www.theherald.com.au/story/30535 ... es/?cs=306

www.theherald.com.au/story/30535 ... es/?cs=306

The comments at the bottom of that article are quite worrying..

Very worrying and an underwhelming signing to say the least.

It's the Newcastle Herald. It's where people go to whine about the Knights.

Not very complimentary at all about a player who has given long and loyal service but that's fans when things aren't going well, at times yesterday we looked rudderless with Widnes containing us for long periods, Myler called for the ball a few times and it went the other way, Patton a little better second half, again I noticed Patton and Bridge having words usually after we have let in a try, probably nothing.

Not sure if anyone knows but Kurt Gidley is Joey John's best mate
I myself spoke to aj at his home in Sydney in 2010 and asked who were we likely to sign
He was due to come over in the 2012 season but for reasons unknown it didn't happen
According to AJ this guy was tough and super fit and that's my worry "was"
He will be a good addition but my concerns are he's been injured alot recently and he would take an overseas spot
On the positive I think he won't carry a huge salary and he is a good utility signing who is a goal kicker too.
So where does Cronk fit into TS's plans?

An experienced NRL (and SOO) player, able to play in a variety of positions, sounds to me like precisely what Warrington are crying out for. We need an old head somewhere in the backs. If he's not a crock, and isn't here for a holiday, then it could work out. Quite large ifs there, admittedly. If he can do what Barrett did for Wigan, he'll do for me.

I've looked at a few clips of him on video. He looks a bit tougher than one or two Aussies that have been signed for Super League Clubs in the last few years. You never know how things turn out but he looks class. Just what we want.

I am sure the usual gang will be wetting themselves at the thought of signing another hot shot ,over the hill Aussie who will probably take 18 months to settle in before upping his game in the hope of getting an extension to his pension ,sorry contract.Someone mentioned how Hodgson settled in quickly at the Wire but hadn't he already played a couple of SL seasons at Huddersfield?
PS I hope Patten isn't sliding to scapegoat corner.

Official announcement from the Knights homepage. www.newcastleknights.com.au/news ... on_fu.html I say good luck to him for the future. He was never the most gifted player, but he was the fittest guy in the game, and will probably be the fittest in the ESL next year, and always gives 100%. If he fails for you guys, it won't be because he isn't giving it everything he has. He doesn't know how to do anything else.

Official announcement from the Knights homepage. www.newcastleknights.com.au/news ... on_fu.html I say good luck to him for the future. He was never the most gifted player, but he was the fittest guy in the game, and will probably be the fittest in the ESL next year, and always gives 100%. If he fails for you guys, it won't be because he isn't giving it everything he has. He doesn't know how to do anything else.

Signed a 1 year deal with a 2nd year option. www.nrl.com/gidley-signs-with-wa ... fault.aspx?

Signed a 1 year deal with a 2nd year option. www.nrl.com/gidley-signs-with-wa ... fault.aspx?

Bloody hell, is Diane rogerson working for the knights and the nrl now?

Intetesting it's only for one year with a second year option; I'm taking that as confirmation we've signed Cooper Cronk for 2017

Gidley was a decent player, but is a total utility back

Would we not have been better signing a recognised, organising half, and for longer than 1 year with a second option

If he's a good goal kicker like you say I'll take it, how many games in the last year have we narrowly lost or won because we keep missing them (like Sunday?). We rarely missed one after Hodgson joined - not that the 2011 team particularly struggled elsewhere, but as long as we're scraping through games like Sunday he'll come in handy if this is the case.

What massive differences would Bert have provided over goal kicking this week? Did you not see the wind?

Press conference www.newcastleknights.com.au/news ... kni_0.html (moderators - it's on the official knights site - totally legit to share)

Press conference www.newcastleknights.com.au/news ... kni_0.html (moderators - it's on the official knights site - totally legit to share)

I don't know. None? Can you find out please.

Officially announced now.

Gidley seems much more excited about coming to Wire than most of the posters here. I think after reading the quote below we can all be a little more optimistic about his gusto for the club:

"I have felt sad about leaving, I have felt excited about a new challenge but I am mostly relieved that I have reached the stage of making this decision.

"I have been thinking about this for over 12 months and I knew it had to come to an end at some stage.

"I have had a great career, it has been a pretty long career, and I am looking forward to the change of going over to England, so too is my family."

Had Saddened not mentioned his name the other day in connection to Saints I'd thought he'd retired.

This is the bit I don't understand. If Warrington desperately need a play-maker - why sign a player who isn't a primary play-maker?

Are you signing a primary play-maker AS WELL for Gidley to play in support of? If not the signing makes no sense.

My take on it is that this is a stop gap signing till either someone who we are after becomes available or someone we already have has that extra bit of time before being promoted from within.

From reading the interviews from Gidley, he mentions being down on confidence after being asked to play positions he had never really played before. I suspect this is at half back as he is predominantly a Full Back or Hooker.

I cannot see him replacing Ratch at fullback and shouldnt do either, Ratch is our safest fullback and offers plenty in attack also. Therefore this leaves me to think that we will not renew Highams contract, which would be a shame, yes he is getting on but i think his form warrants another year. Is it a possibility that Leigh have signed there local son for Super League next year and hence we have signed Gidley to replace Higham?

Were not biting!

We're still not biting.
Plenty time to announce that if required.