Would you take him back for a couple of years if Milky goes to Cas? https://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35196

Would you take him back for a couple of years if Milky goes to Cas? https://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35196

If Milky left then yes I probably would.

Not sure, he's not the player he was when he played here last. When he took over for Canberra when George Williams left I was disappointed in every performance, he just didn't look good enough.

He's past it now.

Yep let’s bring a past it Aussie over rather than develop a young British player. Dearly me.

Do we have a young half ready to go if Milky leaves next year?
I take your point. And he wouldn't be top of my list, but we'll need someone.

I believe young Abrams went to Oz to prepare him for full time and Butterworth is no slouch. Also Walker started his pro career as a HB. Even if those don’t fit there are championship/fringe SL players who are worth a punt ahead of Williams for me.

A few years back yes but it’s too late now imho. I suppose Finn proves it’s never to late but imho Finn was a far better player than Williams.

If we are going Aussie again then I hope WP knows where to find the hidden gems.

I think he would be an excellent addition should we be in the market for a half which with Milky on his way we need to be.

There is very little quality in the halves in this country and even less that is available.

You can’t take the risk of not having a quality spine and there is nobody at the club ready to step up.

Lino when he was signed was takes up as being the organiser we have lacked since Finn. Lino is a good half but he isn’t a great organiser and that was Williams’ strength.

It’s not idea, but as a stop gap for 2 years whilst we bide our time and develop or identify a longer term solution, I would be more than happy to get him back.

It’s very very difficult to develop a half and have a winning team, or even a competitive one.

The idea model tends to be to have 2 established halves and a third being the development project who plays a handful of games for a couple of years maybe 3 before graduating to first team half back.

We don’t have one of those in the background at the moment.

We do have the safety net of Gaskill but not a realistic prospect capable of establishing himself as a quality first choice half within the next couple of years.

We have to recruit if Milky is going and I don’t see any halves that are British and available that would fit the bill.

Luke Gale maybe an option if we want to go British I guess.

Sam finishing his playing days in Australia.

Brad Walker.

I’d expect it to be the case given the timing of his departure from the Raiders.

If we went into 23 with Walker as a starting half I’d be very concerned.

He’s shown some glimpses but never really managed to back up a good performance.

I’m not saying he definitely isn’t capable of being a future half at Trinity but he certainly isn’t ready for it next year.

For what it’s worth I believe he lacks the pace to be a half and think it’s more likely if he does secure a place it the 17 in the future it will be as a 13.

Corey Norman would be an option? Excellent pedigree. I think chester tried to get Williams back the other season but Williams declined and will finish in Aus. You’ve just got to look at how many teams in SL have club grown 6’s/7’s that have come through and made a mark, it’s a very rare commodity sadly over here.

How do you expect him to back up a good performance when he’s constantly brought in and out of the team?

Imo he’s up there with Murphy and Hall as some of our best young talents.

Haven't we learned anything from the brough second spell

We might like him just let it be

Ben Hampton?

Spot on. Walkers is just a harder position. Watching WP,s selections he seems to be holding back a number of young players but I think it’s deliberate.

I think he wants us at a steady level before introducing young players and new ideas.

Worth noting that Charlie Abrahams is now the first team starting no7! This is the club Miller onongst others came from. That’s quite some going. So assuming he comes back to us and he may well decide to stay out there that is one very advanced young HB.

I don’t know whether we still hold his registration but I’m sure that was the original idea.

I think we are all missing a young player who will step up in the next year or so and be a very solid SL level halfback

Kobe Poching

I've only seen him play a couple of times so far, but think he is still some way off SL level yet.

Don’t think he’s anywhere near ready for SL rugby week in week out.

I also don’t think Walker is. I watched him vs Hull reserves and he was pretty poor. I could never fathom why he didn’t get a shot but I understood watching the Hull game. I do think he lacks speed off the mark or speed. He’s more of a 13 but we are looking good in that position.

I don’t think we have anyone ready to step in in 2023 if Miller leaves. We will need to sign a halfback.

Could we afford the names that are being brandished about, though I do think they would improve us.

I liked Williams, but I feel too, that we've been bitten once too often by players coming back.

Maybe time to rub the blackboard down, and start again.

Talking to his dad he’s certainly enjoying life in Aus and getting the best of everything, playing, coaching and lifestyle wise , which bodes well for us if indeed he decides on a return to the club .

But that is the challenge a player has when trying to break into the team. This isn’t an exclusive issue isolated to Walker. It’s the same for all young players.

When you get your chances you have to take them and he hasn’t as yet.

I agree with this. I’m not expecting the lad to stay with how he’s been treated this year, started the season off brilliantly and was dropped on good form. Played well in Bradford reserves game too last week so I expect the Hull game to be a one off which they all have plenty of.
He was signed as a loose forward but pretty sure he’s never had an opportunity there.