I was just thinking about the players that left after the final game last year and whether we really replaced them-

Rinaldi-Kaye
Hill- Dorn
Henry- Golden
Marty-Nannyn, Gardner,



Im not sure we got a good deal!

But:
NEW IN 2009
1. Chad Robinson (Parramatta Eels)
2. Luke Dorn (Castleford Tigers)
3. Ben Kaye (Leeds Rhinos)
4. Luke Williamson (Manly)
5. Mick Nanyn (Oldham)
6. Luke Gale (Doncaster)
7. Luke May (Reserves)
8. Jason Golden (Wakefield)

Are we therefore better off do you think?

Little to choose overall, but we've tended to replace class with grunt.

Another factor is that existing players are a year older which obviously tends to be an advantage with young guys but the reverse for older ones.

I've noticed that the "new" list is missing Mat Gardner FWIW.

I think Gafa has become a "worse" player as Hill is now not putting him into gaps and he hasn't the ability to beat a player with skill, whereas Howell has benefited from Orr's cross field kicks. so 50:50 with that.

What we are missing is the individual [isurprise[/i skill that Mclinden, Hill and Henry offered, even Rinaldi thinking about it.

McLinden only played something like the first 6 games in 2008 so we didn't really have him much last year anyway. But we really could do with a full-back who can act as a second stand-off.



Hill mostly ran the right-hand side, Dorn mainly the left. Hence Howell has looked better this year, Gafa worse. That said, Gafa's defence has gone south too.

Paul and Hill couldn't have done another year - they were walking wounded and missing plenty of tackles.

Gale for Rinaldi is an improvement IMO. Gale is still best used off the bench I think.

We already have one of those. Unfortunately though we bizarrely play him as the real stand off instead, which he isn't good enough for, and as a result he has killed one entire side of our attack and given us a defensive weakness you could drive a coach and horses through. Dorn is either a full back or he shouldn't be on the park, simple as. Time we bought a decent number 7, and played Orr as the 6 he undoubtedly is.

Yes it is time we bought a decent no 7. However, I dont think Orr has anything to offer any more. His kicking is atrocious and he cannot take the defense on any more. I cant remember him running at the defense. Has he scored a try this seasn??

Can't remember all leavers that were announced at the end of the game but these were amongst them;

Skee, Gafa, Haggerty,...... anyone care to fill the gaps?

Now found full list in the programme - Doh!..........

Skee, Gafa, Haggerty, Heckenberg, Nanyn (gone), Grayshon, Gardner, Graves plus Physio Todd Williams and Conditioning Coach Billy Peden from the coaching staff

It is hard to take on the defence and create anything when your pack is going backwards. We have no go forward and it shows. God forbid we should stand deep and run on to the ball. Macdermott needs to read a coaching manual from 1895 _ even then it advocated standing the attack back at angle of 30 to 45 degrees and running on to the ball at speed!!! Helped cas score four today at least, still cas are coached by a guy who used to stand well back and create bags of space, and look how mr r chase played of the back of it today for cas.

Jack Graves, Daniel Heckenberg are definites also leaving.

I think Nanyn and Gardner may have been mention, although I can't be sure.

According to Brian we are bringing in two props and an outside back – well we'll need a bit more than that otherwise we'll have a squad even weaker in depth and talent than this years effort!

Found it in the programme now, have edited my post with the full list

Agree, for the most part.

I don't actually mind Dorn at 6, so long as we have another second-receiver on the right, a la McLinden. We can hide Dorn in defence but we can't hide Dorn, Orr AND Gale in the same defensive line.

We've not had a natural first-receiver since Leuluai. Which is why Hill and Orr didn't work and why Dorn and Orr don't work.

Is Gale the more natural at first-receiver? Perhaps he is and maybe Dorn at 1, Orr at 6 and Gale at 7 is the way forward, assuming we will be without any new blood for 2010. I haven't seen anything of Gigot but he seems to be the only other option at 7.

The way BM has bottled it with Gigot is unforgiveable imo. Im not saying he's a great player/prospect yet but the lad has a great kicking game and that wins lots of games for you if your players follow up on the kicks. You get tries from them, as well as good field position, and repeat sets of 6 as well. Why in the name of god does he persist with the tried and failed players when there are young players in the reserves pushing for a chance to show their worth who really could offer something fresh and energetic. I doubt anyone could question their effort which is more than could be said for the present incumbants

I heard Monaghan is leaving Wire, if that's true we should go all out for him, we simply can't go on with Dorn at standoff. I think Orr goes okay for us, there is a hell of a difference when he goes off.

God wouldnt that be a great signing. However, its been on the cards he is was returning to Oz coz of homesickness most of the season so I dont think we could tempt him.

But Monaghan isn't a first-receiver. Manly knew that. Wire worked it out eventually and moved him back to being a very good dummy-half.