Re: 2017 Squad : Sun Nov 06, 2016 11:49 am  

If you search for Kierran Moseley on twitter a couple of posts show that some Bulls fans asked the Rugby league Mole if the rumours are true. He 'liked' each of the posts and replied to one saying that he understood the deal to be just about done. He is usually spot on with most NRL related rumours.

I suppose if it is true, Rohan would be unlikely to tell a few fans on Facebook if the club was planning a big reveal/announcement as it would spoil the impact.

Although it would be easier for him to simply not respond at all.

Maybe we were close to a deal and he signed for the Blackhawks at the last minute.

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 7:31 am  

Rohan Smith has confirmed in today's T & A that we are likely to sign one more player before the start of the season.

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:22 am  

Sensei-Bull wrote: The link below contains a list of NRL player retentions & movements. It's not official but appears quite comprehensive. It lists Burr and Moseley as leaving the Titans to join Bradford. May be some truth in it. http://www.thekennel.net.au/forum/index ... ll.100731/ Now changed to Moseley joining the Blackhawks. Even if we don't get him, with the signings of Moss & Burr, it shows Rohan clearly has a strong influence on young NRL players. Sure we'll see a few more gems signed up half way through the year. Interesting in the T&A he is trying to offload a few players as well.

Sensei-Bull wrote: The link below contains a list of NRL player retentions & movements. It's not official but appears quite comprehensive. It lists Burr and Moseley as leaving the Titans to join Bradford. May be some truth in it. http://www.thekennel.net.au/forum/index ... ll.100731/ Now changed to Moseley joining the Blackhawks. Even if we don't get him, with the signings of Moss & Burr, it shows Rohan clearly has a strong influence on young NRL players. Sure we'll see a few more gems signed up half way through the year. Interesting in the T&A he is trying to offload a few players as well.

[Bullseye]

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 10:42 am  

He's still inherited a few Lowes signings that are under longer deals than I suspect he'd have offered e.g. Halafihi and Campbell.

[Bulliac]

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 11:25 am  

Best we'll do is loaning some of them out, imo. But, even then it won't be a total gain, as I very strongly suspect we won't be able to do that without subsidising above what the loaning club is prepared to pay, up to their contracted pay.

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:17 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

Best we'll do is loaning some of them out, imo. But, even then it won't be a total gain, as I very strongly suspect we won't be able to do that without subsidising above what the loaning club is prepared to pay, up to their contracted pay.

I'm sure I saw something from Smith about fringe players getting loaned out. Kind of feel that certain players will have been told there's no future for them at Bradford and as such should view loan moves as good ideas if they still want to keep playing

[Bulliac]

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 1:50 pm  

roofaldo2 wrote:

I'm sure I saw something from Smith about fringe players getting loaned out. Kind of feel that certain players will have been told there's no future for them at Bradford and as such should view loan moves as good ideas if they still want to keep playing

I think that's probably the case.

I'd guess the Bulls would tear up the contracts if any of them got something permanent elsewhere, but as we're talking about fulltime contracts we'd have to assume that's a tad unlikely and a loan looks the most likely option.

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:02 pm  

Well there's still one more signing to come in according to Smith in today's T&A

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:22 pm  

Is anyone else a bit worried about the lack of cover in certain positions?

For example all we have currently for the back row are:
Alex Mellor
Phil Joseph
Jason Walton
Tom Olbison
James Bentley

I believe Alex Foster can play there, but Rohan already said he has been signed to play centre. So that's five guys for the three slots, one of whom has played, what, one game?

Similarly with props we have
Ben Kavanagh
Adam Sidlow
Ross Peltier
Jon Magrin
Liam Kirk

Five guys for four slots? I suppose you could add Phil Joseph, but then that leaves us even shorter in the back row positions.

TL:DR I think we need at least two - preferably three - signings in the pack.

Hopefully they can move on the likes of Campbell, Halafihi, Thomas, Mendeika etc - and get some wriggle room to get more bodies into the pack. As it stands now, a few injuries and we are going to be really struggling.

Re: 2017 Squad : Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:46 pm  

Someone on here was adamant that we had signed Roche from Fev. If true then that's another prop.
You also forgot about Lachlan Burr, who I'm assuming will get the 13 shirt.
I know Rohan said that Foster will be used in the centres but that still leaves people like James Clare fighting for a wing spot. I don't get why we wouldn't use Clare as a centre and play Foster in the back row. Wingers can then be Macani, Caro and Ryan.

I'm more worried about our hooking options right now. Rohan obviously thought we were light and he's missed out on his preferred target. We've been in that position before and made supid/rash signings in a last minute panic. Let's hope we don't do the same again.