Tansey to stay even if we get a fullback.

thats how i see it

Surely there's a case for getting Widdop over here for a year. If we're going to do a loan deal then that's the one I'd go for. He needs game time for the Storm and England's benefit , isn't going to get past Slater any time soon and at least won't bite us on the bum like BJB could when he goes back to his club. It would put pressure on Tansey too if he stays and I guess that Widdop would be reasonably versatile as a three quarter generally. Still leaves us with a quota spot as well doesn't it cos he's English? Or would he still be non fed despite that?

English born in Halifax iirc

Expected to be starting 6 for Melbourne next year, now that Finch is leaving.

cant see him giving up the life he has now for a long time to train in drizzle and snow mate

IF he's playing first grade I agree with you , if not then it would be in his interest ....and it'd toughen the lad up a bit too!

The problem there is that the lad will be living the dream where he is, fun sun and the rest that goes with it, he knows his time will come down under hence why he wont come back here, i seem to recal reading a pieve where he said as much a few months back .
would you give up manley beach for Odsal or similar

rovelli is garbage

travis burns would be better!

Wonder which one we'll get?

He's plays for Melbourne!!!

That's about 500 miles away from Manly beach.


That would be like Tom Briscoe saying i'm not leaving Hull for the NRL because i'll miss Copenhagen too much.

Can you remember when we signed head on loan for a few games well i remember when the name jamie soward was flying about as a young number 6 but couldnt get infront of the half backs at that point DOH what a stupid mistake that was not 2 get him on loan/3 year deal or something!! might be worth while taking a chance on a big teams fringe players!!

Cooper Cronk !! Agar says in HDM that he is after halfback cover .
A top class halfback is not going to cover Long and Horne in case they get injured !
Mind you with their injury records he would end up first choice!

.......but you'd still have to compare St. Kilda to Withernsea (sorry Zebra!)

I can't recall a team who have brought in a 6 or 7 recently and they have been firing on all cylinders from the off.

I'm sure there are a few but most teams bring them through over many years or start off with a promising project. Would bringing one in for a year do us any good? Top 7's now have been at it for a while with their clubs.. Leuluai, Burrow, Dobson and some are projects still on a learning curve, Myler, Eastmond, Tompkins.

The 3rd alternative is the Orford route paying the money for the finished article, but having to get through the settling in period which may or may not pay off.... this option, in my opinion, is the worst of the three and the one we seem to be following now.

The key is knowing when you need to start the "grooming" (for want of a better word!) process while currently in the "settled half backs" stage.

I believe that we are after cover for next year and have some more long term irons in the fire for 2012 when we've a lot more cash to play with.
Not that I believe we'd get Cronk mind but it does make more sense if the name is being banded out for 2012 rather than next year.

If it was a serious option, of course we could afford him. Just do what rovers did with Clinton, pay him less in the first year then up it when we have the cash.

What if what he is saying is a smoke screen ..And they are looking at a top class off half ..Then R Horne could be cover for full back ..Just an opinion.

I agree. A half who already knows the business for this season, then if they can still do it sign them for longer, if not, spend big bucks elsewhere.

????????????
He'd probably have to catch a plane either way!!
If he's going to be having a beach holiday he may as well come over and play footy here instead.

You could drive it, it's only 9 or 10 hours.

Or staying with his Mum and Dad until he grows up - They emigrated you know!!

Don't they live in Perth?

sydney to perth is like flying from hull to the middle east!