I can't believe we've spent all our money

[Nuffy]

It seems that we are now focussing on resigning players from within the club, I draw that conclusion based on the fact that Smiths comments seem to suggest hes happy with the pickups.

I must say that whilst the mix shows some potential and overall its a good strengthening, I for one am pretty disappointed that after claiming to have buckets of money to spend, we've failed to land any true marquee players.

Our outside back quality still seems thin, theres not a genuine established strike player amongst them, and thats a massive worry based on this years performance.

I am also perplexed at where all the moneys gone, if we'd upgraded a number of the key juniors contracts then I'd understand but the reality is that we haven't.

Whilst its a better outcome than previous years, its a bit anticlimatic, we were expected to be a major player in the market and it hasn't turned out that way.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

You may be right. I hope not though.

 

[reginald.p]

I'm not worried that we haven't signed any marquee players, paying Brent Tate 400k a year like the warriors have done is ridiculous imo. But yeah losing established first graders like Johns, Perry, Woolnough, Newton and Abraham. And only replacing them with cross, Wicks and Naiquama doesn't seem quite right.

I doubt we have finished our recruitment just yet. Also dont forget we have resigned Seu Seu, Patterson, walsh and Tolar to upgraded contracts as well.

 

[Johns Magic]

It seems that we are now focussing on resigning players from within the club, I draw that conclusion based on the fact that Smiths comments seem to suggest hes happy with the pickups.

I must say that whilst the mix shows some potential and overall its a good strengthening, I for one am pretty disappointed that after claiming to have buckets of money to spend, we've failed to land any true marquee players.

Our outside back quality still seems thin, theres not a genuine established strike player amongst them, and thats a massive worry based on this years performance.

I am also perplexed at where all the moneys gone, if we'd upgraded a number of the key juniors contracts then I'd understand but the reality is that we haven't.

Whilst its a better outcome than previous years, its a bit anticlimatic, we were expected to be a major player in the market and it hasn't turned out that way.

For f**ks sake.

Smith has said he still thinks there's a couple more signings to come.

 

[Alex28]

There was talk of topping up a few players contracts this year so we have more available for future years too. Perhaps the decision has been made that there is just not that much available and we'll go shopping again next year.

 

[macavity]

Cross is our marquee signing for the year

(yeah I know...)

but regardless, as JM said, there will be one or two more to come.

and I dont think we are resigned to losing Perry just yet....

 

[CJKnight]

It seems that we are now focussing on resigning players from within the club, I draw that conclusion based on the fact that Smiths comments seem to suggest hes happy with the pickups.

I must say that whilst the mix shows some potential and overall its a good strengthening, I for one am pretty disappointed that after claiming to have buckets of money to spend, we've failed to land any true marquee players.

Our outside back quality still seems thin, theres not a genuine established strike player amongst them, and thats a massive worry based on this years performance.

I am also perplexed at where all the moneys gone, if we'd upgraded a number of the key juniors contracts then I'd understand but the reality is that we haven't.

Whilst its a better outcome than previous years, its a bit anticlimatic, we were expected to be a major player in the market and it hasn't turned out that way.

I noticed Amos Roberts is off contract. An article in Big League mentioned the Roosters were making a big play at Civo to join O'Meley there next year and might have to sacrifice Roberts to allow room in the salary cap. If he is not a strike player, I don't know who is.

 

[Jono078]

I've always rated Roberts.

But I think we need a centre more than a winger...

Our real only centre option imo is Adam MacDougall and maybe James McManus. I dont like Naiqama as a centre, but as a winger he's fantastic.

 

[macavity]

little doogs is a top centre when he gets going and has some confidence - he was the only thing souths had there for a while.

dont underestimate some of the guys we have coming up - Simon Williams in particular will be a star (and might be ready for next year), but Ryan Lamb is one for 3 years time or so - and I bet Roopy could list another half dozen.... I also think we could turn Jimmy Mc or even Hinton into a more than capable centre.

I don't get the Naiqama hate - I didnt think he was that bad at centre (but still think Jimmy will be better there).

honestly think we only *need* one more prop and a backup half - if we re-signed sponge and got scotty onto another deal, and maybe Abes as a bonus, that would do me.

 

[Jobdog]

On the "backup half" thing, I wonder if we'll look at getting Joel Burraston back? He was forced to leave a year or two back even though he didn't want to. I have it on good authority that he hasn't enjoyed himself at Norths and he'd come back here in a heartbeat - we only need to ask him.

 

[macavity]

well daddy being the new CEO (or whatever the hell they call it) wont hurt

apparently hasn't been setting the world on fire down there though.

who knows!

 

[Jobdog]

He was also heard to have said "I don't want to come back to Newcastle because of dad. I want to come back here because I'm good enough" which I think is a fair call.

 

[borat]

According to Doust in SMH today, to match what Newcastle were offering Danny Wicks would have put him in our top 5 wage earners, apparently around 250K +.

Doust said that the Knights doubled what we offered Houseton, rumoured to be 500K for 3 years.

IMO Houston is a fair enough contract to convince him to change clubs and will be a good player. However you seem to have paid massive overs for Wicks.

 

[roopy]

According to Doust in SMH today, to match what Newcastle were offering Danny Wicks would have put him in our top 5 wage earners, apparently around 250K +.

Doust said that the Knights doubled what we offered Houseton, rumoured to be 500K for 3 years.

IMO Houston is a fair enough contract to convince him to change clubs and will be a good player. However you seem to have paid massive overs for Wicks.

well if it comes from Doust - i suppose it must be true

 

[borat]

well if it comes from Doust - i suppose it must be true

The 250K figure has come from a reliable source on WORL and what Doust says just backs it up.

This thread is called "I can't beleive we've spent all our money".

 

[macavity]

:lol: at believing anything that comes from Doust

excuses coming thick and fast....

 

[borat]

250K for Wicks, 400K for Cross, 166K for Houston. And you wonder where the money has gone :roll:

 

[borat]

But I guess if I am wrong there should be some big name signings soon?

 

[TooheysNew]

Either that or it's the way it always has been, and there's not really anyone else Smith wants... :roll:

 

[borat]

Either that or it's the way it always has been, and there's not really anyone else Smith wants... :roll:

I never knew how people thought Smith was a coach to go for big name players. Over the time he coached the Dragons and for the majority of eels, bar his one attempt to buy a premiership, he has always opted to purchase no name players and seems to be able to get the most out of them.

The Dragons in the early/mid 90's never had star players just played really well as a team.