If a top draw second rower becomes available to us then i'd persue the interest but i hope the club doesn't go out of it's way looking for one.

Prop

Halfback

Second row or 2nd prop

should be what we're looking for and in that order.

Not sorry to see Bailey go, hope he had a good time at Wigan.

It's a fair point but I think the two new signings we will make will be experienced players and with putting so many young players in the first team I have no doubt we will see the rewards of that in years to come as saints and leeds have.

cant we tempt mr fletcher out of retirement?

His type of forward would be perfect for us imo after we've signed an out and out prop.

Nathan Hindmarsh was meant to have turned us down a couple of months back and thats a shame because he'd have been a player that really could have helped us. He's get great experience, is a leader and never shirks a challenge aswell as being able to cover at prop if needs be.

Shame.

imo, theres only 1 player we need to bring into the pack and thats Steve Price

That is just unrealistic if you ask me.

ive no doubt but for 1 season hed put fear into everyone he played against, lead and inspire the team and be a great mentor for o'barrell and prescott

This season we've had an underpowered pack which had in it players like,
Fielden, Coley, Feka, Prescott & O'Carroll as our props. That front row has been second best in too many games and that's why we've won so few. We very obviously needed another big powerful prop and this need was identified well prior to the start of the season. He never arrived.
Noble will have identified the men he wanted so why haven't they been signed? It seems we've signed in every position but where the priority lay, prop forward.
Coley is OOC and it looks like Bailey will be leaving, after Tuesday we may well have lost Gaz Hock. That is a lot of experience and skill which won't be around next year.
We still need one prop for this year, if Coley goes we need two for 2010.
Should neither Hock & Bailey be here next year we need an experienced 2nd row to complement the younger player/s who may come in. Surely we'll go for a player such as Puletua, Fakir or Lauatiti. We need the type of bulk, power and skill that those guys provide.
So at the moment it looks like we will need two props, an experienced 2nd row with a younger player coming into the squad, perhaps Flanagan, Farrell or Mossop. Then of course there's the quality half back that is also a priority.
IL & BN have their work cut out finding that lot. Money and quota spots may well not be the problem, finding the right player could be difficult.

Like you say it comes down to who we let go and who retain, personally would definitely let Bailey go, as for Coley I'm unsure it really depends who we can bring in, there's no point replacing like with like.
If Lenegan and the future coach get a plan together, at the end of this season and next will give us the ability to completely restructure are pack, particlaraly the frontrow.

It's definitley a fine line to balance, especially when were still in need of a halfback, and the number of halfbacks available are dwindling by the day.

In an ideal scenario, we would get all four, however, I think we'll only be able to get 3 and I'd personally say we absoultely need a front line prop and a half back.

Which means we're probably going to have to chose one of a second prop or a second rower. Looking at each of these positions, where do we think we are strongest?

Props: NEW PROP, Fielden, Paleaaesina, O'Carroll, Prescott, Davies (possibly?)

Back Row: O'Loughlin, J Tomkins, Hansen, Mossop, Farrell, Flanagan

If the prop we sign is a leader and whose experience can really help develop the three youngsters then I think we should go for the second rower who, as you say, should be in the Puletua/Lauatiti mould so the young back rowers can also learn from a specialist in this position who has great experience.



Certainly salaries shouldn't be a problem. Bailey's, Coley's and Hock's wages should easily be able to afford a new prop, half back and back rower.

I'd say quota spots though may be an issue, as potentially all three signings would probably only be found in Aus (presuming we don't sign Myler). To be honest though, I haven't a clue about quotas for next year with all the chaging of the rules etc.

i know he's good but isnt he 35?

people on here where praying for wiki last year. imo, price is in the same league

also, look at menzies

I take your point, but he can go on for ever

so can price, wiki (could have) and petero

if people are serious about making a bid for LMS (whoever he is

) then we'll have to wait for his contract to end i think so price would be a perfect signing for us

sure, he may be on quota and the wrong side of 30 but the guys a hard as nails legend and is just what we need (ala pongia)

He signed a 1 year extension a couple of months back IIRC

2 Props with one who can cover second row and a half along with a new coach will still see us there or there abouts in my opinion.

LMS/Morley

Pritchard

Orford

I bet we end up with players like Daryll Griffin and danny ward instead.

You know we are going to end up with ham and eggers.

Still dreaming i see.

With some of the stuff/rumours posted on here, its obvious that many posters live in a dream world.

Oh aye! It beats reality!

Face reality, daryl Griffin is going to be your enforcer prop next year



In all serious, I'm sure you can find a better prop than that, Shane Tronc would go well over here.