Sign a half or develop witt?

[Parra_Eels]

should we go for a halfback on the open market or develop witt at half and dykes at 5/8 as a combo

 

[wittyz chick]

Well we signed Witt for 4 yrs we must be developing him...it would break the kids confidence even more (if you possibly can) to sign another half or 5/8...maybe it should be Witt/Thorman (if he's willing to stay around) unless Dykes is resigned

 

[Phillips]

Develop Witt & Thorman as a combo [-o< .....the only half i'd go for as a possible backup would be Nathan Fien from the cowboys

 

[parralight]

I reckon Witty has loads of potential but really needs to develop some more upper body strength. Look at all the great halfs Orford, Johns, Kimmorley and Gower- all have great upper body strength.
I noticed that during the game against the Knights we were doing a Preston Campbell and hiding Witty at outside centre in defence.

 

[parralight]

AND .. Im sorry but we need a big bopper ORGANISING halfback, From what Ive heard the answer is Tim Smith ..... Give the kid a go !!!! You never know what will happen.

I say No to Orford - develop Tim Smith !!!

 

[Parraren]

Well Rusty Fairfax said on NRL Scoreboard tonight that he's heard a whisper that Orford has agreed to a 1 year deal with the Storm for next year.

 

[parralight]

lets hope so ..
Just remember when Orford was playing reserve grade behind Kimmorley at the Northern Eagles - no one wanted Orford - no wlook what a great player he is !!

How good could Tim Smith be ? Is he the next Orford ???

 

[Parraren]

Well really it would make sense for Orford to stay at Melbourne on a 1 year deal because there is no secret he wants to move back to the Central Coast IF they get a side in the NRL in 2006. There wouldn't be many other clubs willing to sign Orford on a big money 1 year deal anyway. This way he stays in Melbourne for another year and then makes a long-term decision next year once it becomes clear if the CC has a team in the NRL or not. It's pretty obvious he was just using us as a bargaining tool to bump up his asking price from Melbourne. After all, the Storm are DESPERATE to re-sign him even if it's only for 1 year.

 

[GAME FIRST]

Tim Smith looks the goods and should be resigned asap-Manly are sniffing - and he has physical attributes that Witt hasnt but also the vision and defence!
I would not think Orford is worth 400k-no way when Dykes can play behind a good pack and Witt and Smith as halves-
We need a creative hooker more so to allow Morris back at lock

 

[Parraren]

If we miss out on Orford it's imperative that we at least pick up Riddell. Both would be nice but i'll settle for one of them.

 

[GAME FIRST]

I like Riddell but i think cronulla will get him

 

[half]

what's so good about riddell? he's arrogant and fat

 

[Phillips]

what's so good about riddell? he's arrogant and fat

 

[Parraren]

what's so good about riddell? he's arrogant and fat

You two obviously don't watch too many Dragons games do you. Funny how he got picked to play City-Country but John Morris couldn't cut the mustard. If a fat, arrogant bloke got picked ahead of him what does that say about our current hookers :roll:

 

[bartman]

I think we need to pick up a centre rather than a half if possible. We're really thin out there without Lyon and Vaealiki available.

Thorman's a cheap option (<$100K) to keep for that extra year or two extension on his contract. Also with Witt, Smith, and presumably Dykes we've got that area covered for 2005.

I agree we should look at a hooker. There's no longer any real back-up for Morris if he's out? Hopkins and Webster go OK stop gap, but it's not really either of their natural positions.

 

[Eels Dude]

Give Tim Smith a go. Best young halfback at Parra in a long time. I think Thorman is ok but he isn't going to win a premiership. Buying a half doesn't seem the answer, Orford wants too much and a one year deal with that, what's the point really?

 

[Disco]

Is Tim Smith off contract?

 

[The Colonel]

Is Tim Smith off contract?

Not totally sure. I think they did re-new something about 12 months ago but who knows?