Confirmed

Happy with Prior two year deal is a good move for all parties.We need another prop imo and we look a whole lot better than the past 2 seasons squad wise.

Decent signing, but I hope he's Peteru's replacement, and not Merrin's

This.

The club basically confirmed that in their statement that they wanted them to play alongside each other

Que.GH. Whilst wed of liked them to play together it hasn't worked that way. But Matt Prior is an excellent singing and we have cap space during the season should the right calibre of player become available.

Interesting that they're talking about cap space during the season as opposed to before it? Sound as if we're going to kick off the year with space on the cap.

If the right player type of player isn't available now to sign then there is no point in making a signing for the sake of it.

Glad its 2 years and not the previously reported 3.

Agreed

Good signing. Will be one of the best front rowers in SL imo.

An bang average prop in his time for the Sharkies, he'll probably look good over here!

I think the loiners will struggle to replace Merrin at such short notice though, maybe they'll get someone in mid-season.

Nice try, lets see if anyone bites...

Obviously he's wrong, he's been really consistent since joining the Sharkies but imo you saying he'll be one of the best front rowers in Sl is a push imo. Priors known for being a very consistent forward, he very rarely has poor games let alone years. But his game is more known for his defense, which is excellent and that's where you see him make an impact for his side, with a big hit or making the opposition lose the ball. No doubt he always puts his hand up for a hit up and does his job there also, but he's no big meter maker, tackle buster. I suppose it comes down to what kind of player you need and what fans expect Prior to be.

His stats this past season tell you what he's about, he averages 27 tackles a game, 88 meters, 17 tackle breaks a season and 10 offloads, Like I said on the VT hes's the kind of player every teams needs at least one of, consistent, disciplined and does the little things right and as I said elsewhere if there's a player that comes to mind when I watch him it's Arona at our Club, which for me is a good rap because he's the glue that holds the pock together and for me he's one of the most underrated players in SL.

Great post!!!

Prior wont be trampling blokes or skittling defenders left right and centre, he'll.just make hisnsteady yards at a decent pace.

What he will do though is lead the defensive line, particularly around the ruck. His line speed is terrific, he hits hard and sticks - I've seen plenty of times when he steams out of the line at 100mph, smashes a bloke, wraps them up and plants them on their belly for a slow ptb, all 1 on 1, but he's very measured with it - very rarely misses his man. An area of the game where we've been found desperately lacking in recent years (and actually one of Merrins weaknesses).

Will be a great signing, but not spectacularly eye catching - so may well fly under the radar.

He sounds just what we need. Pack looking intimidating this year

Just arrived.

Let's hope club get him in nice and settled quickly. I'm sure I read somewhere Merrin said how he was really unsettled when first arrived as the house arrangements were messy no furniture for weeks etc. Soft Aussies

Yes weve had 3 of those now so let's hope this ones ok

A little quote from Prior below during his first interview over here. This is music to my ears. If he is good to his word then this is exactly what we need, maybe not all we need, but him and Ava have the potential to be the cornerstone of a very solid pack finally.

"I've built my career on doing the little things right, being a team man and bringing a lot of energy,” he admitted.

“Everyone who knows me knows I am a competitor. I like to do the little things well and I want to continue to do that.”

Shark reference

... someone like Rhys Evans for example

Fair comment .

Whilst I agree with the sentiment, I think the original post was about signing someone average permanently, and tying up cap space for several years