Lincoln Withers Canberra bound?¿?

[greeneyed]

Today's CT says the Raiders are making a play for Withers and are keen to keep Smith.

The report says the Raiders want an extra play maker in the ranks and Withers is at the top of the list. But Don Furner Jnr has denied the club plans to release Tyran Smith to the Dragons in a player swap. The club has reviewed its cap for 2005 and has room for one more signing. They want more depth in hooker or halfback and the club has been talking to the Dragons' Withers, Souths half Dean Byrne and former Raider Jason Ferris.

Withers, born in Canberra and a Raiders junior, played all 25 NRL games with the Dragons this year and is still contracted to the club. St George have, however, given him permission to negotiate with other teams, as they want more backrow depth.

Don Furner said the Raiders had not initiated any moves to release Tyran Smith. The Raiders preference is to keep Smith and sign one of Withers, Byrne or Ferris.

Ferris, 28, is currently with the Collegians club in the Illawarra league; they recently won the premiership. He started his career with the Raiders in 1996 and has played with the Cowboys, the Sharks and Sea Eagles.

Byrne, 22, is the Souths PL halfback and has played 6 NRL matches.

The Raiders are also looking to fill more spots in lower grades with 200 players invited to trial at Raiders HQ on Saturday.


The new Raiders so far:

Matt Adamson (Leeds, UK)
Jason Smith (Hull, UK)
Craig Frawley (Broncos)
David Howell (Dragons)
Michael Howell (Dragons)
Jermaine Ale (Roosters)
Damon Alley Tovio (Souths)
Bronx Goodwin (Sharks)
Ryan Hinchcliffe (Eels)
Clint Hill (Port Kembla)
Ben Jones (Redcliffe, Brisbane)

 

[raidersfan]

I'd rather Byrne over Ferris.

 

[hrundi99]

I like the fact that they're being quite transparent about what they're doing.

It may drive a few prices up though...?

 

[skeepe]

Who are Ryan Hinchcliffe, Clint Hill and Ben Jones?

 

[Kris_man]

Don Furner Jnr: Do you even watch Raiders games?!?! get rid of Tyran Smith!!!!!!

 

[Steven Gerrard]

Who are Ryan Hinchcliffe, Clint Hill and Ben Jones?

Rugby League Players....

 

[jed]

Who are Ryan Hinchcliffe, Clint Hill and Ben Jones?

Hinchcliffe is a Parra junior player. A number of their fans are quite annoyed that another up & coming junior has been let go.

 

[I Bleed Green]

Ben Jones is a big backrower who has played in the QLD Cup, he's pretty good apparently.

No idea on the other bloke.

 

[Raider_69]

Prop thanks Raiders management

 

[mike83au]

Who are Ryan Hinchcliffe, Clint Hill and Ben Jones?

Rugby League Players....

Phew.... one step up from some of the shit we've recruited in the past...

 

[Steven Gerrard]

Prop thanks Raiders management

Hopefully his better than Ben Cross...

 

[Raider_69]

*shakes head*
:evil: :evil: :evil:

 

[thickos]

Ben Cross was born too late: he would have killed it in the 80's....

 

[ball boy]

ur a little smart ass 2005 shut your mouth

 

[Kris_man]

we don't need another prop with guys like weyman and cross, plus versatile back rowers like hindmarsh, hodgson and adamson. a hooker/half, imo, is exactly what we need.

 

[raiders_lover_18]

ur a little smart ass 2005 shut your mouth

:shock: :lol: :lol:

 

[Tidus_Raider]

I would prefer Withers over Byrne or Ferris. At least he is proven at NRL level. And FFS get rid of T. Smith already!!

 

[Kris_man]

This from the NRL Forum's "Rumour signings" thread:

Just some Info on Lincoln Withers, it appears that the Tigers will not pursue their interest in Withers, leaving the door wide open for the Raiders to pick him up.

go and get him Raiders, now's your chance. If you don't, i may not ever forgive you...

 

[hrundi99]

You would think that the budget for Withers would need to be bigger than for the likes of Byrne.

Is there enough cash left if we don't give Tyran the flick? That's the question.

 

[I Bleed Green]

Many people will disagree with me, but I think we should keep Tyran Smith. If he could work out his handling and propensity to have a brain explosion and give away a couple of stupid penalties a game, he would be a great player. He's the type of physical player we're lacking now that Wiki and Davico have moved on. Even though he had a couple of absurd brain explosions during the Roosters final, I loved how he went out there and tried to destroy the Roosters by beating the crap out of them. If he could just control his aggression and his handling he's be OK.