Potential halfback solutions - short/long term.

[Gronk]

Monaghan looking for NRL home
Brent Read and Margie McDonald | April 08, 2009
Article from: The Australian
MICHAEL Monaghan is as good as on his way back to Australia next season after English club Warrington gave him permission to explore his options in the NRL.
And Monaghan's Warrington teammate Matt King could also be contemplating a return as the new taxation laws in England force clubs to tighten their purse strings.
Warrington is expected to be one of the hardest hit by an investigation into off-shore payments to NRL stars, hence the club's decision to allow Monaghan to leave should he find a suitable offer in Australia.
King is also on a healthy contract, although his manager, George Mimis, said last night he was unaware of any move by the Wolves to allow him to leave. The Australian last week reported the crackdown by Britain's Inland Revenue on tax-free loopholes.
Monaghan, 28, began his first-grade career in Canberra and has already been linked with a return to the Raiders, where his brother Joel plays.
King has had a love-hate relationship with Wolves fans. Late last year he was voted the worst import in Super League history, and the relationship hit rock bottom this year when he was forced to apologise for giving them a one-fingered salute after a loss to Harlequins.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25305554-2722,00.html

 

[oldmancraigy]

Break out the chequebook.

He'd be the best halfback at the club in 2 minutes.

Sadly all the rumours have linked him to Canberra for a few weeks now

 

[strider]

we should have never extended finch's contract - and been patient to sign something good when it comes on the market - which would have been 12 months ago

 

[oldmancraigy]

we should have never extended finch's contract - and been patient to sign something good when it comes on the market - which would have been 12 months ago

Yeah.

OR even just waiting - imagine if we had $250k to offer Monoghan right now...

 

[strider]

that seems to have been Hagan's (and whoever else was involved in the decisions at the time) biggest downfall .... he was too eager to sign whatever was available just to make up a team - you'd be better off being patient and waiting for the right players (or at least only offer 1yr deals if u get desperate) - throw a few youngies to the lions occasionally if necessary - signing sub-par players won't make you win anyway

 

[FUIFUI_MOIMOI]

he will go to Canberra....

they need a decent hooker and his brother's connection will get him there.

 

[Stagger eel]

he will go to Canberra....

they need a decent hooker and his brother's connection will get him there.

they've already got 2 of the finest young hookers in the comp in Flannagon and Buttris, he'll be signed as a 7.

 

[Stagger eel]

reminds me of a famous urbon myth or rumour I heard regarding Monas.

I was told that Brian Smith has all but wrapped Michael Monahan up at the 2004 for the 05 season and he was on his way down from Canberra to Parra to sign the contract when he recieved a phone call out of the blue from his manager to make the extra 45 minute trek to Manly after they made him an 11th hour bid to sign him.

I remember leading up to that time I was constantly told that he was in the bag, coming to the club and would be playing halfback for us in 2005.

 

[strider]

Look I don't really know where Monas is at now - he ain't getting younger .... but I'd have doubts we could attract a higher profile half to the club (eg prince)

so now finch is off, I'd be trying f'n hard to get Monas if he is still as good as he was when he left manly ..... experienced, smart, tough, hard working and skillful - what more could we want!

 

[fanaticeel]

The title says it all really, bring him up from NYC and give him a go. Put Mateo outside him at 6 and Hayne to fullback. Give Wright a go at lock. He's been playing well enough to start.

 

[Gronk]

Look I don't really know where Monas is at now - he ain't getting younger .... but I'd have doubts we could attract a higher profile half to the club (eg prince)

so now finch is off, I'd be trying f'n hard to get Monas if he is still as good as he was when he left manly ..... experienced, smart, tough, hard working and skillful - what more could we want!

Pretty sure that was what we all said about Finch when we signed him. :lol:

I have faith in DA. Will be interesting to see who he plays in 09/10.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Look I don't really know where Monas is at now - he ain't getting younger .... but I'd have doubts we could attract a higher profile half to the club (eg prince)

so now finch is off, I'd be trying f'n hard to get Monas if he is still as good as he was when he left manly ..... experienced, smart, tough, hard working and skillful - what more could we want!

Monas would be fantastic.

He's a hugely underrated player - doesn't do many "awful" things, and controls the game nicely.

I've no doubt he's a better halfback than Finch.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Pretty sure that was what we all said about Finch when we signed him. :lol:

I have faith in DA. Will be interesting to see who he plays in 09/10.

Nah - everyone said "huh" when we signed Finch because we already had Tim Smith at halfback.
The positive for Finch was always his competitve nature - but the negative side of it was always his ability to have absolutely rank games.

Unfortunately he's strung a few of those together this season and doesn't like DA telling him so :lol:

 

[Tank30]

A better option than KK for sure....

 

[The Colonel]

Throwing new blokes in after this may not be the best option...... stability will be what is essentially needed.

Will be interesting to see where Anderson goes from here.

 

[fish eel]

Throwing new blokes in after this may not be the best option...... stability will be what is essentially needed.

Will be interesting to see where Anderson goes from here.

Depends what his approach is.

Whether it's Mortimer or Keating - whomever it is needs to know they will get an extended run.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Throwing new blokes in after this may not be the best option...... stability will be what is essentially needed.

Will be interesting to see where Anderson goes from here.

Totally agreed.

Mortimer needs to go to Wenty first I'd say. Learn to play with the big boys there (defenisively).

KK isn't a great option at halfback - he just doesn't seem to ever pass the ball... always looking to run! But even still, I'd say he's the best option that we have right now.
Robson isn't a first grader, handy backup for a week or so, but there's no long term gain to be had there. Perhaps he'll jump on in this weekend, but I'd be surprised to see him play more than a couple of games.

I'll bet Maloney is kicking himself for moving to Melbourne now!!!

 

[strider]

Pretty sure that was what we all said about Finch when we signed him. :lol:

I have faith in DA. Will be interesting to see who he plays in 09/10.

you might have said that, but don't paint me with that stick :crazy:

I didn't mind that we initially signed him cheap for 1 season when there was nothing else for the money we had - but the extention was a brain explosion

Monas is (well he was) x10 the player finch was

 

[The Colonel]

Depends what his approach is.

Whether it's Mortimer or Keating - whomever it is needs to know they will get an extended run.

Keating has at least had some time with the top squad.

If Mortimer is needed to play first grade then this weekend he should be playing NSW Cup.

 

[The Colonel]

I'll bet Maloney is kicking himself for moving to Melbourne now!!!

That is a bigger loss now than it was originally......