Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 11:13 am  

Agree with everything above. It’s a tricky one isn’t it - and shows what a good place Mills and Powell have got our squad in.

100% on Pratt’s development. I want to see him play centre this year and MacDonald would essentially put a stop to that. He’s also a bit of an odd character by all accounts but loves playing rugby and can just turn it on. Don’t know if we want that kind of character, but him and TJ would score for fun.

Scott’s also said he really wants to play centre and that’s one of the things that enticed him to join us.

How about Marsters? Technically a centre but has played plenty of wing in the NRL, and plays in the halves for Cook Islands. Also comes across a much more hardworking professional than MacDonald. Til he got injured last year he was the top metre maker in SL. Top class cover for centres, very good cover for wing.

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 11:35 am  

I’d rather us pick up a domestic prop from Salford and not rush to fill up our last quota spot, they need to be used wisely.

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 11:49 am  

Which one of Hill, Singleton, Sangare, Bullock or Ormondroyd (off to Cas anyway) would you prefer? Aside from Hill I’m not sure any of them get into our starting 17

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 11:55 am  

Butcher wrote:

Which one of Hill, Singleton, Sangare, Bullock or Ormondroyd (off to Cas anyway) would you prefer? Aside from Hill I’m not sure any of them get into our starting 17

As you say Hill would be the pick of the bunch, even though he is getting on a bit he is still quality and adds SL and international experience.

Any of the others would be squad players which personally I’m fine with, it’s a long season, we will get injuries, so capable replacements are important to make sure we don’t see a drop of in performance, especially in the pack where most games are won and lost.

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:56 pm  

Droopy wrote:

As you say Hill would be the pick of the bunch, even though he is getting on a bit he is still quality and adds SL and international experience.

Any of the others would be squad players which personally I’m fine with, it’s a long season, we will get injuries, so capable replacements are important to make sure we don’t see a drop of in performance, especially in the pack where most games are won and lost.

I reckon Hill would fill the void left by Bowden. Bags of experience which wouldn't go amiss!

[PopTart]

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 1:14 pm  

REDWHITEANDBLUE wrote:

Looking at the club ethics around the suitability players on and off the field I am not sure McDonald fits the bill. He doesn't seem to have much loyalty

We probably don't need that from him.
I'd be happy for 1 year while we bring Pratt on and then pass the baton.

But as you say he still has to fit the dynamics and ethos of the team Powell has built.

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:12 pm  

PopTart wrote:

We probably don't need that from him.
I'd be happy for 1 year while we bring Pratt on and then pass the baton.

But as you say he still has to fit the dynamics and ethos of the team Powell has built.

I’m predicting come end of season Pratt will be first choice centre. I watched the Boxing Day game back and he was very good on and off the ball. He got the better of Maiko Siva a few times.

I’m not even thinking about his loyalty or dynamics. That’s for the club to decide and discuss with the player. If they don’t buy into the club then they won’t be coming id expect. Things aren’t set in stone in terms of a clubs dynamic sometimes an unexpected player may become available who could benefit exactly what the team needs. There will always be an element of adaptability.

Re: Rumours thread : Thu Jan 16, 2025 3:48 pm  

I would steer clear of Singleton.Tough willing prop but lots of penalties in him.
McDonald is first rate and would walk into our team if we opted for him.
Watkins has been top class,but how much has he got left?