Sam Williams

[Minh]

We might already have a really good one in Drinkwater time will tell. If he turns out to be exceptional we may even win a premiership with the kid some day.

 

[Steelman]

They're waging war with Parramatta to keep Josh Papalii, and the Canberra Raiders could soon have another battle on their hands with Canterbury poised to pounce on halfback Sam Williams.
Williams, 21, is off contract at the end of this season, and Fairfax Media understands the Bulldogs are watching with interest as his negotiations with Canberra progress slowly.
Canberra chief executive Don Furner admitted on Tuesday the Williams situation is unlikely to be resolved until a few weeks into the season.
Williams' manager, Paul Sutton, met with Raiders management last Tuesday to hold initial talks.
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Sutton warned Canberra that Williams is in high demand should it fail to lock him up soon, with a host of clubs desperate to snare a long-term halfback.
The Cooma product will start the year in the halves alongside Josh McCrone, with Canberra's marquee playmaker Terry Campese not expected back for at least a month.
Strong early form will only increase his bargaining power with rival clubs, especially given the dearth of available quality young halves.
Former premiership halfback Matt Orford joined the Bulldogs as a skills coach this season, and endured an injury-plagued season at Canberra in 2011. He was an unabashed fan of Williams' potential at Canberra, at one point comparing his temperament to that of ''a young Cameron Smith''.
Williams has also been linked to Penrith and St George Illawarra, two sides severely lacking in quality halves depth.
But the Bulldogs are ready to strike should the Raiders hesitate to sign him. Fairfax Media understands Trent Hodkinson is the Canterbury player most under threat should it snare Williams.
Canberra's talks with Williams have been complicated by a series of variables, particularly how well Campese returns from a knee injury and the progress of highly-rated under-20s halves Anthony Milford and Mitch Cornish.
''We've just held preliminary talks with his manager,'' Furner said. ''It [strong interest] is not something we wouldn't anticipate, it's not like that would be a surprise.''
It's not the first time the Bulldogs have aggressively pursued a high-profile Raiders star.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler was believed to be interested in fullback Josh Dugan after he moved from Manly to Belmore last year. Dugan eventually signed a two-year, $1.3 million extension with the Raiders, making him the club's highest-paid player.
It also remains unclear whether Papalii will decide to stay in Canberra or jump to the Eels before the end of the week.
''I honestly don't know [if he'll stay],'' Furner said. ''Parramatta could pick up the phone tomorrow and move the goal posts again.''
Williams insisted his uncertain future won't prove a distraction.
''You don't think about that stuff too much and we're pretty professional these days, I'd like to think,'' Williams said


Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rug...berra-raids-20130305-2fjf3.html#ixzz2MiD9fOCA

What do think Dragons fans? I know we were previously linked to him. IMO he should be our primary target for next season. Has a bright future and would be worth opening the check book pursuing. Best option in terms of longevity and talent

If the dogs want williams dragons r no chance of signing him....doust will sign second best aways does....

 

[Johnny-b-Goode]

Sick of hearing that crap..... Who did we miss out on... Cronk... That's it, and he just wanted to stay with Bellamy, had nothing to do with us at all.. Just because players use our club to increase their price while negos doesn't mean we chased them..

 

[Steelman]

Sick of hearing that crap..... Who did we miss out on... Cronk... That's it, and he just wanted to stay with Bellamy, had nothing to do with us at all.. Just because players use our club to increase their price while negos doesn't mean we chased them..

Johnny if that argument makes u feel better then u keep on believing. But if wasnt for the illawarra junior nursery the dragons would b well and truely up shit creek.. Its obvious Doust and Young struggle to sign any star players always have. Hence their reliance on local juniors who mostly sign for less money to stay with their local team. And why wouldnt u want to live in gods country. We love the Gong.....

 

[Johnny-b-Goode]

Johnny if that argument makes u feel better then u keep on believing. But if wasnt for the illawarra junior nursery the dragons would b well and truely up shit creek.. Its obvious Doust and Young struggle to sign any star players always have. Hence their reliance on local juniors who mostly sign for less money to stay with their local team. And why wouldnt u want to live in gods country. We love the Gong.....

You're a tosser...

So this off season saints signed no one... Oh wait, we signed 2 kiwi internationals and 2 rising stars... I could start a list of the star players we have signed but won't bother with a twat like you..

If it wasn't for StGeorge buddy, the steelers would not even be a memory... And I am from the gong!

And it's these other "star" signings and these local juniors both stgeorge and Illawarra, that you look down on that got us a premiership 2 yrs ago! Short memories!:crazy::crazy:

 

[big pat]

Johnny if that argument makes u feel better then u keep on believing. But if wasnt for the illawarra junior nursery the dragons would b well and truely up shit creek.. Its obvious Doust and Young struggle to sign any star players always have. Hence their reliance on local juniors who mostly sign for less money to stay with their local team. And why wouldnt u want to live in gods country. We love the Gong.....

here we go again, us vs the steelers, give it a rest, its been done ad nauseam.

 

[St.Mono]

refer to another thread - Dragons after Hodkinson..

I have it on good authority that Doust did make an approach, but the dogs refused due to lack of depth in that position....so no early release, unless the dogs sign someone else

 

[LOYAL DRAGON]

I have it on good authority that Doust did make an approach, but the dogs refused due to lack of depth in that position....so no early release, unless the dogs sign someone else

Thank goodness

 

[Dr Fruitbasket Returns]

I have it on good authority that Doust did make an approach, but the dogs refused due to lack of depth in that position....so no early release, unless the dogs sign someone else

Thank the f***ing Lord for that. Can we get ComoConnection to get his insiders to guarantee the deal is happening just so that we can be 100% sure it doesn't.

 

[DirtyHarry]

The blessings continue to fall
The Scum are imploding
Hodkinson stays with the dogs
Maybe Thurston is asking for an early release to join us

 

[Mr Red]

I have it on good authority that Doust did make an approach, but the dogs refused due to lack of depth in that position....so no early release, unless the dogs sign someone else

thats the whole point of the thread.. until the dogs sign Williams they wont release Hodkinson to the dragons...
here's hoping they never release him..

 

[BennyV]

Williams would be great for us, but apparently if we can't get him, who else do we look at?
Thurston - OBVIOUSLY would be a great buy for anyone, but it's not really the Dragons style to spend overs on established stars (hater argue all you want, but history shows we buy/develop potential talent and bring it through)
Reynolds - Don't rate him as highly as some; suspect in defence, prone to give penalties, will struggle without Barba
Carney - Could be a possibility for the right price. Running game would compliment Drinkwater OR Soward, but can't see him leaving Sharks
Widdop - Again, would be a great buy, but chasing him would lead to further heartbreak a la Cronk, Bellamy
Norman - Should be aimed at. Lots of potential and with the right halfback and right opportunity, could be a potent attacking weapon. Would definitely compliment Stanley, Beale, etc

The rest are Pearce, Morgan, Robson, Roberts, Mortimer...none of whom are worth it IMO. So we stick with Sowie and Drinkwater, cross our fingers with Stanley, and see who comes up the next yer.

On a related note - it says on the Dragons site that Quinlan plays 5/8, has anyone seen that? He seemed pretty potent in the Cowboys trial (by all reports) and with competition from Beale/Cummins, it might be in his best interest to focus his energy there...

 

[DirtyHarry]

weren't we supposedly sniffing around Townsend from the scum. I think he comes off contract at the end of 2013. Although they may extend his contract by another year as a part of their please don't sue us for giving you drugs campaign

 

[LOYAL DRAGON]

weren't we supposedly sniffing around Townsend from the scum. I think he comes off contract at the end of 2013. Although they may extend his contract by another year as a part of their please don't sue us to for giving you drugs campaign

Or release me to saints other wise I will sue;-)

 

[Como Connection]

Thank the f***ing Lord for that. Can we get ComoConnection to get his insiders to guarantee the deal is happening just so that we can be 100% sure it doesn't.

Sorry no info on this deal. Hope we don't sign him.

 

[Sandy point dragon]

It's not Thurston, believe it or not he's going to Penrith
Gould convinced him that he won't get a media job staying
in banjo land ( Nth QLD ) but he can line it up if he signs for Penrith

 

[goggles]

I'd rather Williams than Thurstan, for 2 reasons. Firstly, we can build with and around him for the long term future. Secondly, it leaves money in the kitty to sure up other areas we are in need of.
If the chocolate soldiers do break the bank and sign him and God forbid, he should get injured, they are going to be up creek with no paddle all over again...

 

[Guvner]

f**k off mate. I could have signed Gaz when he returned, he was a local boy and wanted to return, and did so for a paltry 55k. Long before Hasler came to Canterbury, the Bulldogs were active and efficient in the player market. The very signing of Hasler is one example. Doust is a dud!

LOL! What good did that activity in the market do them before Hasler got there? They were shite and had a bunch of rubbish players on inflated contracts. You want to know how they got Hasler, Bennett. Greenberg didn't even know he was unhappy at Manly till Bennett told him. Our recruitment has been fine this year, we need a coach. You want to know why we have gaps at half and centre now? Look at the players Bennett let go. We have kept our quality local product despite outside interest. Greenberg is a myth, Hasler and cleal have cleaned up the mess Moore and Greenberg created.

 

[Sandy point dragon]

If the Cronulla Wobbegong's collapse I'd be after Carney a deal could be done (Arthur Daley style)
and I've got a feeling there will be a few more bargains when they start doing the
other clubs involved. This could get interesting

 

[Breathingfire]

LOL! What good did that activity in the market do them before Hasler got there? They were shite and had a bunch of rubbish players on inflated contracts. You want to know how they got Hasler, Bennett. Greenberg didn't even know he was unhappy at Manly till Bennett told him. Our recruitment has been fine this year, we need a coach. You want to know why we have gaps at half and centre now? Look at the players Bennett let go. We have kept our quality local product despite outside interest. Greenberg is a myth, Hasler and cleal have cleaned up the mess Moore and Greenberg created.

Oust Doust