Will you take Souths seriously next year?

[RabbitohHighlightMaker]

We have made some seriously good buys. We've also made some smart buys.

In the past Souths are known for just making random purchases for whoever will come to the club. Things are a litte different this year round with PHaC and Crowe running things.

The very serious point is - in 2006 we have been an utter joke. But going into 2007 will you take the following line up seriously as a threat to your team on game day (no talk of finals - I'm not that stupid) or will you see them as a speedbump as they have (rightfully) been viewed this year?

1. Peachey
2. Merritt
3. Vagana
4. Gordon
5. Hegarty
6. Champion/Smith
7. Smith/Williams
8. Cusack
9. Webb
10. Asotasi
11. Kidwell
12. Fa'alogo
13. Sutton

14. Widders
15. Geddes
16. Guluvao
17. Stuart

18. Irvine
19. Lowe
20. Mellor
21. Manukufao

Also, keep in mind the club has added Jason Taylor to its coaching staff, Erroll Alcott to it's medical staff and the new facilities in Martin Square as their rehab/training/recovery facilities.

 

[aussies1st]

Forwards should definitely provide the go forward for the halves. Halves should have no problem firing. Definitely no wooden spooners.

 

[Saint 60]

few injuries and they will have probs....

cheers tho...

 

[Earl]

Same time last year, everyone was saying that they will improve in 06.

They just keep getting worse.

I'm sitting in the fence.

 

[aids]

if they annouce Taylor as being the first grade coach before the season starts.
yes

if not, no

 

[Cletus]

I'm with Earl. They always seem to look better this time of year. I thought they played well against the Dragons, and Peachey seems to add a lot to them. With the players they've bought they should be very competitive, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Johns Magic]

Asotasi looks like the only massive improvement they've made to be honest.

They already had a top back-row, and they just seem to have over-compensated in that area this year. The money that players like Widders and Gulavao(who wont even be starting) will be receiving would be far better spent on a QUALITY half. Jeremy Smith won't cut it.

They look weaker in the outside backs. Sure they bought Vagana, but the MacDougalls are a bigger loss.

Asotasi is their big gain. Although at the moment there just seems to be a loser mentality within the club. On paper this season, they should have won at least a few matches. They just need halves.

 

[willvillain]

The only signing I am genuinly impressed by is Asotasi.

The others have plenty of time to backpeddle.

One or two key injuries, and the team is done.

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

I'm going to wait and see...

 

[PARANoIR]

Ill make my judgement once they win a few football games.

 

[LESStar58]

They'll improve but won't be ultra-competitive for at least another 2-3 years.

I'm already tipping them to finish ahead of the Raiders in 07.

 

[Johns Magic]

They'll improve but won't be ultra-competitive for at least another 2-3 years.

I'm already tipping them to finish ahead of the Raiders in 07.

The Raiders, the perennial pre-season wooden spoon favourites...

 

[DeeGan]

As one said, bring in Jason Taylor and give him three years to turn this club around. I have said before, JT will be coaching Souths fulltime at some stage - I think we will see him appointed between weeks 4-8 in 2007.

Will I take them seriously? I think you have to take any NRL team seriously and even more so for your team who just so happens to be making their debut in 2007 ;-)

 

[BrisVegas]

I expect them to compete for the wooden spoon in '07, it won't be a forgone conclusion, but i expect them to finish between 13th and 16th. I also expect Jason Taylor to be coach by this time next year, with McRae moving to a coaching director title to save face.

Asotasi is their only impressive signing. Peachey, as good as he has been, is getting old, as is Vagana and Kidwell. They lack quality halves, depth, and a few injuries will see them travel similar to this year.

The signings are a good foundation, and if be added to in 2007, and some juniors added, The Rabbitohs could make a run for the top 8 in 2009.

 

[Mong Chariot]

They will be competing with the panthers for the wooden spoon.

 

[Sir Biffo]

You can have a team of star players which doesn't make a star team. Souths already have the personnel to at least win a few bloody games but when your sh*thouse for so long, it takes a long time to turn it around. I'd say at least 2009 before Souths start competing for a position above 14th.

 

[raiders fan forever]

Dont think the Rabbits will finish 16th but i still dont think they will be top 8 material and wont be for 2-3 years IF THAT!!!!.

 

[Seano]

No one is going to take Souths even remotely seriously until we win a few games early in the season.

Souths fans are always staring to next year in july..

 

[raiders fan forever]

its ashame but im hoping they can recover from this SHOCKING season.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Time well tell, theyve bought Kidwell, Vagana, Asotasi all Kiwi test players, along with Widders good bench player, Taylor doing a good job at Parra might continue his success at Souths. They bought Errol Alcott for fitness.

Thats one thing they need to improve on is fitness. I think on paper they should be able to win more than say well enough to get them around the 8.