Hull-Neutral wrote:Graeme Horne has certainly improved since His Hull FC days and I see him as a regular member of the 17 at Rovers next year.
He will be primarily a back-rower, but comes with the added bonus of being a capable stand-in centre who can also do a 'turn' at prop or even hooker if need be.
He doesn't cost a fortune, still has improvement in him, and I am sure will provide great value for money.
But here is the rub; He has been signed to replace a player (Matt Cooke) who, with his game breaking qualities, offers even greater value for money on the cap!
Had Horne being signed to replace the excruciatingly mediocre Jason Netherton, I am sure his signing would be met with more enthusiasm!
The Matt Cook thing is totally blown up out of proportion IMO; he had a run of games when Newton was out injured and all you heard was people saying "we're missing Newton..."
Yes, Cook has provided real energy and enthusiasm coming off the bench but quite often this has been late in the game when the game's intensity has dropped.
Joined: Oct 16 2006 Posts: 5245 Location: Super League
For me this is about building a squad. I think we have the spine of our team pretty much in place i.e. Centres, halves and back row. Its now time to build a squad around the likes of Webster, Welham, Green, Dobson, Newton and Galea and this for me makes Greame Horn a decent to good signing.
Joined: Sep 01 2006 Posts: 5139 Location: Wall Street
General Zod. wrote:The Matt Cook thing is totally blown up out of proportion IMO; he had a run of games when Newton was out injured and all you heard was people saying "we're missing Newton..."
Yes, Cook has provided real energy and enthusiasm coming off the bench but quite often this has been late in the game when the game's intensity has dropped.
IMO Cook has been every bit as effective as Newton when he has played this season. As for the "we're missing Newton" calls, this was just a plain excuse for Rovers poor form. Fact is they have not been any better when he has played.
Motto of the week -
It is the way of the weak to secretly bleat to those in authority rather than fight their own battles.
Joined: Sep 01 2006 Posts: 5139 Location: Wall Street
Alex Mc wrote:For me this is about building a squad. I think we have the spine of our team pretty much in place i.e. Centres, halves and back row. Its now time to build a squad around the likes of Webster, Welham, Green, Dobson, Newton and Galea and this for me makes Greame Horn a decent to good signing.
I think Graham Horne is a very good signing. Yes he offer plenty of versatility but he is a pretty accomplished back rower now and he is still only 26.
Motto of the week -
It is the way of the weak to secretly bleat to those in authority rather than fight their own battles.
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12672 Location: Leicestershire.
Old_Faithful_IAKW wrote:Unfortuantely you've got to be realistic. There are 3 drivers of signings like this IMO;
a) The NRL market aren't too keen on SL, the main attraction i.e. Money, is much less of an attraction because the NRL can offer much more on their salary cap. b) Like it or not, the Mason situation portrayed Hull KR in a poor light. The fact it was Mason, although he is perhaps disliked by others in the NRL, meant it received more media attention than say Ben Fisher. c) There is a lot of uncertainty at Hull KR at the moment - No manager, will Newton/Clinton leave?, Questionnable finances.
a - I agree with. b - the Mason farago was very embarrassing, but it was a very peculiar set of circumstances - a good chunk of them beyond HKR's control. I can't see it being a major issue going forward. c - We'll get a coach, players that leave will be replaced. Our finances are no worse than most. They're worse than yours - that's the only reason people go on about them as much as they do. The level of ambition and how realistic that is will be important.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Jun 01 2007 Posts: 12672 Location: Leicestershire.
General Zod. wrote:The Matt Cook thing is totally blown up out of proportion IMO; he had a run of games when Newton was out injured and all you heard was people saying "we're missing Newton..."
Yes, Cook has provided real energy and enthusiasm coming off the bench but quite often this has been late in the game when the game's intensity has dropped.
Cook has been unlucky not to get more games IMO - but it got exaggerated amongst those who wanted a stick to beat Morgan.
'Thus I am tormented by my curiosity and humbled by my ignorance.' from History of an Old Bramin, The New York Mirror (A Weekly Journal Devoted to Literature and the Fine Arts), February 16th 1833.
Joined: Sep 18 2005 Posts: 8742 Location: 2017 City of Culture
Mild Rover wrote:a - I agree with. b - the Mason farago was very embarrassing, but it was a very peculiar set of circumstances - a good chunk of them beyond HKR's control. I can't see it being a major issue going forward. c - We'll get a coach, players that leave will be replaced. Our finances are no worse than most. They're worse than yours - that's the only reason people go on about them as much as they do. The level of ambition and how realistic that is will be important.
Correct on all points. There have been several posters attempting to suggest that the Mason fiasco will directly affect Rovers recruitment options, but its our quota situation which dictates, not our supposed reputation in Australia. O'Hara is non-quota, same with Withers if he comes. With the salary cap changes in the NRL on the horizon, I'm more than happy with recruitment based closer to home.
The priority now would appear to be a full back. Lets hope the Lee Smith rumours have some substance.
Joined: Sep 18 2005 Posts: 8742 Location: 2017 City of Culture
Mild Rover wrote:Cook has been unlucky not to get more games IMO - but it got exaggerated amongst those who wanted a stick to beat Morgan.
I'm not so sure. I think he has been harshly treated by Rovers (or more specifically, Morgan), but he has genuinely played very well whenever he got the chance. I'm not convinced Cook out, Horne in is an improvement in terms of back row quality, however GH has more utility value. Cook will go very well down in London I'd expect.
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