How ever you look at it, the Squad is stronger overall, there may not be any standouts as yet and the quality of the youngsters coming through is the bonus we have been waiting for! If we have a similar start to last season but continue to progress beyond Easter it will become a good season!

We're not signing Leon then?

Yes thats what I meant but didnt say as well as you have. We have traded Trag for Elima, Diskin, Hargreaves, however many of their salaries come to whatever Tr was earning. If we had all them and him on the books at 1st December when the cap starts, problems, hence the discussions with the RFL as was pointed out elsewhere. but a lot of the issues are all tied up together - cash is what the club needs to fund the new team, academy, Tr payoff, etc etc and it doesnt grow on trees - lack of it can be the only reason so many academy players were in the squad last year. with so many more experienced players this year they have returned to the best place for their long term development, the academy.

separate subject but anyway: I would be very happy if Mick got us to a playoff place at the end of the season as long as all the young players were all seriously pushing for automatic places by then, [uand[/u we had only used the academy players when it benefited them [uand[/u the academy did better than last year which it should with the experience several already have under their belts.

Anasta mentioned by hood today and leons name just wont go away. What are peoples thoughts, and if you arent interested in Anasta, what calibre of halfback or player would it take to be interested?

Hood mentioned Braith Anasta where today?

I think the club would be interested in Anasta but like most things there is only so much you can say. Nothing is confirmed until the contract is signed and until then everything is speculation and that's how clubs like it.

Quote ="New_Farnley_Bull"Hood mentioned Braith Anasta where today?'" It's in the T&A today www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... r_the_job/

Quote ="New_Farnley_Bull"Hood mentioned Braith Anasta where today?'" It's in the T&A today www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... r_the_job/

[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/8809301.Bradford_Bulls_only_interested_in_right_man_for_the_job/Today's T&A[/url

However, his actual comment on the player is


Doesn't say that he's a player we're targeting.

Good player but we've just signed a stand off. At loose fwd we have the likes of Addy, Donaldson and Bateman coming through. While he would omprove the side now is he the best signing for the future given the kids we're investing in?

If there was a world class centre available I'd be more interested.

Hood is waiting to see what happens: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5993868635 Still looks like they are trying to get him longer but cheaper, tho the Roosters management are making a fist of it!

Hood is waiting to see what happens: www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5993868635 Still looks like they are trying to get him longer but cheaper, tho the Roosters management are making a fist of it!

I agree we have signed a standoff but i am reluctant to say we have enough quality and depth there at the minute as both are relatively unproven. i think any top drawer /prop or halfback would be a good addition to our current squad

I agree. Our back line is stronger than the last few years, but we could really use a bit more attacking flair.

Adds some serious quality and experience to the existing squad.

A 1-2 year deal would be ideal in my opinion and allow some of the young lads time to get up to speed for a starting 13 spot.

I see what you mean. But maybe as people have been saying on here, if we did sign him then it could take some of the Pressure of Briggs while he adapts to Super League life.

It's a double edged sword with Aussies. They either come in and bring the kids along or they come in and push them away from the club as they see their chances less often.

surely if the guy is an upgrade on the players we have in that position he is worth a look. He is proven at the highest level in a postion we have struggled with and we can afford him. i dont think he ll come to England, but we should defineltly be looking to find out.

He's clearly not a player that fancies having a go in England, he's a player that is struggling to find an NRL club so might consider England as a last resort.

The difference between the two seems crucial to me in terms of what you then get out of that player when they sign for you.

well he hasnt commented so it is hard to say tbh. i do not think he will come over, but i certainly think he is the calibre of player we should be very keen to speak with. if potter isnt convinced fine, but he would be of a higher calibre than any of our off season signings other than maybe Diskin

its a difficult balancing act really. Whilst adding anasta to squad would undoubtedly make us stronger this year you've got to balance that against the potential negatives that we're putting a senior player in that blocks the development path for likes of addy and donaldson this year ( working on assumption we'd play anasta at loose and only use him as cover for halves).
I'm in two minds really. if he didnt want ridiculous money then I'd probably go for him. If he wanted major money then I'd take a gamble on addy/donno/royston for this year and keep the money for other areas of squad. Would be an easier decision if he played in an area we're weak in and dont have promising youngsters coming through, s say.

quite right Mat

"Anasta is not without options elsewhere, but his manager Greg Willett has indicated that a move to the English Super League is out of the question due to business interests in Sydney" - a quote in the Oz press

and he allegedly earns getting on for £300000 a year. So not surprising they are asking him to take a cut for an extension.

Personally I suspect we already have someone lined up and will only announce them once visa is granted and they are due to arrive. Dont ask me why just a gut feeling I have.

i just found it unusual that hood mentioned his name. i tend to agree with Matt, we are being too vocal RE quota spot and cap room to not have something on the go imo

If you read the story, it's clear the name is one put to Peter Hood, rather than it being a name that he's put forward as someone we're looking at.

Personally I think that we are not 'chasing' Anasta but doing it to remind clubs that we do have cash and a quota available so we could sign someone mid season and rattle a few teams game plans.

when you're buying someone, usually the idea is not to let the other club think you have too much money or they will put the price up

good point, once the squad has settled down and Mick knows where the strengths and weaknesses are then so too will our competitors, but having the capacity to bring in another player could mess their Bulls game plan up. so sorry bull dog, I think you are barking up the wrong tree with your comment