As are HKR

As are Les Catalans (apparently).

I would love Joel Clinton at the club, but I just don't think we can afford him under the salary cap - given he is the highest paid forward at Brisbane Broncos.

We are not signing any more players.

I thought that and then we signed Paul Deacon.

I thought that and then we signed Martin Gleeson.

I thought that and then we signed Cameron Phelps and Tim Smith.

You catching my drift here?

He's been in a bit of poor form though has Joel Clinton for the last couple of years, whether he'd accept a pay because of this I severley doubt it, personally don't think we'll be in for him but you never know.


On a another note.

[urlhttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/bird-key-to-willies-future/story-e6frexni-1225801624306[/url

Catalans are assembling quite a team there, Newton plus Willie and maybe Bird are quite a set of forwards.

There's nothing like treating a schoolboy like a superstar. In the immortal words of Brian Clough, "I've never met a schoolboy superstar".

I think the Mason deal is dependent on Bird remaining in Australia.

Newton ?

My mistake I meant Dallas Johnson.

i thought



was trying to think of anymore newtons

This has got to be a record....

Greg Bird back on the open market and free to play wherever he wants, would have loved for Wigan to sign him, World Class player either in the pack or at 6, NRL bound though no doubt and fair play to him, looks like we could see Mason vs Fielden in 2010 then, which will be interesting to see how both react.

I heard it was a straight choice between staying at Catalans and going back to NRL.
I know Catalans have offered him a new contract but there are a couple of Australian clubs interested. Gold Coast are one of them I think.

Now that Bird's been cleared does that mean he would get a visa to play for a British club?

The guy showed his class against both the Giants and Leeds in the play-offs I thought. A great player and one I'd love at Wigan.

I assume as he has been cleared that he is an innocent man and there should be no issue.

He in my opinion had the Barrett effect on Les Cats, once he settled in at Les Cats he was taking teams apart on his own, and was the catalyst for the late season run and play off form.

North Queesland are the favourties to sign him according to the Aussie press after making him a good offer.

We don't need him. He's a top player but plays in a position/s we don't need to strengthen.

If he would significantly improve our team we need him, regardless of what position he plays, the fact he is comfortable at 6, 13 or 12 is also a bonus. Never going to happen and I agree we have strength in those positions, but regardless of who is wearing those shirts I think there is always room for a World Class player in any team.

I just think sometimes you've got to bide your time and wait for the players you actually need rather then rush into a move for a guy who plays in a position/s you've already got covered regardless if he's world class or not.

He would improve our team playing as a second rower but not as much as a world class prop forward would do and i'd hate to think we'd rush into a move for somebody like Bird only for a top class prop to become available mid season and us have no room under the salary cap to make a bid.

I suppose any debate is irrelevant though as i very much doubt we'll go for him.

6. Bird
7. Tomkins

That would be great

Agreed that would be an outstanding combination.

Yep that does look a good combo.

Purely hypothetical but those two at 6 and 7 with Leuluai at 9 and either MM or piggy on the bench does look very good.

Not forgetting we have Deacs as backup as well.

i didn't think he'd been cleared. i thought he just appealed against a custodial and won that appeal. I cant remember reading his conviction had been quashed

Quote ="lothlorian"i didn't think he'd been cleared. i thought he just appealed against a custodial and won that appeal. I cant remember reading his conviction had been quashed'" The reason according to an article i read his custodial had been removed was because it had been accepted that his girlfriend had attacked him in an argument over her drug use she went at him with the glass he grabbed her wrists in self defence and neither knew how the glass smashed. I assumed that it was a case of self defence although i may be wrong in assuming this. edit just found this which suggests the conviction has been quashed. www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/g ... 5803912806

Quote ="lothlorian"i didn't think he'd been cleared. i thought he just appealed against a custodial and won that appeal. I cant remember reading his conviction had been quashed'" The reason according to an article i read his custodial had been removed was because it had been accepted that his girlfriend had attacked him in an argument over her drug use she went at him with the glass he grabbed her wrists in self defence and neither knew how the glass smashed. I assumed that it was a case of self defence although i may be wrong in assuming this. edit just found this which suggests the conviction has been quashed. www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/g ... 5803912806

His g/f 'fell onto the glass' aparently.

Quote ="MattyB"His g/f 'fell onto the glass' aparently. '" www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26 ... 21,00.html full copy of the judges thoughts on the incident and the build up to it and to be honest seems plausible given the build up to the events that evening.

Quote ="MattyB"His g/f 'fell onto the glass' aparently. '" www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26 ... 21,00.html full copy of the judges thoughts on the incident and the build up to it and to be honest seems plausible given the build up to the events that evening.