: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:53 am  

We need a proper half-back, perhaps a half-back who is currently unhappy at playing hooker in the nrl........i suggest Michael Sullivan

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:55 am  

Moe syslak wrote:

We should get Minichiello and Orford. World class players in two of the most important positions. We could build around them with youing up and coming players. We don't need to replace Rauhihi.

I admire your optimism but I think a replacement for Rah is a must really. I don't see any of the up coming props in our ranks being capable of filling his boots.....yet.

El Masri would be a great signing, he must be worth an extra 70-80 scoring points a season.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:55 am  

We don't need Sullivan, we have enough scapegoats in King, Monaghan and Penny.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:57 am  

Geordie wrote:

12 month contracts dont work, it usually takes a player from down under 12 months to settle in

I'm using David Fairleigh as a yardstick, back end of his career just before retiring and he was immense.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:00 am  

Purplehaze wrote:

I admire your optimism but I think a replacement for Rah is a must really. I don't see any of the up coming props in our ranks being capable of filling his boots.....yet.

El Masri would be a great signing, he must be worth an extra 70-80 scoring points a season.

I would love to see El Masri here. On the Rauhihi situation, we have two front line props in Morley and Carvell. Wood can be on the bench if fit and hopefully Pickersgill or Cooper will be ready for some more first team action next season. Rah is a good player, but i think we need some quality elsewhere first.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:04 am  

Moe syslak wrote:

I would love to see El Masri here. On the Rauhihi situation, we have two front line props in Morley and Carvell. Wood can be on the bench if fit and hopefully Pickersgill or Cooper will be ready for some more first team action next season. Rah is a good player, but i think we need some quality elsewhere first.

Agreed but major question marks for me over the fitness of Carvell, Wood(!), Pickersgill and Cooper. That only leaves one prop.

Pickers and Cooper have got age on their side but I am far from being convinced on the showings I have seen so far. I will enjoy being proved wrong obviously.

That list can probably be cut in half if you filter out the players likely to be denied a visa

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:07 am  

I'm not convinced about pickersgill or cooper myself yet. However, now all our young players are under a world class coach I think we should give them a fresh start. Even a moaning git like me is willing to.

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:17 am  

Moe syslak wrote:

We should get Minichiello and Orford. World class players in two of the most important positions. We could build around them with youing up and coming players. We don't need to replace Rauhihi.

Sounds nice, cap it off with Hazem El Masri who is one of if not the bes goel kicker in the NRL and i'm happy

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:21 am  

Whoosh wrote:

Sounds nice, cap it off with Hazem El Masri who is one of if not the bes goel kicker in the NRL and i'm happy

In NRL history I would say

: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:34 am  

Can't see El Masri coming to England, I think he will play his whole career with the Bulldogs, he's an important figure for them politically. The Bulldogs have trouble with an element of their supporters (mainly Lebanese). They had to move out of the Sydney Showground and to Stadium Australia because only Stadium Australia has the security to deal with it. El Masri is seen as a community leader and a responsible role model, so he helps keep the lid on simmering racial tensions which could easily boil over.