You appear to be talking about Dowes. The OP was talking about Sculthorpe.

I hope and believe we will.

For most of Superleague (certainly pre 2004) we didn't really go in for the "star signings" - the squads were built on solid players who the coach knew could do a specific job.

Often the squad together produced for more than the sum of its individual parts.

The "star players" often came through the system - Robbie, Fielden, Pryce, Peacock, Burgess to name a few.

I'm very much getting that vibe again, I don't know about anyone else?

I don't think we'll be anything like what we were. There is definitely the feeling we have turned the corner though.

I think saying the squad was built on solid players is a tad insulting.

H.Paul, Vainikolo, Lowes etc were anything but average players. Certainly H.Paul and Volcano were star signings. We got lucky that a lot of our signings with potential actually filled that potential like Withers and Hape.

Walker signed a 1 year deal. Confirmed on hull kr website at bottom of galea news bulletin

[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=18850[/url

I didn't say we would, the principles being used are the same though.



I don't think so.
None of our players upon signing during that period were world no 1's barely top 5 for most of them, but playing in a committed team made them better than they were individually IMO




I didn't say they were average, you just did.

HP I'll give you - Les was a big gamble at the time.

The backbone of the squad was developed over time. Lowes was a first wave import, H.Paul (1998 to 2001) a second wave and Les a third wave (2002 to 2007). Of those only H. Paul was really an established big name, star, signing.

In fact, over the years, Bradford's success was based on the canny acquisition of 'steady' players some of whom went on to become stars. You could almost see a parallel between 1996 and next season with a lot of rebuilding to be done... and who was at the heart of that transformation - M Elliott and one Mr M. Potter!

(Yes, I know B. Smith was head coach but the 2Ms were his presence in this country in the initial stages)

How many Super league clubs have ever bought world no1's or even top 5? It's a rare thing to see a genuine world class player sign for a SL club. I would say Orford comes into this ( Obvious bias mind! ). In the context of super league signings i think Lesley was a big name. I know it was a few years later, but he became a big name during the 2000 world cup. He was seen as a let down in his first season because he had a big rep.

Barrett
King
Orford

3 in the Super league era... WOW!

And how can you forget Lyon?

4!

Suppose Monaghan & Buderus may be there too.

All of them quality but none of them in the worlds top 5 I'm afraid - in the last year

When they were signed they were (arguably) one of the top 5 in the world.

Buderus is no where near his prime but still has real quality. I wouldn't put him in that bracket though. Monaghan?? Dunno, was he ever that highly rated down under?

pat richards must be up there

Monaghan and Richards weren't rated here in Aus

Monaghan and Richards were steady first graders, not anything better.

The fact that the seasons run at the same time mean you don't get the real top quality Aussies playing over here any more. During winter rugby we saw the best like Lewis, Sterling etc.

There's some guy called Menzies, apparently. Might even be back in a Manly shirt next year . . .

Not according to our CEO all just an internet rumour apparently

Someone over on TRL is suggesting we have agreed a deal with Willy Mason. Sounds like rubbish to me, but if it was true, he's certainly a very marketable player. Same person also said that he's coming because he wants to play with Orford and Pryce!! I can see us starting the season without either of these, nevermind both!!

Sheriffe to return south to re-join us for 2011
And possibly to be joined by Mr Menzies

Would both be decent signings for Quins who could do with some good news.

I'd happily take Mason at the Bulls provided we also signed a halfback.

It's alright having all these Indians but we need the Chiefs too.

Mason isn't half the player he once was.

Mason will only be in it for the money.

Mason will ask for alot of the above.

Mason's heart won't be in it.

Mason is exactly the type of disruptive influence we do not need at the club.

Mason probably doesn't need the cash

Mason can only get what he's offered

Mason might want a change of scenery

Mason might receive a worse rep than he actually has

However,

Think you're right!

Doubt we want him anyway.

Mason is a 1st class player, why wouldnt any team want him?