Re: Ben Barba : Wed May 24, 2017 10:22 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

With only 2 marquee spots and none available.

we have two Marquee spots used.....

two marquee players and we are 8th

Re: Ben Barba : Wed May 24, 2017 10:46 pm  

Captain Hook wrote:

Seems that we were one of 2 teams making serious play for Barba. So Saints had something more to offer, whether it was more money or a connection with their new coach and therefore won out.
I suspect Saints were more desperate than we were. Their support has been extremely disappointed in the team, their style and (up until recently) their coach for much longer than the Wire support. The Boards concern was undoubtedly that gates were suffering and therefore were prepared to offer more than us on what is basically a throw of the dice.
What are the odds on a player who has left in disgrace settling in? The only one I can think of was Joel Monaghan and he had the support of his brother AND his problem was not drug related. Look how long it often takes players who chose to leave the NRL to settle in.
Don't get me wrong I would have enjoyed the excitement of seeing Barba in the P n B but I won't be losing sleep over his non signing (just yet).

What about Jamie Lyon ? I think looking your only looking at Wire signings

Re: Ben Barba : Wed May 24, 2017 11:40 pm  

warsaint wrote:

What about Jamie Lyon ? I think looking your only looking at Wire signings

He hardly left in Disgrace....a bit unprofessional maybe, he just didnt want to play for Brian Smith and was a bit petulant about it.

But by all accounts he wasn't the only player who didnt like Smiths coaching methods and wanted out.....

Re: Ben Barba : Wed May 24, 2017 11:46 pm  

I think you'll find that the only marquee player we've had to date is Chris Sandow.

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 1:06 am  

We have two marquee spots.
One is Clark and the other is otherwise reserved....ANO

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 7:39 am  

the flying biscuit wrote:

He hardly left in Disgrace....a bit unprofessional maybe, he just didnt want to play for Brian Smith and was a bit petulant about it.

But by all accounts he wasn't the only player who didnt like Smiths coaching methods and wanted out.....

Totally wrong.

His girlfriend at the time (who is now his wife) suffered a miscarriage. Parramatta gave him a little time off but then asked him to play the first game on the season. He played and had a real shocker. He walked away from the sport straight after that game because he deemed family more important. He left the biggest salary to ever be given to a player of that age in Rugby league.

Lyon stuck it out despite being a real home bird. The only thing he would eat over here was marmite butties.

Listening to a recent interview from Barba and his management I feel Barba is finished with the NRL. The pressure is too much for him and his achieved everything he wanted to do. His now moved his 4 young kids from Oz to France and now to England in the space of a short time. I have a feeling he will see out his contract. Sandow was a little different he had no family support over here.

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 8:35 am  

warsaint wrote:

What about Jamie Lyon ? I think looking your only looking at Wire signings

Read my post again. I said players who had left in disgrace I don't think JL left in disgrace. So looking at the whole of SL can you tell me of a player who left in disgrace that has been a success?

PS I limit it to SL to keep it recent, and to avoid having to explain the Les Boyd phenomenon!

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 8:41 am  

In a strange way I hope he does stick it out and make a success over here as it may persuade NRL players who are not past their sell by date/damaged goods, to consider SL as an option.

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 8:52 am  

Anthony Gelling left in disgrace. He settled in well and is successful.

Re: Ben Barba : Thu May 25, 2017 10:44 am  

So let me get this straight. According to Rubber Donedeal, we have a marquee signing in Clarke.

Our other marquee player then was to be both nailed on Ben Bara, and the again already signed shock new centre/half ??