Like Obst partnered with Pryce ? Would allow Southernwood another year of learning

God I'm confused, so many permutations of what we could end up with

that was what I was thinking with proviso that we give southernwood/addy as many games as coaching staff think he's capable of. Problem from developing our own player POV is that if we have 2 top class halves like orford and pryce then our developing players arent going to get any gametime unless one off the big names is injured. If one of the first choices isnt as big a name theres more chance of us giving the youth a chance imo. plus as obst is a decent hooker too it gives us opportunity for some rotation in the hooking role to keep things fresh. Not saying obst is the ideal target we should be looking at, far from it, but he would give us some interesting options.

Sykes and Obst *shudders*

I am pinning my hopes on the fact that the board are entirely wise to the fact that we aint getting in the playoffs without Orford or a replacement half back. None of the other halfback options presently at the club get us in the top 8 in 2011.

Is that fair?

Yep I think thats fair and correct. Without Orford IMO we only have 1 half back at the club anywhere near the 1st 13, Southenwood. Sykes is a utility back at best and IMHO Addy is a promising loose forward, and Kearney is a class full back. My belief (I could be wrong mind) is that the club realise this too.

Doing something about it is another story though... as we're finding out. I'm sure the club are working on options but none of them are certs.

Spot on. 100% agree.

I'm hearing from multiple sources it's between Obst and Dorn.

Not convinced about dorn, never have been, he [iwas [/ia dangerous runner if someones making space for him but I wouldn't fancy him as our 6 next year as I don't think he offers anything else.

I've always rated Obst as someone who compliments the team, big effort and workrate. He lacks top drawer plays and creativity for the 6 I'd want IMO but out of those 2 I take Obst....would hope to do better than either really but we'll have to go with what is actually available I guess.

Also, Is Obst not contracted for next season?

what would be really worrying is if we are actually going for both of them as a new halves pairing. we end up without a top player in either halves position which would be a definite step backwards from this year. plus dorn would use up orfords quota spot so we couldnt use it to strengthen elsewhere.

I still don't get how Dorn has yet to become exempt from the quota. How long has he been in this country now? Feels like a lot longer than someone like Nero or Meli, both of whom no longer count.

thats because it isnt as simple as just how long youve been in country qualifying you for a quota exemption. You also have to have been a kolpak player under old system i.e not australian or a kiwi. nero gets this through his italian grandparents, meli is I believe off samoan extraction. dorn is an aussie hence doesnt qualify and never will no matter how long he stays in the country.

Ahh ok, cheers for clearing that up!

Unless he applies for residency. I would imagine that he's been here long enough.

Doesn't matter that.

If he got his residency before he signed his next contract, would he not become exempt from the new quota rules in the same way as Kolpaks that have been here a while do?

No he had to be exempt prior to the new rules been enforced.

think if orford wants to go as long as bulls get enough compo id let him go as not set world on fire plus id rather have players at club who put there heart and soul in and its clear orford doesnt fall into this.Think bulls would be better getting a big name stand off and may be looking at some young unknown scrum half

I don't think Orford can be accussed of lacking heart or commitment whilst he has played for us. He pretty much played with one arm in the cup tie against Wire.

His importance to the team has been highlighted by many too - ie, upto 4th when he was playing, down to 10th when he wasn't. OK, he is not the only factor to this but the reason so many people are commenting shows how valuable he is to us and how good a player he is.

Hopefully he is coming back, and clear of injury ready to prove a point.

A non-commited Orford did a damn site better job than his predecessor with similar resources. from what I saw he gave everything when he was on the pitch.

You can not knock the guys heart and soul when he was playing he was our chief leader who was actually organising everyone and was clear to see when he didn't play we looked totally clueless. 1 game I remember was when we were up at the top playing pretty well earlier this season and went away to Hull FC when Orford was suprisingly not in the line up (due to illness) and our performance was dismal, had no attacking flare or creativity!!!

I would take 1 non-commited Orford than 5 average commited players!

Thanks. I'm pleased - I wouldn't want us to try and get around the spirit of the new rules (unless the player is much better than Dorn).

Makes a change.

No it doesn't.

Oh yes it does.

And pantomime season is upon us. He's behind yooooouuuuu.