: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:45 am  

paulwalker71 wrote:

From the games I've seen him in this year it does seem that he is just slightly over the hill although - to be fair to him - the lack of suitable interchanges has meant that he is playing for too long each game.

I definitely wouldn't have given him a 2 year contract based on what we've seen this year. One year would have been OK - but not 2...

I agree, he's a very good SL hooker, but he's not the player he was. If we cannot find an equal replacement who maybe has room to improve then its a shame he's going and I would have also offered him one more year but probably no longer as he must be one of our top earners too, but watching his game over the past few seasons its clear his best days are beind him IMHO. He's done a fine job for us and I'm sure he'll do well at wakey or wherever he ends up. (nailed on for Cas apparently!)

As for rumoured replacements, whats the list? We have Godwin on contract next year to carry on as impact hooker probably and the option of Rinialdi as cover for 9 and 7, but neither would give you confidence at the moment of stepping into the starting 9 role. Any academy lads ready to step up to the 1st team?

Rumoured players in so far that I've heard;

Diskin - would be happy with that myself, but unlikely.
Gorrell - looked good from what I can remember from his time at Catalan, goalkicker too. No idea as to his current form, if we went with him hopefully it would be a short deal so we could try it and see. Could be a good choice if there is not much else available.
heath L'strange - Hopefully not as this might be implicated in Sam leaving, but other than that I dont know much about him to be honest.
Obst - No thanks, not the type we need, too much like Godwin
Drew - No thanks, decent player but would be a backwards step from Newton IMO with no prospect of improvement given his age.
Wing - If he comes he'll be playing 6 not 9. But I doubt he's coming to do either.

Anyone heard any others?

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:03 am  

What's Jimmy doing these days?

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:41 am  

Let's hope the club aren't going to sign up Rinaldi full time. Now is the perfect time to show that the club has at least still got some ambition.

[Bullseye]

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:48 am  

redeverready wrote:

Let's hope the club aren't going to sign up Rinaldi full time. Now is the perfect time to show that the club has at least still got some ambition.

I heard that that club had actually signed somebody decent to replace Newton but I've no idea who. Whether my definition of decent is the same as my source I don't know either.

Good scoop this eh?

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:59 am  

Bullseye wrote:

I heard that that club had actually signed somebody decent to replace Newton but I've no idea who. Whether my definition of decent is the same as my source I don't know either.

Good scoop this eh?

Finger on the pulse stuff

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:15 am  

DILLIGAF wrote:

Considering his reasoning (wanting a 2 year deal and Bulls would only offer him 1), wouldn't it be funny if he ended up at Hull along with Sean Long, who signed for that same reason.

After Long "refused" to accept his apology in that incredibly pathetic way years ago.

Was thatthe time Newton tried to decapitate Long ?

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:24 am  

Bullseye wrote:

I heard that that club had actually signed somebody decent to replace Newton but I've no idea who. Whether my definition of decent is the same as my source I don't know either.

Good scoop this eh?

They have signed Rinaldi up full time.

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:26 am  

Dead Man Walking wrote:

Was thatthe time Newton tried to decapitate Long ?

No. It was the time Newton went for a bit hit on Long, but one of Sean's Saints teammates accidentally shoved Long from behind. This means Long staggered and his face was lower than it would have been, causing an accidental collision with Newton's forearm. The Saints supporting public went crazy as if Newton had tried to kill him, but it was clear to most others that it wasn't nearly as bad as they made out. The RFL stupidly made an example out of him for something that wasn't all that bad. The Saints fans still think he's the devil.

HTH.

If you're looking for examples of attempted decapitation, watch a Jon Wilkin highlight package.

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:36 am  

His departure is the third top story on BBC Sport, must be a slow day.

: Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:45 am  

DILLIGAF wrote:

No. It was the time Newton went for a bit hit on Long, but one of Sean's Saints teammates accidentally shoved Long from behind. This means Long staggered and his face was lower than it would have been, causing an accidental collision with Newton's forearm. The Saints supporting public went crazy as if Newton had tried to kill him, but it was clear to most others that it wasn't nearly as bad as they made out. The RFL stupidly made an example out of him for something that wasn't all that bad. The Saints fans still think he's the devil.

HTH.

If you're looking for examples of attempted decapitation, watch a Jon Wilkin highlight package.

Newton had an exemplary record until that point. Like the time he launched himself 2 foot in the air to smack his forearm into Thackery's face. That was an accident as well, even Thackery said so. Newton was world class at one stage, he was also possibly the dirtiest, nastiest player in SL. Wilkin is a cowardly cheap shot merchant granted.