Maybe Tomkins Is The Answer For Saints

[gypsy]

Mate I'm just as keen to put faith in our juniors... But we need to have the juniors worth putting faith into!
We have made this mistake for way too long.
Bennett comes and does what we should have done years ago.... Brings in what we lack. And wow... We won a comp. So everyone wants to now go back to the bad ol ways. f**k that makes me laugh.

King and Stanley are our most exciting prospects. But we need some more experienced potency.
Stewart is a great player... But he's an imbecile. Dugan for 2013 is our best bet. But that's a very long shot.

I see your points, but consider this...
Kyle has been in and around the top squad for the past 3 years or so? he's yet to cement a spot. If he doesn't this year, he will leave. He'd get a start at a lot of clubs.

Also, like it or not, in 3 years or so we are going to lose a heap of experience. It's inevitable, that Coops, Hornby, Young, Fien etc. will retire, and that'll leave a huge void.

Now is the time to be filtering a few through, while they have all these old heads around them.

I don't want the Dragons to turn into a Roosters, and be paying 500k for a big name from elsewhere, I don't. Not in the days of the salary cap, it's far too high risk, not to mention Stanley/King/Cummins and co will be still as inexperienced because you've sheltered them far too much, and let them rot in NSW cup.

It's not the end of the world BBC. You and possm are in hysterics! It'll all be ok.

 

[watatank]

you could be right but he had the opportunity to leave last year and ended up signing for another three years

 

[Breathingfire]

he's an imbecile

Have you looked in the mirror lately you sack of shit?:lol:

 

[gypsy]

you could be right but he had the opportunity to leave last year and ended up signing for another three years

Because at that stage, we were losing Boyd most likely, and yet to sign Moltzen or anyone.
You may recall he even publicly said he wanted the 1 jersey next season.
it's not rocket science, he re-signed to play first grade, not to warm benches.

 

[Father Ted]

Because at that stage, we were losing Boyd most likely, and yet to sign Moltzen or anyone.
You may recall he even publicly said he wanted the 1 jersey next season.
it's not rocket science, he re-signed to play first grade, not to warm benches.

Yep bring in Stanley, King and DeBelin followed by Cummins next year Good earlier points made about blooding the next Generation You've made me believe.

 

[Fingerbang]

What doesn't make sense to me, is bbc saying we need juniors who we have the faith in being able to step up....he mentions only Kyle Stanley and Cameron King, but also reckons we need to sign more experience. Even if it takes that spot away from those guys? How is Kyle Stanley going to get any benefit out of losing his spot to say Brett Stewart?

Furthermore, 2 rookies you say could be ready to blood.....leaves 15 spots filled by those with previous first grade experience. How much more experience do you think we need in the team?

 

[gypsy]

What doesn't make sense to me, is bbc saying we need juniors who we have the faith in being able to step up....he mentions only Kyle Stanley and Cameron King, but also reckons we need to sign more experience. Even if it takes that spot away from those guys? How is Kyle Stanley going to get any benefit out of losing his spot to say Brett Stewart?

Furthermore, 2 rookies you say could be ready to blood.....leaves 15 spots filled by those with previous first grade experience. How much more experience do you think we need in the team?

Exactly.

I keep thinking back to the Aussie cricket side, who lost Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Symonds, Gilchrist, Gillespie, Warne, McGrath etc. within a few years. Went from being number 1 by a long way, to barely in the top 5 and getting bowled out for less than 50.
I know its different sports, but unless you bring young blokes through each year...even one or two, this will happen.

 

[Minh]

Dugan, Thurston or Foran, if we can sign one of these guys over the next couple of years we would have done well.

 

[watatank]

Because at that stage, we were losing Boyd most likely, and yet to sign Moltzen or anyone.
You may recall he even publicly said he wanted the 1 jersey next season.
it's not rocket science, he re-signed to play first grade, not to warm benches.

If he was desperate to play first grade plenty of other clubs could've signed him up. Parramatta and the Bulldogs for example would've been in a position to offer him both big money and the 6/7 jersey. At the Dragons it wasn't so straightforward...we had a strong side, Boyd was still a chance of staying, Cooper was off contract and could very well have retired. He could've easily signed on for one or two years and then left when things weren't going his way or tested the market and yet he signed for three years very early on...probably means that he has every intention of staying at the club and is willing to back himself regardless of the situation.

His development is not necessarily going to be straightforward...would've been a couple of years ago but injury stopped that...probably another reason he wanted to stay on

 

[gypsy]

If he was desperate to play first grade plenty of other clubs could've signed him up. Parramatta and the Bulldogs for example would've been in a position to offer him both big money and the 6/7 jersey. At the Dragons it wasn't so straightforward...we had a strong side, Boyd was still a chance of staying, Cooper was off contract and could very well have retired. He could've easily signed on for one or two years and then left when things weren't going his way or tested the market and yet he signed for three years very early on...probably means that he has every intention of staying at the club and is willing to back himself regardless of the situation.

His development is not necessarily going to be straightforward...would've been a couple of years ago but injury stopped that...probably another reason he wanted to stay on

Can't agree. He obviously was happy in the last few years, given the strength of our squad...it was a good apprenticeship for him, however before re-signing, he would have known that in 2012 he'd get a lot more game time and push for a regular start, hence re-signing.

 

[possm]

I think most people on this forum deserve to have a say without others being so nasty. After all most of us here are Dragon supporters and are only giviing their opinion. It is a discussion!

Stanley has been stepping up to the plate for the past few years and is ready for fulltime first grade. Only problem is that he can do best for the Saints as a 6 or 7. This is where he will end up being and this is where he will be brilliant.

Right now Saints have Soward and Hornby filling those first grade spots and there is Fein (NZ International) as back up. Kyle will get his chance this year through good performances off the bench and if Soward or Hornby lose form or cop an injury.

If Saints don't sign a top line fullback to replace Boyd, then Kyle is right up there in the mix for the job however, I BELIEVE it would be in Saints best interest to sign a top line fullback and let Goodwin and Cummins develope their skills and show their form in NSW Cup and NYC respectively.

Bennett has said Kyle's future is in the halves and really the team needs his skills in the halves this year.

For the rest of the up and coming players, they need to be blooded and progressively given their opportunities just like Kyle, Merrin and now De Belin were brought on last year under Bennett. If you bring them on to fast you can burn them.

 

[watatank]

Can't agree. He obviously was happy in the last few years, given the strength of our squad...it was a good apprenticeship for him, however before re-signing, he would have known that in 2012 he'd get a lot more game time and push for a regular start, hence re-signing.

Of course he would expect more game time and he will get more...that doesn't equate to a starting spot all year. He could still be doing what he was doing this year while he develops his body and his game, just have to wait and see.

For example don't be surprised to see something like

1. Vidot
2. Nightingale
3. CStanley
4. Cooper
5. Morris
14. KStanley

Just wanted to make a point for the sake of it really...if it were up to me he'd be fullback and that was with or without Moltzen...just got to be wary of his past with injuries and be very careful with his development so he doesn't break down.

 

[gypsy]

Of course he would expect more game time and he will get more...that doesn't equate to a starting spot all year. He could still be doing what he was doing this year while he develops his body and his game, just have to wait and see.

For example don't be surprised to see something like

1. Vidot
2. Nightingale
3. CStanley
4. Cooper
5. Morris
14. KStanley

Just wanted to make a point for the sake of it really...if it were up to me he'd be fullback and that was with or without Moltzen...just got to be wary of his past with injuries and be very careful with his development so he doesn't break down.

Some very good points there. I think if we want to look after him a bit, and keep him from breaking down, that there's no spot better than fullback. He'd only make a handful of tackles a game and could just chime in whenever.
I think he's a bit green for the halves yet based on his durablilty and the fact he would have to make nearly 20 more tackles a week.

 

[possm]

On Friday Tomkins signed to stay with Super League for the next 3 years. Part of his contract is that he will not play with an NRL team during the period of the contract. So thats the end of any possiblity for Tomkins coming to Saints.

Lets see if Saints are successful in signing Brett Stewart.

 

[gypsy]

On Friday Tomkins signed to stay with Super League for the next 3 years. Part of his contract is that he will not play with an NRL team during the period of the contract. So thats the end of any possiblity for Tomkins coming to Saints.

Lets see if Saints are successful in signing Brett Stewart.

And when we miss Stewart, who then Possm?

Everyone needs to just take a few breaths and calm down I think. The world won't end if we don't sign anyone else. We've got options galore.

 

[possm]

Gypsy,
You've told us your not a fan of Tomkins however, I must say he again impressed in the game against NZ last night.

In the last two internationals he has been a stand out player against two of the three best teams in the world.

Anyway I see your point and I don't entirely disagree. All I have said is that we would be better placed if Saints could sign a top line fullback and at the same time bring on our local junior talant. Myself, I prefer Stanley as a 6 or 7. I think he will be one of the best playing in the halves.

Just look at how the young Manly 6 and 7 have lifted their team to win a title.

 

[gypsy]

Gypsy,
You've told us your not a fan of Tomkins however, I must say he again impressed in the game against NZ last night.

In the last two internationals he has been a stand out player against two of the three best teams in the world.

Anyway I see your point and I don't entirely disagree. All I have said is that we would be better placed if Saints could sign a top line fullback and at the same time bring on our local junior talant. Myself, I prefer Stanley as a 6 or 7. I think he will be one of the best playing in the halves.

Just look at how the young Manly 6 and 7 have lifted their team to win a title.

I never said I wasn't a fan of Tomkins.

I did say he plays well against staggered defensive lines, which is where he made nearly all his impact tonight.

Everyone can surely see that 1) Stanley has struggled stringing games together, and 2) halfback is 5 times the defence of that at fullback.

We have a World club challenge, Grand Final, and 2 minor premiership winning halves combination...if it aint broke, why fix it?

Stanley at fullback (where he will be this season), is a smart move to protect the kid, and to keep Soward and Hornby (2 key members of the spine) together.
Kyle can still play as a second five-eighth, minus the workload.

 

[Bring back choc]

Have you looked in the mirror lately you sack of shit?:lol:

I have actually. And I can look at myself with the knowledge that I
didn't get myself blotto, touch up a young woman and blame my diabetes.
No before you start calling people sacks of shit I suggest you try and use the limited amount if brain cells you you have.


You f**king knob jockey.

 

[Bring back choc]

I never said I wasn't a fan of Tomkins.

I did say he plays well against staggered defensive lines, which is where he made nearly all his impact tonight.

Everyone can surely see that 1) Stanley has struggled stringing games together, and 2) halfback is 5 times the defence of that at fullback.

We have a World club challenge, Grand Final, and 2 minor premiership winning halves combination...if it aint broke, why fix it?

Stanley at fullback (where he will be this season), is a smart move to protect the kid, and to keep Soward and Hornby (2 key members of the spine) together.
Kyle can still play as a second five-eighth, minus the workload.

There wasn't a position for Kyle this year. Even with the injuries he had, fully fit there just wasn't a spot.
I would say he's struggled to find a starting positon. He never had the chance! Next year is his first real shot.

 

[gypsy]

There wasn't a position for Kyle this year. Even with the injuries he had, fully fit there just wasn't a spot.
I would say he's struggled to find a starting positon. He never had the chance! Next year is his first real shot.

Definitely! Just looking forward to seeing it.

Everyone is linking us to every fullback in the world seemingly, the possm is hysterical, running more polls than a Federal Election.
Just want to see how the players we've got go before making any unnecessary buys.

I keep using the Inglis example. Brisbane dodged a 400k bullet there, would they buy an Inglis now? no chance.