Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 7:55 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Genuine question- Is George that good? People are saying he will be the best prop in the league? I’m not so sure. He would no doubt be our best but I’m not sure he’s the type of prop (workhorse) we are crying out for, always though Tom was the better of the twins too.

He looks ready for a change at the minute. He was streets ahead of Tom in the early days but they’ve gone in opposite directions since then for sure. I do think this league would suit him and energise him though and he’s got the talent to mix it with the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Watts (the best three in the league at the minute).

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:13 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

He looks ready for a change at the minute. He was streets ahead of Tom in the early days but they’ve gone in opposite directions since then for sure. I do think this league would suit him and energise him though and he’s got the talent to mix it with the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Watts (the best three in the league at the minute).

I would take those 3 over George, Watts would surely be on a lot less too. George can be devastating and look unstoppable at times but his handling can be a little dodgy and he’s better used off the bench in an impact role, like pretty much every other prop we have on the books.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:51 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

I would take those 3 over George, Watts would surely be on a lot less too. George can be devastating and look unstoppable at times but his handling can be a little dodgy and he’s better used off the bench in an impact role, like pretty much every other prop we have on the books.

I'd say that out of the three he's got the better pedigree i.e proven in a tougher league & more international caps etc.

Imo he's certainly Walmsleys equal in regards to mins on the pitch and impact. I'd also hazard a guess he'd do more in SL too.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 8:57 pm  

So much depends on attitude and mindset plus how he handles the transition. He could come over really motivated or really down as he's had to leave the NRL.

Its why I think Hastings was a better bet than Maloney. He's already settled here and is proven in the SL competition. Always that chance that NRL recruits won't adjust.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:05 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

So much depends on attitude and mindset plus how he handles the transition. He could come over really motivated or really down as he's had to leave the NRL.

Its why I think Hastings was a better bet than Maloney. He's already settled here and is proven in the SL competition. Always that chance that NRL recruits won't adjust.

Without a shadow of a doubt. All signings from the NRL come with a risk. You only need to look at Catalans or even, to a lesser extent, Hull FC to see that big name signings from the NRL don't always translate into success in the league.

Speaking of Hastings - the thing that really impresses me about him is how he's turned his life around. Looking at his backstory, talent was never an issue (Roosters moving Pearce on for him and the big offer from Manley too)'. When you read about some of the good stuff he now does, it really does seem like the penny has dropped. Sadly for us that only means the NRL will definitely come looking sooner rather than later.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:13 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

So much depends on attitude and mindset plus how he handles the transition. He could come over really motivated or really down as he's had to leave the NRL.

Its why I think Hastings was a better bet than Maloney. He's already settled here and is proven in the SL competition. Always that chance that NRL recruits won't adjust.

Yeah, look at Trent Merrin, there seemed no way he wouldn’t come over here and dominate but it’s not happened, constantly linked with a move back home and just not performed to a marquee level, he’s been far from poor but he’s not pulled up any trees.
Same with Lolohea, there is a perception that if you are a half in the NRL you are a higher standard than what’s over here (plenty saying Williams won’t cut it in the NRL and he’s one of the best halves in the league) but he’s been been truely awful. Looks out of shape and uninterested on the pitch, maybe thought it would be a walk in the park?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 10:19 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

He looks ready for a change at the minute. He was streets ahead of Tom in the early days but they’ve gone in opposite directions since then for sure. I do think this league would suit him and energise him though and he’s got the talent to mix it with the likes of Walmsley, Thompson and Watts (the best three in the league at the minute).

Watts is a good player but he's an absolute penalty machine as well which people seem to ignore.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 24, 2019 10:30 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Yeah, look at Trent Merrin, there seemed no way he wouldn’t come over here and dominate but it’s not happened, constantly linked with a move back home and just not performed to a marquee level, he’s been far from poor but he’s not pulled up any trees.
Same with Lolohea, there is a perception that if you are a half in the NRL you are a higher standard than what’s over here (plenty saying Williams won’t cut it in the NRL and he’s one of the best halves in the league) but he’s been been truely awful. Looks out of shape and uninterested on the pitch, maybe thought it would be a walk in the park?

Trent Merrin is an absolute machine. Top class player.

He had a slow start to his SL career but he has shown his class in the last few months.

Big call but I’d love him long term to replace Locky, not going to happen though.

Lolohea, not in the same class, joke of a signing.

Burgess would be a belting signing, i’m however not sure any Prop is worth marquee money.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 6:14 am  

jonh wrote:

Trent Merrin is an absolute machine. Top class player.

He had a slow start to his SL career but he has shown his class in the last few months.

Big call but I’d love him long term to replace Locky, not going to happen though.

Lolohea, not in the same class, joke of a signing.

Burgess would be a belting signing, i’m however not sure any Prop is worth marquee money.

I agree Merrin seems to have had some personal issues which didn’t help his start to life here (plus Leeds awful form) but he now a huge asset to them,I’d say he will be over here for another year or two and of their three “big” signing last winter he’s easily the best

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 7:09 am  

jonh wrote:

Burgess would be a belting signing, i’m however not sure any Prop is worth marquee money.

Controversial!

I'd give marquee money in a heartbeat to:
* Jared Warea-Hargreaves
* Josh McGuire
* Taumalolo (Arguably not a prop)

To name but a few. Those are game-wrecking forwards, and i personally love McGuire.

Not to mention the likes of Pangai Jr, Campbell-Gillard (whos gone a bit quiet this season) and Asafa-Solomona, etc. A top, top prop (i.e. a Fielden or a Jamie Peacock in their prime, not a Luke bloody Thompson...) is a proper game changer.