Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:28 am  

sorry to keep banging on,
but I think once KC retired, that was the end of saints as we knew them.
Players raised their game for KC, his presence alone on the field was huge.

Everyone just seems to go through there sets like robots, very predictable, and not much invention.
Not surprising with such young halfbacks.

I'm sure Longy could do a job for saints on the creative side of things.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:58 am  

saintcj wrote:

sorry to keep banging on,
but I think once KC retired, that was the end of saints as we knew them.
Players raised their game for KC, his presence alone on the field was huge.

Everyone just seems to go through there sets like robots, very predictable, and not much invention.
Not surprising with such young halfbacks.

I'm sure Longy could do a job for saints on the creative side of things.

I think what has really set us back is Eastmond and Graham leaving at the same time. In both cases we had to bring in inferior replacements, both of whom took up valuable places on our non-fed list. If Jammer and Eastmond were still here I reckon we'd also have a much better back line, as we would have been able to strengthen it with overseas signings.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:57 pm  

From what I hear Meli is off home after this year

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:05 pm  

redex113 wrote:

Get shut of the lot; not just those out of contract either. They were so bad against the giants and not much better against Widnes I am thinking of going over the hill to watch a good team.

Go then.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:04 am  

Chev walker's off contract. Worth a punt as a back row?
Big, strong, mobile, aggressive and non quota.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:24 am  

We wont be needing backrowers next year we will require props.

There is a good chance we will lose Perry, Puletua and Lafranchi, thats three props gone from the scene, leaving only Clough and LMS as recognised props with any experience.

Problem then is getting anyone decent from the NRL. The salary cap increases over there, along with changes to the UK tax system, which has closed a number of loopholes available to foreign players, has made playing in the UK a lot less attractive than it was.

That leaves us on the lookout for British props.
We wont be alone in that search, as Leeds will require someone to replace Peacock, who is retiring at the end of this season. Wires Pension Pack is also on its last legs, and will need refreshing over the next two years.

The only teams set fair with packs into 2014 and 2015 are i think Wigan and Huddersfield. Though Wigan may suffer if Mossop and Hanson take the aussie dollar next season, as speculated.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:25 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Chev walker's off contract. Worth a punt as a back row?
Big, strong, mobile, aggressive and non quota.

He did look good last playing the big 13 role.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:38 pm  

I think it's too early to say who I would keep and get rid of, mainly because I'm not yet sure as to Gaskell. In 2011 I thought he was getting better and better as the season went on. He has had a year in the wilderness so I'd like to see 10 to 15 games under his belt before calling that one.

Other than that. I would like a line up like this.

Lomax
New Winger
Turner
Jones - or new Centre
New Winger
Gaskell
New SH
New Prop
Roby
Warmsley
Laffranchi
Sia
Manu

Clough
New Prop
The rest can be made up of those not off contract.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:35 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Snip.

Yep, I reckon that'll mean we hold on to Boof, which I'd be ok with.
I confident in Walmsley for next season though.

Re: Our off contract players, who would you keep? : Sun Feb 17, 2013 3:23 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Yep, I reckon that'll mean we hold on to Boof, which I'd be ok with.
I confident in Walmsley for next season though.

Next season yes with Walmsley provided he gets eased in this year and only used against cellar dweller teams.

Using him this season against the likes of Hull, Leeds, Wigan, Huddersfield and Warrington who have decent packs is asking for trouble though.