Now we have our left centre in Turner which positions do you think we need to strengthen now to make us a top 4 side again next seaon?

We have 2 players OOC at season end and would you offer them new deals?

Gene Ormsby - No, waste of cap space in my opinion and have wing cover in Murphy and Simpson
Sam Rapira - No for me, had one of his best games for us against Catalans recently but I feel we could use the overseas quota spot and money to bring a better prop over.

Added to the rumours of Tom Symonds not playing again and maybe retiring due to injury we could have 2 quota spots available.

For me then we require 2 props, a 2nd row and a half to make us a top 4 side again - Jamie Ellis coming back is not the answer in the halves...I feel he will stay at Hull KR.

I would lexpect Stone to move on 2 of Clough, Ferguson and Smith.

Rapira is a hard working prop- and does a lot of the "dirty work" and gets a quick ptb. I would give him a contract at the right price but I did see on twitter he was asking if anyone knew about how to take a dog from uk to Aus/New Zealand which suggests he isn't going to stay.

not sure on rapira, i like the guy but he will be taking a hefty salary cap space so maybe we could find someone better, not getting any younger

symonds said he may play again this season on friday night...prob abit optimistic.

agree on ormsby, not needed now really with the emergence of mcintosh

How long was R Stones contract ?

I feel sorry for Gene but he was a panic buy. He'd do well playing week in and out and with a good centre at the side of him. However we have too much competition for him to stay.
I'd get shot of Rapira. I like him but age is against him and I would take a shot and say he's on a good wage.
I also like Jamie Ellis and I think we've missed him this season. Unless somebody better comes along I don't see the rush to get rid.

end of 2018 with mamo and wakeman among others

not working out for smith here, he could move on

i dont mind ferguson, decent second rower for us

So really the whole thing about new players rests on whether RS is going to still be here after next season, If he is i would imadgine he is going to want some say about who is retained, and who is signed as new to us, Next season for him he is stuck with players he didn't sign, for better or worse, If he leaves after next season , the same will apply to the new coach.

To be fair i suppose that is almost always the case, and as discussed elsewhere long contracts don't help that situation.

I am more than happy to stick with Stone. He has brought in some good talent yet to see turner in a giants shirt but he was good at saints. Compare his signings to that of Anderson last season and there is no competition on who has more ambition going forward.

Turner was both good and bad at saints. He couldn't get in the side at Canberra so didn't do enough to convince Ricky Stuart. Whilst wardle IS getting gametine in the NRL. So turner may be better than what we have now- but suggests isn't better than what we HAD.

No argument from me.

Can't argue with that either.

canberra are a better team than newcastle, newcastle are bottom of the table at the moment...again (2016 too)! canberra finished 2nd in the table in 2016.

would imagine they have very good centres too at canberra...someones feeding rapana who tops the nrl for tries so far this season

Think thats a bit unfair to compare Wardle and Turner in the NRL. Wardle for a start Wardle been playing in the back row predominately. Also Turner had a current Canberra legend (Croker) and someone on the verge of origin (Leilua) in the centres in front of him. Wardle is also playing for a coach he has played for before and also in a poorer team.

I do agree Wardle is the better player though just different situations in the NRL. I think Turner will go well for you guys would love to see you make the 8 again and I think you are now seeing some improvements on what you have with Stones signings. Also really hope what ive read on here about Symonds isnt true too think he is a cracking line running back rower

Turner was playing in the back row too as a loose.
Canberra are doing better than knights- but he's not been covering himself in glory in the 9s either. Will have to wait and see- eden wasn't doing so well but came back a better player.

Wardle was part of the Mamo deal not in a deal for Turner. yes we had to loose a good player to allow us to get Mamo who is a very important player for us going forward. Stone is building a very good team and knows what he is doing. This does not happen over night and will take a couple of years to bring in the players we need but we are taking steps in the right direction since he has been here.

True, I think if you get him in the right form he will be a very good signing for you. Just think he needs to stay away from the halves though!