Quote ="ArthurClues"INOUTI'm gutted that he's gone, especially because he likely won't take a place on the quota next year. I think everybody's reaction to the news is magnified because of the clubs recent record in recruitment. We basically just don't think they'll get it right. On the plus side, that's exactly why Blease was brought to the club to address. He hasn't shown his hand yet, and he might well have some aces up his sleeve. Can't help thinking that we'll be in a far stronger position re recruitment if Arthur stays.'"
Arthur is worth extra for his pulling power with players I think.
Generally people on here have almost zero commercial awareness. The club does not have bottomless pockets and neither can we breach the cap. Every player has a price, and so does Martin - if the club offered him what they thought was a fair amount and someone else wanted him more, at 32 next year how is it sensible to get in a bidding war for him?
He is good, but he isn't THAT good. He's also not the right body type for what everyone has been screaming out for. Would it have been nice to keep him? Yes. But not at any price.
Also looking at youth, with players like Gannon, Cassell and Lloyd coming through, maybe still Ruan and Butterfield, we are actually quite well stacked into the future. I'd go with the best NRL back rower we can afford on 2 years were it me, get some whack at the line and take some pressure off our front rowers. We need to use a marquee if it's available for either the back rower or the prop (but not make a total disaster of it like we did with Tetevano).
