Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:51 pm  

jonh wrote:

I’d personally hope we sign nobody than sign the wrong player for anything over a 1 year deal.

Im comfortable with a punt on someone for a year but signing someone who we are not sure about simply because they may be available just creates a bigger headache than it does resolve it.

I fully agree, rather than sign someone like Miller on a 3 year deal I would rather we signed a backup for a year and go for someone better next year. It might scupper us next year but signing someone like Miller into an important position on a decent wage could scupper us for 3 years, in a salary cap sport it’s a conundrum, it’s not like football we’re you can fire them off early if they’re rubbish.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:08 pm  

Can this Lachlan Walmsley lad play HB? Maybe the answer lies with this (rumoured) signing.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:11 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

I fully agree, rather than sign someone like Miller on a 3 year deal I would rather we signed a backup for a year and go for someone better next year. It might scupper us next year but signing someone like Miller into an important position on a decent wage could scupper us for 3 years, in a salary cap sport it’s a conundrum, it’s not like football we’re you can fire them off early if they’re rubbish.

Might just be me, but we seem to be planning for the year after the new season at the end of every season but it never comes to fruition.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:37 am  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

Can this Lachlan Walmsley lad play HB? Maybe the answer lies with this (rumoured) signing.

Salford tried to sign him but then leave him at Whitehaven on loan.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:46 am  

James Bell signed for Saints. Good signing for them I really like him good replacement for Bentley.

Nathan Mason signed for Huddersfield too someone we were linked with.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 12:32 pm  

jonh wrote:

James Bell signed for Saints. Good signing for them I really like him good replacement for Bentley.

Nathan Mason signed for Huddersfield too someone we were linked with.

Lussick just been confirmed too. Looking strong for next year again, despite losing quite a few players.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:09 pm  

Pains me to agree that saints seem to have put together a good squad for next season considering how many are leaving. The Bell signing is one that could be very underrated as he seems to have good hands, tackles well and covers a number of positions. He’s like a good version of Isa.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:14 pm  

I honestly don't get it. Lussick is world class from 5 yards out..... Is there another aspect of his game I have missed? Sironen is made to look very average in the NRL and haven't seen him have 1 good game. He is very much the Luke Burgess of the Sironen family. Hopoate has been diabolical for some time, Hurrell is good in 5 minute bursts and Bell could be anything. They are losing proven winners and Dodd and Welsby are by far the most exciting thing Saints have going for them. Signings wise, they aren't all that what they have signed. I'm not comparing them to is though mind you because we are a shambles full stop.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:38 pm  

If they’re better or worse off I’m not sure tbh. It really could go either way. It looks like outs of Coote, Naiqama, Fages, Thompson and Amor with ins of Hopoate, Hurrell, Sironen, Lussick and Bell. The first three on the outs list have been big for them, with Coote in particular being possibly their best player and the leagues most consistent player over three seasons. The one thing I will say for them is unlike us, they lose 5 players and get 5 players in and this is at their strongest. We’ve always lost 5/6 and got 2/3 in and that’s hit us over the last year or two now. Unless they sign anybody else they’ll be stacked in depth in the outside backs and forwards but short of cover at halfback.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:26 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

If they’re better or worse off I’m not sure tbh. It really could go either way. It looks like outs of Coote, Naiqama, Fages, Thompson and Amor with ins of Hopoate, Hurrell, Sironen, Lussick and Bell. The first three on the outs list have been big for them, with Coote in particular being possibly their best player and the leagues most consistent player over three seasons. The one thing I will say for them is unlike us, they lose 5 players and get 5 players in and this is at their strongest. We’ve always lost 5/6 and got 2/3 in and that’s hit us over the last year or two now. Unless they sign anybody else they’ll be stacked in depth in the outside backs and forwards but short of cover at halfback.

I believe Amor is staying, but you have missed Bentley out of our Outs list, who is arguably the biggest loss for us. I accept Coote has been an absolutely brilliant player for us over the last three seasons, but he hasn’t hit the heights he has this year, was in poor form before the HKR contract was announced and is still a bit hit and miss now. Similar to Naiqama I suspect it’s a “better a year too early than a year too late” situation. Would have definitely preferred Bentley to stay over Bell joining (assuming Sironen is a like for like swap with Thompson) but other than that I think were in a good position. Lussick interchanging with Roby (who we can let play his natural game again for 40 minutes rather than having to temper it so he can get through 80 still) is very exciting for me.

Obviously next season for us very heavily relies on Welsby and Dodd doing what they have done in the last 5 games or so over an entire season (when teams have an offseason to do video analysis and prepare), but I can’t fault the club for getting as much talent around them as possible. To recruit 1 NRL regular is hard work in the current climate, to get 3 is really impressive, whether they work out or not though is another question altogether