Walmsley to sign - Possm take a bow!

[watatank]

Props hit their peak in their late 20’s early 30’s. We’ve just bought James Graham and he’s 32.

If I were to guess, if we do sign him, he’ll likely be a straight swap for Ah Mau who is roughly the same age and wouldn’t be on peanuts.

As I’ve said, I don’t mind Leeson as a player but if we could get an English international and someone regarded as the best prop in the super league as a replacement, I wouldn’t be too unhappy.

Why replace Ah Mau at all? At least we know what we're getting from him and could sign him to a reasonable deal. I don't see the point of paying more for someone who is basically the same age and has never played NRL and would be older than the other guys that have come across from the Super League

 

[watatank]

Firstly, I haven't given up on him coming in 2018; in my opinion we need him most in 2018.

Secondly, he should only be selected for first grade on form. Given that he has missed most of the off-season training for 2018, I guess it would take a few rounds before he is up to the fitness required; similar to what happened with Cooper.

Thirdly, if our youngsters are better than Walmsley or deserve selection to first grade ahead of Walmsley on form, then they should leap frog him.

We should keep in mind that Millward recruited two fringe first grade props as depth players - Allgood and Latimore. I consider Lawrie and Kerr as fringe first graders based on last years performance - with Lawrie slightly ahead of Kerr on last years form. So Allgood, Latimore, Lawrie and Kerr are fringe first graders and will all compete for the fourth prop position in the first grade rotation. When Walmsley arrives, he will be classed in the same catergory and will have to earn his spot on form/merit.

At 29, he should just now be coming into his prime. I would have loved to have recruited Graham at the age of 29; he is now 33 and still one of the best in the business.

Yes everyone needs to earn their place but if we are seriously talking about the possibility that Walmsley won't be in first grade then why are we talking about him at all?

 

[giboz71]

Why replace Ah Mau at all? At least we know what we're getting from him and could sign him to a reasonable deal. I don't see the point of paying more for someone who is basically the same age and has never played NRL and would be older than the other guys that have come across from the Super League

Ah Mau is a good, dependable reserve prop. But like the situation with Nightingale, dependable doesn’t cut it any more. It’s got us one solitary 8th spot in 6 years.

I have no clue how Walmsley will go in the NRL, but keeping Leeson will not take us forward. Whether it’s Walmsely or someone else, we need better than solid 3rd and 4th props off the bench to make an impact that Sims did in various games, especially if we insist on a forward dominated game plan going forward.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Ah Mau is a good, dependable reserve prop. But like the situation with Nightingale, dependable doesn’t cut it any more. It’s got us one solitary 8th spot in 6 years.

I have no clue how Walmsley will go in the NRL, but keeping Leeson will not take us forward. Whether it’s Walmsely or someone else, we need better than solid 3rd and 4th props off the bench to make an impact that Sims did in various games, especially if we insist on a forward dominated game plan going forward.

This post gives me flashbacks of Bronaon Harrison and Dunamis Lui.

Please make it stop.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Besides Sam how are the other Burgess boys going?

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

First Grade Prop Rotation:
Vaughan
Graham
Ah Mau
Walmsley

Reserve Grade Prop Rotation:
Allgood
Latimore
Lawrie
Kerr

I think you're wrong about Walmsley and our up and comers.
He did nothing remarkable in the WC. The Australian forwards had his measure as did other packs from other countries.
Given the same experience in FG, they could be better than Walmsley.
I would not be rushing to sign another ESL player no matter how excited Millward gets.
Who cares if he has connections in the ESL - recruits from the UK are not going to win us a premiership.
Lawrie could develop into a beauty and Kerr is just as big as Walmsley - he desperately needs FG exposure.
It is totally unfair to compare our aspiring young forwards unless you are prepared to give them a good crack in FG.

 

[Carlton]

I am not impressed with what I have seen of Lawrie, his first grade appearances were pretty underwhelming. He looked like he lacked size and seemed to be out muscled.

If we are serious we need another hard prop, that may end up being Kerr or Allgood but we are gambling.

To be successful we still need a proven prop and an elite outside back.

 

[possm]

I am not impressed with what I have seen of Lawrie, his first grade appearances were pretty underwhelming. He looked like he lacked size and seemed to be out muscled.

If we are serious we need another hard prop, that may end up being Kerr or Allgood but we are gambling.

To be successful we still need a proven prop and an elite outside back.

Who then to you suggest. By the looks of it we could have kept Packer but instead let hime go. Which prop or props do you suggest we recruit. For me Allgood and Latimore are a waste of money and at best reserve grade players who will never produce the grunt needed in first grade.

So Ok, let's write off another year; 2018 is another dead season. Which props do you suggest we sign for 2019?

 

[watatank]

Ah Mau is a good, dependable reserve prop. But like the situation with Nightingale, dependable doesn’t cut it any more. It’s got us one solitary 8th spot in 6 years.

I have no clue how Walmsley will go in the NRL, but keeping Leeson will not take us forward. Whether it’s Walmsely or someone else, we need better than solid 3rd and 4th props off the bench to make an impact that Sims did in various games, especially if we insist on a forward dominated game plan going forward.

Not really what I'm talking about but anyway. Ah Mau isn't even that bad. If you compare him to the 3rd best prop on most teams, he's on a similar level. And he has represented great value for us ever since 2015. Does Walmsley change any of that and to what extent? Will he be worth the extra $$?

 

[Dragon Revival]

I think that we should retain Ah Mau as he holds his end up and is on reasonable money.
I was hoping that Hind would be retained and believe that Allgood and Latimore are past their best. Hopefully Kerr will make the grade as Lawrie is still on his L plates like Sele who tends to play one out. I still remember Kevin Gibson a big young Dragons prop who was bludgeoned on debut and was never the same. The Club needs to come up with a few local props quickly perhaps Mason or Sheppard. De Belin and Sims could plug the gap here and there.

 

[Carlton]

Who then to you suggest. By the looks of it we could have kept Packer but instead let hime go. Which prop or props do you suggest we recruit. For me Allgood and Latimore are a waste of money and at best reserve grade players who will never produce the grunt needed in first grade.

So Ok, let's write off another year; 2018 is another dead season. Which props do you suggest we sign for 2019?

Pssm, I don't know who we could get, I am talking about the player shortcomings I see in the squad. I'd love RCG, Latrell Mitchell, in fact the way Ashton Simms played in the world cup, bring him back. I'm not grafted onto any players in particular, just the type of player and their experience.

It's good to give juniors a pathway but not a walk up start. They need to prove they are the best player available and just because they are a junior doesn't mean they are the best.

 

[BennyV]

Lawrie and Kerr are both a year, if not 2, away from being able to hold their own consistently as part of the prop rotation.

At this point, Simms provides the best option as 4th prop, the same position he filled early this year and provided tremendous punch and impact off the bench.

 

[giboz71]

Not really what I'm talking about but anyway. Ah Mau isn't even that bad. If you compare him to the 3rd best prop on most teams, he's on a similar level. And he has represented great value for us ever since 2015. Does Walmsley change any of that and to what extent? Will he be worth the extra $$?

You asked why we would even consider signing Walmsley? I’m saying as a replacement for Ah Mau in 2019 is a fair enough reason. If that’s what Millward and co are thinking, then I’m with them.

Yes Leeson has been a decent player for us for a number of years but can we do better? Of course we can. Will Walmsley deliver for us, I have no clue. But it’s not like Super League players haven’t had success here. Sam Burgess and James Graham have at different times been top 3 props in the game. Elliot Whitehead and Josh Hodgson have also found success at NRL level. Walmsley is an English international and universally regarded as one of the best props in the Super League.

That’s some pretty good credentials for a player that’s effectively going to be our 3rd or 4th prop in the pecking order.

 

[Drakon]

Now some truth:-

Walmsley was born on 10 April 1990 which makes him 27 and so 28 next playing season. He is 1.96m tall and 115kg. Josh Kerr is 1.97cm and 110kg.

James Graham is not 33 - he turned 32 on 10 September 2017.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

You asked why we would even consider signing Walmsley? I’m saying as a replacement for Ah Mau in 2019 is a fair enough reason. If that’s what Millward and co are thinking, then I’m with them.

Yes Leeson has been a decent player for us for a number of years but can we do better? Of course we can. Will Walmsley deliver for us, I have no clue. But it’s not like Super League players haven’t had success here. Sam Burgess and James Graham have at different times been top 3 props in the game. Elliot Whitehead and Josh Hodgson have also found success at NRL level. Walmsley is an English international and universally regarded as one of the best props in the Super League.

That’s some pretty good credentials for a player that’s effectively going to be our 3rd or 4th prop in the pecking order.

Other than Graham who underperformed in 2017 for Canterbury, none of the other Poms mentioned are props.
The ESL is not the NRL no matter how you window dress it.
Are you seriously telling me that we have to go scouting in the ESL to find the last prop in our rotation?
The pool of talent in Australia is vast and the real question is "what sort of prop could we recruit in Australia with the same money we are looking to pay Walmsley?"

 

[giboz71]

Other than Graham who underperformed in 2017 for Canterbury, none of the other Poms mentioned are props.
The ESL is not the NRL no matter how you window dress it.
Are you seriously telling me that we have to go scouting in the ESL to find the last prop in our rotation?
The pool of talent in Australia is vast and the real question is "what sort of prop could we recruit in Australia with the same money we are looking to pay Walmsley?"

That is the correct question. Now do you have an answer?

What off contract prop in 2019 should we go for?

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

That is the correct question. Now do you have an answer?

What off contract prop in 2019 should we go for?

Let me do some homework and I will come back to you.

 

[watatank]

You asked why we would even consider signing Walmsley? I’m saying as a replacement for Ah Mau in 2019 is a fair enough reason. If that’s what Millward and co are thinking, then I’m with them.

Yes Leeson has been a decent player for us for a number of years but can we do better? Of course we can. Will Walmsley deliver for us, I have no clue. But it’s not like Super League players haven’t had success here. Sam Burgess and James Graham have at different times been top 3 props in the game. Elliot Whitehead and Josh Hodgson have also found success at NRL level. Walmsley is an English international and universally regarded as one of the best props in the Super League.

That’s some pretty good credentials for a player that’s effectively going to be our 3rd or 4th prop in the pecking order.

The players mentioned that have had success coming across were younger and established internationals at an earlier age. Anyway, it's not necessarily about whether or not we keep Ah Mau. You have to wonder that if we are going to spend more money, actively seek an upgrade and all that, is Walmsley the guy? That's what I'm interested in.

Anyway, I hope it works out if he plays for us.

 

[giboz71]

Let me do some homework and I will come back to you.

We may potentially need to replace 4 props in 2019. At this point in time, Ah Mau, Latimore, Allgood and Kerr who are currently all part of our top 30 are all off contract at the end of next year.

Hence I don't know why the angst if we do sign Walmsley (if it actually does happen) for 2019. We definitely need to bolster our prop stocks and IMO, Walmsley would be a good start.

 

[Crush]

Geez I cannot wait until the off-season is over. Because talking about some ESL Prop that may or may not be coming to our club the year after next is reaaaaaaaaaalllllllllyyyyyyyyy fricken boring.