: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:08 am  

mystic eddie wrote:

...
Now, the ONE Aussie we signed, everyone knew of him so that hardly was a result of overseas scouting was it?

Who knows? How do you know the deal wasn't struck then?

mystic eddie wrote:

... (His coaching abilities also have not improved)

How do you know? Had it not been for that trip, maybe he would have performed a lot worse?

mystic eddie wrote:

...Also, I thought it was common knowledge that Glenn Morrison was helping out with identifying targets when back home during his injury? What became of that?

Maybe that was Menzies?

mystic eddie wrote:

...There will always be the usual suspects on here that can see the club/board/coach doing no wrong

Who are these people? I don't know of anyone who remotely fits that hyped description?

mystic eddie wrote:

...The simple fact is that if Leeds were in our position and recruited like we did this off season, there would be plenty on here queueing up to have a right good laugh at them.

That may be so, but only in a way that you might laugh at your neighbour cos he can no longer afford a swish car like yours or a big plasma telly like the one in your lounge, as his house maintenance costs are exorbitant and he has big fines to pay off weekly. I know the analogy is limited, but the bottom line is you're upset because we haven't got oodles of cash to splash. You'll have to remain upset, because we ain't gonna have it any time soon.

You holding Leeds up as the comparison is a bit odd, though. Firstly for several years we had the march on them and Harrisgate is the single main reason we no longer have; secondly if as seems likely they "win nothing" this season then surely their recruitment etc will have been a dismal failure, and they should sack their coach, board etc.?

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:39 am  

af wrote:

What centres have signed for other SL sides so far?

Indeed. I think it is pretty harsh to be overly critical of the club when the players are simply not available. I can only think of one centre who has moved clubs to SL and that is Bell from Manly moving to Catalans. The Evans cock up was unfortunate but the club took that decision under the rules at that present time.

If we see our rivals such as Wigan, Leeds etc signing top class backs then we would have right to complain for sure.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:46 am  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

Indeed. I think it is pretty harsh to be overly critical of the club when the players are simply not available. I can only think of one centre who has moved clubs to SL and that is Bell from Manly moving to Catalans. The Evans cock up was unfortunate but the club took that decision under the rules at that present time.

How many other clubs are in such dire need of a centre?

I'm sure there is a centre who could have been signed from somewhere in the world of Rugby League, in fact with names such as Morrison and Menzies I'd have thought we might be able to appeal to some players from down under. I'm not talking about signing a superstar, any actual half decent centre will be an improvement on what we've got now.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:56 am  

Asim wrote:

How many other clubs are in such dire need of a centre?

I'm sure there is a centre who could have been signed from somewhere in the world of Rugby League, in fact with names such as Morrison and Menzies I'd have thought we might be able to appeal to some players from down under. I'm not talking about signing a superstar, any actual half decent centre will be an improvement on what we've got now.

I'd say Leeds could certainly do with one to replace Toopi. No doubt the club will be keeping a close eye on the Tonga, Fiji and Somoan World Cup teams to see if anyone is worth a punt. I suppose you could look at Nero and say that he should have a fair bit of improvement in him. He has had a poor first year but he showed at the Giants that he does have ability above what he has shown for the Bulls.

If he can settle into the team and recreate that form then he will do a decent job. I have said before that we won't turn this around in one season so it seems pretty pointless just panic buying or signing players for the sake of it.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:08 am  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

I'd say Leeds could certainly do with one to replace Toopi. No doubt the club will be keeping a close eye on the Tonga, Fiji and Somoan World Cup teams to see if anyone is worth a punt. I suppose you could look at Nero and say that he should have a fair bit of improvement in him. He has had a poor first year but he showed at the Giants that he does have ability above what he has shown for the Bulls.

If he can settle into the team and recreate that form then he will do a decent job. I have said before that we won't turn this around in one season so it seems pretty pointless just panic buying or signing players for the sake of it.

Everybody has chipped in on this now. I would prefer to have 2 centres at the club who are primarily centres. Then all the 2nd row men who can cover centres will be just that - cover. I don't really think that starting a season with one specialist centre and already with a 2nd row guy covering is a good option.

But - availability, wage structure, finances, scouting will all have a part to play in finding these elusive centres.

I am happy to wait to see if there is any post world cup availability. Then , if not, we would have to make do and see if Crookes can step up (without setting him back confidence wise) or if there were any mid season options.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:14 am  

Highlander wrote:

Everybody has chipped in on this now. I would prefer to have 2 centres at the club who are primarily centres. Then all the 2nd row men who can cover centres will be just that - cover. I don't really think that starting a season with one specialist centre and already with a 2nd row guy covering is a good option.

But - availability, wage structure, finances, scouting will all have a part to play in finding these elusive centres.

I am happy to wait to see if there is any post world cup availability. Then , if not, we would have to make do and see if Crookes can step up (without setting him back confidence wise) or if there were any mid season options.

I agree that having Nero as our 1st choice is far from ideal based on this years form. But you categorise Nero as a 2nd row.. Nero himself thinks he is more suited to centre. But Nero has shown at the Giants that he can be a very competent centre. I personally hope that Crookes can make the breakthrough.. that would be the ideal.. whether it will happen remains to be seen.

Like another poster has mentioned.. players such as Henderson, Talua, Toopi, Ali Lau, Tim Smith, etc have all become available part way through the season recently. So I agree with what you say, it seems daft to panic buy.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:22 am  

Ok, we might have to bring some of the youngsters in! And, ok, the game these days requires more physical development than in previous years. But statements like "too young" about 19/20 year olds always amuse me. Here are just a few (at random) teenage debutants that seemed to do alright...

Roger Millward - 17/18
Elley Hanley - 18
Gary Schofield - 17 (toured with GB at 18)
Kurt Gidley - 19
Jamie Lyon - 18
James Roby - 19
Leon Pryce - 16
Stuart Fielden - 19
Shaun Edwards - 17

There are loads more who have started early and succeeded.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:29 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Who are these people? I don't know of anyone who remotely fits that hyped description?

Of course you don't.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:37 am  

Having looked through all the minor nations World cup squads these are the only real centre options.

Andrew Emelio - Bulldogs and is out of contract
Albert Hopoate - Roosters and is out of contract

Daryl Millard - Bulldogs contracted till end of 2009 but he's only made 12 1st grade appearances in 2 years.

: Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:45 am  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

I agree that having Nero as our 1st choice is far from ideal based on this years form. But you categorise Nero as a 2nd row.. Nero himself thinks he is more suited to centre. But Nero has shown at the Giants that he can be a very competent centre. I personally hope that Crookes can make the breakthrough.. that would be the ideal.. whether it will happen remains to be seen.

If he's to play centre I would like to see more work on the off season on his diet and conditioning. We need him like a chiselled and pert adonis, not a flabby Solomona type.

If this works he could play centre, although Talua would be a better option if available.