Rumoured Signings and Even More Crap X

[Maroubra Eel]

What happened?

 

[Chipmunk]

Dally M Rookie of the Year as a teenager,

Tim Smith was a Dally M Rookie of the Year. Obviously never lived up to the expectations but still has a better record than Sandow.

 

[IFR33K]

What happened?

Where you been all day?

 

[Stagger eel]

Tim Smith was a Dally M Rookie of the Year. Obviously never lived up to the expectations but still has a better record than Sandow.

Put sandow in that side we get closer if not, we win that comp...put the 05 version of smith in this current side the discussion about this would multiply by thousands

 

[emjaycee]

You can bag Sandow all you like, but you merkins between you gave him 3 points each week for the first 3 rounds this year. Those would be the 3 rounds where our pea hearted pack performed IIRC.

 

[The Colonel]

Would you swap him for Hodkinson and save $200k? Do you think he would be a better fit for our team?

Not much more given the players we have arriving next year I think the whole team can improve. Hodkinson doesn't change that one way or the other.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

You can bag Sandow all you like, but you merkins between you gave him 3 points each week for the first 3 rounds this year. Those would be the 3 rounds where our pea hearted pack performed IIRC.

Yep he is coming third in our eels thread player of the year award so he must be playing ok according to most of the voters.

 

[Chipmunk]

Put sandow in that side we get closer if not, we win that comp...put the 05 version of smith in this current side the discussion about this would multiply by thousands

You cannot really substantiate that claim with any real evidence. I could counter that argument by saying that if Sandow was in the 2005 side instead that we would not have even made the Top 8.

 

[lingard]

If Sandow is released Stuart will once again be the halfback killer. He has done it everywhere he has coached which is surprising considering he was a top shelf halfback.

Or you could say that Stephen Kearney was the real murderer - and Ricky Stuart just got rid of the body.

 

[Chipmunk]

You can bag Sandow all you like, but you merkins between you gave him 3 points each week for the first 3 rounds this year. Those would be the 3 rounds where our pea hearted pack performed IIRC.

I dont do 3,2,1 points, but anyway Sandow has had some decent games. But he is like Roberts, its either rocks or diamonds.

 

[lingard]

If Sandow is released Stuart will once again be the halfback killer. He has done it everywhere he has coached which is surprising considering he was a top shelf halfback.

But, seriously; I know that Stuart is regarded as a half-back killer, but who has he had to work with? Brett Finch. Terribly erratic his whole career. Craig Wing. In my opinion, over-rated and not a true half-back - more a utility player. Has Stuart ever coached a really good specialist half-back? I'm not sure.

 

[Chipmunk]

But, seriously; I know that Stuart is regarded as a half-back killer, but who has he had to work with? Brett Finch. Terribly erratic his whole career. Craig Wing. In my opinion, over-rated and not a true half-back - more a utility player. Has Stuart ever coached a really good specialist half-back? I'm not sure.

Wasnt Kimmorley at the Sharks when Stuart was there?

You could argue Kimmorley's departure was the begining of the end for Sticky.

I personally think he needs a traditional half to be able to get the job done.

 

[lingard]

Why can't we just persist with him in a half decent side??

I think he will improve with better players around him - and the confidence that comes with winning more games. I agree that he is not the superstar that some of us thought he might be when he was at Souths - but he's still a very handy half-back. I'd only get rid of him if I was certain that his replacement was really top shelf.

 

[hindy111]

I would of loved to have Maloney and Albert Kelly as our halves : )

 

[The Colonel]

If his replacement was Thurston or Cronk than it wouldn't be a worry. If we are only swapping him for Hodkinson or Sam Williams than we are only going sideways not forward.

Until we have a forward pack that competes it won't matter who the halfback is.

 

[lingard]

Because he is simply not half decent and I'm glad Sticky agrees with me.

Never rated him and for the money he is on we could do so much better and don't get me started on his defence and he is not an organiser, neither is Paulo so atm we are a rudderless ship..

Be glad to see the end of him if we can ditch him.

Maybe we could do better. Maybe even 'so much better'. But who is available to play half next season who fits that bill? Hodkinson might arguably be better (I'd say better in some respects, but not others), but would he be a fantastic improvement? Who else is there?

 

[Stagger eel]

You cannot really substantiate that claim with any real evidence. I could counter that argument by saying that if Sandow was in the 2005 side instead that we would not have even made the Top 8.

It's no different to you claiming that he's rubbish outright when he's playing in what is arguebly the worst parramatta side in history behind the worst forward pack in the comp without an ounce of protection from his mates either side of him in the D! ... To add he's had a shit 6 to contend with! I'm sure he'd love Matai and watmough either side of him and would also love to be feeding a ball to Maloney on a regular basis too..

 

[lingard]

We dont need Sandow. We dont need a player "as good as" Sandow. We just need a different type of player to play in the 7. Dare I say it we need a genuine traditional halfback. With a backline that includes Hayne, Hoppa and Norman even guys like Sam Williams or Trent Hodkinson could do the job. Williams is now the 3rd choice 7 at the Raiders, he would come fairly cheap. A new 7 and 9 will help us immensely.

I still think if Wallace goes to the Panthers the Broncos could take Sandow off our hands.

Fair point. A half who doesn't have some of Sandow's skills, but might fit the balance of our tem better. It's a difficult decision. I'm glad I'm not the coach. (Although I wouldn't mind the money, the power and the groupies. Sex behind the grandstand and ....... oh, sorry.)

 

[Stagger eel]

I think he will improve with better players around him - and the confidence that comes with winning more games. I agree that he is not the superstar that some of us thought he might be when he was at Souths - but he's still a very handy half-back. I'd only get rid of him if I was certain that his replacement was really top shelf.

Absolutely, he would be a much better player with better quality around him it's a no brainer.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Why couldn't we?

Because we were already (apparently) close to the limit of our 2012 cap.