Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:20 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Hope you are right about this and also wrong about Clifford, from Brooksy I think, who has a mixed record when it comes to rumours.

Near impossible to replace, I still fail to see where he goes, wonder who would take him, he would get in Newcastle team, better player than Gamble. Wests or Canberra look like they are losing 7's too.

Id be disappointed in Clifford if he leaves early.

Clifford is better than Jamal Fogarty , in my opinion, and way classier Gamble, who is really aggressive player but hasn't really got the skill set that JC possesses.. Luke Brooks would be sensational in SL, a bit in the Rob Burrows mould, but his contract, even though now on reduced terms, is way more than SL clubs can pay.
That would seriously derail our recruitment plans for 2024, I think Sam Walker may be looking around, given his demotion at the Roosters, so maybe he'll be the answer for other clubs, leaving Clifford to stay with us. In an ideal world we keep him and add some pace in the centres, Carlos does look like he has lost his yard of pace now, although he is still a good player he does get exposed by pace, he could maybe convert to 13, as he is skillful and offers something with his ball handling.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:24 pm  

GrahamBray wrote:

Clifford is better than Jamal Fogarty , in my opinion, and way classier Gamble, who is really aggressive player but hasn't really got the skill set that JC possesses.. Luke Brooks would be sensational in SL, a bit in the Rob Burrows mould, but his contract, even though now on reduced terms, is way more than SL clubs can pay.
That would seriously derail our recruitment plans for 2024, I think Sam Walker may be looking around, given his demotion at the Roosters, so maybe he'll be the answer for other clubs, leaving Clifford to stay with us. In an ideal world we keep him and add some pace in the centres, Carlos does look like he has lost his yard of pace now, although he is still a good player he does get exposed by pace, he could maybe convert to 13, as he is skillful and offers something with his ball handling.

I think Carlos could be a really classy back rower. He has good hands, which are not utilised enough IMO

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:26 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Hope you are right about this and also wrong about Clifford, from Brooksy I think, who has a mixed record when it comes to rumours.

Near impossible to replace, I still fail to see where he goes, wonder who would take him, he would get in Newcastle team, better player than Gamble. Wests or Canberra look like they are losing 7's too.

Id be disappointed in Clifford if he leaves early.

I don't think you could blame him really, if he has been open and honest with the club from the start. His Wife seems to be doing a lot of European travel without him and seeing the sights, that you would normally expect them to do together

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:34 pm  

I wonder if the interest in Watson, is for him to play in the halves rather than as our hooker. Also, Smith alluded to the fact that he thinks the signing of Hoy was with the intention of playing at 6 as we still had Connor at the time. Perhaps he sees Litten, Hoy, Trueman as the 1,6,7 with perhaps Watson as a 9.

Either way...once all of the rumours are either dismissed, ignored or confirmed, its going to be an interesting few months

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:41 pm  

Well we missed him against Saints, but I think we showed enough to be confident with whomever plays, they look like a team now, and that is down to coaching, so if JC does go, it'll be hard but we have to optimistic. Oh to have Richard Horne and Paul Cooke coming through again, we really struggle to produce top class half backs , apart from those two, I really cannot recall any home grown half backs, even in the 80's, we could always bring through great props , hookers and forwards, but never any halfbacks. I used to think Anthony Thackery (memory not all that so may be wrong name) was going to be a star, but his level was not SL standard, wonder if any of the reserves or under 19's will poke their noses though?

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:47 pm  

Irregular Hoops wrote:

Will be hard to replace that’s for sure

Not really he's good but he'll go back to nrl been a bit part player

He won't ever be Jason Smith level playing for aus and origin

Still think Kelly at his best better than Clifford 100%

Came across highlights of that st george game other week on youtube just reminds you how good he was

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:49 pm  

I know this sound daft, but having seem him this year, I'd hope we don't make a play for Josh Hodgson, someone mentioned him on Saturday- but from what I have seen at the Eels, age and his injuries have really caught up with him

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:50 pm  

GrahamBray wrote:

I know this sound daft, but having seem him this year, I'd hope we don't make a play for Josh Hodgson, someone mentioned him on Saturday- but from what I have seen at the Eels, age and his injuries have really caught up with him

I think someone said a few weeks back he is settled in Aus, and has no intention to come back.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:51 pm  

Thetalentboy wrote:

Not really he's good but he'll go back to nrl been a bit part player

He won't ever be Jason Smith level playing for aus and origin

Still think Kelly at his best better than Clifford 100%

Came across highlights of that st george game other week on youtube just reminds you how good he was

I don't think anyone has ever said he's as good as Jason Smith, or Albert Kelly, but with an alarming dearth of talent in the pool, at the moment I'd doubt we can recruit anyone as good as, or better than, Jake Clifford.

Re: Shopping list for 2024 : Mon Jun 19, 2023 12:54 pm  

GrahamBray wrote:

I don't think anyone has ever said he's as good as Jason Smith, or Albert Kelly, but with an alarming dearth of talent in the pool, at the moment I'd doubt we can recruit anyone as good as, or better than, Jake Clifford.

He's definitely a top 4 standard number 7. Why he deems it necessary to bring up Kelly and Jason Smith I have no idea.

Welsby isn't as good as Kemble was, but I'm sure he would sign him!