I think you're being harsh there - there's a whole list of players who've looked like world beaters at Melbourne, gaining rep honours or huge deals elsewhere to ultimately turn out bang average. Without even thinking about it too much, some recent examples include;

Adam Blair (NZ) - Big money move but garbage at Wests, slightly less garbage at Broncos, though currently defending well.
Sika Manu (NZ) - Big money move and bang average at Penrith, lost his NZ spot
Dane Neilson (QLD) - QLD centre and big money move to Warriors, garbage at Warriors and lost his place, moved to Dragons and struggled to get a game before being sacked as soon as an opportunity arose.
Anthony Quinn (NSW) - Got a NSW Jersey despite being a poor mans David Williams

Then there are journeymen props that are as average/poor as they come, but look decent when asked to do a simply job like Brian Norrie, Ryan Tandy etc

I've said for a few years I don't see the hype with Widdop - he doesn't particularly excel at anything (he's got decent footwork, but not in the same realms as some of the NRLs finest), his basic skills are good, and he won't let anyone down, but he's certainly not 'marquee'.

Maybe we won't be signing an NRL headliner as the Marque player could it be a player from within move him off the cap and give others a rise?

A little bit of press over the weekend that St George are looking at a new halfback for next season. That's speculation from people in the know in the media from both hemispheres. I'm not saying it's gonna happen. I've just heard a few interesting comments that IMO have more to them. Probably wishful thinking from me as unlike some I rate Widdop highly. I recon he would be a dream fit to replace Sir Kev.

I agree I think widdop would be a perfect fit for us. Not sure it will happen but would be happy if it did happen

Just because you rate Widdop highly doesn't make it fact. You are entitled to your opinion my view is your opinion is cloudy by thinking Widdop is a the world beater he quite clearly isn't. One thing is for certain he is miles away from being a Johnson or Thurston - he is a poor man's Mitchell Pearce

It is all opinions, that's all it can really be, but I would think and hope you would be in a minority in world rugby playing down Widdop. Either way, whether a Johnson or Thurston, or not, he does however seem an absolute perfect fit for replacing Sinfield, and to be honest that is more important than a lot of other things.

I agree with that, but I recon I know enough about the game to see he's quality.



Maybe so. but Joey Johns and Lewis both say Thurston is the best player ever. Johnson on his day is unplayable and would walk into any 7 shirt in the comp except North QLD/Melbourne. So that's not really a reflection on Widdops ability really is it?



You must really hate Widdop?

You've listened objectively to informed opinion about the halfback situation at St George's. On a more subjective basis the fans forums are not happy with The combination of Marshall and Widdop and are speculating one should move on. Now I know once St George start winning again opinions might well change, however it might be timely for GH to make contact again?

True but then again SL isn't filled with the likes of Johnson and Thurston. You've got to remember when judging him that he would playing in SL (if the rumour were true that is) not the NRL. When we signed Cuthbertson last year most said Adam who??? This year people are talking him up for MOS.

By SL standards I think Widdop would be a more than fine addition if he does move.

Whilst I stand by my point that I don't think Widdop is anything special, I agree with this point - he'll look much better in SL and will be a decent signing.

In the NRL he'd not get a game at the Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Souths, Bulldogs or Manly (so pretty much all the top clubs except Melbourne) and may also struggle at the Panthers as they're very happy with Wallace and Soward. There's also a chance he would probably not be wanted by the Warriors or Tigers as they've got some young kids they're trying to blood (Lolohea seems the next 6 at Warriors with RTS coming in at fullback next year, and the Tigers are super keen on youngsters Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks who they're aiming at building a team around) . However, he'd walk into pretty much every Super League team.

Everybody is entitled to opinions, and all free to voice, but sometimes those opinions just go into fantasy realms.

I get sick every year of hearing so and so wouldn't get into an NRL team, usually Super League players. Yet for some reason players go over there and do make their teams. The reason is, is that there is some right 5h1te in the NRL amongst the quality, and players get over rated time after time. However, Widdop isn't one of those. Here is a guy who has played a lot of games in that league, picked up many Man of Matches, played for the best side in the league, winning a GF, and yet still we have a poster stating Widdop wouldn't make the sides of 9 teams.

To be frank, it's just like saying Peacock wouldn't make the Wigan, Saints, or Warrington team, that's how unlikely it is.

Widdop is a star in the NRL, never mind Super League, so if by any chance he has signed for Leeds, or any other Super League club, it would be one hell of a signing for this competition.

A star of the NRL - really? I'm not saying he's poor, I'm saying he's decent, but not top drawer.

I agree there are some poor halves in the NRL, but which of the teams I mentioned that he wouldn't get a game at do you think I was wrong with?

Can't agree with where he would and wouldn't get a game. It's opinion. I think he would be better than anything they have at the dogs, manly would love him with foran going, he would be a shoe in at the storm but they don't have the cash. He's better than both halves at the panthers. I like Maloney but don't see him being better. I think junior is maybe the most overrated half in the game. I'm a Tigers fan, the bottom line is that the halves are not getting the job done. I know it's a work in progress but Brooks has nearly 50 first grade games. Widdop is currently in a differnt class to the tigers halves. For most of the season Townsend has had to prop up the Warriors as Johnson has gone missing in a lot of games, but Townsend has always looked bloody average to me.

It's all opinions

I wouldn't want to speculate on where he would get in, that is up to other teams to recruit. But he is a top star in that competition, and more important consistent with it. That is something most teams would be after if he was available at the right time of recruitment over there, and would fit him in where they would want.

Last night Castleford Tigers were stating never mind about Cuthbertson and Peacock, is there a better pair of props Super League than Millington and Lynch. Stating Widdop wouldn't get into the sides of the nine teams over there, is on a par with that Castleford Tigers statement, it's just nonsense.

So it's nonsense, but you're not willing to say specifically where you disagree? I do agree that the Cas view is ridiculous, though both are in decent form.

SgtWilko - I was talking about 2015 teams and where he'd currently get a game, and there's no way he's get a gig at Manly over Foran and DCE, though I probably agree with you on the Dogs talent wise, but Reynolds and Mbye are seen by the Dogs as the future of their club - similarly, the Warriors are looking at building around Johnson, Lolohea (who they're super keen on) and RTS from next year - I seriously don't think either of those clubs would go for Widdop if he was currently on the market.

And they are all also working within a salary cap, as we do here. If you have a quality player in a position who gives you value for money, then yes of course they wouldn't be looking to change. But that is different from saying a star player is not good enough, because they would stick with what they have.

Leeds could have had better players in certain positions throughout their dominant era, but they chose to manage the cap and knew they could get away with certain roles. That doesn't mean that the players not looked at were not good enough to get in their side.

You have answered your own arguement. Where he would fit in relation to cap space and talent on a rosters is a totally different topic to if he's good enough to get a gig.

It's like the argument about Sam Tomkins, would Leeds want him? Probably not. But Its not because he's not good enough.

Of the teams I said he wouldn't get a gig;

Broncos - Hunt and Milford - wouldn't get a game
Cowboys - Thurston and Morgan - wouldn't get a game
Roosters - Pearce and Maloney - wouldn't get a game
Souths - Reynolds and Keary - wouldn't get a game
Dogs - Reynolds, Mbye, Hodgkinson - wouldn't get a game
Manly - Foran and DCE - wouldn't get a game

It's not a beat up - just saying he ain't too drawer - the best teams have better....

Totally disagree with a few of those. In my opinion you are wrong. In your last post you said if it was on talent he would be better than what the dogs have?

But that's the opinions for ya.

That's because personally I prefer him to Reynolds, but the dogs wouldn't pick him over Reynolds as they have a high opinion of him and he's a catalyst for a lot of their energy - different type of player to Widdop, but Reynolds suits the dogs style and approach.

Widdop is better than Pearce & Maloney. Any half will look good behind the Roosters' pack. See Origin to see a real reflection of Pearce's abilities when things are evenly matched up front. Aussie forums were all saying that Widdop would get an NSW spot if he wasn't English. He's better than Hodgkinson and Mbye too, though Mbye will probably overtake him in the next couple of years, and at least on a level with Milford, Josh Reynolds and Keary. Others like Morgan, Hunt and Adam Reynolds are also probably in his range - but it's hard to tell because they play in dominant teams and Widdop doesn't. Thurston and Johnson are a couple of levels above, but he's a quality player

See it's all a matter of opinion - mine is that of the list of 13 players above, right now I'd only pick Widdop over Josh Reynolds and Luke Keary, the rest would be ahead of him in the pecking order for mine - and if Keary continues his progression, he'll be a better player long term.

Like I say, Widdop is a decent player - he's just not as good as some over here like to think. Some believe in the hype just because he's in the NRL - but in reality, he played the 'safe and steady' role Melbourne have asked plenty of average players in the past to play, and although he's had some good games at the Dragons, he's hardly set the world alight - he's been steady away with a few very good performances and a few anonymous ones, but mainly just a steady Eddie!!!

Would he be a good addition to our team, yes..... Would he be 'marquee' or 'world class' - not in my book!

I don't see him as a leader - so as Sinfields replacement what would we get - better running game and much quicker, decent defense, but nowhere near the same level of kicking game (out of hand or place kicking), and nowhere near the game management skills.... Bit unfair to compare him to Sinfield though I suppose as we'll need to adapt to life without him...

If the Dogs had Widdopp he'd be first pick halfback today. I'd say he'd be on a par with Maloney, and a far better defender, so could easily get a pick there, and he's better than Keary, who's been very disappointing this year IMO. Anyone would look good playing outside Thurston - he's different to Morgan, but I wouldn't say Morgan's better either.

I've no idea if Leeds will sign Widdopp, I think its unlikely due to the cost though. He'd be a good fit in the Leeds team in in terms of the way he plays though - the most Sinfield-esque stand off in the NRL.

All I do know is that the halfback pairing at St George isn't working, but the biggest problem is that they have a powder puff pack and poor outside backs, in part because their halfbacks are on very big money. The main reason they'd look to get rid of one of them would be to free up cap space. If they were doing that, in all likelihood it would be Marshall they'd try to get rid of due to his age.

Again that is a matter of opinion your view he is the 5th best half back in the NRL isn't the general view of most experts.

He is a good player and would do well in the slower less quality SL. He is not the world beater you think he is in my opinion.

And I respect your opinion.

Where did I say he was the 5th best?

Where did I say he's a world beater?