Could happen

hope the joel Thompson rumour is true.

Cannot see Fonua returning either. Since Naiqama left for Saints it has opened up a centre option for him too and he is now really established in the West Tigers team. Under a great coach with experienced players(Marshall and Farah) running the side and a very popular NRL player with the public and pundits.

One down,

Think we will sign 3 overseas forwards, probably Glenn, Evans and one more backrower

Possible sign Mellor

Giving us a pack options of:

Props
Taylor
Evans
Masi
Bowden
Brown
Fash
bienek
Nzoungou

Backrow
Lane
Savelio
Jones
Glenn
Mellor
Thompson
NRL player

Seems to be alot of negativity around the potential signing of Adam Swift. I for one would be happy with this signing. Yeah he has an error or two in him but most wingers have it's a difficult position to play in the modern game.One thing Swift does have in his locker is genuine pace which is something out wingers have lacked forms few years. If he does sign give him a chance. He also makes good metres from king returns which Radford likes

You are right on the pace point and our general lack of pace has been a source of complaint for many. Guess the question is which wingers are available and realistic with better credentials. I don't know.

Me too, seems a strong presence off the field as well. Other clubs interested though.

coffee woman has promised us the return of mahe so swift isn't even a prospect

Fonua would be too expensive, probably want the same as both our current wingers combined.

I don't see many better wingers available, most Saints fans like and would keep him, the only argument that I can see is that do we need another winger with the 3 we have (presuming Faramio and Ratu sign), in my opinion yes, with the amount of injuries SL teams get and fact we don't have any recognised wingers coming through the system, then I think we do, also Dawson offers cover, but don't think he offers competition to our current wingers which Swift will do.

I'd actually make Fonua a marquee signing, I rate him that highly. When he moved to centre he was unplayable at times, also won plenty of penalties coming out of his own back field. I would say our back line has missed him as much as we missed Ellis in the forwards.

Can Thompson play loose forward, or is he more a wide running back rower? If he's more of a 'middle' he could be Westermans replacement.

I can't see us getting him and Glenn though. Youd imagine they'd be two massive earners

You couldn’t pay Mahe enough !
He’s worth more than 2 wingers
He’s a match and a Challenge Cup match winner
Marquee signing to bring us Silverware

There is no way we should be paying marquee money for Fonua. He's a very good player, but also has too many errors and not good enough defensively to pay him that sort of money. We have 3 quality centres, so we would be paying marquee money on a winger.

Thompson plays as a second rower. Currently reported as earning A$ 600k/annum with contract expiry this season and a 1 year option clause.

You’d be crazy to make him a marquee signing he might have had match winning moments but he can’t tackle to save his life and watching my club over the past few years I’ve become a expert on players that can’t tackle

I would say that Fonua was a better centre than any we currently have at the club. He was absolute box office during his time here. The fact that he was a dream team centre and winger would seem to back that up. Loved the big guy in black and white and I'd make him a marquee to come back.

Since we signed MDJ I've been wondering about wingers. I assume that Graham and Sanderson are not considered SL quality if we are looking to strengthen that position again.

People have an over egged the legend over time ... he's somehow become better over time
I loved him,his personality was great and he could excite you

But he could ruin you as well,knock the ball on simply playing it,or a tackle 1 offload in your ten


For an example of how he's been exaggerated
2017 Fonua vs 2018 Faraimo

Fonua..
Tries-11
Tackle busts-72
Metres a carry-8.37
Clean breaks-17
Errors-37
Pens-14
Missed tackles-36

Faraimo
Tries-17
Tackle busts-115
Metres a carry-8.41
Clean breaks-27
Errors-27
Pens-6
missed tackles-40

one played in a 3rd placed minutes away for GF and challenge cup winning team
Other played in an injury ravaged 8 placed team that finished 11 defeats in a row

Yet 1 should be a cheap option and the other should be marquee...saaaay whaaaaat

There are lies, there are damn lies, then there are statistics.



“Mark Twain”

And that's it a much worst side.

I really like Fonua, preferred him on the wing, I'd have both Carlos and Connor over him at centre. If we could sign him I'd be overjoyed, but has to be the right price, which I doubt we would get him for now.

I like Bureta, but Mahe was a matchwinner, whereas Bureta is solid.

Fonua was good, but not marquee good.
Rocks and diamonds a lot of the time. Nearly lost his place for the 2017 final, but than had a big effect on the game.

Would love to see him back, but not at any cost.

If westerman does go Iam scratching my head who would play loose forward. No actual ball playing replacements in squad. Kelly a possibility or do we play with the extra forward

Savelio.

Alex Mellor for Saints or Rovers,