Probably have a full preseason to figure it out.

I'd like to think this will bring out the best in Ackers. He's clearly a talent at 9 and we've not seen him anywhere near his best. We know what Croft can do, we've seen it in flashes, and I do think Frawley, on the front foot, will go much, much better next term. He'll have to, mind.

That's the hope. With Connor breathing down his neck and hopefully a losn for Sinfield so he gets weekly games.

For Ackers I agree. We finally have enough bodies at prop, now to see if BA can get them running hard and keeping hold of the ball

Sounds like Siva is just when now not if, possibly some movement news next few days if not hours.

I find the Parramatta fan comments on Sivo a bit concerning particularly after his performance this weekend. Hopefully his defensive weaknesses are less prominent in the lesser SL competition.

I don't think he can be really judged off one international game this weekend. BA will know him well enough to know his weaknesses in defence, and hopefully but a structure in place to not get him isolated. Looking at his highlights/tries, he seems to score the same try over and over again, which implies teams can review it and try to defend against it, but he'll still score. Really confident in the backline to get some good metres out of backfield and set a platform for the forwards. Hopefully it enables Ackers to run at broken lines a bit more.

PS: the video of Maika's dad coming over to surprise him for Fathers Day is brilliant.

He's scoring rate in the premier RL comp on the planet is incredible. As you say, knowing what he's going to do and stopping him from doing it are different things. If we give him the base to perform, he'll rip it up over here.

The fella is basically Marcus Bai, and I'm more than fine with that.

I agree Sivo will be a good acquisition and will improve our attack.
My concern is that Hall, Handley, Newman and now Sivo are not the best at defending.
Has Hall ever played centre?

I miss those days.

One of the best

Wondered when you'd be along...



You're right, I loved watching him play. You knew there would be a few mistakes here and there (2005 CC Final...) but great entertainment and completely whole hearted player.

Other than his age, I don't think the comparison with Bai is accurate at all. They're totally different in almost every aspect.

Slightly unrelated, but it looks like McGuire will be the new Cas coach with Delaney as his assistant.

very odd decision imo. you sack lingard you go for experience

You know a transfer is going to happen when Peter Smith is giving him a number in his 30 man squad for next year.

Overall not bad changes in players.

Agreed. Bizarre. Fwiw, I thought Lingard had them moving in the right direction. Time will tell I suppose.

As.good as it's been for many a season, on paper at least.

Not sure I'd agree. "On paper" we've signed a 37 year old winger, one prop with some NRL experience and another with none. Siva might be added, but the reality is we're taking a punt on Arthur's ability to revamp the existing players and spot decent NRL ones.

Wings of Siva and Hall will be very strong but our back division won't exactly be lightning fast. That means to use them we'll need to get good field position and work moves to give them space. That screams structure and planned moves.

Granted the coaching team needs to get them to work as a whole. Everyone has a job and knows what it is, etc. BA clearly started that last term. A stronger by far backline (I'm assuming Sivo arrives), more power up front and a good, hard pre season gives the platform to at least be competitive.

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"We had a good team on paper, unfortunately the game was played on grass." Brian Clough.

Me too. Bai was a terrific signing.

We looked good on paper last season (barring being a big prop short), should have been good enough for top 6 anyway.. nothing guaranteed, but you can only judge on paper at this stage and if Sivo comes in it certainly looks much better than last year no doubt.

We now have 6 props over 17 stone in weight allied to guaranteed metres out of backfield .I know they don't all necessarily play to their size or for enough minutes!
Despite the above we should have enough to give us a completely different platform for our hooker and halves.
In theory on paper we should be finishing sowhere between 4th and 6th as a minimum and the gap to the top 3 should be closer.