Re: Rumours thread. : Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:11 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

I get the feeling we may end up signing an overseas 2nd rower / prop (Waterhouse has been mentioned) to replace Graham. That would leave us with Perry, TP, Clough and LMS with Magennis in reserve and then someone like Waterhouse who could play either role.

The problem would come if TP goes too. We would have to bring another prop then.

Correct, I think we will have problems if we lose TP and Graham. As I've said in this thread that Laffanchi might hold Italian passport.

Depending on our overseas spots we might find it hard to bring in quality forwards to replace TP, jammer and flannery. The ain't many good English forwards off contract. The only one I'd take is Keith Mason.

Re: Rumours thread. : Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:34 pm  

Laffranchi is out for 2 month after just returned from a wrist op in the off season.

He's also in advance talks with the titans about new contrat.

We won't be signing Laffranchi.

Re: Rumours thread. : Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:35 pm  

St pete wrote:

The only one I'd take is Keith Mason.

Now your talking.
Big minutes hard as nails ,trains the house down.
Can't see him traveling from Yorkshire though.

Still think saints don't really have a proper line breaking SR like Joynt / Gilmour.
Don't see any of the NRL OCCs fitting this profile.

Re: Rumours thread. : Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:40 pm  

Gerry Mander wrote:

Now your talking.
Big minutes hard as nails ,trains the house down.
Can't see him traveling from Yorkshire though.

Still think saints don't really have a proper line breaking SR like Joynt / Gilmour.
Don't see any of the NRL OCCs fitting this profile.

I agree, ive been saying for two years we need a line breaking backrow. We've got to many workhorse backrows and none with any real attack.

Mason would do a Job if we signed a top quality prop from oz like kite or king. Perry, LMS, Mason and either king or kite would make a good foursome.

I'd much prefer TP to stay tho.

Re: Rumours thread. : Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:40 pm  

Soliola does bring the line breaking option in the back row, we just haven't seen enough of him yet.

Keith Mason could be viable as lets not forget it wouldn't be his first stint at the club. If he enjoyed it and we offer him a better contract then Huddersfield do then its perfectly feasable.

Re: Rumours thread. : Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:52 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Soliola does bring the line breaking option in the back row, we just haven't seen enough of him yet.

Keith Mason could be viable as lets not forget it wouldn't be his first stint at the club. If he enjoyed it and we offer him a better contract then Huddersfield do then its perfectly feasable.

I'm fairly certain we will replace Graham with a top Aussie/kiwi prop and I also think we will replace flannery with a good Aussie ( waterhouse ) so we might have to go British to replace TP if he leaves depending on our overseas spots.

With what's available for out of contract British props, Mason is the best.

Re: Rumours thread. : Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:10 am  

The Chief wrote:

Just to put it to bed, as per yesterdays post......JAMMER IS DEFINATELY GOING TO CANTERBURY BULLDOGS.

Was it last Wednesday I posted this??

2 out of 3 so far! I'm on a roll!

Good luck to Jammer at Canterbury - thats one player who will give his all for the rest of the season.

Re: Rumours thread. : Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:26 am  

It's mistaken to think one prop can replace Graham. There are possibly four, maybe five props in the world who a) are top class, b) can play 70 minutes at a push and c) are born leaders (not to mention his fortune with injuries). None are available as far as I am aware. And for good reason because the Aussies know the value of top props and will break the bank to secure their services.

Had we any kind of system for producing talented young front rowers we might be able to surmount this problem. But our prop production line has been abysmal for years and lucking out with Graham shouldn't gloss over this fact.

Which means we'll be forced to buy another second tier Aussie/Kiwi toward the end of his career. I mean, there's a massive risk in hooking the likes of Hohaia and a similar aged prop up to long term contracts. After years of hard grind in the NRL their bodies are already close to being exhausted (like Sculthorpe's) and the future of the club becomes hostage to fortune.

Re: Rumours thread. : Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:49 am  

The Chief wrote:

Was it last Wednesday I posted this??

2 out of 3 so far! I'm on a roll!

I'm sure you will be exceptionally pleased with yourself should we lose TP as well.

Re: Rumours thread. : Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:38 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

I'm sure you will be exceptionally pleased with yourself should we lose TP as well.

Just to clarify, I have nowhere stated that TP would sign for Wires, infact I said the opposite.

Don't be taking your frustation out on the messenger!

Whilst it is every Saints fans dream to see Jammer in the red vee for life, it simply was never going to happen. He wrestled with the decision but that was more to do with the thought of leaving rather than whether leaving was the right decision.

Whilst he will clearly be a massive loss, and can't be replaced, just like Scully, Long, KC, (Kyle??!) et al, the club moves on and we will look back in 12 months and say it wasn't as bad as we thought.

Personally, I'm pleased for the lad and can't wait tosee him in action in the NRL. I watch 4 or 5 NRL games a week and have seen pretty much every front rower take to the field. They have nothing like Jammer over there and he will be a revalation. Good luck to the lad I say.