The Rumours Thread

[George Sancti]

I wouldn’t swap Norman for Bird. He’s played 17 games in 3 seasons. Norman is shit but there’s zero benefit other than no more Norman. We want something in return

Given the option of an injury prone player that is up to first grade standard as opposed to a healthy player that will never be up to first grade standard, I prefer the former.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Bird is a real strange one.
Injury prone but very talented. Would have to be real cheap imo.

Even if he's cheap, he's still taking up a valuable spot on our roster

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Given the option of an injury prone player that is up to first grade standard as opposed to a healthy player that will never be up to first grade standard, I prefer the former.

This will be his fourth change of club. Doesn't inspire confidence.

 

[muzby]

I wouldn’t swap Norman for Bird. He’s played 17 games in 3 seasons. Norman is shit but there’s zero benefit other than no more Norman. We want something in return

If Norman had played 17 games in just the last two seasons, we’d have made the finals.

I can’t see the issue.

 

[redv13]

If Norman had played 17 games in just the last two seasons, we’d have made the finals.

I can’t see the issue.

I see your point but Bird has done 2 acl’s and bunged his shoulder. Not that I’d wish injury to any player but 1 more acl and Bird could be done and dusted. Besides Norman’s cheek bone injury he’s been healthy. Shit yes but healthy. Norman for someone else hell yeah, just not Bird.

 

[muzby]

I see your point but Bird has done 2 acl’s and bunged his shoulder. Not that I’d wish injury to any player but 1 more acl and Bird could be done and dusted. Besides Norman’s cheek bone injury he’s been healthy. Shit yes but healthy. Norman for someone else hell yeah, just not Bird.

I think you’re missing the point - Norman is terrible.

 

[Old Timer]

Norman is a brand new shiny Ferrari with no motor and flat tyres

in comparison

Bird is a V8 badly in need of a tune in a completely rusted out mini moke.



The latter at least has some chance of offering something tangeable to help the team

 

[BLM01]

I am struggling to comprehend Jack Bird.
He's just so incredibly injury prone.
Very concerning.

If the price is right..worth a punt. They were thinking of starting him fullback this year or at least centre.
Benji Marshall came back from 3-4 shoulder reco's
Did not Tedesco do 2 ACL's in his young days?..I know he had a wretched start anyway
Bird is still young enough if the body can hold together to get one good injury free season out of him and then go from there
Any club now would do their due diligience on risk v cost prior to signing him
I'll back Hook on this one!

 

[Saints Forever]

I hope Jack has learnt from his many experiences.

I expect the injuries have made him more humble and keen to prove to everyone that he is still a top player.

He has the ability and is mentally very competitive.

Norman has no real desire to knuckle down and perform.

If the Broncos pay half of his salary and he takes a pay cut for year two I would not be upset to see him back in the red V.

Happy to send Norman to the Broncos in exchange for Jack Bird.

If Norman stays he will play Canterbury Cup.

Sullivan has played one game and showed greater toughness in defence and zip in attack than Norman did in 2020.

 

[RedVDave]

Are we so devoid of signings that people are actually getting excited about Jack freakin' Bird? the guy is busted has a lousy attitude not to mention he's expensive we need forwards we have backs invest in the youth and splash the cash on some big poppers.

 

[Old Timer]

Are we so devoid of signings that people are actually getting excited about Jack freakin' Bird? the guy is busted has a lousy attitude not to mention he's expensive we need forwards we have backs invest in the youth and splash the cash on some big poppers.

You have to remember that this place is where journeymen and never was’s become quality signings bordering on legend status.

People forget we signed Williame and he has to have at least a season of incompetency to show he wasn’t the answer they thought he was.

 

[muzby]

People forget we signed Williame and he has to have at least a season of incompetency to show he wasn’t the answer they thought he was.

I can’t recall anyone on here saying that Williame was the answer to anything.

There were a few “we signed who?”

And a couple of “oh great a useless hack”

And even some “journeyman” comments..

But I can’t recall anyone talking up the signing when it happened..

 

[RedVDave]

I can’t recall anyone on here saying that Williame was the answer to anything.

There were a few “we signed who?”

And a couple of “oh great a useless hack”

And even some “journeyman” comments..

But I can’t recall anyone talking up the signing when it happened..

A lot of people did say he was an upgrade on Aitken & Lafai ...but not even that turned out to be the case.

 

[Old Timer]

I can’t recall anyone on here saying that Williame was the answer to anything.

There were a few “we signed who?”

And a couple of “oh great a useless hack”

And even some “journeyman” comments..

But I can’t recall anyone talking up the signing when it happened..

This post among others might refresh your memory a bit.

"Lived in the UK for the last couple of years, and been an occasional SL watcher in that time. While it's always gonna be easy (and often valid) to shit on the SL, it's not always that simple. This bloke has been solid and isn't the doomsday signing I think some think he is. Has developed a bit since he was last in the NRL and I think the time is right for him to step up again with an NRL team.

Regardless, I take it as a great sign that the club is hitting the market for centres at all. Suggests the time of at least one of Mary's prized duo is almost up"

 

[muzby]

This post among others might refresh your memory a bit.

"Lived in the UK for the last couple of years, and been an occasional SL watcher in that time. While it's always gonna be easy (and often valid) to shit on the SL, it's not always that simple. This bloke has been solid and isn't the doomsday signing I think some think he is. Has developed a bit since he was last in the NRL and I think the time is right for him to step up again with an NRL team.

Regardless, I take it as a great sign that the club is hitting the market for centres at all. Suggests the time of at least one of Mary's prized duo is almost up"

Whoever that mystery person was still says he’s “solid” says he’d have to step up to be in the NRL..

 

[Old Timer]

Whoever that mystery person was still says he’s “solid” says he’d have to step up to be in the NRL..

Your usual fob off was to be expected.

Maybe this one then

"I liked Williame when he was with Manly. He really was just a fill in there, but showed something when given a chance. Given more of a go with us, I reckon his best is yet to come."

Or maybe you need to trawl through the comments when team lists were posted and people were calling for Williame to be picked ahead of others.

Or maybe the press releases from the club when they signed him talking him up.

 

[denis preston]

Bird is a real strange one.
Injury prone but very talented. Would have to be real cheap imo.

Can a club theoretically get insurance for such a deal ? Say sign up for 500k and get 50% of salary back if he doesn't play at least 60% of games ? Premiums i guess would have to be added to his expense , say 100k in insurance a year ? All we would then miss is a player in the 30 ?

 

[muzby]

Your usual fob off was to be expected

If you can’t last more than three posts on topic without throwing in a jibe, no point discussing further with you.

I stand by my point that the vast majority didn’t see Williame as any kind of saviour.

 

[muzby]

Can a club theoretically get insurance for such a deal ? Say sign up for 500k and get 50% of salary back if he doesn't play at least 60% of games ? Premiums i guess would have to be added to his expense , say 100k in insurance a year ? All we would then miss is a player in the 30 ?

I’m sure if they structured the deal around a small fixed component plus match payments that could solve it?

 

[Old Timer]

If you can’t last more than three posts on topic without throwing in a jibe, no point discussing further with you.

I stand by my point that the vast majority didn’t see Williame as any kind of saviour.

Your last paragraph above was not the point you made that is now in dispute.

The point you made was actually the following

"But I can’t recall anyone talking up the signing when it happened"..

So don't use your usual diversionary tactics just stick to the facts of what you actually said and how we ended up at this point.

For the record I never said "the vast majority" either and I was always aware that some were less than enthusiastic.