How does that work? Contracts and all that.

As far as i`m aware Vinnie Anderson is out of contract after this season, Jon Clarke recently signed a new 4 year deal and Michael Monaghan signed a 4 year deal when he joined....Seeing as Clarke and Monaghan are both under contract as i read it and Vinnie Anderson`s will soon be out of contract and his form for us overall has been patchy to say the least, he has also had a lot of injury problems so it makes sense to release Vinnie Anderson given the above.

Thats baased on Michael Monaghan staying but only as a hooker with Micky Higham as the impact hooker hence why i suggested moving Jon Clarke to 13 where he has performed well for us in the past.

Their have been reports as you know about Michael Monaghan possibly wanting to go back to the NRL, i don`t think we would have much trouble in negotiating a release froim his contract if Tony Smith didn`t see him as part of his plans as he would find an NRL club as a hooker without too much of a problem.

But you said release Monaghan.

Its all well and good saying we can negotiate a release but the truth is that it is highly un-likely anybody would match Monaghan's salary and hence we would have to pay the difference which would count on our cap and reduce our spending power elsewhere.

From what I can see it would appear that Monaghan will be here next year.

no TC was warning people so i did a tongue in cheek $%'&* expletive signs sentence without actually saying anything. I think he put the =redBANNED thing as a sarcastic reply.

I was only joking

What about that tax loophole business being closed, hasn't his net income gone down?

Quote ="Paul Youane"But you said release Monaghan. Its all well and good saying we can negotiate a release but the truth is that it is highly un-likely anybody would match Monaghan's salary and hence we would have to pay the difference which would count on our cap and reduce our spending power elsewhere.'" If reports like this are true we wouldn`t have to pay Michael Monaghan anything to release him from his contract, Don Furner has claimed that his brother Joel Monaghan said his brother isn`t happy over here. To return to the NRL he would have to take a pay cut or he can stay over here being unhappy on more money, its upto him. www.smh.com.au/news/news/raiders ... 77341.html

Quote ="Paul Youane"But you said release Monaghan. Its all well and good saying we can negotiate a release but the truth is that it is highly un-likely anybody would match Monaghan's salary and hence we would have to pay the difference which would count on our cap and reduce our spending power elsewhere.'" If reports like this are true we wouldn`t have to pay Michael Monaghan anything to release him from his contract, Don Furner has claimed that his brother Joel Monaghan said his brother isn`t happy over here. To return to the NRL he would have to take a pay cut or he can stay over here being unhappy on more money, its upto him. www.smh.com.au/news/news/raiders ... 77341.html

Right, so a guy that you have already stated isnt good at distributing the ball yet your claiming he should player hooker where his main duty will be distributing the ball?

Quote ="Rob Wire"If reports like this are true we wouldn`t have to pay Michael Monaghan anything to release him from his contract, Don Furner has claimed that his brother Joel Monaghan said his brother isn`t happy over here. To return to the NRL he would have to take a pay cut or he can stay over here being unhappy on more money, its upto him. www.smh.com.au/news/news/raiders ... 77341.html'" That article dates from around the same time when Joel Monaghan was supposedly going to sign for Warrington as Gleeson's replacement next season. I think that Monaghan is a lot happier playing under Tony Smith than he was under Paul Cullen or James Lowes. A lot of things have changed since that article was written. Am I 100% sure he'll be here next season? No but it is infinitely more likely that he will be than say there is of Kevin Sinfield or Thomas Bosc being here.

Quote ="Rob Wire"If reports like this are true we wouldn`t have to pay Michael Monaghan anything to release him from his contract, Don Furner has claimed that his brother Joel Monaghan said his brother isn`t happy over here. To return to the NRL he would have to take a pay cut or he can stay over here being unhappy on more money, its upto him. www.smh.com.au/news/news/raiders ... 77341.html'" That article dates from around the same time when Joel Monaghan was supposedly going to sign for Warrington as Gleeson's replacement next season. I think that Monaghan is a lot happier playing under Tony Smith than he was under Paul Cullen or James Lowes. A lot of things have changed since that article was written. Am I 100% sure he'll be here next season? No but it is infinitely more likely that he will be than say there is of Kevin Sinfield or Thomas Bosc being here.

Completely different kind of distribution from dummy-half than it is from first or second receiver.

Not all hookers are distributors in the way that your thinking they are, a scrum half and a hooker have totally different roles and a totally different passing game.

Look at Roby and Cunningham, both are quick thinking hookers that like to make the quick runs from acting half which then catches slow defenders on the back foot and makes their team a good 20+ yards.

I wouldn`t say that Kieron Cunningham is best known for spraying 20 yard passes all over the field, a hooker mainly has a short passing game to bring the forwards onto the ball, at scrum half its a totally different kind of passing game, its the long distribution that Michael Monaghan struggles with as his passing at that range is awful at best.

Michal Monaghan seems to be a better player when he doesn`t have to stop and think about who he should pass too, he is a far better when playing on instinct and running the ball from acting half and is more suited to popping a short pass to a supporting player than the longer distribution game of a scrum half.

Im happy for him to stay but surely he should be moved into the 9 shirt.

TS confirms that Monas will still be here in 2010 in the post match interview after the hull game. Check the official site.

Personally, I think he's a hooker and never in this world a 7 and never will be. Hopefully Myler is the first choice 7 next year (alongside Briers it would seem).

That must mean there is zero chance of Sinfield joining us?

Indeed.

That is an excellent post....I completely agree.
He ain't a scrum-half.
His inability to play the position has already cost two head coaches their jobs in less than a dozen games.

Really? It was my impression that two coached had lost their jobs because their teams couldn't defend for .

That's for sure, but I think TS has done a lot more than that behind the scenes too which the previous incumbents did not.

You wouldn't be talking about the culture by any chance

I couldn't possibly say as I cannot back it up, it's just my hunch that he has righted a few wrongs.

Not impressed with the amount of folk slagging off Monas. The guy puts in a ton of effort and works tirelessly in defence. Yes he certainly isn't the finished article as a half back and should in at hooker but no one can fault the guy for his 100% effort. How many RL players would have taken a shot like he did in Barca and still come back for more. The guy has got guts as well as loads of ability. We signed him to play at 7 in a position which he isn't best employed and the club should cop the flack for that.

Nobody on here is criticising his effort and commitment, so what is your point?

Clarke isn't a 7, but he does a hell of a better job than Monas, who has had a hell of a lot more experience in that position in the NRL.

Dave My point is that some fans seem to want to lay all the blame for sides lack of attacking options at Monas. Without Briers he seems to be expected to set up and dictate play on his own and some of the others have to start taking some of the burden off him.
Also when Monas was playing at 7 for Manly when Orford was injured he was playing behind the best pack in the NRL which would make anyone look pretty good and if its a choice between him and Clarke I'd take Monas every time.

He was 7 at Manly before thy signed Orford. He wasn;t just somebody covering at 7, he was a 7.

He is a kay player for us, no doubt on a decent wage, and it is right that he should be stepping up and delivering. Briers steps up to the plate often enough.

Clarke at 7 is a much better option for me (without Briers playing), in that he is perhaps less explosive, but he does a better job of organising the team and delivering quality ball out wide.

Take your point about Monas money but in my opinion he does a good job for us. Maybe the swap Smith performed on Sunday is the way to go until Briers returns who we undoubtably miss. When I watched Manly on the box when Monas was there I only remember him at 9 until Orford got injured but maybe I'm wrong about that.

IMO Monas has shown on a few occasions this year the value he can add to the team at 7. When Briers is there playing well, Monas can come in and do the little things, allowing Briers to run the show, and it worked well at times.

Without Briers, Monas can't do it, he needs a strong 6 with him, so I agree, perhaps Clarke and Bridge need to be at halves until Briers returns.