He's another Bailey, nothing more. That is not what we need, you are absolutely right.

Althought I would add that we could still get by with the props if we had the hard dynamic back rower, which we are now lacking. It depends which way the coach wants to play. If it's up the middle all the time, then it's a prop. If it's with a bit of flair then the backrow is what we want.

Really? I'm struggling to see where he'd improve us tbh? We need someone a lot better than him imo.. doesn't make enough yards for me.

Dowes is (and always has been) little more than a dependable plodder and I can't see that changing anytime soon. A replacement for Kirke perhaps if he was leaving but would we want a like for like replacement in his case anyway.

"Dependable plodders" are the backbone of a successful side tvoc.

Every good team has at least one or two just there to do the hard yards and soak up the tackling, allowing the flair players to do their thing.

Whilst I agree that every team needs "dependable plodders" Andy, I'd disagree that they form the backbone of a successful side. One the assumption that we are (or have been until very recently) a successful side, which of Webb, McGuire, Burrow, Diskin and Sinfield are dependable plodders?

People like Ian Kirke at Leeds, or Ewan Dowes for Hull FC (as mentioned above) are the very epitome of a dependable plodder, and they are needed by all clubs to help balance the salary cap, but they are not the backbone of a successful side.

I do agree with that Andy. I think the problem though is that when your flair players are either very old or called Delaney your pretty much FUBAR. We could always dump all the weight on Danny again to get us 4th spot or maybe expect that finisher and support player Webb suddenly becomes a locksmith in the post season.

Jared Hickey is another name that's cropped up on the 606 board.

Seems the OP of this thread on 606 likes to tell porkies!
Ben Cross the Knights Prop according to the YEP.

Hi guys, just a bit of info on the Aussie based payers....

Ben Cross would be a pretty good short term signing, but he definitely signed for another year with the Newcastle Knights.

Jarrod Hickey has been released by the Bulldogs, but wouldn't be much of a signing. The Dogs had him on a big contract from 3 years ago when he was going to be the next big thing.....since then, they've been counting the days until they could offload him. He's constantly overweight and injury prone (possibly due to him being over weight).

Brent Tate recently signed with the NQ Cowboys for 2/3 years.

I'm not sure there are many players still available who would make a good signing to be honest......pretty much everyone has been signed up who's going to be....and anyone who hasn't been will be looked upon as a bit sub standard.

15, Ben Cross

if true he's bound to be a failure

that number 15 jersey is cursed

Give Cross the number 3 jersey..... Nobody would notice the difference.

I think a lot of people have forgot about BJB coming back for next year. As far as I'm concerned he will be a new signing and with the experience he has had, he shouldn't be considered as a youngster as he will be looking for a regular start imo. A new pacey exciting back is just what we need and I think BJB can provide.

As a regular watcher of the very nearly unwatchable Quins BJB looked pretty classy with a gift for being in the right place at the right time, safe under the high ball (mostly!), good balance and pace with quite a sizeable amount of power and presence. He is however by no means the finished article. Often out of position and guilty of missing the odd one on one tackle but in general I pretty much agree and am looking forwards to seeing BJB play in a good side for a change.

I also wonder how Watkins will be used (I am praying he isn't another Ashley Gibson - promising start blighted by a knee reconstruction from which IMHO he never fully recovered - although he seem to be back on some sort of track at Salford) We'll be lucky to get more than a handful of really excellent games out of Keith next year...interesting season ahead. If we can have less of a season blighted by injuries we will be really competitive - a new coach will help

you've signed Zak Hardacre. He will be the best winger/FB in the country in no time. Speed to burn.

There's no question about it, brilliant kid and gutted he's gone!!!

how do you know we have signed him??

you have!!!! It'll come out in the wash - but you've got him!!
Top talent!

Do you know when this will be announced, and where did you hear it??

If he's good enough he's old enough. Get him the side. Right wing crying out for him.


FB: Smith
R.Wing: Hardacre
R.Centre: BJB
L.Centre: Watkins
L.Wing: Hall


Job's a good un.

Hope this rumour is true. He is a 6 all the way. Get him playing at Stand off in the pre-season warm ups and who knows, he could be the cover for Mags we need.

What about:
FB: BJB
R: Hardacre
R.C: Smith
L.C: Watkins
L: Hall
2012 backline

Are we not planning on retaining Delaney? or have we made him a second row?

BJB has more potential than Smith for centre IMO; leaving Smith for FB.

Why wait until 2012 ? Bring it on now.

Besides 2012 should see Chisholm on the other wing and Hall -if he continues to bulk up and lose that little edge to his pace - moved inside to centre or 2nd row alongside Delaney (Senior will have retired or moved to Salford)

BJB is a FB all the way, he is a natural. Watkins has still to prove himself for me, but he has time on his side. Chisholm won't make the grade. The lads got speed in abundance but thats about it. 2012 Will see:

1, BJB
2, Watkins
3, Delaney
4, Smith
5, Hall
6/7 Hardacre/McGuire