Signing Orford, will it cost us Tim Smith?

[Jake the snake]

Suitman I have watched him in 1st div and 1st grade all year and what has he done???? How much more time does he need, He was not even impressing in 1st div I dont know how he got the gig in grade. And I can say this about half the players in our team aswell at the moment. Burt, Hopkins, Peek, Dykes,Peterson, Graham maybe more who are just average and will never win a comp in there liftime and in there next lifetime, please lets face the facts that they arejust average players.

 

[Eelementary]

If we did sign him (which we won't), the we should sing him to a 1 or 2 year deal.

In that time, slowly bring Tim up - possibly giving him a bench spot (you know, take Orford off and give him the last 15 or so to play, to get a feel for the game.). Matt could also be invaluable for teaching Tim.

However, don't hold your breath - Orford has made it clear he wants a financially stable deal now (whether with Merlbourne or not), and if we offered him a 1 or 2 year deal, even for good dough, I very much doubt he'd take it - UNLESS he retired after.

 

[WA Eel]

OK, right up front I've never seen Tim Smith play. By all accounts he's a fantastic player. However, how may players have we heard being described as "the next Peter Sterling" etc then not make the cut in first grade? I can think of at least 2 to start off with, Jason Bell and Willie Peters.

Do we turn down the opportunity to buy a proven class player and match winner on the gamble that a talented juniour might turn out to be a class act? Sounds a lot like what we did with that President's cup side many years ago and we all know how that turned out.

 

[Y2Eel]

and look what buying top class players have done sign up our talented juniors... look at tonga donald ryan and co we let them go and just bought no one....

 

[Disco]

I've heard that Manly are already sniffing around Tim Smith as Tim used to live with the Cleals, if this happens we will be the biggest laughing stock of the NRL if not already.Does anybody know how long Tim SMith is contracted for and if not how do we find out??

Thats VERY interesting, when is Smith off contract????? i hear this kid is the goods and would be great backup for now and be ready to Replace Walker in a year or two (Mona's to 5/8)

 

[Parraren]

Anyone remember Barny Haslett? (spelling?)

 

[Y2Eel]

yeap plays in the jim beam cup somewhere?

 

[Jake the snake]

Anyone remember Willie Tonga?

Anyone remember Joel Clinton?

 

[CrazyEel]

Not even Brian is dumb enough to let Tim Smith slip away. [-o<

 

[El Diablo]

If he's as good as people say he'd be best leaving. Smith and good halves don't mix.

I don't think he believes in good halves and that's why he's never had any. He's also never won a first grade premiership either. What a coincidene :roll:

 

[El Diablo]

Not even Brian is dumb enough to let Tim Smith slip away. [-o&lt, post: [/quote"]

Why not?

He lost Marsh.

 

[The Colonel]

Not even Brian is dumb enough to let Tim Smith slip away. [-o&lt, post: [/quote"]

Why not?

He lost Marsh.

Beg to differ. PJ's manager signed a letter of intent that PJ tried to get out of...... as it was legally binding he couldn't. Same thing happened with Dave Solomona when he left the Roosters to come here - The club was slow to sign him however trying to confirm exactly what was happening with Jason Taylor (in Dave's case the Roosters were concerned with tying up Fittler) and he slipped under the radar.

 

[Pazza]

Tim Smith was named at 5/8 in PL this week. Why can't he play 5/8 in FG?

i'd love to see
6.Tim Smith, 7.Matt Orford 9.Mark Riddell

 

[Phillips]

i'd love to see
6. Chris Thorman, 7. Michael Witt, 9. John Morris, 17. Tim Smith (if he is as good as people say he is) [-o<

 

[Pazza]

i'd love to see
6. Chris Thorman, 7. Michael Witt, 9. John Morris, 17. Tim Smith (if he is as good as people say he is) [-o&lt, post: [/quote"]

i wouldnt

 

[The Colonel]

Anyone remember Joel Clinton?

Anyone remember why Clinton was flicked from Parramatta?

 

[bartman]

My memory's a bit dim Colonel, but I've got an inkling it was a VERY good reason?

 

[The Colonel]

In an article earlier this year in RLW Clinton said that Parramatta were quite within their rights to drop him. His attitude and work ethic just plain sucked and nothing a coach was going to say would have changed it. He basically wanted to go and play with his mates. The oppurtunity at Penrith was a wake up call along the lines of if its ever going to happen I have to make it happen.

 

[bartman]

Sounds like he has grown up a bit since then, but seems to be on the outer with rep selectors?

I thought there might be a more juicy reason why he was flicked by the Eels...