I think Brown would get another decent NRL gig. The Redcliffe Dolphins would throw money at him because no one is going there. His constant absence from the Eels side seemed to be a mystery to the media, so it didn't seem to have anything to do with form.

What the performance of some of the "stars" so far, and also evident when NRL names come over here, is that as individual players they are not always that far ahead. What makes them stand out is the fact that everyone in the team is usually of a high standard. It's often their team depth that creates the magic (I'm not talking about the stand-out superstars like Trbojevic or Latrell Mitchell).

The point is we never know until they arrive. A young NRL player hoping to make a name for himself can end up pratting about on Westgate all the time (think Pauli Pauli or Leo-Latu) just as much as they can seize the opportunity. A past-it NRL player can see it either as a climbdown and cruise, or a glorious extension of their career and enjoy it.

Fully agree about Magoulias.

He had a great game, and I think only 25/26, so coming into his prime.

We have a good connection too, regarding Greek Aussies.

IMHO Nathan Brown would be the best pick of the 2. He still seems available and has played reserve grade most of this year. He’d a top player at 29 with proven NRL pedigree. He’d be a great signing for Trinity and at 6 foot 1 and 16 1/2 stone can play lock/prop aswell as be a good pack leader…. ‘On 16 June, Brown was demoted to reserve grade by the Parramatta club and given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Brown had 18 months remaining on his contract but he was informed by Parramatta that he was not part of their future plans.[31 After being left out of the Parramatta side for almost three months, ‘ https://m.youtube.com/shorts/3WRODlHq7OY

IMHO Nathan Brown would be the best pick of the 2. He still seems available and has played reserve grade most of this year. He’d a top player at 29 with proven NRL pedigree. He’d be a great signing for Trinity and at 6 foot 1 and 16 1/2 stone can play lock/prop aswell as be a good pack leader…. ‘On 16 June, Brown was demoted to reserve grade by the Parramatta club and given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Brown had 18 months remaining on his contract but he was informed by Parramatta that he was not part of their future plans.[31 After being left out of the Parramatta side for almost three months, ‘ https://m.youtube.com/shorts/3WRODlHq7OY

My list of players who I thought could be worth a look so far is:

Nakubawaii (Fiji) prop
Kalache (Lebanon) prop

There was a second rower who looked good in the Lebanon game too (might have been 17).

I’m looking forward to tonight’s game of rugby.

Quote ="asmadasa"IMHO Nathan Brown would be the best pick of the 2. He still seems available and has played reserve grade most of this year. He’d a top player at 29 with proven NRL pedigree. He’d be a great signing for Trinity and at 6 foot 1 and 16 1/2 stone can play lock/prop aswell as be a good pack leader…. ‘On 16 June, Brown was demoted to reserve grade by the Parramatta club and given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Brown had 18 months remaining on his contract but he was informed by Parramatta that he was not part of their future plans.[31 After being left out of the Parramatta side for almost three months, ‘ https://m.youtube.com/shorts/3WRODlHq7OY'" Frankly we could money permitting have them both. Magoulias is for long term and hugely versatile. Brown is the instant upgrade that will get people taking notice. Because Magoulias can at a pinch play 6 we can get away with the Lino, Smith and Gaskell and perhaps another speculator in the HB's. Those two along with Whitbread would give us a genuinely classy feel, well backed up with those we already have - not forgetting one of the best up and coming forwards in Eseh.

Quote ="asmadasa"IMHO Nathan Brown would be the best pick of the 2. He still seems available and has played reserve grade most of this year. He’d a top player at 29 with proven NRL pedigree. He’d be a great signing for Trinity and at 6 foot 1 and 16 1/2 stone can play lock/prop aswell as be a good pack leader…. ‘On 16 June, Brown was demoted to reserve grade by the Parramatta club and given permission to negotiate with other clubs. Brown had 18 months remaining on his contract but he was informed by Parramatta that he was not part of their future plans.[31 After being left out of the Parramatta side for almost three months, ‘ https://m.youtube.com/shorts/3WRODlHq7OY'" Frankly we could money permitting have them both. Magoulias is for long term and hugely versatile. Brown is the instant upgrade that will get people taking notice. Because Magoulias can at a pinch play 6 we can get away with the Lino, Smith and Gaskell and perhaps another speculator in the HB's. Those two along with Whitbread would give us a genuinely classy feel, well backed up with those we already have - not forgetting one of the best up and coming forwards in Eseh.

Not a prayer we are affording Brown. He's got a year left on his contract which is openly reported as $580K, there's no way he's walking away from that. Even if the Eels stumped up half he'd cost us £150K+ next year. Sadly i can't see that happening especially given he also apparently has interest in the NRL.

As for Magoulias his wife/partner failed to settle over here so I doubt he'd be back long term. They are also expecting their first child before the end of the year I believe so that makes it even more unlikely.

People are just chatting, it’s a bit of fun, we don’t know what the plans are and neither do you, so none of us are in a position to be certain.

Nothing is impossible but yes it’s unlikely, but for now why not dream the dream?

Quote ="Sacred Cow"Not a prayer we are affording Brown. He's got a year left on his contract which is openly reported as $580K, there's no way he's walking away from that. Even if the Eels stumped up half he'd cost us £150K+ next year. Sadly i can't see that happening especially given he also apparently has interest in the NRL..'" Eels apparently are happy to pay towards his contract in 2023 to get him off their books but can he still demand that sort of contract going into his 30s playing reserve grade football with only potential documented NRL interest from West Tigers? https://www.zerotackle.com/eels-prop-ey ... ll-123624/

Quote ="Sacred Cow"Not a prayer we are affording Brown. He's got a year left on his contract which is openly reported as $580K, there's no way he's walking away from that. Even if the Eels stumped up half he'd cost us £150K+ next year. Sadly i can't see that happening especially given he also apparently has interest in the NRL..'" Eels apparently are happy to pay towards his contract in 2023 to get him off their books but can he still demand that sort of contract going into his 30s playing reserve grade football with only potential documented NRL interest from West Tigers? https://www.zerotackle.com/eels-prop-ey ... ll-123624/

This is a good summary of where everyone is with quota spots https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/revealed ... lls-60658/

This is a good summary of where everyone is with quota spots https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/revealed ... lls-60658/

Quote ="PopTart"This is a good summary of where everyone is with quota spots https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/revealed ... lls-60658/'" Interesting or maybe a bit scary that St Helens are looking for a replacement for Regan Grace, hopefully Wellens isn't too keen on Murphy.

Quote ="PopTart"This is a good summary of where everyone is with quota spots https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/revealed ... lls-60658/'" Interesting or maybe a bit scary that St Helens are looking for a replacement for Regan Grace, hopefully Wellens isn't too keen on Murphy.

He probably is but I don't think Saints are to worried about replacing him, they don't seem short of youngsters themselves.

The fun will start this time next years, lets hope we have a really great season

Hope your right.

Saints are very much interested in Murphy. Though last I heard Wakefield weren’t willing to entertain the possibility of a transfer fee.

Bennison is very good but there’s debate on whether he’s a fullback or a winger, and seen more as Makinsons long term replacement if he is to be a winger. Outside that we have Sambou who was injured all of last year so not really viable to take the 5 shirt, and Gilford who Murphy put 4 past and is still eligible for the 19s.

We are really excellent at producing academy spine players (Bennison, Welsby, Dodd, Pemberton and Knowles in the last couple of years) and props (Thompson, Lees, Delaney is the next one) but seem to struggle much more with outside backs.

Like the look of Kyle Laybutt (PNG) who’s without an NRL club. Looks dangerous with ball in hand and great kicking game. Not bad defensively either for a half. know it’s highly unlikely with us signing MS but be a good pick up..

There isn’t a chance Trinity will sell him but his contract is up end of next season. Then of course it’s a buyers market and there is nothing we can do.

A huge amount depends on where Trinity are at the end of the season.

Not quite Vasty players are free to negotiate in May so it's a tricky one.

He needs a new contract at start if season. If they let it drift he'll have too many offers to refuse.

I also think his age counts .. we weren’t interested in Senior because despite being out of contract he would have commanded a transfer fee… think they same applies to Murphy…

Hardaker on his way to Trinity? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl ... -nrl-move/

Hardaker on his way to Trinity? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl ... -nrl-move/

Quote ="asmadasa"Hardaker on his way to Trinity? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl ... -nrl-move/'" Leigh I heard

Quote ="asmadasa"Hardaker on his way to Trinity? https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl ... -nrl-move/'" Leigh I heard

I agree I thought he was very good and looked like a cracking utility player. Capable of playing in the halves, 13 and centre.

His defence was outstanding.

My only issue with him was he seemed reluctant to take it to the teeth of the defence yesterday so not sure he is a natural half.

Doesn’t need to be imho. We have two of those in Lino and Smith. We just need adequate back up if one gets injured. At the moment the only back up is Gaskell.

I thought he was outstanding in this game … I’ve never seen him play to anything like that standard before

Strange I thought travel was an issue over to Wigan for him so going to Leigh would be deja vu. Thought he wanted to play for a club West Yorkshire area?

See that's what worries me bout these WC stand outs. Sport is littered with one hit wonders, who put in a string of notable performances in a knockout comp and never replicate it again. I think you have to look at a players as a whole and wonder why he hasn't [layed like that before.