You never know 

5 games from 25 this year doesnt "scream quality" to me I am afraid, relative or not.



Dont know about Agar, that remains to be seen.



I understand we need to beef up the numbers, and with seasoned players to an extent too - but its not as if there aren't other options available as mentioned - plus those lurking at Fev, Fax & Leigh etc . I appreciate we aren't able to bring in SOO players, thats not the point. There seems to be perfectly good options available domestically and those should be the priority, rather than diipping into the NRL reserve grade for yet another quick fix.



If he was a player such as Tongia I could understand it, the potential upside is they are the next Henry Paul or Rangi Chase (non descript down under but extremely good players in SL) - but at 25 theres not likely to be much improvement left in him.



Pains me to say it but we should be taking a leaf out of Cas's book and looking closer to home for our players rather than running off down under at any given chance. We can't moan that we dont attract the best junior talent when their path is blocked by run of the mill ozzies and kiwis.



We really should use the quote as a limit rather than a target and make sure imports are limited to those who are "special" or at least have the potential to be so.

Anyone can talk, but if he does join us that is your big signing right there. He is a player who IMO is a little too small and a little to erratic for the NRL but perfect for SL.

You can't help but laugh at our supporters.



On one hand they're banging down the door demanding the club sign Tongia who has to date played 0 NRL games, and are scared to death at the very mention of another club taking him. But on the other hand a player who has played 100+ NRL games and has been selected for City Origin is deemed average or blocking the path for our youngsters?! The youth promotion concept has gone into overdrive!! You can't expect a team of kids to play 27 games without experienced players around them or we will see another year like this. At 100+ NRL games I would class Collis as experienced, and at 8 years younger than Tony Martin, who last time around was lets be honest average, without seeing him play for us, how can it be a bad thing?



Re Isaac John, hasn't he just signed another year with NZ Warriors?

what is that at end of your sentence, just a block on my screen - is it in flash?

On Collis, this is a very good signing, he's a good centre, better than both Vellars and Murphy and at 25 is the right age for us, he's already an established NRL centre and he should be at the top of his game at his age as long as fit. I'm very happy with this appointment especially as I can still see Hudds making a move for Murphy after they gifted him a little sweetener before the franchise announcement

Vasty are u thinking of isaac luke? John is a young half that plays mainly for auckland vulcans but has played a few for the warriors

Offered him a deal by all accounts... whether he is mulling over it i dont know...

To be honest you strike me as one of those who wouldn't be happy unless you'd picked the team and coached it yourself. You just moan.



TRB had it spot on, Agar as did Kear knows our place in the food chain. It's actually the case that so few quality players want to join us that it's foolish to turn down one who will, be realistic for once. As for the 5 games in the last 25, shall we bin Murphy because he hasn't played of late, give over. The strength of depth in the Aussie game often means that a perfectly good player misses out on a first team spot because a marginally better player has the spot - do you not understand the principle? Why by the way would he need any improvement, with 100+ NRL games he's already light years ahead of what we have. As for the juniors, having a strong and mature first team does not stop good youngsters making it, that's a pure myth - so long as they get their chance then there is no issue. I really struggle with your logic.

Yep. Although he's a bit down the pecking order there so maybe could get a release.

Yes, now you see why I would have been surprised. Got you now.

Lautiti is a fantastic player when fit, and could be really good for us - fantastic in fact if we can get him on the park. Really looking forward to seeing him play.



You're not bothered who plays for us then thats fair enough - its your perogative to have that view and your entitled to it, you pays your money and you takes your chance. Thing is though, the RFL want clubs in the league who do their bit to develop players for the good of the game and if you aren't bothered if we pack the side with imports or not then you forefeit the right to moan when the RFL look for other reasons to get shut of us because we dont bring players through.



As I said, imports should be restricted to either those young enough to make it big (Henry Paul style) or special like Solomona or Lautiti and if there isnt enough of them or we cant get them then we should, in my opinion, look closer to home.

Quote gowerthegroap="gowerthegroap"Re Isaac John, hasn't he just signed another year with NZ Warriors?'" Tongan second rower Ukuma Ta'ai (24), who has played 36 NRL matches, and nine-game halfback-standoff Isaac John (22) will be with the Vodafone Warriors again in 2012 www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=39635

Quote gowerthegroap="gowerthegroap"Re Isaac John, hasn't he just signed another year with NZ Warriors?'" Tongan second rower Ukuma Ta'ai (24), who has played 36 NRL matches, and nine-game halfback-standoff Isaac John (22) will be with the Vodafone Warriors again in 2012 www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=39635

Did you not bother to read the post that praised the signings? I don't moan all the time at all.







Also seem to remember on another similar thread you saying that if we can't get home grown players in non pivotal positions we might as well give it up as a bad job?

Quote vastman="vastman"I totally agree. For me the key positions for overseas players are props because all clubs need at least 5 and not many manage that from home grown. The others are 6,7 and 9 again because you generally need at least 2 of each and they are all specialists. The only other positions I'd consider are F/B and L/F and they would need to be exceptional. What is a total admission of defeat is signing S/R, Centres and wingers. If as a nation let alone as a club we can't produce enough players in those more utility positions then I suggest we call it a day for RL in this country.'" viewtopic.php?f=33&t=502996&p=16339449#p16339449

Quote vastman="vastman"I totally agree. For me the key positions for overseas players are props because all clubs need at least 5 and not many manage that from home grown. The others are 6,7 and 9 again because you generally need at least 2 of each and they are all specialists. The only other positions I'd consider are F/B and L/F and they would need to be exceptional. What is a total admission of defeat is signing S/R, Centres and wingers. If as a nation let alone as a club we can't produce enough players in those more utility positions then I suggest we call it a day for RL in this country.'" viewtopic.php?f=33&t=502996&p=16339449#p16339449

and who is to say he isn't? People were wetting themselves over Daryl Millard before he came, and he joined us at a similar age and with only half the NRL games under his belt as Collis. I would take a 25 year old player who has a potential over a 32 year old liability like Wesser every day of the week. Is it wrong to wait until he has played a few games before dismissing him?

Yes I did but the context meaning is slightly different but if you want to use it then fine.



It is an admission of defeat, but the truth is with the loss of George we have admitted that. However this lad is if you are to read his stats IMO a quality player better than anything available to us in that position in the UK. Walshaw is the future not the present, and there is Agars problem. It's not his fault or any current SL coach that we have become totally depedent on NRL players because we have neglected the best part of two generations of players.



We have already had a season of young players, it had it's moment but do you want another? We need some of those mid age players IMHO.

Pryce, Blythe and Tansey all "seasoned" and experienced and supposedly available, and also Marsh has several games under his belt so any of those 4 would be a better option in my opinion, as would Cockayne if he came - although clearly he isnt without problems. I dare say all bar possibly Pryce would be much cheaper options too.



Walshaw needs to be used sparingly, agreed (in time he could be very good indeed) - we clearly need a mix and we can't afford top draw signings. I dont see the need to go to the NRL for it though, or else we are never going to break the cylce.



There is a world of difference between moaning at everyhing and offering constructive criticism with suggested alternatives.

I have been watching walshaw quite regular for a few seasons now. He is a great young player and he really reminds me of Gareth Ellis, infact he is probably a little better. This is only my own opinion but I don't see the future for him at centre but I think he will be an outstanding LF/SR and will make the transition in the same way as Ellis did.

Can't see Agar making a move for Tansey again somehow.

Welcome To The World Of Agar

Yes well this is agar all over bring in average imports and stop the young ones showing potential breaking into the side. This is a baffling signing imo could understand if it was a top class centre what he clearly isnt.

Touch paper lit



Lets wait for Vastmans reply.

The reply is simple, what exactly has it got to do with you?



You have your wish, Agar has gone - or are you the jealous sought where your ex girlfriends are concerned.

Only when they make songs about me