Darren link said:
well, HE signed a useless 25 year old bench utility player from Newcastle to a 3 year contract rumoured at 200k per year (which is probably close to the mark) I went on Knights supporters sites when he signed and the majority were doing what we are now doing (Beauty, thanks Manly) now we are (Sharks, please TAKE BAILEY) Most supporters have a reasonable clue.
That 200 grand could have been used for Lama and Hoppa to secure our long term future. Looking at Roosters ages, Smith knows what he is planning. Look at us, chock full of 27 plus aged players. The only forward who could come into 1sts grade is Junior Palau and we are losing Perry. Our future pack for 2011 includes the Matt Crosses, Gulavous and George Roses. When you weigh up Roosters pack of kids it isn't encouraging.
Des, you are a big factor in this top kid going elswewhere. This kid was unsigned yet people have been mentioning him for a long time (like me)Â 😉 He also must have thought that he had no future with us as why would he leave? Lowe summed it up when he said Des doesn't like taking risks. Bet Lama saw that too.
Now, this years Toyota Cup has several top kids coming thru: we have Riccardi, Oldfield, Davey, Portlock, Cunningham and higgins in 20's. What are you now doing Des?? Let's get this warning out early!! In that group is a winger, 2 centres, a halfback, prop and hooker. Unfortunately, this group seem quite young, except Oldfield. Tasi was a certainty but he's now gone. Yet, Hoppa, Whare and Oldfield can step up so some good news but they are all backs, not quality forwards!!
Mate, the problem though is that only 17 players can take the field. To give you an example, who here would you drop for Tasi:-
Watmough
Rodney
Stewart
Galuvao
Lussick
Buhrer
Williams (next year)
The fact is, only so many players could go into so many positions. Could it may be that Des wants to focus on signing two halves ( a position we are yet to sure up, before signing a backrower, who has to tussle it out with numerous other players for a single spot.
We have to remember, Wolfman / Brett Stewart will likely be back next season. That then means we may have a utility mobile big forward with 30+ games of NRL experience in Tony Williams coming in.
Des has given Oldfield, Hoppa and Whare a go this year, and they would have had more opportunity if they weren't injured, so I find that Des is willing to give kids a go more so this year than in previous??
We are probably short a mobile prop or two. T-Rex may rectify 1/2 of that, and to be honest, believe either of Lussick or Palau could be the other 1/2...
Also, Rose is very young, and hopefully will be back MUCH fitter. Remember how he went in the indigeonous game? All things equal, we could have a forward pack / bench like this next season:-
8. King
9. Ballin
10. Kite
11. Choc
12. Rodney
13. Stewart
14. Farrar (very young)
15. Rose (quite young)
16. Ring in (Galuvao / Cross / Palau / Lussick - 2 very young)
17. T-Rex (very young - prop OR backrow)Â Â
then add these guys, to a backline that has Brett Stewart, David Williams, Steve Matai, Jamie Lyon, Michael Robertson, Keiran Foran, and a new (probably VERY young) 1/2 back...and we are pretty youthful, paceful, and have good depth?
I think you just miss Bullet / Wolfman mate, and forget what value / leadership they add to our team.
Don't write Rosey off. My opinion. City / Country 2011.