You're right actually. Carney never came over here did he? Did Bird play half a season for them or something?

Bird was outstanding in his latter games for Catalan. He was easily the best player in SL for mine.

Carney "signed" for Hudds for 2009 but his visa was rejected so couldnt come over. Bird played the 2009 season for Catalans after he had "signed" for Bradford, but also saw his visa application rejected.

I dont think Carney would have a British visa application accepted this time around either. I would have him at Wigan because he is a fantastic player, though there would have to be drinking/behaviour based clauses in his contract. A season away from the Sydney media might be what he needs. A focussed and in-form Carney partnering Finchy in the halves would be frightening!

Bird played most of the season for them. He was class when he played 13. Proves just how good he is when he got back into the NSW side almost straight away.

This is Saints we're talking about though. They're only a couple of weeks away from their next injury crisis

Carney
Dureau

Pryce

That's actually quite scary, considering they have Bosc as well.

They don't have Carney yet.

Dureau and Pryce is a class partnership though.

I think we will see Catalans splashing a lot more cash now they have developed their stadium, they now have much better income. The sooner they get the rest of the stadium sorted, the better.

miss read yeah Pryce could be a force at 13 with his power and creativity.

Course, we knew Pryce was off to Catalonia a while back on this board





I think he looks a great talent myself.


Two poor signings for me. They've signed Laffranchi about two years too late and I can't wait to see Lance under the high ball

Bird is a top class player and is current soo player. Carney wouldn't get a visa to play in England as he's had few problems.

On the subject of pryce, I'd like to have kept him but wasn't to bothered if we'd let him go and reach him with a quality stand off but that won't happen. My biggest worry was letting him go and not replace him.

IMO we ain't spending to the cap and looking to do things o bthe cheap by using the youth as a disguise. We've had KC, longy, gidley, pryce, Graham and eastomond all leave or leaving in the last few years and all will be top earners.

Your youth at the moment is proving it's worth but I agree you require a few quality signings to maintain competitive at the top of the league.

I wish Leon all the best,he has been an excellent player for us and a 3 year deal as he is almost 30 Saints would never have matched.

Our squad is looking a bit thin for next season but I am expecting one more signing and hopefully we can still compete which I have no doubt we will.

Sorry but a 30 year old pryce on a 3 year deal is better than a 29 year old Hohaia on a 4 year deal.. IMO of course.

Go on then, which overseas singings are you releasing for next season?

You could be right mate,we will have to wait and see.

The length of the contract was a sticking point between saints and pryce. I find that strange as we've give perry (30) a three year deal, hohaia (29) a four deal, laffranchi (30) a two year deal and TP (32) a two year deal.

Rats and sinking ship spring to mind!

In addition you gave:

Meli (32) extended two year deal till end 2012 season.
Wellens (30) extended two year deal till end 2012 season.
Flannery (31) extended one year deal till end 2012 season.

True.

Pryce has proved garbage in big games against top teams since his move to stand off, just review his performances in the 07, 08 & 09 Grand Finals. He's a flat track bully, his whole game is about running wide at tired & pi55 poor defences. It's no big loss to Saints, they've got young halves coming through who i'm sure will be more effective when it really matters over the next 5 years or so.

Saddened said last week that Sam Tomkins is a flat tracker.

After the grand final of 2010 and the quater final and semi final of this years challenge cup I fully agree

i actually think saints will be a good team next year, and they will benefit from offloading Graham and pryce too. i've never rated graham highly to be honest and the NRL aren't getting the player they think they are.

saints have some really talented kids coming through and have already blooded the likes of foster and lomax this year like we did with sam tomkins prior to this season. a good mix of youth and experience if you ask me and they'll be a better team than they have been this year, depth is the question though which has proved a struggle for them this year IMO due to injuries.

as for eastmond, well, good riddance if you ask me.

leon signing for catalans will only improve the french sides potential and he will be a good addition. i still rate catalans as one of the big sides to beat in the playoffs this year, ahead of saints, leeds etc.

I think people are over-rating the likes of Lomax and Foster. This Stadium plan could send them down to the pits of averageness for a few years if they carry on the way they are, replacing their geniune talent with crap from the NRL.

Definitely. I think Catalan are the perfect example of what can happen with a bad coach, Walters did a terrible job.

If they managed to sign Carney, they would have the best team on paper in Super League in my opinion. I would be happy to see that, they deserve success with the fan base they have.