Re: Rumours thread. : Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:33 pm
As I stated earlier, if Saints have a weakness looming it is at prop. Fozzard, Maurie & Puletua won't be at the club in three years. There is - I think - a realistic possibility that Graham will choose to have a bash in the NRL circa this time also (if for no reason other than a healthy contribution to his retirement). I know Hargreaves has showed signs of improvement, but I'm skeptical about his long term future at Saints. At this moment there are no obvious candidates emerging from the junior ranks. Which means we may well be forced into purchasing an entire front row (starters and reserves). But buying is always costlier than producing and - unless you pull out a stroke of genius (Lyon) or luck (Maurie) - the result is paying above the going rate.
Which highlights the absolute necessity of producing - at the very least - one or two of your own front rowers within a three year period. Even if they are little more than bubble wrap, they keep the wage bill down (and the yardage up) thus allowing you extra finances for external purchases. I had hoped that Frodsham would emerge this season (indeed, I predicted that for Saints to stand a good chance of winning SL he had to both develop and replace Hargreaves). Unfortunately he seems as injury-plagued as ever and of no immediate use. Whether he'll shake off his difficulties is moot. And the clock is tick, tick, ticking ...
