Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:29 pm  

After watching today's game it got me thinking about what our priorities should be in terms of signings for 2015.

I've been banging the drum for a new stand off for a couple of years now, but the more I see of Hohaia and Walsh the more I don't think the need for a new 6 is as great as I first thought. They were both excellent today and have an obvious rapport and understanding with each other.

IF Walsh and Hohaia both stay beyond this season then I don't think we need a new halfback. I'd much prefer to see us sign someone who can come off the bench to spell Roby and also step in at half back if injuries hit. Not necessarily him but somebody like Jamie Ellis, who was probably their best player today.

Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction to the game today but I'd much rather see us strengthen our pack than a new 6 as I feel when our pack is on top, Hohaia is more than good enough.

As a 'marquee' signing I'd much rather see a proper out and out strike centre than a new 6, as well as a spare hooker as I've mentioned and another prop and 2nd rower.

What does everyone think we need?

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:32 pm  

I think he should stop fannying about with Hohaia and keep him at 6. I haven't seen the match today, but he has played well alongside Walsh there this season. I don't see why he keeps changing it to be honest.

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:33 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

I think he should stop fannying about with Hohaia and keep him at 6. I haven't seen the match today, but he has played well alongside Walsh there this season. I don't see why he keeps changing it to be honest.

He was very good today and his partnership with Walsh gets better the more they play together.

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:42 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

He was very good today and his partnership with Walsh gets better the more they play together.

Lance gets s*hit on IMO and often the scapegoat with fans and Brown. He's the one who gets dropped when we play bad when other players are much worse.

His show and goes he's doing will put the fear of death into teams as he's a quick guy off the mark and no slouch when gets into open field.

I've never been one to call Lance as he's been brought in to do a job that he's not familiar with and not been given enough consecutive games at 6 to grow into the role. One thing for sure, you always get effort with Lance and works very hard in defence.

However, I don't think he's a halfback and would prefer a proper 6 Brought in. We need a half that can dictate play if Walsh gets hurt or off form. Travis Burns is ideal.

I think Lance is the perfect utility player off the bench. He can cover centre, the halves and hooker and ideal to bring on for robes. He does a decent job at 6 but I'd like a proper 6.

IMO priorities for next year is stand off, two props (one will do but I'd like two) and backrows as we losing Sia and possibly Manu.

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:03 pm  

i agree that lance and Walshy work well together, but neither will be at Saints in 2016 so perhaps some forward planning in that department wouldnt be rediculous.
That said, a replacement (and quality at that) for Lafranc and a top class back rower and even an interchange for Robes would be nice

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:06 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

i agree that lance and Walshy work well together, but neither will be at Saints in 2016 so perhaps some forward planning in that department wouldnt be rediculous.
That said, a replacement (and quality at that) for Lafranc and a top class back rower and even an interchange for Robes would be nice

We've got to get a good prop in. We can't continue to be dominated in big games. It's happening far to often for me. A good big tough starting prop is needed massively. I know we have numbers at props but not enough quality.

We have to bring quality into the Backrow as we are losing Sia and possibly Manu. They are two big players for us that need to be replaced.

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:12 pm  

St pete wrote:

We've got to get a good prop in. We can't continue to be dominated in big games. It's happening far to often for me. A good big tough starting prop is needed massively. I know we have numbers at props but not enough quality.

We have to bring quality into the Backrow as we are losing Sia and possibly Manu. They are two big players for us that need to be replaced.

like i said quailty replacements for Boof (an alledged prop) and Sia, backrow.

I think and hope we'll retain Manu for another year, he's well worth it

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:45 pm  

I'm getting to the point that I'd be happy for lance to fulfil his contract at least. He works well with Walsh which is key. Sneyd is ooc at the same time as hohaia too so things could tie together nicely if he's not an option this year.

Prop to replace boof would be nice. I'd prefer an older head, whose not necessarily gonna play week on week, giving Thompson and Richards a chance to develop further, but protect them from the big games still, and add some umph when needed. Carvell springs to mind for me (probably wouldn't be a popular choice) but on the right contract. Going big in aus has been hit and miss in the past, especially for forwards, but should we fail to get in the above description, go big or go home.

With Vea supposedly replacing Sia, the need for another second rower depends on whether we keep Manu for another year. There were rumours of more ccjs being issued to Wakefield a few weeks ago, so despite looking safe from the drop, might be there for cherry picking, if we can pick up Kirmond we have as good a back row as we've had in quite a while. Whether it's feasible though I'm not sure - wasn't brown the one who sold Kirmond to Wakefield?

I still see Percival and jones as our centre partnership for years to come, and so am happy to keep the 4 shirt between them to fight it out (along with turner) - if Jamie Lyon became available I wouldn't say no though.

Most of my question marks come from the depth of the squad next year - if wheeler is going who is going to be 3rd choice halfback? Is Hewitt ready? Is charnock going to be moved back to the halves? And the biggest question of all, who can rotate with Roby? I want us to have a bench hooker to play with Roby, but struggle to see where one could be picked up...

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:57 pm  

Magic Superbeetle wrote:

I'm getting to the point that I'd be happy for lance to fulfil his contract at least. He works well with Walsh which is key. Sneyd is ooc at the same time as hohaia too so things could tie together nicely if he's not an option this year.

Prop to replace boof would be nice. I'd prefer an older head, whose not necessarily gonna play week on week, giving Thompson and Richards a chance to develop further, but protect them from the big games still, and add some umph when needed. Carvell springs to mind for me (probably wouldn't be a popular choice) but on the right contract. Going big in aus has been hit and miss in the past, especially for forwards, but should we fail to get in the above description, go big or go home.

With Vea supposedly replacing Sia, the need for another second rower depends on whether we keep Manu for another year. There were rumours of more ccjs being issued to Wakefield a few weeks ago, so despite looking safe from the drop, might be there for cherry picking, if we can pick up Kirmond we have as good a back row as we've had in quite a while. Whether it's feasible though I'm not sure - wasn't brown the one who sold Kirmond to Wakefield?

I still see Percival and jones as our centre partnership for years to come, and so am happy to keep the 4 shirt between them to fight it out (along with turner) - if Jamie Lyon became available I wouldn't say no though.

Most of my question marks come from the depth of the squad next year - if wheeler is going who is going to be 3rd choice halfback? Is Hewitt ready? Is charnock going to be moved back to the halves? And the biggest question of all, who can rotate with Roby? I want us to have a bench hooker to play with Roby, but struggle to see where one could be picked up...

Salford will have a hell of a job keep Sneyd past next year, he's not stupid and with them having Chase and now Dobson on long contracts he'll want first team game time.
Wigan have other youngsters, Wire have ratchford, Myler and GOB. Leeds dont need him, neither do Hudds. We are the obvious choice if he and us want success and to help his push for international call up.

For 2015 an Amor clone would be nice and although Vea's ok, a proper top drawer 2nd rower would be very nice, Hoffman perhaps?

Re: Recruitment for 2015 - Priorities : Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:07 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Salford will have a hell of a job keep Sneyd past next year, he's not stupid and with them having Chase and now Dobson on long contracts he'll want first team game time.
Wigan have other youngsters, Wire have ratchford, Myler and GOB. Leeds dont need him, neither do Hudds. We are the obvious choice if he and us want success and to help his push for international call up.

For 2015 an Amor clone would be nice and although Vea's ok, a proper top drawer 2nd rower would be very nice, Hoffman perhaps?

I watched Sneyd today pretty close and add that to the other times ive seen him over past two seasons, id give him a miss.