starter on a restructured deal that still would have paid him handsomely. But it never got to that point. He’s known for awhile this was it. Just needed time to be sure
Just FYI.
DH
Farhan's answer is exactly how I read things. I think through earlier conversations the Lions were well aware Reilly was mulling over this decision and needed to be able to come to that decision without the club muddying the waters with thngs like role or money. The only decision he had to make was to determine if he wanted to go all the things necessary to prepare himself for the rigours of another season or if it was time to retire. The role and money would take care of itself if he decided to continue.
Ironically I think the Covid cancelled season played a role in his decision. Had Covid not raised its ugly head and 2020 and 2021 happened like any normal season I think he would have played in 2022. With nearly 20 months of being full time stay at home husband and dad I think he got an early taste of what life after football was like and he really liked it making the decision to retire now much easier than it might have been had he played right through until now.
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
