Walmsley to sign - Possm take a bow!

[Dragonslayer]

Ok, while I'm happy that this rumour may come to pass, there are some important points to consider before clinking champagne glasses for 2019 season.
1. He will be 29 very early into the 2019 season
2. Hasn't trained/played under NRL conditions
3. He's only played professional RL for 5 years
4. Is he an 80 min player or just a 10-15min impact forward only?
Add to this from the St Helens SL stats: (from 29 games in 2017)
Ave mtrs/run - 8
Tackle busts - 85 (3/game)
Ave tackles - 22/game
Carries = 19/game
Offloads = 1/game
Running mtrs = 153/game
Errors - 24 (1/game)
Penalties - 16 (0.5/game)
Missed tackles - 62 (2/game)

There are some ok stats here, but remember this is Super League. However my biggest concern is the missed tackles. A break-down does show him missing 9 tackles in a game against Leeds and a couple of 8 against Wigan and Salford and several 7 games.
This is my biggest concern with this guy, big yes, but is he skillful enough to compete at the highest level in ALL facets of the game, not just a 10 min battering ram.

 

[Belta]

I really hope this signing is confirmed. I agree with those who feel we would benefit from one more impact forward. We would be an imposing pack in 2019 if Walmsley is added.

 

[Frank Facer]

This website means literally nothing. It's not even a report, no source mentioned at all. What's happened is they have probably made an article off the fact The Mole (who is unreliable) mentioned Dragons may have signed him for 2019

We were previously mentioned as one club, among others who were keen to sign Wamsley. The fact we have Graham and Widdop at our club works in our favor and Millward's previous association with St Helens could also work in our favor.

 

[Belta]

Dragonslayer said; He needs to compete in all facets of the game and not be "...a 10 minute battering ram."

I think the Dragon forwards are very well equipped defensively and also have several skilful forwards capable of moving the ball around fairly efficiently. What we need more in certain periods throughout the game is a "battering ram" style of player that gives us a good roll on. (Even if only in short spells).

I also do remember watching him in the WC and thought he defended very well. Also just on a side note and it may not apply for Walmsley but he past has shown that it can be unreliable to just look at figures. I remember a figure about missed tackles by a certain player it was rather high but upon analysis he was going for tackles that many players wouldn't even attempt.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Ok, while I'm happy that this rumour may come to pass, there are some important points to consider before clinking champagne glasses for 2019 season.
1. He will be 29 very early into the 2019 season
2. Hasn't trained/played under NRL conditions
3. He's only played professional RL for 5 years
4. Is he an 80 min player or just a 10-15min impact forward only?
Add to this from the St Helens SL stats: (from 29 games in 2017)
Ave mtrs/run - 8
Tackle busts - 85 (3/game)
Ave tackles - 22/game
Carries = 19/game
Offloads = 1/game
Running mtrs = 153/game
Errors - 24 (1/game)
Penalties - 16 (0.5/game)
Missed tackles - 62 (2/game)

There are some ok stats here, but remember this is Super League. However my biggest concern is the missed tackles. A break-down does show him missing 9 tackles in a game against Leeds and a couple of 8 against Wigan and Salford and several 7 games.
This is my biggest concern with this guy, big yes, but is he skillful enough to compete at the highest level in ALL facets of the game, not just a 10 min battering ram.

I have no idea why all the excitement regarding Walmsley.
Walmsley has more to gain playing a few years in the NRL with St. George than we do.
We have a couple of great young props coming through that just need some time and mentoring to develop into quality first graders.
We were quite prepared to rehabilitate Dugan and Packer yet we showed Fonua Blake the door.
Why didn't we do the same for one of our own?? Seems hypocritical to me.
The result being Manly got one of our top line juniors which we had invested a lot of time in.
Look at him go now.
Furthermore, we currently have Lawrie and Kerr waiting in the wings.
Why this fascination with ESL players?
Our roster can still be improved but I am not sure if those improvements aren't staring us in the face.
Without stating the obvious - we need a proper coach to meld it all together more than anything else.
Without that, it won't matter too much who we recruit.

 

[watatank]

All this fuss over someone who will be challenging to be our fourth best prop (plus we have De Belin)...don't really care much for this potential signing, especially if it's 2019.

 

[Drag Queen]

Ok, while I'm happy that this rumour may come to pass, there are some important points to consider before clinking champagne glasses for 2019 season.
1. He will be 29 very early into the 2019 season
2. Hasn't trained/played under NRL conditions
3. He's only played professional RL for 5 years
4. Is he an 80 min player or just a 10-15min impact forward only?
Add to this from the St Helens SL stats: (from 29 games in 2017)
Ave mtrs/run - 8
Tackle busts - 85 (3/game)
Ave tackles - 22/game
Carries = 19/game
Offloads = 1/game
Running mtrs = 153/game
Errors - 24 (1/game)
Penalties - 16 (0.5/game)
Missed tackles - 62 (2/game)

There are some ok stats here, but remember this is Super League. However my biggest concern is the missed tackles. A break-down does show him missing 9 tackles in a game against Leeds and a couple of 8 against Wigan and Salford and several 7 games.
This is my biggest concern with this guy, big yes, but is he skillful enough to compete at the highest level in ALL facets of the game, not just a 10 min battering ram.

Ok, while I'm happy that this rumour may come to pass, there are some important points to consider before clinking champagne glasses for 2019 season.
1. He will be 29 very early into the 2019 season
2. Hasn't trained/played under NRL conditions
3. He's only played professional RL for 5 years
4. Is he an 80 min player or just a 10-15min impact forward only?
Add to this from the St Helens SL stats: (from 29 games in 2017)
Ave mtrs/run - 8
Tackle busts - 85 (3/game)
Ave tackles - 22/game
Carries = 19/game
Offloads = 1/game
Running mtrs = 153/game
Errors - 24 (1/game)
Penalties - 16 (0.5/game)
Missed tackles - 62 (2/game)

There are some ok stats here, but remember this is Super League. However my biggest concern is the missed tackles. A break-down does show him missing 9 tackles in a game against Leeds and a couple of 8 against Wigan and Salford and several 7 games.
This is my biggest concern with this guy, big yes, but is he skillful enough to compete at the highest level in ALL facets of the game, not just a 10 min battering ram.

 

[Drag Queen]

Biting lengths off my tongue here. You do realise we were damn lucky to win the WC against the Pommie team due to a poor ref call right? Most of Bennett's team were on average 26-34 years old. Half a dozen NRL players and the rest ESL. Relying on stats can be misleading to say the least.

 

[Drag Queen]

I have no idea why all the excitement regarding Walmsley.
Walmsley has more to gain playing a few years in the NRL with St. George than we do.
We have a couple of great young props coming through that just need some time and mentoring to develop into quality first graders.
We were quite prepared to rehabilitate Dugan and Packer yet we showed Fonua Blake the door.
Why didn't we do the same for one of our own?? Seems hypocritical to me.
The result being Manly got one of our top line juniors which we had invested a lot of time in.
Look at him go now.
Furthermore, we currently have Lawrie and Kerr waiting in the wings.
Why this fascination with ESL players?
Our roster can still be improved but I am not sure if those improvements aren't staring us in the face.
Without stating the obvious - we need a proper coach to meld it all together more than anything else.
Without that, it won't matter too much who we recruit.

I can see the excitement in Walmsley Dennis. He's huge and he's quick. Highly doubtful that he'll end up with us though. Even though I'm a fan, I'd prefer to see our own players on the field too.

 

[Walpole]

Any signings for 2020 yet?

 

[Drag Queen]

I can see the excitement in Walmsley Dennis. He's huge and he's quick. Highly doubtful that he'll end up with us though. Even though I'm a fan, I'd prefer to see our own players on the field too.

Any signings for 2020 yet?

I'll check out what the local psychic has to say about this one. I'll keep you posted

 

[BennyV]

$500k is a rip off.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Any signings for 2020 yet?

No mate but are you available.
If so let us know

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Biting lengths off my tongue here. You do realise we were damn lucky to win the WC against the Pommie team due to a poor ref call right? Most of Bennett's team were on average 26-34 years old. Half a dozen NRL players and the rest ESL. Relying on stats can be misleading to say the least.

The conclusion I come to from your post is that we need to sign Bennett not Walmsley - no matter how big or quick he is.
You have to wonder what we would be capable of with a top line coach.

 

[nrlnrl]

This is the second report on this ' possible ' signing in 2 days .
As they say " where there's smoke , there's fire " . And if this news is correct , then it will be a bluudy big fire .

More so when he combines with that well mannered gentleman Mr. Graham . Watch out , as the Dragons will be breathing fire once again !

The 2nd report is from nrlroast. They just pick up stories from others like Mole, Lurker, SMH, Telegraph & Fox Sports, then republish them.

 

[possm]

unless they hope to get him for 2018 as much as I would like it I cant see it happening.

It could happen if we had a player that they really wanted and that player sees going to the UK as an opportunity to fast track his development e.g. Dufty or any one of our young gun backs or Kerr or any one of our young forwards. Put a deal like that together with the clause that Walmsley would play for his current Club on his return to the UK - similar to Cooper might just move the deal to 2018.

 

[Gareth67]

The 2nd report is from nrlroast. They just pick up stories from others like Mole, Lurker, SMH, Telegraph & Fox Sports, then republish them.

nrlnrl, that being the case , then I now highly doubt that he will be in our colours in 2019 or any year for that matter . Thanks for clarifying things .

 

[hewi]

I think we are building very nicely towards 2019. We should be a genuine premiership contender by 2019

Agreed however the $64,000 question? Sorry, the coach.

 

[KiamaSaint]

Any signings for 2020 yet?

I hope our club is thinking beyond 2020. It has been pretty obvious since Bennett it has been a year to year proposition until now.

 

[possm]

Agreed however the $64,000 question? Sorry, the coach.

It has been clear for years - since Bennett left - that we need a top line coach. The Board has felt that an old boy rookie is the way to go. I think if were up to most of the board members, Dean Young would be our next head coach.

Our young forwards will get to show their talent in 2018. As with Cooper, Walmsley would have to earn his spot in first grade. Remember how many members on here were saying Cooper was a poor signing, then he came good and was one of our best for many games while he was here.

In 2018 we are one prop short in our rotation. Someone from reserve grade will step up and fill that spot. The same will apply in 2019 and if Walmsley is the front runner, then he will get the jumper. Most of our young backs are still about one season out from making a first grade spot their own. in 2018 players like Lomax will get their chance.

So, if Walmsley is not coming until 2019 and we have approx. 900k in our cap, maybe it's prudent to sign Lomax long term with a front ended contract and do the same for any other young gun who shows himself to be worthy of a contract. Other than that, front end extend some existing contracts and front end them to use up our cap. As you all know, we can't carry over a cap surplus to be used in 2019..