: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:41 pm  

abel711989 wrote:

wheeler??

That's the fella, he looks like Long's replacement to me.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:42 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

Tony did say that quite a while back, but it was in a programme this season that he wouldn't mind staying. The cynical part of me thinks that's because his injury record over the past 2 seasons will hamper his chances of a decent NRL contract. I'd personally prefer some new blood.

Wouldn't mind if Thackray left so much if we got someone like Lynch.

For me, a clearout would ideally (I know some have contracts so are not so easy to offload) include: Tony, Thorman, Cusack, G Horne, Thackray/King, maybe Moa.

Well if Cusacks going, i don't see why Lynch and Thackray wouldn't work really well together? Actually i think that's exactly what we need!

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:42 pm  

carl_spackler wrote:

I hope so. It just seems odd that he's the only player who seems to get dropped for playing reasons.

I think we're so thin on the ground that we can't afford to drop anyone else...

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:43 pm  

Ande wrote:

Gary Wheeler?
He is a 5/8 is our Gary

Looks more like a 7 and Eastmond looks like a 6.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:43 pm  

He should be captain next season also.

A player like Sean and Fitzgibbon will help attract other top players.

Think he will really help the young halfbacks in the sqaud and hopfully at the end of the two years someone like Lee Williams will be ready to take over.

This signing reminds of Tony Smith signing for Hull.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:43 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

He should be captain next season also.

A player like Sean and Fitzgibbon will help attract other top players.

Think he will really help the young halfbacks in the sqaud and hopfully at the end of the two years someone like Lee Williams will be ready to take over.

This signing reminds of Tony Smith signing for Hull.

I'd make Longy or Fitz captain, without a doubt.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:44 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Looks more like a 7 and Eastmond looks like a 6.

Have to agree Eastmond looks like a 6, think Matty Smith might start at 7 for Saints next season, always seemed to do well when he stepped in for Long and has had a decent season for Celtic this year.

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:44 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

TBH I don't care what Saints would have done with him, Hull need a SH and have one. We have a good young lad at the club in Williams who needs someone to learn from and in Longy he is learning from the best.

Btw do you rate Eastmond as a SH, he looks more likea running 6 fro what I have seen of him. Who is the other young lad at Saints who can play 7, think he has been playing in the backs this season?

Eastmond is as much a scrum half as Long was when he signed for Saints. I suppose Kyle could move to six, but Pryce has that spot, and behind him there is Wheeler, who looks an amazing prospect.

We've got a pile of talent coming through in the creative positions. Matty Smith is out on loan and could return (his long kicking game is great, but he needs to get a grip of the short stuff). Wheeler looks the business. Then there's Lomax (another fantastic prospect) who can cover both six, seven and looked very good at full back against Wakey.

I'm glad Long's going. He still has a bit to offer, but the time for the kids is here. Long would only have hampered their progression, IMO.

[Roland_R]

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:45 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

He should be captain next season also.

A player like Sean and Fitzgibbon will help attract other top players.

Think he will really help the young halfbacks in the sqaud and hopfully at the end of the two years someone like Lee Williams will be ready to take over.

This signing reminds of Tony Smith signing for Hull.

Starting to shape up a bit if you ask me.

Raynor Calderwood Briscoe Rich Horne Berro, Manu, Fitzgibbon, Long Lauaki (when he gets here) etc...

: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:46 pm  

Long is currently the best SH in SL, based on televised games. Exactly the type of player we need.
If Eastmond is better, why is he not playing now?
Any overseas signings come with a risk over visa applications too, so I think this is a good signing, and certainly as good as we could realistically expect.