To lose Dykes would leave us with Horne and Thorman as the only recognised "first choice" half backs, with Lee (if he is still here) and Washy/Whiting as the only real cover. If injuries strike (and I don't buy into the "it can't happen again" theory, cos that's what I thought after 2004) we are up the creek again.

We will have to agree to disagree on this issue.

Ultimately I personally think Thorman is a good player. That Webster has been let go hopefully opens the door for another signing, hopefully in the areas we are weakest.

What I find odd is the instant negativity from a fair few on here when signings are announced.

As someone else posted, is there any wonder Hull struggle to attract players?

An if Dykes stays and has the same luck again with injuries? Its money wasted in an area we could improve!

Thornman will be in the 17. I cant see the point in signing him then not playing him. I think Tickle posistion might be under threat next season. We have loads of backrowers and with Thornman playing we are not just playing him for his goal kicking. Playing Thornman does gives more options. It has been mentioned before that Sharp liked to use only 2 pivots. With us scoring the least amounts of points (i know we had injuries) do u think we will go back to 3 pivots in the team?

I'm generally positive about our signings. I just don't rate Thorman very highly and never have. Heck, I was underwhelmed when we signed him the first time.



That said, I can understand why he's been signed (as long as we actually exploit the potential benefits) and he will get my support when playing. I'll be hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

Sharp always played with 3 pivots its just that Motu was the 3rd option not the looseman.

That's the risk we're taking.

I don't see how we can improve this area (halfback) for 2009, except to bring in better cover, which we now have done.

As somebody said, Dykes is twice the player Webster is, and his departure frees up a non-fed space.

I'm now looking forward to next season even more, and hopefully there'll be a new signing to come in.

I would say that following what James Rule said last night about "having a bit of spare cash left under the cap" points to that being a cert! The quality of what we get though has to be a case of wait and see, although I think that Agar has someone in mind in Aus myself!

Hope you're right Wilf!

Looking at next years squad, we're not short of players in any position, just short of quality, specifically at prop and .

I expect that if Agar is on the look out, that will be his priority. (expecting Radford will move to prop to make it six).

So if Agar is on his way to Oz who is available in those places or who do people think he has in mind ??

Not sure on this.

If Dykes and Horne are both fit, I doubt Thorman will feature. However, better cover than Webster would have given

You have a really good quality half back IMO when played in the halves he is twice the player of dykes. Ur starting 6 and seven will be thorman and horne. Only wish we had kept him and got rid of luke robinson!!

We could do like the Yanks football and just bring Dykes on when there is a kick!!!

good signing cant wait to see him in black and white

agreed good signing

Just what we have been looking for since Cooke left, great signing.

For what its worth ,I reckon Thorman will do o.k. for us.

Thorman has to be given the number seven shirt now even if Dykes doesnt go (although I think he will). I dont understand why everyone thinks he (Dykes) is so wonderful.

I didnt see anything from him last season that makes him world class or even a very good player. He only played a few games and drifted in and out of most of those and to me is only a slightly above average half back.

Absolute shiite. Dykes had a long and successful career in the NRL, thorman was a flop when he tried it

Except that with Dykes on the field we looked a different side. The main problem with him was the fact he spent almost as much time as me watching from the stands.

Dykes is a class player FACT.

Dykes to go, Thorman will have been signed to play i reckon, I do not see the reasoning in him swapping battling for a place with Carney and Robinson for the same situation with Dykes and Horne.

I would not imagine you will be paying him more than we did given he was our captain, he, in my view has come to play!

He will not let you down at 6!

Agar stated in an interview in RL World in 2006 that Sharp had changed our style of play. Kear played with 3 pivots. Cooke at loose forward.
Sharp put Cooke back at SO and played with 2 pivots.
Agar`s words , not mine .

What about 7?



I reckon Thorman will play many games, given Dykes' injury record.

if tony, horne and dykes miss 5 different games each he'll play 15 games which will be enough to prove himself for a new contract.

thorman on one year deal, dykes another year, agar off to oz, hope he comes back with lockyer in the bag for 2010



publicity and merchandising wise would be fantastic