Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:10 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

I'd take the risk with Manu personally, I think he is quality in a market that doesn't have great players in it and that isn't going to change anytime soon with the NRL salary cap increasing. We're competing for 2nd tier players and Manu is definitely at the higher end of the scale, despite his age.

or as the old saying goes,

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.

British RL fans in the years ahead are going to really have to readjust their expectations as to the talent they will see in the competition, not only will our best seek their fortune down under, but few aussies of any quality will deem it worth their while coming to these shores.
We have already seen the first signs of the future, but once the NRL salary cap grows and the wealth gap between a buoyant Australian economy and an economically depressed UK economy widens. Then the trickle may turn into a flood of players seeking their fortune down under.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:15 pm  

St pete wrote:

I'd take him on two years as he's showing no signs of Lodi g it at moment and I'd also be happy to offer a 3rd year option in our favour.

That would be ideal.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:16 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

or as the old saying goes,

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.

British RL fans in the years ahead are going to really have to readjust their expectations as to the talent they will see in the competition, not only will our best seek their fortune down under, but few aussies of any quality will deem it worth their while coming to these shores.
We have already seen the first signs of the future, but once the NRL salary cap grows and the wealth gap between a buoyant Australian economy and an economically depressed UK economy widens. Then the trickle may turn into a flood of players seeking their fortune down under.

yep, it'll be 2nd rate imports or older 1st rate ones. I prefer the latter

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:23 pm  

Warrington have tabled a six figure offer for Bateman. Would be a better signing longterm, using the money we've offered/put aside for Manu. It'd be a good move for him too. Get him out of Bradford and into a fashionable, cosmopolitan town. Looks like a gypsy bare knuckle boxer with that tattoo and mullet.

Can see why Warrington want him now.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:24 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

or as the old saying goes,

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.

British RL fans in the years ahead are going to really have to readjust their expectations as to the talent they will see in the competition, not only will our best seek their fortune down under, but few aussies of any quality will deem it worth their while coming to these shores.
We have already seen the first signs of the future, but once the NRL salary cap grows and the wealth gap between a buoyant Australian economy and an economically depressed UK economy widens. Then the trickle may turn into a flood of players seeking their fortune down under.

I think it's always easy to be gloomy, but rugby league and saints will still be here in 10, 50, 100 years time, and people will still be turning up to watch them. My dad when he was alive used to talk about the droves of people turning up to watch saints, packed houses the like of which I never saw at Knowsley rd. I grew up watching saints in the 70s with the other 3000 speccies on a cold wet Wednesday night, week in, week out. Do I enjoy the game more now, watching highly paid, well drilled, professional players? No, not really. I loved watching the likes of kel coslett, billy benyon, Geoff heaton and co. will I still support saints if we go back to being semi pro, or of we no longer bring over tge likes of perry, flannery or hohaia? Absolutely.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:12 pm  

The length of the deal is the only concern, but as far as I am aware he does not suffer any long term niggles, if it was a finish on 35 there would be no fuss we would want him.

The 3rd year will only turn out to be a disaster if he picks up a big injury in his 1st or 2nd years.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:19 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

The length of the deal is the only concern, but as far as I am aware he does not suffer any long term niggles, if it was a finish on 35 there would be no fuss we would want him.

The 3rd year will only turn out to be a disaster if he picks up a big injury in his 1st or 2nd years.

for all we know this 3rd year may be an option.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:54 pm  

Great player. Gutted he's leaving. Plays 80 minutes week in, week out. Rarely injured. Spell him effectively and he'll easily do 3 more years

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:07 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

Warrington have tabled a six figure offer for Bateman. Would be a better signing longterm, using the money we've offered/put aside for Manu. It'd be a good move for him too. Get him out of Bradford and into a fashionable, cosmopolitan town. Looks like a gypsy bare knuckle boxer with that tattoo and mullet.

Can see why Warrington want him now.

Batemans a good young player no more no less,dont get carried away.

Re: Willie Manu : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:21 pm  

Don Brennan wrote:

Batemans a good young player no more no less,dont get carried away.

I've not seen anything special with Bateman but he's looked like he's more than handled himself for such a young lad.

I think whitehead looks the better out the two.

Talking of young forwards, Warrington have a great young lad in Ben currie (so I'm told) and he's set to be a superstar. Saints made enquires but been told where to go.