Typical Cronulla

[Sideline Eye]

Same old story, the Sharks miss out on big name signings. Eric Grothe Jnr has stayed with the Eels and there's a good chance Dykes won't be released from his current contract. We leave our run too late and only try to pay market or unders for name players. You can put Canberra and the Knights in our basket. Unless we throw some serious money around in the player market, its going to be tough years ahead.

 

[sharknows]

Dykes is all but a done deal - an announcement is pending.

 

[Sideline Eye]

Agreed to terms, I believe $200 - $220k per year over 2 years, but Parra still haven't granted a release. They look like releasing Chris Thorman instead, not as good as expected., so they will be again short in the halves.

 

[RICHO]

$200-220K per year?!?

I want Peach to get that money and leave Dykes where he is!

 

[wittyfan]

Surely Parramatta will have to shed some players considering they've bought big for next year. :?

 

[Sideline Eye]

Have a look at their playing roster, not many big name players costing alot, they were actually under the cap for this year.

 

[King of the Hill]

The contract is all drawn up, and Dykes wants out of Parra, but as SLE says, that nut Smith is changing his mind all the time, as each day passes it's more unlikely that Dykes will be released and come here

I hope he does end up coming but it doesnt look good, it's especially bad if Peach isnt back next year - Noddy will be the only bloke creating tries

 

[Jimbo]

Peach or Dykes? Now that would be an interesting poll...

 

[Sideline Eye]

Spot on Shireshark, we desperately need a second play maker. Michael Ennis was up for grabs by Saints got him, I don't think we actively hunted for 1, I think the management relied on Dykes too much.

 

[JCSwank]

Assuming Dykes is not released by Parra, our options for 5/8 next year will be Kent, Bird and Aitken.

Of those three I'd go for Kent - do you think he is capable of developing into a 1st grade standard 5/8? I hope so!!!

I see Bird as a backrower, preferably lock.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

We need somebody to be on board to develop our kicking game.
Somebody who can bomb corners.
Somebody who can kick metres.
Somebody who can kick the ball higher than the posts.
If that is Dykes, Kent, Aitken or whoever, I dont really care.
The added bonuses would be;
kent offers excellent defense as well.
Dykes offers a lot of trys & try assists.
Aitken a structure.
etc.

 

[Surely]

Maybe able to play first grade but never going to be a topline 5/8.

Bird is the best option for 5/8 if Dykes stays at parra, although Dumas maybe worth a shot there too.

 

[King of the Hill]

I like the idea of Noddy and Dykes in the halves, and Kent at fullback if Peachey leaves...Kent has gotta be there somewhere

 

[Surely]

As opposed to Bird I think Kent has good utility value, can play anywhere in the backline, I just don't see him as our best option for 5/8.

 

[Jimbo]

Kent is a very good option at fullback.

Last week he took a grubber in the in-goal in front of us at pace and beat three defenders to get back into the field of play. I thought I was watching the 1999 vintage Peach...

 

[spirit of league]

of course ! kent at fullback could be the option we're looking for (long-term AFTER peach hangs up the boots). solid in defence, no lack of self-confidence, switched on, reads the play, quick.

beats simmonds by a country 1.6 kilometres

 

[Shark]

The new 'minimum spend' floor of $3M will make things interesting!

I wonder if we're currently anywhere near that?

 

[30 Year Sharkie]

We've done much better than the Raiders. Anyone reading the Canberra Times over the past few days would think that they had completely fallen apart.

We must re-sign Peach. The rest is just icing on the cake. Stuey will get the guys into the eight this year and then next year, who knows?

 

[beekershark]

Another well credentialled 5/8 is in the mix, has been for a while and I am confident things will happen there. Sculthorpe.

 

[Genius Freak]

Do we have Sculthorpe level money available? And would he be signed at the expence of Peach?