It's a tricky one. You'd expect Justin Holbrook, because Saints have been in a different league, but Ward and Watson have exceeded expectations.

BUT, it will come down to the last weekend. Can you give coach of the year to the relegated coach, just on the basis that they did better than expected? Or to a coach who "almost" got their team into the play-offs? If London stayed up, however, Danny Ward would deserve it.

Sorry do not agree about Ward for coach of year,he as done ok and managed to stay injury free with the players, think that's down to the conditioner. Think the G 4 patch as helped .Notice how how much the ball bounces with out a lot of force behind the ball , it's a big advantage if you playing on it every home game. Do not know what kind of money he as had to spend ,but remember wie are no were near the salaiy cap . As said he as done ok

Think that is a bit harsh, its clear to see the work that Ward has done in analysing the teams London have come up against and how he has tactically changed his game plan for every game more or less to target weaknesses in teams, to answer your question about the spend, who knows? But he only had a few additions from his championship team! That said, it would be quite ironic to give the coach of the year to a coach who has had his team relegated (Looking likely) with this being a results business, unfortunately it would be seen as Ward has failed.

Also I would not say we are "No were near the salary cap" we were 340k below at the beginning of the season.

Since then we have signed Tanginoa, MCB (Albeit has now gone) Tangata, Atkins and taken Escare and Green on loan and let go Huby and Hirst, so we are probably not as far off as you think.

For me coach of the year would go to Watson, especially if Salford make that top 5.

Its quite remarkable only two years ago he played his first game at HKR and despite strapping and leg supports he received a standing ovation from the fans after the game - that was probably the high point of his time with us.

As most of us think we would rather see local lads given it a 110 percent than a potential star giving it 80% - personally dont think he will do much at salford either - after all he was playing to secure a contract

Thought one of the many reasons we have all taken big dave and tiny to our hearts was shown this weekend when they were sat in the stands with the fans

plus Horo and Baldwinson

I cant understand posters saying that we have tried using him in the same manner Salford did, I don`t think we have. He averaged around 10 minute a spell whilst at Salford, I can only ever remember him doing one spell like that, and that was were he was taken off the pitch away to Hudds after 7 minutes due to an appalling performance. Also don`t see how it is silly of Chester to try play a player that has played all his career in the second row, at second row?

We wont miss him here, I would say he is a luxury we cant afford but I don`t think he is a luxury, maybe a lazy luxury at best, he may go well for Salford if Watson gives him a kick up the backside but that is a big if! We can invest our budget on a player that gives a damn.

Apologies, yeah missed those two.

I agree about the "being professional" but, we've played him out wide when he would have been better down the middle.
Not sure how big he was in his prime in Aus but, he's huge and not that mobile.

Having said that, when he does take the ball in, especially in the opposition 20, he leaves defenders all over the place and this should create chances either for himself or for his teammates.
It's when the opposition is coming at us that he is/was a liability and unless the opposition ran straight at him, there was a good chance that the would get past.
Some of his defence has been bloody awful and ok, if he makes a tackle, the player knows they've been in contact but, from day 1, he has never quite looked fit.

He is a wasted shirt since the interchanges reduced. He had some good games last year but this season he has been lazy imho he should be ripping it up but I guess he is just too big to be fit for extended playing times although he has done the odd 80 minutes. If he is on holiday let him holiday with another club and use the 30/40 minutes for someone who really wants to play!

Exactly my point - and he has no one to blame for that but himself; conditioners and coaches, short of wiring his gob shut and fitting him with an electronic tag, can't prevent a player from eating crap and being a massive pi55cart.

Think youll find its hirst baldwinson horo huby caton brown(we didnt bring others on while he still here)and reynolds

Calm down old boy, not too sure on your point re MCB - He was not counted in the figures at the start of the season and we paid him for 5 months on a live cap that was my point. Missed Horo and Baldwinson as I already said, and yes Reynolds another one that`s gone.

Well he'll have a big backside to aim at

Since when did Watson become a genius who eclipses CC. Even for you this seems a very desperate attempt to denigrate Chester, why I don’t know.

Watson has had one good season with a limited resources whilst up until this year Chester had three in a row. Chester has a far better record and deserves more respect than that.

Chester’s future at BV for me is still in the balance with the next three games being crucial to both him and club. But as I say he’s still Watson’s superior. It takes more than one season to become a superstar in my eyes, if Watson doesn’t crash and burn next year then I’ll be a bit more inclined to agree with you.

Still it’s all just opinion and I’m bound to prefer mine

They were discussing Watson the other week on Rugby League Chat Back, and along with crediting Watson they also mentioned Salford’s conditioner Greg Brown.

Martin Gleeson leaving and Paul (Must be on his last chance) Rowley taking over might not be a step forward

Just seen Darren fritz at 50 running out for runaway seagulls seniors and still putting the effort in ,now that’s what you called a quality overseas player , pity big lad didn’t have the same desire to put a shift in for us

Df was brilliant, sheer class

We have a long line of outstanding imports that couldn't stick around long enough to build anything on, back in the day..


I guess there were a lot of reasons for that.
It has improved over the past few years though.

Team of quality overseas

Leeds
Tadulala
Collis
Domic
Bostock
Lewis
Ella
Gerrard
Fuller
Fifita
Fritz
Graham
Solomona

Casey
Lauitiiti
Tronc
Watene

I’d go with zip zap as the best overseas player I’ve had the privilege to watch in a wakey shirt if you discount Lewis as a stunt

I thought Collis on his day was class, just injuries thwarted his full potential and game time but a pleasure to watch when on the park.

Don’t know about the rest of the team but the first name I’d put down is


No6 - Henry Paul

Lewis coming to Trinity wasn’t a stunt, it was a big gamble to stave off relegation. Wally certainly didn’t just come for money, he put his body & health on the line every time he pulled on the shirt.

If you’re referring to the low number of games, that’s the way it was back then as the seasons weren’t coterminous.

Certainly worth the entrance money win or lose to watch the great man, wish more of the younger generation of today could have seen him play.