Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:13 pm  

IMO we can't have Webb and Feka in the same team it's one or the other as we can't have two impact props with no work horses.

Luke Bailey is a work horse but isn't the enforcer.

Ben Cross is prob and aussie version of Morley the way he takes the ball in and is tough as nails, the only thing I am concerned about is his age (31) but I would take a punt on him if there were no better options.

Brent Kite is same as Bailey but takes the ball in harder.

Add to that Josh Perry and we have options to replace Fielden.

If Feka goes there is Frank Pritchard off contract and even Carl Webb could provide our impact off the bench but Frank Pritchard would be great.

Decisions, decisions.

My choices would be Ben Cross and Frank Pritchard with an proper scrum half like Jarrod Mullen.

Even the likes of Richard Fao'oso who played for Cas the other year is a good option for prop.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Fri Apr 09, 2010 7:04 pm  

It's obvious to see why players like Morley & Peacock are worth their weight in gold. Not only do they make excellent meters but they also offer leadership as well as being work horses and still find time to enforce themselves on the game.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:09 pm  

Loyal Saint wrote:

From what i've heard both Shenton and Luke Bailey will be at Saints next season. We tried to get Bailey for this season.

2 players I would love to see @ Wigan, still Madge knows his NRL biscuits, so ill back him to get us the right players to improve next season.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:54 pm  

I would be happy with the same squad next year minus Bailey for upgrades.

We are not in a position to panic.

If we bring in a new face or 2 awesome if we dont fair play.

As long as we have a top coach in place we will be there or there abouts.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:50 am  

jonh wrote:

I would be happy with the same squad next year minus Bailey for upgrades.

We are not in a position to panic.

If we bring in a new face or 2 awesome if we dont fair play.

As long as we have a top coach in place we will be there or there abouts.

My 2 targets for next season would be Shenton and Luke Bailey. If we couldn't get either of those 2 and Maguire thought there were some other players he could target of a similar quality then great but if not we really don't need to panic. Like you point out we're in a position of strength and don't have to go around panic buying.

If theres was nothing out there i'd still imagine we'd have Hock coming back mid season, guys like Carmont and Feka still around the place(the 2 I feel would be a danger if Shenton and Bailey came in) and the younger lads like O'Carroll, Mossop and Farrell a further year on.

The clubs got a very strong platform to build on at the moment.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:56 am  

What people need to keep an eye on here, is something that has been alluded to already. SL class & world class are something totally different.

Some of our youngsters might not make it, but we have a sure fire chance to deal with both the quota and a centre position for the next 10 years with a SL class centre.

True world class players are the likes of Inglis, Falou, Hayne. Players like Bailey who we are talking about for prop aren't. They are just NRL class, I fail to see the difference between him & Shenton in terms of signings and squad development.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:35 am  

jonh wrote:

As long as we have a top coach in place we will be there or there abouts.

Correct. The most important signing for any club to make is the coach. That is the crucial area you have to get right.

John Kear and Nathan Brown (more last year) have done a fantastic job in getting the most out of the squads they have. Kear does not have the cream of the crop to work with, but is doing an admirable job (even if he is a pr'ck ).

Michael MaGuire & the coaching staff are now doing exactly the same. We are getting the best from our squad & more importantly we are developing our homegrown talent. Something which cannot be overlooked. Lee Mossop, Joel Tomkins and Sam Tomkins will be of tremendous value to our club for the forseeable future. It's the most cost-effective method of player recruitment bringing your own lads through & so that is another reason why I am quite content in bringing on Darrell Goulding, Stefan Marsh & Ian Thornley, rather than splashing out on Shenton, who although very talented, is probably going to cost a lot of money given the lack of quality British centres out there at the moment & the fact clubs like St.helens are seemingly desperate for a centre.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:44 am  

AJ wrote:

What people need to keep an eye on here, is something that has been alluded to already. SL class & world class are something totally different.

Some of our youngsters might not make it, but we have a sure fire chance to deal with both the quota and a centre position for the next 10 years with a SL class centre.

True world-class players are the likes of Inglis, Falou, Hayne. Players like Bailey who we are talking about for prop aren't. They are just NRL class, I fail to see the difference between him & Shenton in terms of signings and squad development.

I think the value of a Super League class centre for the next few years is there for all to see. It's a valid argument and is most likely the reason MaGuire & Co are rumoured to be interested in the lad. I will admit, it would be very interesting and intriguing to see how Madge brings on someone like Michael Shenton. He would need to improve while he was here to be worth having for ten years & in Michael MaGuire we have the former backs coach of the Melbourne Storm who boast one of the best backlines in the world. It would be an exciting prospect.

However what also cannot be ignored is the long-term value of bringing your own homegrown talent through. I've mentioned it previously, but it is the most cost-effective method of player recruitment. Stefan Marsh, Ian Thornley or even Darrell Goulding could be that player & could be of greater value to the club than Shenton. It's a tough decision to make because they are a lot of possibilities & things that might change, but I back the coaching staff at the club to get it right.

My own belief is that we should stick with our investments and see how Goulding, Thornley and Marsh develop. One of them three will be our next centre for the foreseeable future IMO. We are not in a position where we are desperate for a centre. We have Martin Gleeson for another few years and George Carmont who will most likely be here next year. Carmont will need replacing, but Shenton is not a left centre anyway he plays on the right.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:15 pm  

I don't rate shenton as much as most people! I can't wait to see Thornley break into the first team, he will be a better player than Shenton IMO.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:05 pm  

Odemwingie wrote:

I don't rate shenton as much as most people! I can't wait to see Thornley break into the first team, he will be a better player than Shenton IMO.

I agree. Don't rate Shenton that highly from what little I've seen of him. He was poor last night, admittedly along with the rest of the Cas side.