Our recruitment and retention blunders

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Easts management made a whopper of a decision when they let Premier League premiership winning half/five eighth Luke Dorn go to London and retained his dud half back partner Brett Firman. Somebody at the Roosters thinks any half back with the first name Brett must be good. Luke Dorn is burning the house down over there, with his brilliant attacking play. He could have sparked our attack and would have been a perfect alternative to Finchy.

When you think of all the available Raiders players that Easts might have bought, you have to wonder why Brett Finch was chosen ahead of Mark McLinden. Again, "Marty," or Super Mac as he was known for a while in the NRL, is a player also burning the house down in England, also with Luke Dorn for the de facto Aussie expat club formerly known as the London Broncos, recently renamed Harlequins Rugby League. The guy has wonderful attacking skills.

Then to go back to a slightly earlier era: why the hell did we ever let go of David Solomona? "Solo" was a wonderful player for the Roosters. He and Matt Sing were the only two who made any impression in attack against the Broncos in the 2000 Grand Final. I have watched "Solo" play in England, and for the Kiwis. He is a master. He has kept Wakefield from relegation with his classy attacking play. "Solo" made an idiot of the Australian Kangaroo forwards in November, and that included Fitzy. I would bring him back any day in place of one of the current second rowers.

Now we let 21 year old Richard Faaoso, who is a real talent, go to Castleford.

I am very pleased with Ricky Stuart's decision for the acquisition of Anthony Tupou and Famous Amos, who are both top class players. Adrian Morley was also a big gift for us from our previous coach. But at the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that too many key player retention and recruitment decisions over the past five years have been a disaster for us.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

Luke Dorn was rubbish as is Fa'aoso.. The reason Dorn is starring is that he is playing in a second rate comp.. Even Nat Wood is still starring over there, perhaps even Adrian Vowles is still carving up..

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Luke Dorn was rubbish as is Fa'aoso.. The reason Dorn is starring is that he is playing in a second rate comp.. Even Nat Wood is still starring over there, perhaps even Adrian Vowles is still carving up..

Vowles retired long ago.

If Fa'aoso is rubbish then so is Ricky Stuart and the entire Roosters coaching staff. I have seen the guy play for the Roosters and I consider him a talented young player with huge potential. Luke Dorn starred in the Premier League for the Roosters and he is now in a first rate club in a top rate competition, with the likes of Mark McLinden pushed to full back but available to replace him had he been rubbish.

Andrew Johns does not think Super League is a second rate competition, so who are you to contradict the maestro?

 

[ozzie]

Vowles retired long ago.

If Fa'aoso is rubbish then so is Ricky Stuart and the entire Roosters coaching staff. I have seen the guy play for the Roosters and I consider him a talented young player with huge potential. Luke Dorn starred in the Premier League for the Roosters and he is now in a first rate club in a top rate competition, with the likes of Mark McLinden pushed to full back but available to replace him had he been rubbish.

Andrew Johns does not think Super League is a second rate competition, so who are you to contradict the maestro?

Solomano was bought by Parramatta and we got Cayless for him. Solo promised a lot but when he went to Parramatta along with Widers we got the better of the deal. He was a lazy trainer with Parramatta and then he went to England - he didn't go from here to England.

Luke Dorn at his best with Manly was an average border line first grader did nothing with us but that was because players had worked him out.

Mark McLinden would be good in a game of touch because he certainly can't tackle. I also think Canberra let him go for other reasons, team player maybe...not

 

[melon....]

Easts management made a whopper of a decision when they let Premier League premiership winning half/five eighth Luke Dorn go to London and retained his dud half back partner Brett Firman. Somebody at the Roosters thinks any half back with the first name Brett must be good. Luke Dorn is burning the house down over there, with his brilliant attacking play. He could have sparked our attack and would have been a perfect alternative to Finchy.

When you think of all the available Raiders players that Easts might have bought, you have to wonder why Brett Finch was chosen ahead of Mark McLinden. Again, "Marty," or Super Mac as he was known for a while in the NRL, is a player also burning the house down in England, also with Luke Dorn for the de facto Aussie expat club formerly known as the London Broncos, recently renamed Harlequins Rugby League. The guy has wonderful attacking skills.

Then to go back to a slightly earlier era: why the hell did we ever let go of David Solomona? "Solo" was a wonderful player for the Roosters. He and Matt Sing were the only two who made any impression in attack against the Broncos in the 2000 Grand Final. I have watched "Solo" play in England, and for the Kiwis. He is a master. He has kept Wakefield from relegation with his classy attacking play. "Solo" made an idiot of the Australian Kangaroo forwards in November, and that included Fitzy. I would bring him back any day in place of one of the current second rowers.

Now we let 21 year old Richard Faaoso, who is a real talent, go to Castleford.

I am very pleased with Ricky Stuart's decision for the acquisition of Anthony Tupou and Famous Amos, who are both top class players. Adrian Morley was also a big gift for us from our previous coach. But at the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that too many key player retention and recruitment decisions over the past five years have been a disaster for us.

The fact you rate Solomona, is enough for me to stop reading this crap. We dont need lazy ill disciplined fat forwards that force passes.

 

[Raider_69]

Mark McLinden would be good in a game of touch because he certainly can't tackle. I also think Canberra let him go for other reasons, team player maybe...not

Canberra let him go because he had often talked about travelling and playing in england while he was still realitively young, so when he got a huge offer, we didnt want to stand in the way of his dream. No other reason

 

[ozzie]

Canberra let him go because he had often talked about travelling and playing in england while he was still realitively young, so when he got a huge offer, we didnt want to stand in the way of his dream. No other reason

tell that to the guys at work in Canberra who follow the Raiders and you would hear another story

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Solomano was bought by Parramatta and we got Cayless for him. Solo promised a lot but when he went to Parramatta along with Widers we got the better of the deal. He was a lazy trainer with Parramatta and then he went to England - he didn't go from here to England.

Luke Dorn at his best with Manly was an average border line first grader did nothing with us but that was because players had worked him out.

Mark McLinden would be good in a game of touch because he certainly can't tackle. I also think Canberra let him go for other reasons, team player maybe...not

I did not mention Dean Widders. He is a star off the bench for Parramatta and one of the boom forwards in 2005. We should never have let him go.

Hard to imagine a man who can't tackle being made captain of a Super League team. Watch McLinden play for Harlequins against St Helens next weekend. He will have plenty of opportunities to show if he can tackle or not.

Go to the Canberra Raiders thread about whether they miss Mark McLinden. Overwhelming majority do. No one of the Raiders fans has suggested that he cannot tackle. And they watched him every week, which I am sure you didn't.

Perhaps you are confusing Marty with the other Super Mac, Andrew McFadden?

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Players and Support Staff

This sections of the website gives you biographies of the Quins RL squad, coaching staff, Academy players and office staff.

Mark McLinden

Originally a junior at West Belconnen Warriors, Mark represented Australian Schoolboys in 1996-97, prior to signing for his hometown club, Canberra Raiders in 1998. Such was Mark's impact on the big stage that he was named NRL Rookie of the Year after his first season.

Additionally in 1998 Mark was selected for the Australian Junior Kangaroos squad. After six years and over 160 NRL appearances at the Raiders, Mark signed for London Broncos in November 2004.

Mark is lightening quick on his feet and he has the reputation of being able to turn a game in an instant. Agile and supremely athletic, Mark has been described by Australia Test coach Ricky Stuart as "a player who can score tries out of nowhere."

Mark has vast experience in the game, including having played on five occasions in the NRL play-off series. Originally a scrum-half, Mark showed his versatility during 2005 by playing firstly at hooker and later in exciting fashion at full-back.

Appointed team captain in his first season in the Capital, Mark is a fine ambassador for Quins RL. Musically Mark likes Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, while also enjoying travelling and reading.

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Luke Dorn joined Manly Warringah first grade at age 19 and left for the Roosters at age 21. Not everyone can blossom at age 18 like Sonny Bill and Benji. Remember that Bryan Fletcher was an unknown Paddington Colts player for years and only hit the big time with the Roosters at age 25.

Luke Dorn began starring in Britain at age 23. He is now 24.

Luke Dorn

Luke joined London Broncos in November 2004 from the Sydney Roosters. With junior experience at Morpeth Bulls, Luke signed for the Northern Eagles (Manly) NRL side in 2002, making 19 first grade appearances in his maiden season, and earning a nomination for NRL Rookie of the Year.

Injury problems in 2003 led to restricted opportunities and for the 2004 NRL campaign Luke moved to the Roosters. With first grade opportunities at Sydney restricted owing to the form of top class half-back pairing Finch and Fittler;

Luke spent 2004 playing a leading role, together with Tyrone Smith, in the Roosters reserve grade side where he contributed to a Roosters reserve grade Grand Final win. In 2005 Luke made the transition to Super League in brilliant fashion, scoring 24 tries in his debut London season.

A creative player with a fine passing game, the combination of Luke with fellow half-backs Thomas Leuluai and Mark McLinden is a mouth watering prospect for all Quins RL fans in 2006.


Luke's Details: Squad Number:6
Place of Birth: Maitland, Australia
Position: Half-Back, Five eighth.
Weight: 13st 3lbs (84Kg)
Height: 5' 9" (1.75m)
Date of Birth: 02/07/1982
Former Clubs: Northern Eagles (Manly) (2002-2003) 19A, 2T, Sydney Roosters (2004) 1A

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Tyrone Smith

Tyrone signed for London in November 2004 and is widely regarded as being one of the next generation of Rugby league stars. A centre, with some experience at stand-off, Tyrone served a Rugby league apprenticeship at leading NRL side Sydney Roosters.

A younger brother of Australian Wallaby flanker George Smith, Tyrone himself played his early rugby in the Union code, touring the UK in 2002 with the Australian Schoolboys.

Turning to Rugby league with the Roosters in 2002, Tyrone was part of the winning junior side in the Jersey Flegg premiership. Graduating to reserve grade Tyrone impressed many judges and in October 2004 he played, with Luke Dorn, a leading role in the Roosters reserve grade Grand Final, scoring a try in the 30-8 victory over St. George-Illawarra.

A sound defender, with exciting attacking ability and a great fend, Tyrone made an impressive start to his career in London, attracting notable attention during his maiden Super League season.

In October 2005 Tyrone made his full international bow, scoring two tries for Tonga in their 34-20 victory over Samoa. Tyrone enjoys computer games and Hip-Hop music.


Tyrone's Details:
Squad Number:4
Place of Birth: Manly, Australia
Position:Centre
Weight:14st 5lbs (91Kg)
Height:5' 10" (1.78m)
Date of Birth:12/05/1983
Former Clubs:Sydney Roosters (2002-2004)
Joined Club:01/11/2004

 

[byrne_rovelli_fan82]

Easts management made a whopper of a decision when they let Premier League premiership winning half/five eighth Luke Dorn go to London and retained his dud half back partner Brett Firman. Somebody at the Roosters thinks any half back with the first name Brett must be good. Luke Dorn is burning the house down over there, with his brilliant attacking play. He could have sparked our attack and would have been a perfect alternative to Finchy.

When you think of all the available Raiders players that Easts might have bought, you have to wonder why Brett Finch was chosen ahead of Mark McLinden. Again, "Marty," or Super Mac as he was known for a while in the NRL, is a player also burning the house down in England, also with Luke Dorn for the de facto Aussie expat club formerly known as the London Broncos, recently renamed Harlequins Rugby League. The guy has wonderful attacking skills.

Then to go back to a slightly earlier era: why the hell did we ever let go of David Solomona? "Solo" was a wonderful player for the Roosters. He and Matt Sing were the only two who made any impression in attack against the Broncos in the 2000 Grand Final. I have watched "Solo" play in England, and for the Kiwis. He is a master. He has kept Wakefield from relegation with his classy attacking play. "Solo" made an idiot of the Australian Kangaroo forwards in November, and that included Fitzy. I would bring him back any day in place of one of the current second rowers.

Now we let 21 year old Richard Faaoso, who is a real talent, go to Castleford.

I am very pleased with Ricky Stuart's decision for the acquisition of Anthony Tupou and Famous Amos, who are both top class players. Adrian Morley was also a big gift for us from our previous coach. But at the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that too many key player retention and recruitment decisions over the past five years have been a disaster for us.

I believe that is a pretty fair judgement and one that is also quite true. Although the Roosters isn't the only club doing it either.

 

[Chook]

Two of the most recent worst recruitment and retention decisions have to be Walker and Finch.

Chook.

 

[ozzie]

To Mr Albert

and McLinden still can't tackle in a real game of footy and I have been watching league for no doubt several more years than you - no doubt you also played first grade footy..like I did.

I would say I have had more hot dinners than you have watched a footy game

 

[ozzie]

Two of the most recent worst recruitment and retention decisions have to be Walker and Finch.

Chook.

you going down to some games this year..I couldn't make a few last year and the year before because of illness but right to go now if you have a spare seat occassionally. Will be in Bangkok for first game - will send you a pm later

 

[kbw]

Solomona and Widders are 2 unfit buggers who didn't fit into a game plan based on fitness. Parra have basically all but died in the ass at the end of each season. Why, well many reasons Brian Smith being much of it but fat unfit bastards certainly fits in there somewhere.
McLinden, a touchfootball player who is a serial troublemaker.

Its English Super League they are playing in, ever watch it, it is not the second best comp in the world. Brisbane footy (no matter how ordinary) is probably better.
Its full of old past it never beens and dirty little poms, Gower really should have gone there. Don't get me wrong there are some class players playing over there but it just is not close to the NRL.

Don't give me the Andrew John's says crap, hell they paid a bucket load of money, what else is he going to say, "its crap" , then there will be no chance he will get any more money from them.

I agree its not a bad thing to discuss this topic, I just think you've picked some ordinary examples.

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Solomona and Widders are 2 unfit buggers who didn't fit into a game plan based on fitness. Parra have basically all but died in the ass at the end of each season. Why, well many reasons Brian Smith being much of it but fat unfit bastards certainly fits in there somewhere.

McLinden, a touchfootball player who is a serial troublemaker.

Its English Super League they are playing in, ever watch it, it is not the second best comp in the world. Brisbane footy (no matter how ordinary) is probably better.
Its full of old past it never beens and dirty little poms, Gower really should have gone there. Don't get me wrong there are some class players playing over there but it just is not close to the NRL.

Don't give me the Andrew John's says crap, hell they paid a bucket load of money, what else is he going to say, "its crap" , then there will be no chance he will get any more money from them.

I agree its not a bad thing to discuss this topic, I just think you've picked some ordinary examples.

Let's take these player examples one at a time. If Solomona is an "unfit bugger" who doesn't fit into a game plan due to "fitness," then how come he managed to fit in so well to the Kiwi team that smashed Australia last year in the Tri Nations final in Britain? It was not a Super League game. It was the toughest level of competition on earth. Ask Fitzy and Wingy if you dare! They were on the field having to deal with "Solo." You weren't.

Widders has had an enormous impact at Parramatta in 2005. He wouldn't be on the paddock if he was unfit. No less an authority than Brad Fittler thinks Widders is great, and has said so often on NRL web TV. If you couldn't see what I and so many Parra fans saw last year, doesn't Brad Fittler's judgment amount to anything for you? Freddy played with Widders and against him. You didn't.

McLinden is no touch football player. He was and still is loved by the vast majority of Canberra fans. Go to the Raiders site on here and look at the response to a thread I started over there. The only criticism of his play was for inconsistency. No one said that he could not tackle. They saw him play every week for years. You didn't.

Your subsequent comments are so silly I won't dignify them with a response.

 

[ozzie]

Let's take these player examples one at a time. If Solomona is an "unfit bugger" who doesn't fit into a game plan due to "fitness," then how come he managed to fit in so well to the Kiwi team that smashed Australia last year in the Tri Nations final in Britain? It was not a Super League game. It was the toughest level of competition on earth. Ask Fitzy and Wingy if you dare! They were on the field having to deal with "Solo." You weren't.

Widders has had an enormous impact at Parramatta in 2005. He wouldn't be on the paddock if he was unfit. No less an authority than Brad Fittler thinks Widders is great, and has said so often on NRL web TV. If you couldn't see what I and so many Parra fans saw last year, doesn't Brad Fittler's judgment amount to anything for you? Freddy played with Widders and against him. You didn't.

McLinden is no touch football player. He was and still is loved by the vast majority of Canberra fans. Go to the Raiders site on here and look at the response to a thread I started over there. The only criticism of his play was for inconsistency. No one said that he could not tackle. They saw him play every week for years. You didn't.

Your subsequent comments are so silly I won't dignify them with a response.

And I didn't see him play - well guess where I just happen to live...

Now again on Solo - we lost him and picked up Cayless I know which player I would prefer. He got that bad he was dropped to second grade at Parramatta and only was used in ten minue burst in which he managed to do diddly squat

 

[kbw]

compared to the average person, yes they are fit, but compared to most of the Roosters at the time, "unfit"
Sure I have seen them do some great stuff, but it just didn't in with the Roosters plans, due to the focus on fitness.

On Mclinden, well there are still a lot of people that like Finch too. He was a pest that caused the club alot of headsaches, most which never made the media.