Not sure either will make it, Ellis has the better chance as he kicks well.

I agree after watching yesterday. Nicklas would benefit from a loan spell where he is playing regularly. Not really been impressed with Ellis. They were playing behind a beaten pack but there seems to be a big gap between them and horne and seymour. Ellis might come good but I still think he needs to lose a bit of weight, Saints dont normally let players go who have a good chance of making it.

people who call hell out of Horne and say we should play Ellis or Nicklas instead should probably be a little quiet for a while now. Now he's missing it stands out! Ellis is well behind,although normally a good kicker he needs to polish all his skills a lot. That said does have the tools to start with! Nicklas is something else though. Nicklas is just about turning 21 n all iv'e seen is running right to left left to right dropping men off,few times ran yesterday made errors,kicks poor especially the 1 in 1st half early in tackle count of a repeat set! and 1 on 1 in defence he looks like always in trouble. Really dont think he has it,like i say think Ellis has but needs work. But heard Basil wants him at cas for next yr.

I'd give then Ellis plus cash for Chase.

Horne is obviously better than Ellis and Niklas, but Horne still isn't good enough for us if we want to be challenging the top 2 like Gentle said he plans to do.

I would look towards the NRL and see if there is anyone available, you never know we may find the next Scott Dereau. Couldn't break through at newcastle, but is ripping SL apart. If not make an attempt to sign Chase. Although I don't know if he could stick to a gameplan and not his usual 'off the cuff' style that Cas allow him to do all game.

Spot on...

However both Ellis & Nicklas are both young and have plenty of time to develop their skills whereas Rich is coming towards the end of his career at this level.

well according to Brother and a saints poster Ellis has been told he is surplus to requirements and will be heading to Cas for next season to replace Danny Orr

Interesting times ahead...

Mind you according to this board most of the bleedin team are leaving

Yeah Ellis to Cas. I reckon Gentle sees the same as the rest of us he has got no ball handling skills. We have to be ruthless if we want to get to the top

Currently Martin, Ogre, Ellis, Moa and Manu. Plus possibly Turner and Briscoe.

Not forgetting McKinnon!

Eight is a lot especially the fact that the majority are key players..

Some tough recruitment demands.

I think that moment highlighted the difference in experience/quality between Ellis and Nicklas at this moment in time. Ellis had put in a perfectly weighted kick on the last with nothing else on to get the repeat set, Nicklas had options outside him with 3 tackles left and put in a kick that never looked like staying in play. That's at least partly the advantage Ellis has had with his time in the championship.

And Tickle.

Tickle is under contract and going nowhere. In fact I believe he is having contract talks this week with Hull about extending.

Just adding the latest rumour. McKinnon, Ellis and Briscoe are all contracted as well, and I'll believe they're all leaving when it's announced. I'll personally be surprised if all 3 go, and amazed if we're stupid enough to part with Tickle unless he kicks up a fuss. I think we should offer him a 4 year deal now to see him out to around retirement.

Thats a long deal for a 29 year old Carl.

Just turned 29, though, and he'd still only be 33 and a half at the end of it. That's younger than Ellis will be at the end of his deal, and only a year older than Manu will be at the end of this year with most people saying Manu should be offers 2 years easy. He also has at least as good an injury record as both. His workload for regular 80 minutes and impeccable goal kicking warrant recognition of his importance to us IMO, loyalty works both ways.

Totally agree. A 4 year deal for one of our best players, in his prime as a forward, with a great injury record would be a very welcome piece of recruitment news.

Agree there, theres a difference in class between him and Ellis though.

Indeed, but there may well be a massive difference in terms of value to the club, Tickle has proven himself in a FC shirt, 4 years is a good deal to offer now, Ellis has done nothing in an FC shirt yet, no doubt he will go well, but Tickle has "been there, done it and got the t shirt" for FC.

Tbh I thought Carl meant a 4 year extension, i'd happily give Tickle a deal till the end of 2014.

I'd also look at were our youngsters seem strongest, in 2 or 3 years we might loss one or two talented back rowers because we have older players, past their best on big deals.

Which is countered by a difference in how much both players have done for us over the past 6 years. I appreciate where you're coming from with regards to Ellis' class meaning he's worth the possible risk, but I'd just say that Tickle's performances and proven importance to us over a significant period earn that right every bit as much albeit in a different way IMO. Would also take him up to a testimonial.

Didn't he sign for 2007?

Do you mean 2015?? 2014 would be a 1 year extension to his current contract