Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:49 pm  

To be fair Appleyard makes Tomlinson look like Samuel Beckett.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:03 pm  

Sebasteeno wrote:

So 12 out yet only 5 in so far - some serious business to do and its gonna have to be good players and not players with potential or weve got bottom four written all over us

Yes, but equally we dont want to make some rash signings and then be stuck with them, most players want 2 or 3 year deals, and we dont want to be stuck with some players in 2025/2026 who arent the right fit.

While another bottom4 finish would be very depressing, theres no relegation and financially I dont think it makes a huge difference if the club finishes 6th or 12th. Crowds will only really increase with a consistent top4 finish.

[Chris71]

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:16 pm  

Hard to know what the true situation is with regards recruitment. I just can’t see there being too much gambling going on in terms of signings. With regards to Taylor I get the feeling that he was prepared to go round one more time if needed by the club if they didn’t land a suitable replacement for him. This has possibly been done now and could well be a similar position with Houghton.

In terms of all other recruitment the club has known for a considerable amount of time the number of players off contract at the club and the Clifford situation. Id like to think the club haven’t been completely naive, have planned accordingly & have been active and on the front foot to get deals done.
It would be suicidal in terms of the club if they’ve been too relaxed and laid back and fail to get the recruitment right.

So far there doesn’t seem to have been any panic from within the club, we can’t judge anything until we know the squad for 2024.

Surely the club can’t be that stupid to let so many players go if they don’t have replacements lined/signed up?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 8:32 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

Pure guesswork on your part.

Mine is that the club knowing that Clifford had a clause to return home at the end of this season already had contingency plans and were doing their homework on a replacement months ago. As I say though this is all conjecture.

Pure guess work on your part trying to second guess what Bonaire is second guessing at. This second guessing what the club are doing regards recruitment is getting tiresome.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:06 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

Hard to know what the true situation is with regards recruitment. I just can’t see there being too much gambling going on in terms of signings. With regards to Taylor I get the feeling that he was prepared to go round one more time if needed by the club if they didn’t land a suitable replacement for him. This has possibly been done now and could well be a similar position with Houghton.

In terms of all other recruitment the club has known for a considerable amount of time the number of players off contract at the club and the Clifford situation. Id like to think the club haven’t been completely naive, have planned accordingly & have been active and on the front foot to get deals done.
It would be suicidal in terms of the club if they’ve been too relaxed and laid back and fail to get the recruitment right.

So far there doesn’t seem to have been any panic from within the club, we can’t judge anything until we know the squad for 2024.

Surely the club can’t be that stupid to let so many players go if they don’t have replacements lined/signed up?

"It's not done and dusted, but it's getting that way," Smith explained when asked about the club's 2024 recruitment. "There's not a whole lot still to be done, and we're not too far off.

Well that looks like we have more announcements up our sleeve .... Well I hope we have anyway

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Fri Sep 01, 2023 10:11 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

Hard to know what the true situation is with regards recruitment. I just can’t see there being too much gambling going on in terms of signings. With regards to Taylor I get the feeling that he was prepared to go round one more time if needed by the club if they didn’t land a suitable replacement for him. This has possibly been done now and could well be a similar position with Houghton.

In terms of all other recruitment the club has known for a considerable amount of time the number of players off contract at the club and the Clifford situation. Id like to think the club haven’t been completely naive, have planned accordingly & have been active and on the front foot to get deals done.
It would be suicidal in terms of the club if they’ve been too relaxed and laid back and fail to get the recruitment right.

So far there doesn’t seem to have been any panic from within the club, we can’t judge anything until we know the squad for 2024.

Surely the club can’t be that stupid to let so many players go if they don’t have replacements lined/signed up?

With Taylor it could easily be that the club offered a much lower wage and he's decided that putting his body on the line again for lower pay isnt worth it considering he has a sucessful business set up.

Im not overly concerned the club has past form for keeping its business secret and standards have dropped in SL so much that even an average squad will do ok.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Sat Sep 02, 2023 4:32 am  

Chance to watch Ese'ese and Volkman is 30 minutes.

So the available halfs look like
Johns
Volkman (Have doubts about his visa)
Wakeman
Flannagan

[Mild Rover]

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:27 am  

Irregular Hoops wrote:

To be fair Appleyard makes Tomlinson look like Samuel Beckett.

Well, this thread has certain parallel’s with Beckett’s most famous work.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:40 am  

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby ... c-11781443 Flanagan wants to stay in the NRL

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rugby ... c-11781443 Flanagan wants to stay in the NRL

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:50 am  

I think the one half from NRL I am certain I’d avoid is Wakeham, horrendous.