Who would you consider a decent signing, given the likely criteria needed to be met?

-Almost certainly Fed Trained
-Out of contract/at a club likely to be tempted by a reasonable offer

I'm not suggesting Moore is good enough or what we need, but I think it is worth reminding that we have no quota spots so our choice is restricted.

McCarthy-Scarsbrook from Quins would be welcomed by me, but I would hope that if the club saw fit to take their pound of flesh for Burgess then they had a slightly better replacement lined up than Richard bloody Moore.

The club have sold/released plenty of players and therefore there should be planty of salary cap in the pot. If they sell the Crown Jewels in Burgess and replace him with a guy who was not good enough the first time round then I expect that there will be a few more people calling for the head of McNamara.

Seriously, I believe that McNamara is a complete dud but surely even HE would not consider such a move, would he?

Moore on his best form would be plenty good enough. It's my impression, though, that he only delivers his best form when he can be bothered - and that's all too rare. I wouldn't be impressed.

Every coach makes mistakes, and I'm not defending McNamara (well, ok maybe I am a bit

) but to be fair Solomona was the most creative back rower in the league when we signed him, Platt was all about the potential when we signed him which he undoubtedly had at the time, McAvoy was resigned on the cheap to fill a hole and do a specific job for the squad and for the most part did ok for the money, Finnigan was a good player for us IMO and I would have him over Worrincy. So yes, I'd agree that from where we are now some of them look a dud signing as they didn't/haven't worked out, but I can see why each was signed in the first place.

Its the same for the props, we need one, not many if any top draw ones are available, these guys are available;

Danny Sculthorpe
Richard Moore
Thackray
Boyle
Anyone else realistically available?

Any ideas which you would prefer? Or anyone else? Id take LMS too but Im pretty sure he's not available, even if we wanted to throw some cash about which I don't think we will.

It has been said elsewhere that what we really need is someone who can deliver impact off the bench. Of the above, I think Moore and Thackray are the right type of player, but neither is consistently good enough and both have too much baggage to justify the gamble. I haven't really taken enough notice of LMS on the few occasions I've seen him - but the fact that he hasn't made me notice him makes me wonder if he is over-hyped.

Although I suggested it partly in jest I cant help wondering if theirs something in parker coming back - maybe in a swap deal for platt. put it on salford board - we'll see if anyones heard any rumours there way.

LMS is probably the best option but he's probably the highest profile homegrown player london have produced so I cant see them being prepared to let him go unless it was for a ridculously high figure.

To the best of my knoweledge Richard Moore is not available , hooray I hear many of you exclaim!

However. . .

You seem to be way out of touch with Richards form of the last 2 or 3 years.
He has been awesome for the most part of his Trinity career with only his illness causing us any concern. He's had zero off field issues to speak of and has constantly been impactfull in his performances. He's also shown an intelligent offload game which has caused many of our opponents problems, he's the best kick chase forward in the league without exception and his defence has been solid.

So knock him all you like when basing your opinions on his form when at the Bulls but to rubbish him now us just plain folly.

Yep, I agree with all that, but I would take LMS from what I've seen. But this is my point, there is no-one better available to my knowledge (and LMS isn't either), so we'll have to make the best signing we can at the time we can with the resources and players available. In a perfect world we would have Sam or we'd have lined up a world class replacement, but thats not where we are.

Im not knocking him, he's improved massively since he left us IMO. And my definition of available was pretty open, OOC and players who if I had to guess could be prised out of their club for a small ish fee. My own guess, thats all. And for what its worth off my list on the previous page Moore would be the one I'd take....If I had the chance of course

Is Maurie Fa'asavalu classed as Fed Trained or exempt given the fact he plays for England? If we were willing to pay a fee, he'd probably be high on my list of the type of player we could do with. Highly doubtful the Saints would agree to sell unless there has been some other issues.

I would take LMS at the right price, but I don't personally share T Smiths view about him being at International quality.

Is the rumour about James Graham wanting to leave Saints still floating about?

I'm not sure, but I think we have Israel Folau to announce before Graham!

Maybe not, but he certainly has age on his side and potential to become international quality. I'd be interested.

I know for a fact that the Roosters are trying to get rid of Willie Mason.

They have offered him 100k to leave the club.

wonder if that means he'll accept a lower salary?. seriously, doubt we'd be interested. whilst hes undoubtedly a marquee player we only have one quota spot available and theres more pressing needs in the backs at them moment ignoring any potential off field issues he's bring.

Would have taken Mason a few seasons back like a shot, but now he comes with too much baggage, however, we do need to replace Burgess and his type of player would have been perfect.

Baggage or not....he'd be awesome.

Imagine the Fielden re-match!!!!


That would be worth the admission alone!

Vincent Duport has been released from Catalans I think, Worth a punt ?


What happened to Rudd aswell ?

Vincent Duport would be a cracking signing, reasonable cheap on the cap you'd think. Decent winger too

That's what I thought, I wouldn't mind him taking Semi's spot, but i'd rather have Dimitri Pelo, Dream team 2010 that lad.

Looked good scoring a hat trick at headingly, but Im guessing he's non fed trained and so would count on the quota? If so that could be a problem with us only having 1 quota space yet to announce, otherwise yes, good call.

I presume Rudd has been told thanks but no thanks, not that I heard anything official mind.

He looked worth a punt to me int' Reserves

I never saw him play so can't comment on his potential, but if we were keeping him on it would have been the easist thing to annouce it as he's obviously available and would be relatively cheap.

Im guessing that as we've not announced anything that he's not been offered a contract.

He didn't to me.

Fair comment.

I just thought if he could up his fitness levels he could offer good competition for a cheap price.