Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 12:48 pm  

I’d echo what’s been said really. Off the field it would be a hugely positive move and on it, I’m not convinced he’ll have the years left in his career to make a major impact but we’d see.

The game has a whole needs its profile raising, so anything that helps that is no bad thing. If a bloke with more money than he knows what to do with wants to finance that, it’s up to him. I can’t see it being a goer but stranger things have happened.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 12:51 pm  

If we're chucking silly money around I'd sooner have Victor Radley, as for the publicity factor Farrell would bring you could bet Mr Danson's last 10p the Union press would immediately turn on him, rubbish him

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:12 pm  

It would be a statement of intent signing.

The off field benefit would be huge and he has an excellent passing and kicking game.

In reality he plays like a league player, hence the reason he is constantly under scrutiny.

I don’t think we would need to compete with Union for money. If that is his driver then there would be no point in bringing him in.

Financially he will already be set for life and his earning potential post retirement is also massive regardless of what he does as his next move.

He is being transitioned out of his England shirt and has done it all at Club level.

Money in my opinion will be a secondary factor.

If he were to come I think he could be a great “utility” player.

I don’t see him being a starting player but he could be an excellent bench player who would give us options across the backline and in the pack.

The commercial benefit would be huge in attracting sponsors, headlines and a new fan base.

At 31 he hasn’t got anywhere near the miles on the clock as most 31 year old league players. He could comfortable give us 2 probably 3 good years.

I think it would be a great move personally on all levels, but despite the rumour never going away I’d still be surprised if it happened.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:59 pm  

Like I said I wasn't sure when I got the news of his value on field. For what it's worth neither was the source of where it came from it was a...
" what do think of this? I don't see the point" comment.
Maybe the goalposts have moved since but at the time he was convinced it was happening.
After I was told I was sort of of that same mindset, could /would the money be spent better somewhere else? The only argument for it I could come up with is if it was a multiple year deal and using the rules re union, marquee and so on, that whatever the cost it's only going to count 100k on your cap second year and going forward. If your going to do all the other stuff anyway whatever the cost, like buying both teams and the ground, then upgrading it investing in off field stuff, best training facilities youth set ups and so on then maybe it's a no brainier for what it brings off the field. The commercial and media interest wise with sponsors and corporate may be seen as money well spent. Maybe it's even a two sided thing where he genuinely wants to finish his career here. It might even be his agent squeezing every last penny out of his last playing pay dsy.
It was on the " The Ruck a few days ago that he was expected to sign in the next few day for Saracens but it's been on there several times since I started looking so god knows.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 2:49 pm  

jonh wrote:

It would be a statement of intent signing.

The off field benefit would be huge and he has an excellent passing and kicking game.

In reality he plays like a league player, hence the reason he is constantly under scrutiny.

I don’t think we would need to compete with Union for money. If that is his driver then there would be no point in bringing him in.

Financially he will already be set for life and his earning potential post retirement is also massive regardless of what he does as his next move.

He is being transitioned out of his England shirt and has done it all at Club level.

Money in my opinion will be a secondary factor.

If he were to come I think he could be a great “utility” player.

I don’t see him being a starting player but he could be an excellent bench player who would give us options across the backline and in the pack.

The commercial benefit would be huge in attracting sponsors, headlines and a new fan base.

At 31 he hasn’t got anywhere near the miles on the clock as most 31 year old league players. He could comfortable give us 2 probably 3 good years.

I think it would be a great move personally on all levels, but despite the rumour never going away I’d still be surprised if it happened.

Commercially it could open the doors to a natural sponsor so financially it could be viewed as a low risk signing particularly if a sponsor has already been identified.
I’d be amazed if he could a full game however, I could see him playing for 50 or 60 minutes from LF and having a major impact on games.
I’m in the hope he signs camp but it could be just hope with the latest rumours just being rumours. Here’s hoping that this Christmas we will be getting a proper Christmas present from the club.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 3:51 pm  

apollosghost wrote:

If we're chucking silly money around I'd sooner have Victor Radley, as for the publicity factor Farrell would bring you could bet Mr Danson's last 10p the Union press would immediately turn on him, rubbish him

I think Radley would come across, I think you could persuade a few big names to come across for £1m a year.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 3:52 pm  

I really cant see this coming off if im honest

Commercially, it would make sense but from a playing poitn of view, im not so sure

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 3:57 pm  

Don't think 'for the publicity' is a good enough reason. And sure, Union pundits will trash him; they don't like him much as it is. Always banging on about his tackling technique and Wigan background.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 4:03 pm  

The guy would be a success on the pitch, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He's got a solid skill set, great hands and most importantly he's a fierce competitor. If he comes, he'll be coming for the right reasons and will undoubtedly be motivated to succeed.

Gareth Thomas came over much later (think he was 35) & whilst he wasn't the same player he once was, he transitioned well. There's no reason why Faz, who'll will be a good few years younger & with a solid background in the sport can't do the same.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 08, 2023 7:30 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

The guy would be a success on the pitch, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He's got a solid skill set, great hands and most importantly he's a fierce competitor. If he comes, he'll be coming for the right reasons and will undoubtedly be motivated to succeed.

Gareth Thomas came over much later (think he was 35) & whilst he wasn't the same player he once was, he transitioned well. There's no reason why Faz, who'll will be a good few years younger & with a solid background in the sport can't do the same.

Playing on the wing is a different kettle of fish though, there isn’t a great deal of difference in the position from Union to League.