2012 Season Outlook

[Johnno'54]

Props off contract next year (zero tackle)

Isaak Ah Mau,
Leeson Ah Mau,
Scott Anderson,
Chris Armit,
Tinirau Arona,
Adam Blair,
Dane Carlaw,
Matt Cross,
Adam Cuthbertson, David Gower,
Jon Green,
Michael Greenfield,
David Hala,
Michael Hodgson,
Jason King,
Brent Kite,
Sione Kite,
Jeremy Latimore,
Daine Laurie,
Dunamis Lui,
Johnny Mannah,
Manase Manuokafoa,
Josh McGuire,
Josh Miller,
Ben Murdoch-Masila,
Mickey Paea,
George Rose,
Jason Ryles,
Troy Thompson,
Siosaia Vave,
Adam Woolnough

Maybe have a crack at george rose, not first choice but he might be cheap.

I just miss the KFC gags

 

[timbomatto]

haha that is true but he would have to put on some more weight to get back to the size he was at cronulla

 

[Blix]

Gal would make a good prop. I don't disagree with that. I just think he is the world's best lock so why play him at prop when any gorilla can do that.

No I don't think Tim Sheens is a joke. Nothing could ever change my opinion on Phil Gould. I despise him.

I still reckon Gallen to prop.

Firstly he makes a mile of metres which is what you want your props for.

He takes 2nd tackle regularly so it would not be unusual for him.

He doesnt usually pass the ball, and unless he gets an offload, the play usually ends with him.

People have been complaining that at time he gets in the way of backline movements (which he does sometimes)

We have a very strong second row, with Smith, Tupou, Bakuya, Tautai, (Frizell & Peachey coming through)

We are very weak in the props now, with only Cordoba being a regular first grade propp, with Mannah, Clayton & Vave all coming through but also all of contract.

Just seems to me it is at the very least worth a try, I am not saying that I reckon it will work 100%, but I definately think there is a chance.

I wish Flanno would try it out at some point this week just to see how Gal goes hitting up first tackles.

As if it works he needs less props, but if it doesnt he needs to be looking to sign 2 more quality props.

 

[Sparkles]

Yeah I heard gould say that as well - but Gal plays out wide for flanno (with best). But bukuya should be in the mix as well - great attacking talent.

Gallen plays out wide for Gallen. It's well known that he is trying to extend his career by playing wider... which you could say is fair enough, he's done plenty of hard work (and still does), but the team would benefit from him moving up into 2nd row or prop.

 

[snowman]

as you can see there are alot that I would take.... in the bum

homo

Been searching for an esl list but no luck. Anyone got any ideas about o/s props off contract for next year?

erol crabtree......

 

[ben]

erol crabtree......

eorl crabtree - classic - dont know him but I like the name.

 

[snowman]

he is a monster, would be a very very handy pick up

 

[andrew's_sharks]

yes to crabtree!

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Here are my ideas for next year.

- Have 4 NRL quality props in the squad at least. This doesn't include Gallen or Smith.
- Gallen, Smith and Tupou start, plus the two props.
- During this period, we affectively have four tight players and you could consider Gallen and Smith hit up men that can take hitups when needed and can defend in the middle when needed. They would affectively be assisting the starting props, meaning the starting props don't need to be of exceptional quality.

The props sub at 20 minutes.
Jeremy Smith goes off at 25 minutes. Bukuya comes on.

At this point we have two props, plus gallen, and two edge back rowers playing. The play goes more lateral. Gallen continues to help the props with hit ups where needed.

Frizel is used to cover injuries to the back rowers and gets a top 17 spot when Tupou's contract finishes.

Affectively what I'm saying is that we should be able to have props that are just OK and still have an edge over other teams because we also have Gallen and Smith acting as pseudo-props.

I think we need to recruit three props to replace Snowden and Douglas. I think we should be able to recruit three and still have money left over because Snowden + Douglas would have been on 700k next year if everything went according to plan. So let's say 3 props on 200k each then you have 100k left over to pay overs for an exciting back or half.

 

[Illawarra Shark]

Here are my ideas for next year.

- Have 4 NRL quality props in the squad at least. This doesn't include Gallen or Smith.
- Gallen, Smith and Tupou start, plus the two props.
- During this period, we affectively have four tight players and you could consider Gallen and Smith hit up men that can take hitups when needed and can defend in the middle when needed. They would affectively be assisting the starting props, meaning the starting props don't need to be of exceptional quality.

The props sub at 20 minutes.
Jeremy Smith goes off at 25 minutes. Bukuya comes on.

At this point we have two props, plus gallen, and two edge back rowers playing. The play goes more lateral. Gallen continues to help the props with hit ups where needed.

Frizel is used to cover injuries to the back rowers and gets a top 17 spot when Tupou's contract finishes.

Affectively what I'm saying is that we should be able to have props that are just OK and still have an edge over other teams because we also have Gallen and Smith acting as pseudo-props.

I think we need to recruit three props to replace Snowden and Douglas. I think we should be able to recruit three and still have money left over because Snowden + Douglas would have been on 700k next year if everything went according to plan. So let's say 3 props on 200k each then you have 100k left over to pay overs for an exciting back or half.

Good post Mark, nice idea

 

[Blair]

MB-
I am sold on everything you have said. I don't know of 3 props that are worth 200K on the market though that will be much better than Cordoba, Vave and Mannah.

 

[stevie013]

willie mason and brent kite

 

[Blair]

I think they would be asking more than 200K though. Otherwise I agree.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

MB-
I am sold on everything you have said. I don't know of 3 props that are worth 200K on the market though that will be much better than Cordoba, Vave and Mannah.

Fair enough. If we have to increase that to 250k and get rid of one of the younger props so be it.

I think we should offer slight unders to all the half decent props that are still available and just see if we get lucky.

It's time to start treating props as dumb cattle like the successful teams do. Let's not get too passionate about which props we'll accept into our team. Let's focus more on which backs are allowed into our team.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Which teams did we all think had the best packs going into this season?

For me it was out of Sharks, Raiders, and Souths.

Now let's look at how those teams are going. **** basically. Time to stop the forward love affair that Ricky brought into the team.

 

[ben]

willie mason and brent kite

Kite is on a reported $250k at manly and mason (believe it or not) is on a reported $153k aus per year, with a $600k per year offer from toulon to play union.

If someone can find more accurate figures - feel free to correct, because to me it does not sound right for mason.

 

[deano the p]

Fair enough. If we have to increase that to 250k and get rid of one of the younger props so be it.

I think we should offer slight unders to all the half decent props that are still available and just see if we get lucky.

It's time to start treating props as dumb cattle like the successful teams do. Let's not get too passionate about which props we'll accept into our team. Let's focus more on which backs are allowed into our team.

I can't agree more about that Mark.

Look at how blokes like Peek and Nutley went for us in 2008 and how we as a team went. You don't need classy props to do well you just need solid props that get through their work. However you do need class in the halves and backs especially come the end of the season.

 

[Christo]

I am a little worried Albert Kelly still hasnt resigned! He goes we are in deep trouble, 3 of our top players all gone! The longer he doesnt resign, the more i reckon he will sign with Souths.

 

[deano the p]

he is a monster, would be a very very handy pick up

yes to crabtree!

Earl would be a great pick up. Hell of a prop.

 

[snowman]

only issue is, he is off contract next year, not for next year... my bad