I've posted similar on Redvee just. I've seen little of Walsh to comment (although judging by a clip posted on redvee he does show signs of being an actual half back - kicking game and passing game) but when Eastmond announced he was leaving we were linked with lots of names and ended with Hohaia so until we announce something I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

The latter was my first reaction!

While we may have had some good players from the NRL previously - and of course we have - I've lost a bit of confidence in the club's ability to be discerning now.

[urlhttp://tensport.com.au/news/theroar/Rugby-League-Its-make-or-break-time-for-Luke-Walsh.htm[/url

Hmmm.

Although that article is over a year old it does give pause for thought. Looks good on the youtube video, but I'm not sure we could offer him enough to come over.

That doesn't sound good at all.

I've never heard of him but from what I've read about him, it looks like another disaster. I just hope McManus doesn't give him a 4 year deal like he did with Lance.

What is so bad in that article to make you think he'd be a disaster?

I've read a few ok him. One saying that everyone was shocked he got a deal with the panthers due to poor form. Another saying its make or break for him. Another saying he's been axed due to poor form.

Doesn't exactly fill you with joy

Bear in mind that is in the NRL. Could possibly do a job over here for, say, 2 years. I don't think we could offer him enough to come over anyway.

I've just watched his highlights from the weekend and he looked very impressive. Some great passes, great long and short kicking game but obviously he must lack consistency.

I think we need to find a better quality player as another bad signing in the halves will set us back big time. This signing has to be spot on because it will make or break us.

Half back, full back and hooker are such pivotal positions that it's worth investing that little bit more on.

7 Rounds of NRL so far. Think he has played 6. Have just watched all 6 highlight reels for the panthers.

Very little involvement in the others. Couple of games you wouldn't know he was playing.
Think he must have had a point to prove in the eels game.

Unfortunately, that quality doesn't exist over here. The fact Smith was the big signing of the close season tells us that. We may have to risk a young NRL halfback and hope it works out. Our record with imports over the last few years has been dire, so it could be squeeky bum time when next seasons signings are announced.

We got to get next years signings right if we are to challenge again. I honestly think they will make or break our next few years.

We have to get the scrumhalf and props spot on or we in trouble.

One thing that we need to bear in mind when talking about this, of course, is that the story was first spotted in Nosey Parker's column in League Express.

How reliable is that source ...?

If you search Luke Walsh highlights on YouTube you'll see a brilliant bit of skill by him.

Oh very reliable, I'm still expecting the signing of Petero Civoniceva to be announced very soon.

Some cheeky person has updated Wikipedia to say he has signed a four year contract with us.

No doubt some people will read this as gospel. Hope it gets edited out shortly.

As for signing him. He is the level of player we would be able to sign eg journeyman NRL pro.

Not saying he is the right man for Saints, however on paper he fits the bill, as an experienced half with a good kicking game and a decent organiser. You dont play over 100 first grade games as a halfback in the NRL by being a bum.

The last thing we want is a young inexperienced nrl halfback as we have players of similar ability in our academy waiting for the opportunity.

Something to be aware of is that Scott Dureau, Blake Green and Michael Dobson all had far shorter NRL careers. Walsh has played more NRL games than all these three combined. Now thats no guarantee of success, but he at least should be able to offer a SL side something.

He is not another Hohaia because Walsh is a halfback, not a hooker, not a full back but your bog standard NRL half back. This may not seem like a good thing but Dobson and Dureau were not even that and are now the best two number 7's in the league.

I would hope more that he was not a Seymour or Sherwin or Tim Smith who were also better in the NRL but failed in Super League. In the end, the style of play is different in the NRL, so you cannot be sure he will be a success but he is a pretty good bet.

True but it is not the absolute barometer of success in the uk.
Some very big names have come and have stunk very badly.

Also there is no comparison between a young fringe NRL SHs to raw academy players over here.
Physically they are better equipped. Say .Jacob Miller to Danny Yates. Two years plus progression difference.

Its a gamble whichever road you take.

He was awful at times last year, looking like the proverbial headless chicken, but does have the odd good game. When he's on form and confident he really moves the team around well. When he's not he looks completely lost.

Watched a fair bit of Walsh and in all honesty, he is a good journeyman, nothing outstanding, but has a good kicking game. He plays on the right (Penrith split their half backs) so for me, doesn't have his hands on the ball as much as if like for a 7. In terms of dictating play, he would do a job and is clearly better than what we have, but I've got a nagging feeling that he's failed to live up to his potential at a club where he has been for 6 years. They've made a big money signing in Soward to replace him. With the NRL flush with money, it speaks volumes that a 7 isn't in demand. I just hope if we sign him, its 2 year contract maximum.

It sounds like a disaster of a signing. Would he offer anything that Brierley at Leigh or the likes of Moore couldn't? Would he be better than Dobson, who must be available given Hull KRs financial plight or Rangi Chase who is in a similar position at Cas?

ATEOTD, if only pig's ears are available, you cannot expect a raft of silk purses.