Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:22 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

I'm not a fan of signing bad boys, but I suppose if you must sign one, he should, at the very least, be a top quality player. And Hardaker is all that and more when he's in the right frame of mind. If there are safety clauses built into his contract to protect us from idiotic behaviour then it doesn't seem like too bad a deal.

In terms of the losses we might incur in order to fit him in, it seems a near-certainty that John Bateman's going to Aus anyway. No one is really denying it, and if anyone's earned a crack at the NRL, it's him. Budgie is a more baffling case. When he was last down there, all we heard was that it wasn't working out for him. He then came back, seemingly at his own request, did absolutely nothing for us for a season, and now we hear that he allegedly wants to go back again. If he can find an NRL club who'll actually take him - and good luck with that - I can't see that he'd be a massive loss. But Escare I definitely would NOT want to lose. He has all the makings of a great utility player for us, and he knows where the try-line is.

As someone else has said, if we could play Hardaker at centre - and let's face it, on current form he isn't going to face much of a challenge from Sarge - then hopefully, the flying Frenchman will feel that he can stay.

One thing that's undeniable: a back division of ...

1 Escare
2 Marshall
3 Hardaker
4 Gildart
5 Davies

6 Tomkins
7 Williams

... would be one of the fastest in the British game.

I don't see the point of signing hardaker and playing him anywhere other than FB. I remember when he broke through as a centre, think at Featherstone? Was ok at that level, Leeds signed him as a centre and he was bang average. They soon moved him to FB and the rest was history, become one of, if not the best British FB becoming the MOS.
Went to Aus and played centre/wing, failed to impress.

This reminds of me of when we signed Pat Richards, was a good winger at Wests, we decided he's a centre and he had a terrible first season, nearly going on loan/sale to Wakey. Luckily we saw sense and put him in his true position and he became one of the best Aussie imports we've ever had.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:25 pm  

RichieS wrote:

Honestly, no, other than maybe a very efficient legal team that could argue it was not detected during a period it could be classed as performance enhancing?

Wasn`t he tested after the Leeds game i.e during the season?
Therefore it should be classed as performance enhancing even though it was most likely recreational at the time.
But the rules state it is a banned substance and therefore he deserves a 2 years ban.
I have also mentioned this on the Rhinos website but Cas would want to recoup the money they paid Leeds providing he hasn`t been sacked.
Oh and Zak is not a centre even though he can cover there if needed.
FB is by far his best position.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 5:11 pm  

RichieS wrote:

[b][b]I believe all parties have agreed to a long term deal, with behavioral clauses throughout to protect the club. A fresh start, away from Yorkshire is the main catalyst for the move. A 12 game back-dated ban is the general consensus.[/b][/b]

I would not be surprised at to see either Joe Burgess, Morgan Escare, John Bateman leave the club or even as Whiffy stated a large transfer involving Sam Tomkins to facilitate the move.

Is there any substance to your take on the hardaker situation here or are you speculating?

I read the first part like you knew something but the second paragraph implies your guessing.

The reason I ask is because if you had a source wouldn't they have a take on both?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:05 pm  

Zak is a fine fullback but I do not see which of our urgent problems he is the remedy to. Fullback is not a problem area. His arrival is just as likely to cause problems in the squad. I also hate to think of him and Bateman being allowed out in the same town centre at the same time.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:56 pm  

jonh wrote:

Looking increasingly like we have a 5 year agreement in place with Hardacre once he has served his punishment.

I’m torn on this one. Obviously he is an excellent player but he has so much baggage and so many issues off the field I’m concerned about the effects it will have on the squad if/when he comes and on the current players.

I also have concerns about the current team if this is true. Escaré isn’t going to exactly be the most motivated player knowing he is going to be replaced in the not too distant future.

very surprised if a great club like yours will employ a player who is accused of drug offences

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:20 pm  

Hardaker is a quality fullback, but we're already juggling players around in the middle of games to accommodate two good fullbacks as it is so where's the benefit in signing another, especially when he's likely to cost a lot (even considering his drugs offence). Is it such a necessity that we need to sign a player who would be considered a considerable risk?

If we're signing him to play centre then what's the point? He's never looked really convincing at centre and made his name as a fullback. If the club are still looking for a centre then (and don't call me crazy for suggesting this) maybe we could actually sign a centre!

Then of course you've got the behavioural issues, which have been present for years. Why would anyone expect him to change? Rangi Chase got plenty of chances and he just kept letting clubs down. Hardaker seems like a risk that just doesn't need taking at all.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:47 pm  

He played a few games at left centre as i recall for Penrith, but didn't look too clever. Obviously it's a bit easier in SL, though.

As noted, we are well supplied in full-backs, which is easily ZH's best position, As for centre, Sarge will doubtless improve a bit once he settles, and we have some decent youngsters coming through. If we have spare cash, whether from FPN or anyone else, I'd prefer it spent on a forward.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:25 pm  

You could tell from Burgess’ interviews that he was gutted he’d re-signed for Wigan when he switched to Souths and started playing well. He jumped at the chance to come back when things weren’t going his way.

If he’s so interested in going back I’d let him go.

Let’s develop Marshall who actually looks like he wants to be at one of the biggest clubs in rugby league.

Hoping Manfedi can come back well.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 9:35 pm  

If he doesn’t want to be here, get something agreed with Souths and send him back. Let’s be done with it.
I’m pig sick of this club being treated like a comfort blanket who these failed NRL rejects can come run back to.

We’ll be fine with Marshall, Davies, hopefully Manfredi and plenty more who’ll follow the route these lads take from the academy.

If he doesn’t want to be here, let him go back to Aus and fail again.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Feb 19, 2018 10:15 pm  

RichieS wrote:

I believe all parties have agreed to a long term deal, with behavioral clauses throughout to protect the club. A fresh start, away from Yorkshire is the main catalyst for the move. A 12 game back-dated ban is the general consensus.

I would not be surprised at to see either Joe Burgess, Morgan Escare, John Bateman leave the club or even as Whiffy stated a large transfer involving Sam Tomkins to facilitate the move.

God I hope not, another bad boy - does the Wigan management not have any morals anymore (although from what I hear he might fit right in) - certainly the club's management are showing an alarming lack of sense when it comes to signings these days.

It will be a sad day for this once great club if he does sign - no matter how good a player he is and it is not like we need yet another full back - that is the last position we need anyway.