Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:43 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Looks like the squad will be set with a centre and a half back.

French, Field, Hardaker and Hanley for fullback
Miski, Bibby, Marshall, Hanley and Halsall for wings
New signing, Hardaker, Halsall and maybe Hankinson for centres
New signing, Smith and Field for halfbacks
Havard, Singleton, Mago, Ellis, Byrne and Partington for props
Powell, O'Neil and Borough for hookers
Farrell, Bateman, KPP, Smithies, Ellis and Shorrocks for backrow

I think those are the two positions I’d like to see us strengthen still. Maybe even another centre on top of the potential signing of Thornley if Hankinson leaves but maybe that’s greedy.

I’d hope we can retain Bourouh for next season. I probably wouldn’t have batted too much of an eyelid before Friday had we not retained him but he played in that game like I’ve seen him play in the 19’s/reserves, getting at tiring forwards from dummy half and causing plenty of problems. He’s not had too many chances here before Friday but I’d certainly want to see more of him before letting him walk away.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:27 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Looks like the squad will be set with a centre and a half back.

French, Field, Hardaker and Hanley for fullback
Miski, Bibby, Marshall, Hanley and Halsall for wings
New signing, Hardaker, Bibby, Halsall and maybe Hankinson for centres
New signing, Smith and Field for halfbacks
Havard, Singleton, Mago, Ellis, Byrne and Partington for props
Powell, O'Neil and Borough for hookers
Farrell, Bateman, KPP, Smithies, Ellis and Shorrocks for backrow

Miski can play wing,centre and full back

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:36 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I think those are the two positions I’d like to see us strengthen still. Maybe even another centre on top of the potential signing of Thornley if Hankinson leaves but maybe that’s greedy.

I’d hope we can retain Bourouh for next season. I probably wouldn’t have batted too much of an eyelid before Friday had we not retained him but he played in that game like I’ve seen him play in the 19’s/reserves, getting at tiring forwards from dummy half and causing plenty of problems. He’s not had too many chances here before Friday but I’d certainly want to see more of him before letting him walk away.

I think Bourouh will be a victim of this pandemic especially with the emergence of O'Neil into the first team

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 7:40 am  

warrior1872 wrote:

I think Bourouh will be a victim of this pandemic especially with the emergence of O'Neil into the first team

You’re probably right sadly. I’m a Sam Powell fan and he gets some really unfair criticism for my money but I thought the O’Neill/Bourouh partnership had a great balance about it on Friday and looking really long term you could see it working well. O’Neill can play loose forward as well going off his academy days and you could get plenty of game time out of both.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:15 am  

Powell is great defender, great effort, good talker, but he is not a threat that opposition defences worry about, which makes it harder for the half backs as they are targeted more easily.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:46 am  

ChrisA wrote:

Powell is great defender, great effort, good talker, but he is not a threat that opposition defences worry about, which makes it harder for the half backs as they are targeted more easily.

I think last year he was a real threat, this year however he has struggled for form a bit.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:51 am  

jonh wrote:

I think last year he was a real threat, this year however he has struggled for form a bit.

He is well off this year after having a great season last year. I’m as worried about his defence as I am his attack this season. He’s falling off a lot of tackles, which is massively unusual and he’s looked more fatigued than I’ve seen him in the past. I look at him and wonder if he’s carrying a knock. He’s as tough as they come and keeps playing through injuries so it’s possible.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:55 am  

The NRL HB merry-go-round continues with Ash Taylor now looking like he's available.

Another one with potential, but also a few seasons worth of indifferent performances.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:59 am  

Just read that. He fits the profile of the type of overseas signing we seem to be going for. He’s a talent but has had a tough time if it. I wouldn’t be against a punt on him and you’d then have three halfbacks to choose from, all with plenty of improvement in them and all with a real mix of skills. We’re going to need three to push each other.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:36 am  

Just read an article in relation to Jai Fields return and interesting to see Lam refer to him as a halfback.