Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue May 31, 2022 5:25 pm  

Rumours that Partington is going the other way?

Happy to sign a decent and experienced prop on what is likely to be a short term deal.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue May 31, 2022 5:59 pm  

Grand Final winning teams tend to have at least a couple of experienced props around 30+ years of age. Our front row is still relatively young. Singleton is our most experienced middle and he's 29. Last year I thought we should have been in for Chris Hill because an experienced prop is just what we need. He's been outstanding for Huddersfield so far despite not being quite as good as he used to be.

Just because Cooper is past his peak doesn't mean he won't have a lot to offer us. Wire are bringing in two new experience props in Kasiano and Dudson so their need for experience won't be as great as ours.

We've also got some very good young props coming through the academy in Jack Bibby, Toby Brannan and Harvie Hill. When/if those players do get their first team chance it's better to bringing them into a pack with players like Cooper, Singleton and Ellis around them (though they'd probably be replacing whichever one of Singleton or Ellis happens to be banned).

As long as we don't go crazy and offer Cooper a bumper 3 year deal I think a short term contract for an experienced prop makes a lot of sense.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue May 31, 2022 6:32 pm  

[*]

Cherry.Pie wrote:

Grand Final winning teams tend to have at least a couple of experienced props around 30+ years of age. Our front row is still relatively young. Singleton is our most experienced middle and he's 29. Last year I thought we should have been in for Chris Hill because an experienced prop is just what we need. He's been outstanding for Huddersfield so far despite not being quite as good as he used to be.

Just because Cooper is past his peak doesn't mean he won't have a lot to offer us. Wire are bringing in two new experience props in Kasiano and Dudson so their need for experience won't be as great as ours.

We've also got some very good young props coming through the academy in Jack Bibby, Toby Brannan and Harvie Hill. When/if those players do get their first team chance it's better to bringing them into a pack with players like Cooper, Singleton and Ellis around them (though they'd probably be replacing whichever one of Singleton or Ellis happens to be banned).

As long as we don't go crazy and offer Cooper a bumper 3 year deal I think a short term contract for an experienced prop makes a lot of sense.

Very happy with this, always been jealous of Wire having Cooper and Hill.

I think he’ll be on a 1/2 year deal and Partington will leave.

Cooper will bridge the gap to the young academy props you’ve mentioned who have a higher ceiling than Partington.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue May 31, 2022 8:17 pm  

Delighted with that signing. Wire have made a mistake but if you fall out with the coach there is only one winner. Can't see Partington going there as a prop. Wire are short in the second row (think Hughes is off contract) so i would guess he would be playing there and filling in at prop when required. The problem is though that for all his aggression he just simply doesn't make any metres. It's a great deal for us and our young props.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue May 31, 2022 8:22 pm  

Cherry.Pie wrote:

Grand Final winning teams tend to have at least a couple of experienced props around 30+ years of age. Our front row is still relatively young. Singleton is our most experienced middle and he's 29. Last year I thought we should have been in for Chris Hill because an experienced prop is just what we need. He's been outstanding for Huddersfield so far despite not being quite as good as he used to be.

Just because Cooper is past his peak doesn't mean he won't have a lot to offer us. Wire are bringing in two new experience props in Kasiano and Dudson so their need for experience won't be as great as ours.

We've also got some very good young props coming through the academy in Jack Bibby, Toby Brannan and Harvie Hill. When/if those players do get their first team chance it's better to bringing them into a pack with players like Cooper, Singleton and Ellis around them (though they'd probably be replacing whichever one of Singleton or Ellis happens to be banned).

As long as we don't go crazy and offer Cooper a bumper 3 year deal I think a short term contract for an experienced prop makes a lot of sense.

I'd add in Max Wood and Harvey Wilson as other good prospects for the front row, there are two good hookers in Pinder and Forber and with Nsemba, Nicholson and MCDonnell in the 2nd row we have an awesome junior pack.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:16 am  

Cooper has a good injury record and is still running an average of 8m per carry.

He is an experienced head and a leader.

He is the kind of player coaches seem to love and he doesn’t take a quota spot.

With all due respect to Partington I hope it’s as a direct replacement for him. Partington can’t be questioned for his commitment but he just lacks that impact ball in hand.

My only real concern is that props have a habit of ageing quickly sometimes so the length of contract will be interesting.

I’m guessing it will be 2 years.

It’s also important that he doesn’t take a quota space. We have painted ourselves into a bit of a corner on that one and any recruits we look to bring in need to have that in mind.

Should French go we need to dip back into the overseas market for a centre with probably Miski coming in to play on the wing.

The key though for me would be trying to shift both Isa and Miski and keep French if we at all can, however that’s up to French.

If we can retain French, lose the 2 mentioned and bring in a centre of real quality with one quota space open we could be on the verge of becoming a dominant force for a couple of years.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:25 am  

Think we’re not far off for not year.

Rumblings Havard is sorted for another couple of years.

Think KPP will do next year with us.

No doubt in my mind Powell and Farrell will re-sign.

Tommy is obviously a decision for him if he leaves maybe a utility pivot.

Bibby is gone so we need a direct replacement there.

No idea on French but if he does go we’ll have a quota spot to sign a centre/wing.

McDonnell I trust the coaching staff to make the right call on.

We also have Hardaker money available.

I’d be pretty comfortable with a new centre signing and Thornley/KPP/Halsall fighting out for the other spot.

Personally I hope it’s a straight forward as Tommy and French stay and we sign a centre.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:26 am  

I hope we have a chance of keeping French but I noted a comment in the post match interview where he said it’s good to be able to walk away with a challenge cup medal. Felt a bit like confirmation he’ll go but you never know, maybe he just means as and when he does go.

It would be a shame to see him leave because he’s so well suited to this league and in the NRL it feels like he might just end up as a squad player because of his slight frame.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 01, 2022 10:26 am  

I'd have liked to have kept Bibby as a back up winger/centre.

I've always thought Partington was a paper tiger to be honest with the aggression, no good being a slavvering angry person if you can't make good yards and tackle lots as a prop.

I think with Field and French having then both and sticking French on the wing doesnt work he isn't a winger, so if we make the decision to let one go or if he wants more money then so be it.

Sam Halsall I'm happy with giving a starting spot to next season, I think a top quality centre is still need though. Thornley can always play wing of needed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 01, 2022 3:28 pm  

NSW wrote:

Think we’re not far off for not year.

Rumblings Havard is sorted for another couple of years.

Think KPP will do next year with us.

No doubt in my mind Powell and Farrell will re-sign.

Tommy is obviously a decision for him if he leaves maybe a utility pivot.

Bibby is gone so we need a direct replacement there.

No idea on French but if he does go we’ll have a quota spot to sign a centre/wing.

McDonnell I trust the coaching staff to make the right call on.

We also have Hardaker money available.

I’d be pretty comfortable with a new centre signing and Thornley/KPP/Halsall fighting out for the other spot.

Personally I hope it’s a straight forward as Tommy and French stay and we sign a centre.

Agree with that but expect KPP to leave this year sadly.

I do also wonder how reliable Thornley will be with his injuries, seems to pick up a knock every time I see him.

I think we will bring in another couple of backs.