Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:29 pm  

I posted last year that as the cap tightens, and the quota rules change.... We are going to be in a VERY strong position...

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:57 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

It seems that Saints may be losing Graham to the NRL next year, if Rugby League World magazine is anything to go by. He's apparently asked for a release from the remainder of his contract so he can take up an offer from the Sydney Roosters.

Huge loss for Saints particularly when coupled with the retirement of Cunningham and the possible departure of an out of contract Pryce.

It'll leave them with plenty of money, but with the salary cap as it is plus an ever decreasing quota it won't be easy. Particularly when there seems to be such a shortage of good players in key position's such as prop.

If Graham goes Saints really will be in trouble in all honesty. Along with Cunningham they're the heartbeat of that side and in big games the sheer drive of Graham coupled with Cunninghams influence and leadership always gives them at least an even chance.

If both go at the end of 2010 they're going to have to be very very smart with their recruitment or else they really could drop down the table.

In the past alot of people would have debates with Saints fans that their side contained quite a few average players that at times were made to look better then they actually were by the world class stars around them. The Saints fans wouldn't agree with that and if players like Graham and Cunningham leave it'll be interesting to see just how good players like Wilkin, Fa'asavlau, Pryce etc really are.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:06 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

If Graham goes Saints really will be in trouble in all honesty. Along with Cunningham they're the heartbeat of that side and in big games the sheer drive of Graham coupled with Cunninghams influence and leadership always gives them at least an even chance.

If both go at the end of 2010 they're going to have to be very very smart with their recruitment or else they really could drop down the table.

In the past alot of people would have debates with Saints fans that their side contained quite a few average players that at times were made to look better then they actually were by the world class stars around them. The Saints fans wouldn't agree with that and if players like Graham and Cunningham leave it'll be interesting to see just how good players like Wilkin, Fa'asavlau, Pryce etc really are.

This business of our top players going down to Aus really is a two-edged sword.

On one hand they're obviously exposed to a higher quality, more intensive competition, which will benefit them as players. But it really would be a crying shame if we were to lose someone like Graham from SL.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:10 pm  

Brough, Shenton & LMS in.

Feka, Carmont, Riddell & Bailey out for next season.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:11 pm  

On the subject of Graham, he'd be awesome in the NRL and would be a irreplaceable loss to the S.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:14 pm  

If we could get Brough, would moving Sam to full back not be an option?

Be a bit of a risk but I believe Tommy would be a brilliant stand off and having Sam pop up all over the place would pose a great threat

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:15 pm  

Would be good to see how he copes over there (I would say he would go very well) and also help Saints move down the table even more.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:03 pm  

AJ wrote:

Brough, Shenton & LMS in.

Feka, Carmont, Riddell & Bailey out for next season.

Carmont has a second year option unlocked on him making a number of appearances this year, can't see him walking away from that. Riddell still has 2 year after this, at the moment I am taking the him wanting to leave rumours with a pinch of salt.

It does look increasingly like Pryce's position is in doubt in the squad for next year, does not seem to be getting much of a look in at the moment and when he does get a chance the clock is against him, he needs a major impact right from the off.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:40 pm  

Saints now are in the same position we were in when we lost Farrell, Lam, Rads, O'Connor, Smith, And the rest in the space of a few seasons. With them losing Long this year, Possibly Graham, KC, Pryce next yeaar and surely Gidley and Wellens wont last much longer, thats going to take some time to get over. I think them not signing Long up for the 2 years he wanted is the worst bit of business they have done since taking Bibey off our hands. Him and Eastmond in a full season together would have been devastating, they would have been a much bigger threat than they actually are at the moment.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:44 pm  

AJ wrote:

Brough, Shenton & LMS in.

Feka, Carmont, Riddell & Bailey out for next season.

i dont think brough would fit in. we have too many players that take the headlines and he certainly likes the attention himself. im not sure his ego would take it. At wakefield he is most definately a big fish in a little pond ( no disrespect to wakefield) but at wigan we seem to be gelling as unit and imo Brough could disprupt that.

Shenton is solid but i just dont rate him as as strike centre. Defensively brilliant but with the likes of pat and amos on the wings we need a creative centre with ball in hand and i dont think shenton provides it. But he is young so maybe this area of his game will develop.

LMS, yes please, young, keen plenty of energy and a bloody good prop but going on current form the only player from our front row he could replace is feka and i think we have a lot more to come from him this year. I have to agree with JONh previous posts with regards to feka having to neglect strength and power training to achieve the weightloss. as his body adapts i think we may see the feka we hoped we'd got when he signed