I think its fair to say alot of supporters are going to be a bit underwhelmed if the nrl back isnt a big name. Thats not to say he wont do a good job but alot of people are expecting a big name. Hope we get one I really do but I guess its just wait and see.

Fingers crossed mate

even if we dont sign a big name nrl player, i think we should be greatfull to whoever it is, AP has come in and gave us so much to look forward to in the next few years, remember, that rome wasnt built in a day!

It must be quite infuriating for AP, SM and PG to read comments like these.

The fact that they've gone out and addressed big problems in two months in charge, including a hefty transfer fee, should give all fans hope.

To get a 'big name' player would probably cost a sl side 25% of thief cap and then they'd get slagged off for not spending the cap wisely.

Heard a couple of names that have been mentioned on here, and if this happens then WOW! Cannot see it, but a couple of people who have said it have been right in the past.......

Who?

Tbh I don't think there will be any 'big name' signing for next season but never know.
Imo its a work in progress and so far its striding in the right direction. If any big name signings are tba then its an added bonus, but I would imagine we may have to wait another year for it.

That's a little over 400k per season. I agree it would take that sort of money to entice some of the "fantasy" names that have been banded around here, but i'm sure a big name NRL player could be secured a fair bit less then that.

I'm happy with the current situation and very grateful to AP.

What I said was to gain extra supporters a big name would be needed.

You have a tendency sometimes to act like your the spokesperson of RL on here simply because you live in Aus and your word is gospel it aint pal.

whos to say the cash has to come out of the cap??
Warrington seem to manage ok. When you have a big money investor behind you there are many ways and means around it.

Take Thurston, rumoured to be the highest paid at $700,000 a season, that's £440,000.

Inglis $600,000.

Marshal, Smith, Slater, Haynes $500,000.

Then you've got to pay them for the loss of rep jerseys and to leave oz.

Bugger, I've put that on my cv.

From my own assessment of our squad, the only places that we are desperate to strengthen in is the backrow and the right 3/4's.

For the backrow we have Manu, Tickle, Westerman, but after that we're having to play inexperienced players such as Cunningham, Green, Kent, etc. Whilst I'm all for giving these guys a chance, I don't feel that they should be thrown in the deepend in this way.

Our right-hand side defence is a well known problem. Needs sorting asap. Hopefully Gentle will get onto this issue as soon as he gets over here, or is conversing with McRae about it.

I'm more than happy with the changes that we've seen to the club since Pearson bought it, aside from the change to sundays because they don't fit in with other things I have going on. We've seen a change in management, review of areas of the club, money being invested in players, etc.

And you put 'you expect a big name player' suggesting anything else would be a disappointment.

I can see us bringing in someone like Geoff Daniela or Justin Carney.

I can't see us bringing in someone like Lyon or Jennings. But a solid centre along the lines of Joel Reddy could possibly happen.

Mitch Brown would be my guess, I think he'd be superb in sl.

Reddy's signed for wests, think he might get a run at fb next season.

I'm sure you have sheldon but one thing is for sure the Austrailian arrogance has rubbed of on you.

Signing a big-name player but worried about cap space? Easy peasy, especially when you have a wealthy backer.

Step 1 - Player's agent makes contact with a business, totally unconnected with the club, that is keen to secure the image rights - and maybe the general "consultancy services" of a high-profile antipodean.

Step 2 - Deal done - business pays megabucks for said image rights and services to player's offshore personal services company (registered about two nanoseconds before...). All subject to player securing a playing contract in the UK, so he can be available if needed.

Step 3 - Player's agent contacts club, saying he has marquee player on his books who comes financially secure, since he has already secured this lucrative marketing contract with this unconnected business(so won't be any salary cap issues). Player has always wanted to play for [ club and has been his dream since he was a nipper (insert name of club for press release purposes once deal done) and now he cannot believe he has the opportunity.

Step 4 - Club says would love to have him, but this little matter of a salary cap means they can only pay him a modest package, nothing like what he could earn in Oz now especially with the exchange rates and tax regime and increased Oz cap all making Oz players so much more expensive than they used to be.

Step 5 - Player's agent explains no problem - player already financially secure, so would be delighted to play for club of his dreams on such modest terms. Where does he sign? And what was the name of your club again?

........

Totally unconnected to all of this, club's owner is having a jar or two with his businessman best pal, who - by very strange co-incidence - is the owner of the business who paid for the player's image rights etc. Both agree what an amazing co-incidence! At the same time, the club owner - feeling generous and so grateful to his pal for selflessly taking the action that allowed the club to sign the player so cheaply, through one of his own businesses (probably offshore) awards his pal a contract which gives the pal extra profit which just happens - again, by strange co-incidence - to be around the amount his pal paid for the image rights etc.

And nowhere, boys and girls, has the salary cap been broken.

Cynic

Lote Tuqiri, big name, nearing end of his career, Wests Tigers connection, has one year left on his contract - but Aussie clubs have history in releasing players from contracts to Super League clubs.

Seriously ? He's been gash this season and if he hasn't been gash he's sitting in the stands. No thanks