Trebor1 wrote:
The point I’m making is that being a top British signing they’re more likely to stick around for a lot longer than NRL players. JP was a perfect example of that. We need a top halfback and Trueman / Williams tick all the boxes. It’s be great business
I wouldn't complain if we could jag Trueman or Williams don't get me wrong, would agree here. I don't think a JP exists out there at the moment. That was a generational player who hailed from Leeds originally - long time between drinks.
Personally I'm not too bothered if a good quality NRL player wants to spend 2 years with us and then return. You get the odd Delaney who becomes part of the club DNA (and probably played on too long). The real rocks in the side are probably already here: Smith, Newman, Mik and some others. What they need is time to develop and some inspiration and standards-setting around them.
Walker/Edgell, Tindall, Newman, Broadbent, Handley, ?, Sinfield MkII, Mik, Leeming/O'Connor, Holroyd, Walters, Gannon, Smith; Edwards, Field.... I am really confident in the talent at the club already. If we can add another few real high quality seniors we are good. Half-back is the one area, given the age of Gale and Eastmond, where a long-term investment makes sense IMO. What I'm saying is that aside from one or two key positions, bridging signings are fine because our youth system really is delivering and with more on the way. We don't need to bring in external players when we have great players coming through like this in most positions. Our challenge will be to stop them being snagged by NRL.
I still think a 6, 10 and maybe 1 is needed if we're going to challenge again next year though. Therefore we'll have to let a few existing players go in addition to Lui. Still don't think Bodene Thompson was a sensible contract length for an overseas player of that level but hey.