Tony Williams...high risk investment

[Moffo]

Lets face it, the guy doesn't have the greatest reputation for stability and consistency. Given his size, injury is always going to follow him around as well

I obviously hope that he dominates for us but for a team that already has a good forward pack I think we've made the wrong decision to splash so much cash on him. We will lose some great juniors out of this

Has anyone here ever strongly refuted a purchase that their club made?

 

[Twizzle]

the price being reported in the press is a bit scary

 

[Ozzy]

I did when the Roosters bought Chris Walker. I never liked the guy especially after walking out of another team and then doing a 180.

 

[ek999]

I hope 600k is an overstatement by the media, otherwise the Bulldogs have paid overs for him. 10 tackle breaks in 20 minutes in Origin 1 is pretty incredible and if he can keep that sort of form he will be a good buy (if he is on 450k to 500k not 600k).

 

[Patorick]

He's a great buy.

Even at somewhere close to the prices being thrown around.

Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves.

 

[Packy]

I agree Moffo but in saying that Tony has something (being a deformed giant of a human) that other players can't train for and I think that helps his price.

 

[gUt]

I agree Moffo but in saying that Tony has something (being a deformed giant of a human) that other players can't train for and I think that helps his price.

Extra testicles?

 

[woodyk2]

Hoppa for parra?

 

[ek999]

Actually if he is getting paid 600k under an increased salary cap next year and is inclusive of all bonus payments for playing State of Origin and Tests then the Bulldogs have probably got a good deal. But if it is 600k base price and bonus payments are on top of that they've paid overs for him.

It will be interesting too see who the Bulldogs keep and who they lose. If they can keep Finucane, Tapau and Lafai they will be OK. Either Stagg or Halatau will be let go along with Goodwin who hasn't been in form for a couple of years and maybe Turner now they have Inu and Wright has been playing well and is probably being paid a lot less than Turner

 

[Patorick]

Halatau's been one of there best players this year.

Doubt Des will want to lose him.

Taupau has massive potential too.

 

[Doga]

Dale Finucane, Josh Jackson, Paul Carter, Tupou Sopoaga, David Minute & Lachlan Burr are all outstanding prospects in the 2nd Row.

Would hate to lose any of them, especially the first 4.

 

[The Joker]

I don't know if I would want Frank Pritchard and Tony Williams in the backrow together on the field at the same time if there is a need to roll up the sleeves and do some hard yards. I guess if David Stagg is out there he could carry their workload

 

[zombie jesus]

He'll be right under Des, under a different coach I wouldn't be so sure.

 

[Doga]

I don't know if I would want Frank Pritchard and Tony Williams in the backrow together on the field at the same time if there is a need to roll up the sleeves and do some hard yards. I guess if David Stagg is out there he could carry their workload

Frank Pritchard has been one of our most consistent players this year. Never goes missing. plays the full 80

 

[Special K]

Pritchard and Williams could be awesome or a train wreck. I'd like to have that "problem"...

 

[Packy]

Those being critical of Franky may not have watched enough Dogs games this year. He's been top notch and big minutes.

 

[firechild]

The thing is Pritchard and T-Rex can both be devastating in attack but while they can both pull off massive hits, they are not know for making lots of tackles. IIRC T-Rex makes about 1/3 the number of tackles compared to Glenn Stewart (left side v right side) and obviously neither come close to Watmough in the middle. Conversely Matai makes plenty of tackles compared to Lyon despite Lyon being a noted defender. T-Rex needs to be inside a centre that is prepared to (and capable of) making lots of tackles.

 

[Bulldog Force]

There is no way in hell, either Greenberg or Hasler will pay anyone at our club 600k. That all went out the door after what SBW did.

 

[The.X.Factor9]

The 600k figures being thrown around are pure media dribble ! No CEO would pay 600k for a player especially not a Jewish one! :sarcasm:

Seriously though I doubt he will be on the reported figures...

Also anyone bagging out Pritchard this season clearly has not watched any of our games, he, Halatau, Barba, Reynolds and Keating are all reborn players under Des.

 

[ek999]

It will be interesting to see what Des does next year with the backrow with Pritchard, Williams, Eastwood, Payne, Tapau, Finucane, Halatau and/or Stagg. Pritchard, Williams, Eastwood, Halatau/Stagg will all be in the 17. I can see Des having Graham and 3 2nd rowers on the bench. Graham and Tolman will play big minutes each next year with the rest of the bench rotating regularly throughout the game.

If Keating isn't re-signed, which I think he won't be, they will have the cheapest halves pairing in the competition by far I would imagine