Luke Rooney a rabbit?

[MattJ]

Just read oevr at the pride that there is a strong rumour doing the rounds that Luke Rooney has now joined his mate Lewis in signing with souths for next season.
Rumour has it, its a 3 year deal.
Im not sure wether or not this is good if its true, the guys been in bad form in recent times, and we desperatly need a full back rather than another winger.
However, a tall man on the wing might be seen as handy, almost a Mellor reincarnation, would be good to have someone to kick to when attacking that may actualy attemp to catch a bomb.
Who knows, a change of scenery could even see him recapture some of his earlier career form?
Still only a rumour at this stage, although apparently a panthers forum has the same rumour circulating on it also, so there could be some truth to it.
What are your thoughts on this as a potential signing people?

 

[Dave Q]

Yeah Matty, this one has been doing the rounds for a few weeks.

I rate him.

 

[Ike E Bear]

If he does sign, it would put a lot of pressure on Hegarty I reckon. If the Bunnies sign a fullback as well, then poor Beau Champion may eventually get squeezed out.

For arguments sake ...
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Luke Lewis (although could be 5/8, I guess)
4. Fetuli Talanoa
5. Luke Rooney

I assume Talanoa will continue his first grade career, as he was resigned on a good contract and is seen as a future prospect.

For this to happen you'd think Vagana would retire, Hegarty might head to the UK (or maybe back to Queensland if he likes), and Champion and Paulson would be relegated to reserves and might be tempted to put themselves out there. Shrug.

I get the feeling that, if the Rooney rumour comes to fruitition, Hodgson is not going to happen ... but if it did, it would certainly be a formible team.

 

[Fibro_Panther]

and Champion and Paulson would be relegated to reserves and might be tempted to put themselves out there

I would have Champion over Paulson.

You guys don't need anymore wingers,you need a fullback.

 

[MattJ]

I would like to think we could keep Champion.
If we didnt sign a fullback, but did get Rooney, i think we would see:

1) Merrit
2) Talanoa
3) Lewis
4) Champion
5) Rooney

In saying that, Merritt is not a fullback, he is a winger, however, i think he is slightly safer with his hands than what Talanoa has shown this year.
There is always the chance Lewis could partner Wing in the halves allowing Talanoa into the centres and Hegarty or Sam Hauihauhau (spelling?) to take a wing position.
Its all just pipe dreaming untill we find out wether any signings are made or not though.

 

[Black Majik]

hehehehe...Richardson is living in the past still huh!??

Rooney is injured more than he plays, concedes to tackles (count how many dominant or surrender tackles he racks up) and has forgotten how to field an attacking bomb!

I was hoping to see him come out of his shell after the origin game (city/country) but he was injured again.

Sad to lose him but we have talent coming through and on less money. He could find his past for elsewhere...personally I think it will be at the Dragons.

 

[griffo346]

Rooney is back this week for Penrith see how he goes then

 

[Dave Q]

My word is that Lewis is almost certainly going to the halves, so it would be Wing and Lewis. Issac Luke back to hooker with George... if retained....as a super-sub or I would try him at Lock with Sutto in for Vags back to his natural playing possie in the backs.

Beau Champion's fate is entirely in his own hands as is Hegs. So far so good for these stars of 2006.

 

[NGR]

My word is that Lewis is almost certainly going to the halves, so it would be Wing and Lewis. Issac Luke back to hooker with George... if retained....as a super-sub or I would try him at Lock with Sutto in for Vags back to his natural playing possie in the backs.

Beau Champion's fate is entirely in his own hands as is Hegs. So far so good for these stars of 2006.

lewis at 5/8... f**k me, not a good idea!

 

[Dave Q]

lewis at 5/8... f**k me, not a good idea!

Possibly half-back is the rumour, believe it or not.

 

[rabbit4ever]

If he does sign, it would put a lot of pressure on Hegarty I reckon. If the Bunnies sign a fullback as well, then poor Beau Champion may eventually get squeezed out.

For arguments sake ...
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Luke Lewis (although could be 5/8, I guess)
4. Fetuli Talanoa
5. Luke Rooney

I assume Talanoa will continue his first grade career, as he was resigned on a good contract and is seen as a future prospect.

For this to happen you'd think Vagana would retire, Hegarty might head to the UK (or maybe back to Queensland if he likes), and Champion and Paulson would be relegated to reserves and might be tempted to put themselves out there. Shrug.

I get the feeling that, if the Rooney rumour comes to fruitition, Hodgson is not going to happen ... but if it did, it would certainly be a formible team.

After watching Champion in the last couple of games i have got a distinct feeling he is going to start living up to the hype that has surrounded him for the past few years.

As i have stated before Paulson shows plenty of heart and a bit of toe but i just feel he is too much of a lightweight to match the big boppers who frequent most opposing backlines these days.

Rooney has showed he has plenty of ability but may well of just gone stale in his current environment. A new club could mean a new lease of life for Luke. I've seen plenty of other players kick on with a change of scenery over the years but unfortunately just not the ones we have signed, they just seem to kick back.

 

[murraymob]

Rooney is a very talented footballer but at Penrith no winger will stand out on the end of a Elliott coached back line. He is a good buy if he goes to the bunnys

 

[Dave Q]

Rooney is a very talented footballer but at Penrith no winger will stand out on the end of a Elliott coached back line. He is a good buy if he goes to the bunnys

I doubt whether there is anybody else in the whole of LU who is as qualified as mob to discuss the merits or otherwise of the player affectionately known as "the camel"

The Panther backline hasnt seen too much ball since 2003 when the old firm, started to fatigue.... from too much football.

Tired and otherwise injured forwards, a spent force, they sadly arrived at spoonville last year. They say that last year, Elliot worked their tired and non-responsive bodies way too hard. They were mentally drained also.

As a result of this long and bitter retreat, panther wingers became estranged and on the outer in terms of game plans.

Luke Rooney remains an exceptional player.

 

[NGR]

Possibly half-back is the rumour, believe it or not.

if he plays anywhere in the halves it will be at the expense of paea... we have missed wing all year someone who would have solved a lot of problems in the halves.. espicially guiding around the team, and would have allowed paea to develop along side him without any added pressure...

if lewis comes, and plays in the halves... those who make the decisions on who plays where (im not even sure anymore) do not deserve there position at the club!

surely common sense will prevail! :?

 

[thehattrickrabbit]

we bought lewis to play centre, I dont think he will be played in the halves.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Rooney is a done deal, my mail is that they are close to Hodgson as well so they are holding off on announcing Rooney so that they can parcel the two together in a single press release.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Bang - just shot my mail man dead! Hodgson off to Huddersfield...

 

[Dave Q]

Bang - just shot my mail man dead! Hodgson off to Huddersfield...

The call of the warm beer and freezing temperatures.

 

[rabbit4ever]

The call of the warm beer and freezing temperatures.

It would take a bit of coin to get me to accept those two conditions Dave. No doubt it took a fair bit to convince Hodgo too. As for Rooney he is only 25, played for NSW and Australia and you don't lose that ability, it is still there just waiting to blossom again. Wayne Bennett has a rap on the guy and that is enough to tell me we should secure his services ASAP. Alongside the talent we have and what we are developing, a Premiers Trophy would be ours in the not too distant future.

 

[Dave Q]

The word is always elusive, cloak and dagger, creepy, a shadowy world where nothing is what it seems!

My source on Lewis is from within the Panther camp. Thats all I can say.

Whether it comes to fruition.....all care taken, no responsibility.

I must admit I was pretty excited about Hodgo, I hadnt heard it but I have a genuine admiration for his enormous talents. You can tell by the way he injects himself into attack and his keen defensive efforts that he has a really good mind for the game.

He's reknown for eating crap food. Turns up with lollies at training. That probably accounts for his often sickly-looking head, but geez, what a player.

I'm sure the poms will love what they see.