Workhouse being the right word there. He would need to bulk up quite considerably and run with far more aggression. He is an awesome defender and gets through a tone of work.

However I don't see a 'top class' forward in Harrison Hansen. A solid pro on a modest wage.

I was speaking to Hansen yesterday, his op went well and he is targeting early July for a return.

I'd say yes, but as the utility back that he is, not with the #1 shirt. AFAIK he's not on a huge salary, and could fill a useful backup position in the squad for a year or two till the youngsters you mention (and others!) force their way in.

fair points but tbh I don't think hansen gets the credit he deserves for his go forward or his atacking play plus I'm sure he whould be on a lower pay scale as well

Another great shout from that list is Eric Grothe who can play full back, wing or centre. As I've said it depends on what Madge is looking for, either short term or long term but he is also another great kicker if we get any serious injuries in the backs. I don't think he'd want to come over just as a cover back though sadly, he's been a good player for Parra over the years and if he does come he will probably want a good wage.

The only thing Hock will bring back to the team is disruption, penalty's, lost ball and 4 games out of 20 where he looks awesome, we haven't missed him, lets move on and sign somebody better from the NRL

i cant see us retaining feka tbh,
fieldens past his best imo, coley is solid.
prescott and o carroll are young lads learning the trade, but good props.

i think we need one enforcer type prop to replace feka and fielden,

which leaves us with 6 props
coley, "enforcer", o carroll, prescott, mossop and the prospect ive heard of , but not seen yet, davies.

then we have another prop coming through who sean wane was raving about at a pre season do.............greg burke.

People said the same about a number of players that wouldn't change, Coley for example has been a penalty machine over the last couple of players and also had the habit of the knock on here or there. Under the new coaching staff we don't know how Hock will turn out again but I'd like him to get another chance first before people make up their minds on him. Probably best leaving that to the coaches don't you think?

We also have a lot of money tied up in Feka!

Hock will be immense under Maguire. He will receive the ball in a gap not with four tacklers knowing he is going to receive the ball.

Depending on which forwards are available, I can see us keeping Coley on his current form, possibly keeping Fielden but I think Feka will be released as, imo, he isnt Maguires type of forward.

Get Luke Bailey or Carl Webb in, then we will have Hock back and our pack will be more than a match for anyone.

I mentioned Luke Bailey again to the lads in the Melbourne office, I got laughed at again, something along the lines of 'why would you want to sign a sheila who'll be 31 next season?', and 'is SL really that bad that Bailey is considered a top drawer prop these days'

Can't say whether I agree with them or not as I haven't seen enough of Bailey for the past 2 years to comment.

He got back into the national side last season so he cant be that bad.

If i was going to pick a back out of that list i'd look no further than Cooper Vuna.

He's slipped off the radar a little as of late but what a player he'd be in SL! At 22 as well he’d be a weapon I’d make room for regardless of the options we already have across our back three.

What about Josh Perry as well?

It seems as though Saints are closing in to sign him. Good player though and would probably do a good job for them, personally my first choice would be Inu who under Maguire would shine IMO. When he first came onto the scene at Parra he was sensational along with Hayne, Tim Smith and Mateo.

Would quite happily see Vuna line up at Centre for a SL club, i appreciate he is normally a Winger but he looks to have the skill set that would transfer.

Looks like a young Inga when I have seen him play.

so saints are looking to sign shenton,bailey and vuna

interesting

Not many Aussie props come over here and really stand out - the best performers tend to be British, so I would be loath to pay megabucks for no better than we have now.

Hmm the only one I'd have of the three is Vuna.

Shenton I'm not convinced off which I've stated many times on the rumor thread, Bailey while he may be playing ok at the minute has had a hell of a lot of injury problems and hasn't got youth on his side.

Now Vuna on the other hand would be superb in SL, I haven't seen anything linking him with a move to Saints though.

I'm still hoping that with Madge's Storm connections we may be able to tempt Adam Blair over, he's certainly an aggressive forward who seems to be playing more and more in the frontrow, and he's still under 25.

All depends if IL as finally sorted the shambles with the salary cap he inherited.

A prop and a scrum half and i'm happy.

would give carmont a extra year or give Marsh his chance. I agree with you about Shenton

I've no doubt a prop will be at the top of are shopping list, however a scrumhalf? With Mellor coming through I just don't see us having the room within the cap to afford another Halfback, but I'm sure madge has already given a list to Lenegan of who he wants, and there's nobody better placed to know who's worth while getting from the NRL as Madge, seeing as he only just left the comp last year.



Josh Perry to Saints?

[urlhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/no-happy-hunting-mission-for-roosters-in-south-africa/story-e6frfgbo-1225852898359[/url

Will IL join any bidding war for ANY player?

i'm not to sure.

Saints will have a good chunk of cap for next season with fatty and gidley leaving..so i expect 2-3 good signings for them.

even though there all performing well this season. I would like to see a new quality prop next season. I dont think ocarrol will ever be top class even though hs is doing well. feka is a luxury prop we probably wont keep hold of under madge. I think there will be a couple of changes at the end of the season

Fielden to get a 2 year deal?
Riddell signed to end of 2011.
Coley one year plus one year in club's favour?
Paleaaesina is looking very vulnerable. Nor sure at all he'll stay.
Prescott a two year deal. He finishes his law degree this year so lets see how he goes when he's not studying.
O'Carroll signed to end of 2011.
McIlorum signed to end of 2011.
Hansen signed to end of 2011.
J Tomkins signed to end of 2011.
Bailey might be retained on a one year playing deal then a coaching job?
Mossop signed until 2014.
Lockers signed until 2012.

Then comes Gaz Hock! Will we re-sign or not?
I would, if we don't then 13 other SL clubs will be in the queue for his autograph.
With MM & SW's coaching and a move to prop he could be sensational!
He "could" be IMO the best ball handling prop we've had since Brian McTigue. That's if he develops as I think he could.

It could be that we will only lose one forward a year for the next two or three years both to retain stabilty in the pack and bring through younger players gradually when they are ready and when senior players' contracts are not to be renewed.