This is true, Galea is currently playing his way into a new contract, Vella I'd still wait on but like you say, if we can't get better UK players then there's no point letting him go. Fisher I think has had his day, still good but I'm sure we could get someone as good whose British. I've always liked Godwin at Salford but I assume he signed more than a one year contract.

You think that money's for transfers?





All it's done is made sure you're able to spend full cap for 2 or 3 more years.



Oh, and settle with Mason.

Would be surprised, along with Milner they rate him very highly over there.

Im not surprised, both have done well but Clark has been the most impressive. They have Hudson so hopefully would allow Clark to move to us(wishful thinking!)

Worrincey, Ellis, Lee..................................



We do have some fans with a wierd outlook on how to improve the squad



Worrincey is crap we have better

Ellis is not as good as Fisher and about on par with Hodgson (who is young and will develop)

Lee, couldn't hold a place at FC or Crusaders, we have better already.



I would rather see a flat season in 2012 and bring in some youngsters, rather than sign players of this underwhelming quality.

We have better than can COVER 6,7 and 9?

Care to name him?

Well we have Hodgson/Murrell who covers 9, Galea who can cover 6 and Murrell who can cover 7. Plus young Bell has been touted for good things who could also cover 6.

I didn't ask that.

Although I will ask if you actually saw Murrell at 7?

It would be very hard for Lee to be any worse.

The talk has been about REPLACING hasn't it, not a second rate utility to cover several positions, if thats the argument I suppose Lee might fit the bill.

It doesn't have to be one for one though. Though it is a harsh way of putting it, second-rate is what cover players generally are. In a small squad, a player that might more generously be described as 'half-decent' or 'competent', who can cover the halfs and hooker, and who doesn't take up a quota spot or a lot of cap is a decent option. With the NRL getting bigger and richer, we have to re-adjust our expectations. More academy, championship and what would have previously been fringe players will get a shot. We'll find out if there really are British Billy Slaters being overlooked, more quickly than the quota regulations would have done alone. Am I failing to hide my skepticism?





Anyway - it is often said that if you stand still you get left behind. I think that might not be the case in the next few years, and standing still would see us progress relative to most other clubs. The shelves are going to be pretty bare.

The actual talk is about 'Positions to strengthen next season' that includes squad depth.

The days of english clubs being able to wave a cheque book to aussies is over due to the change in exchange rates and the new wealth the NRL are suddenly going to have so we are going to have to look more and more towards our own youth and players we otherwise would have ignored.

We have also found out first hand that having no 6,7 COVER will screw us over.

Call Tommy Lee what you want but he would have been a damn sight better at that then Scott Murrell who is now far to big and slow for scrum half (Not having a go at Scott but its true he is now a 13 only IMHO).

We have Fisher and Hodgeson but very little behind that again Lee would do a job if we needed him to.

Couldn't agree more mate.