noted. but the St Helens chairman did claim something along the lines that for once they had no cap issues and were deliberately leaving space to see where the team might need strengthening and who became available mid season.

I guess that what rhinos are doing too. At the moment the only team who are good enough to really exploit our weakness to the full are St helens, and they are in trhe same boat.

If the options we have at the club do not bear fruition, then I would expect the club to move for someone who becomes available mid-season.

You see this is where following on from yesterday, I am in agreement with Gareths view.

If they become available mid season, that means they are not wanted elsewhere. That should not be the quality we are looking for. Granted there is exceptions, but I would expect the lack of quality centres in the game, might not mean on this occasion.

If it is deemed we need someone, I see no reason in going out for someone identified as a big improvement on what we have. Hence, why I see no problem in paying Transfer fees if appropriate.

Without having to read the rest of your post I feel vindicated already.



You should of joined in. It would have been fun to see how quickly G1 jumped ship.

rest assured, if DISA was in agreement with me I would have changed sides quicker than an Italian infantryman.

Read the rest, because I think the second bit actually backed up your argument.



You were not saying go out and sign someone available. you were just saying improve it.

That's probably why I decided against reading on just in case and don't try and tell me what I was saying, that's G1's job.

3/4 of the way through the Bulldogs v Manly game today the Aussie commentators when talking about the 8/9 players that the Bulldogs have already brought in for 2009 were saying that it is almost a done deal that Eastwood will be signing for the Bulldogs in the next 2/3 weeks

I don't really see the point in rushing out to buy someone. We have won 5 from 5 so far and the squad certainly has enough depth. If we do sign someone though I hope it's a british player rather than an Aussie.

would agree with you there Sibbs, but who is there thats british out there that is able to sign? i wouldnt mind seeing us use the money to extend a few contracts that run out this season. Then look into signing someone else.

good shout

regards,
Ali Lauitiiti

What about Roby and Drew? I think were lacking Hookers at the moment

Oooh, you went old school AP on his ass!

Buderus,Diskin and McShane in that position, with Webb and Buchanan being able to play there if needed, they both did on friday FWIR

Exactly so Roby, Drew, Diskin, Buderus, Mcshane, Webb, JJB, Smith for hookers! Hmm maybe we could sign Alker as well

TBF Webb’s contribution from dummy-half wasn’t much more than passing to first receiver – as a hooker he’s not gunna set the world alight.

Seriously though what about a bid for graham, obviously we wouldn't get him but what a signing that would be!

lol

hell ya wheelie joe.

Five from six actually and in terms of defending our titles none from one.



So you're proposing to use this year's spare salary cap to put more money unnecessarily into players pocket this season rather than look to replace Toopi and now probably Eastwood?

What you are suggesting simply can't be done with this season's spare salary cap money.

Our squad most certainly does not have enough depth, especially in the pack. We are effectively running with a first team squad of 24 (including McShane but excluding Eastwood) when we used 31 players last season. Within that 24 we are well covered in some positions - 3 full backs and 3 hookers - but light in others such as front/second row. Last season we had ten first-team players to cover prop and second row (Leuluai, Bailey, Scruton, Burgess, Peacock, JJB, Ellis, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett). So, in the Grand Final we could have a big, four-forwards bench, plus Ablett in the centres and still leave out Burgess. From those ten we've lost Scruton and Ellis and replaced them with Buderus (who doesn't cover those positions) and Eastwood (who hasn't arrived/isn't coming) leaving us with 8 players to cover 7 positions in the team (2 props, 2 second rowers, 3 on the bench along with an interchange hooker). If more than one of those is missing then we are short. Bear in mind that Ablett has been called on to play centre sometimes, Sinfield covers the half backs meaning a second rower has to play loose forward in his place, and it's no surprise that our squad's depth has been tested so far and, at times, our bench has been rather light. The club obviously thought/still think we need another forward or we wouldn't have gone in for Eastwood in the first place. I think that without another forward or a big slice of luck with injuries we could struggle at times.

During the Bulldogs v Manly yesterday game it said that Eastwood had signed for the Bulldogs.

As I said on page 18 but no one has commented/picked up on it.

Maybe no one cares and had already resigned themselves to the fact we will not see him in a Rhinos shirt

I saw it when both you and RG posted it but there is nothing on the bulldogs site nor any other nrl news site!!
The last update said the warriors were favourites to sign him anyway after he'd met ivan cleary so until the rhino's,eastwood or any nrl club make an official statement then there's no point speculating really.

do we really need him this season?