2015 New Signings Progress Report (up to Round 3) : Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:12 pm
Round 3 and much has been said and written in the media about our huge turnover in personnel from last year and our 13 new signings.Here's my take on what I've seen so far. Would be interested in the opinions of others, assuming you don't fall asleep before you've read it all.
1.Dixon - a real threat and opportunist in attack with bags of speed and confidence, but crap in defence. Too small and light for fullback. Left wing would suit. Needs more game time. 6/10
3.Goulding - a major upgrade at centre. Good outfield defender and a creative, attacking opportunist. Needs to improve his goal line fringe defending with Sio, Kelly and McCarthy. 8/10
4.Mantellato - a goalkicker supreme. Awkward runner, so will never be a long distance threat. Defence and work rate OK. We need to use his height as an attacking threat. 7/10
5.Sio - Parramatta fans were upset when he left and it's easy to see why. A threat with the ball and a great combo already with Goulding. Needs to improve his defence. 8/10
6.Blair - now he's trimmer he looks the part. Good defender, reads game well, makes line breaks and runs good lines. With his versatility, he should play left centre in place of Salter. 7/10
7.Kelly - a gifted player, great foil for Campese and all round opportunistic, attacking threat. Very impressive work rate, good tackler and kicker. Needs to reduce risky play in our half. 8/10
13.McCarthy - a work horse with a creative spark. Not flash or brash, but gutsy and full of intensity. Defence is improving and expect him to be ever present if he stays injury free. 7/10
14.Allgood - looks a great signing. Good strong runner, hard defender and a goal line threat. His enthusiasm and intensity has brought the best out of Walker and Green so far. 9/10
15.Donaldson - shame he got injured early doors. Great defender. Doubts about his size and go forwards capability. 6/10
16.Bailey - showed a glimpse of his value at Wakefield. Will we see much of him this year? Very much doubt it. 6/10
17.Burke - Wigans loss IMO. Strong and versatile and good in attack and defence. Needs an offload game and must reduce his error count, but will improve with more game time. 7/10
23.Campese - Has lost a yard of pace and defence could be better. On performances to date he is a definite upgrade on Dobbo & Burns. Move to HKR has revitalised him. Good leader. 9/10
24.Boudebza - he's no Josh H, but has exceeded my expectations. Better passer, tackler and runner from dummy half than Carlile. Will only improve with more game time. 7/10
