That list isn't exactly exciting to be honest.
Nothing really fulfils our needs.
Perhaps Moimoi?

Mick Crocker?

Willie Mason?

Both would be pretty big signings. I'm not sure about Stewart, he's had an average season by his standards IMO.

Quote ="krisleeds"If this is anything to go by: www.zerotackle.com.au/rugby-leag ... tion-2012/ Its Brett Stewart, unless we've bought out a players contract.'" I'd of thought Brett Stewart would be in big demand for another NRL club. Other big name players, which we could tempt from that list are Fuifui Moimoi (32), Michael Crocker (32) and Matt Utai (31). The 2013 list looks a lot more appealing, but i doubt Inglis, Tonga, Tate, Pritchard or Thurston etc would come over. Interesting to see Reed, Widdop and Sam Burgess are off contract, but doubt they'd come over/back. There are a few good centres in the 2013 list, so maybe we've done a deal for one of them. Jerome Ropati or Junior Sa’u have looked good in the small amount of games i've seen them in. Sosaia Feki and Siuatonga Likiliki did catch my eye for 2012 though

Quote ="krisleeds"If this is anything to go by: www.zerotackle.com.au/rugby-leag ... tion-2012/ Its Brett Stewart, unless we've bought out a players contract.'" I'd of thought Brett Stewart would be in big demand for another NRL club. Other big name players, which we could tempt from that list are Fuifui Moimoi (32), Michael Crocker (32) and Matt Utai (31). The 2013 list looks a lot more appealing, but i doubt Inglis, Tonga, Tate, Pritchard or Thurston etc would come over. Interesting to see Reed, Widdop and Sam Burgess are off contract, but doubt they'd come over/back. There are a few good centres in the 2013 list, so maybe we've done a deal for one of them. Jerome Ropati or Junior Sa’u have looked good in the small amount of games i've seen them in. Sosaia Feki and Siuatonga Likiliki did catch my eye for 2012 though

Crocker's 32 and Mason is a pillock. Luke Lewis would be good, but somewhat unlikely

Has Crocker mastered time travel?

He looked about 40 when he came over with the Roos in 2003!

He would need his own parking space at Red Hall though...

Didn't Hull sign him a couple of years ago and he couldn't get a visa?

Stewart was rumoured to want out of the NRL but have massive French RU offers on the table. Wouldn't mind if his brother came over instead.

If the team plays as consistently well as it did last Saturday then I can see no reason for signing an expensive quota player unless it's a line breaking second rower in the Ali mould.

Ablett is looking ever more like a decent centre (better than second rower), at least at SL level. If Watkins can stay fit and Keinhorst fulfills his apparent potential then there is even less need.

Props are less of an issue if Bailey and yes, gulp ! Kirke continue to perform. We still have the option (for not much longer mind) on Amor, as well as Singelton and Smith (David or even probably Lee these days

)

Hardaker: say no more.

Consistency is however the BIG if.

Crocker has an affray conviction that may stop him getting a UK visa IIRC

Russell Packer would be a good signing from NZW.

Yep, we did. Was a farce. I think the visa procedure is slightly less stringent now, but it was a major disappointment.

I agree about an Ali type backrower. I also think a new quality experienced centre would strengthen the team if/when Hardaker moves to fullback permanently. Junior Sa'u from Newcastle is available and would fit the bill for what's required.

Its amazing what a good performance does for people's expectations. Suddenly plenty of people are suggesting we have good options at Fullback, Centre and even suggesting Kirke doing a good job at Prop. I think that if there are class players available in any of the positions we should try to sign them. A couple of good games shouldn't necessarily shape what we want to do on a longer term basis

I think the judgement on Hardaker or Ablett isn't based on just one game.

The judgement on Kirke however is a sharp about face for those who wrongly singled him out as a whipping boy.

Any updates on the player andy wilson was talking about

Hardaker is the answer for full back. If Ablett wants to make centre his first choice position then we do not require a centre.

A player who can play both hooker/half back would be nice, an Ali style second row and a monster prop. I'm still not 100% on BJB, although he has played well lately and I think he plays better alongside Watkins.

I should imagine any signings will depend on what silverware we win this season. I would love for us to win the grand final from fourth or fifth spot. I know it's a long shot after last year,but you could just imagine the weeping and wailing from some sections of the RL community. There would be calls for the competition to be scrapped.

If we want Ward to play SO long term, or if Briscoe/Olds don't look to be long term prospects in the halves, then John Bateman should be the biggest target.

Additionally to that, Sam Moa (big tackle-busting prop forward) should be a target, and I also like Larne Patrick at Huddersfield, Mickey Paea at Hull KR, or Craig Huby & Jacob Emmitt at Cas.

Seriously?

I would suggest his silence since he first mentioned aXn un-named player speaks volumes.

So are we signing Richie Spedding or not?

fair enough, i was only asking that is all.

the two main variables will be players retirement plans, and the state of the youngsters coming through. General consensus is that Stevie Ward has now got a 1st team spot, that Clarkson needs to improve, and that Hood, Singleton, Daniel Smith & Amor are all at, or will soon be at, SL standard.

On that basis, we have several questions to ask:

1. Is JP retiring at the end of this or next year? I reckon another CC win might see him hang the boots up. If he does go, we need another top-level prop to come into our 'top 4' with Leuluai, Griffin & Bailey

2. Is Ablett moving to centre permanently? If so, we need another second row to join JJB & Delaney as our main second rowers.

3. Given they aren't really first-team regular quality, do we want to keep Hauraki & Moore on, when they could get 1st team rugby elsewhere, and when we have youngsters who could do a good cover job as part of their development? If not, then they'll be leaving, freeing up cap space.

4. Can Lee Smith get back his form of 2009, and can he force his way into the side? Again, if not, on his way.

I reckon the answer to 1) and 2) are yes, so we will need a new prop, and we'll need to look at second rowers, given next year we'll have a squad of:

Props: Leuluai, Griffin, Bailey, Singleton, Amor
Second Row: Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Clarkson, Kirke, Smith

If we want 4 top rotating props, and 2 cover, we need 1 extra prop, and if we need 4 rotating second rows (one of whom can cover LF) and 2 cover, we need 1 more second row.

I'd suggest that, Given Leuluai will be retiring at the end of next year, it might also be a good idea to sign a second, young, prop this year, so that they can bed in in advance of Kylie's departure.

So, some candidates:

Prop: Sam Moa (Hull FC), Tom Burgess (Bradford)
Second Row: Paul Clough (St Helens)

Burgess wil join his clan down under and Moa will return home.
As for Clough i'd rather make Singletons move to the BR permanent with D.Smith staying at Prop or promote Colton Roche.

i'd rather keep hauraki than sign clough!

That's a bit strong!! I also wouldn't want to see clough at Leeds, but would love to see the back of hauraki!! But don't we have him signed up for next year.

well i agree but you get my drift. i mean clough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!