On the face of it signing a player who never played top flight rugby league until he was 26 seems left-field even for us, but he played in the ANZAC test last year so can't be too shabby.

We certainly look to have plenty of options next season at half back - I'm pretty sure Horne and Long will get one year deals.

I know but Obst is not a first class scrum half and we really need one. I'm sure they can secure Long's signature if they try. Also, Widnes will be sniffing around all ooc players I reckon.

He isn;t Fed trained so would count on the list. maybe he could try and get exemption, but as he left in 2008 when the rule was coming I doubt he could, the rule was there to protect players who sign contract not knowing the new rules.

Forget the quota now the easiest way of understanding it is:

You can only have 5 players that are non fed trained (I:E Didn't play junior Rugby the UK or france)

Mckinnon
O Meley
Heremaia
Moa

Thats leaves us with one non fed place.

Manu and obst are exempted for the non fed list as they signed contracts pre 2008.

But would it be the best use of the cap?

I understand am happy we now have two hookers in Heremaia/Houghton.

But on top of that we don't need three halves and two back ups imo. Long/Horne/Obst/Ellis/Nicklas is excessive.

I think one of Obst/Long needs to leave.

I agree. I wouldn't be very happy going into a season with Obst has our starting 7 he's an hooker.

I like Heremaia, I think he will be a useful addition to the squad. I'll get slated here but Houghton's distribution and organisation is simply not good enough to be a starting hooker, he is great coming off the bench and running at tired defences but not at trying to set us a platform. So in that basis we needed someone like this. However this to me hints that Long wont be staying.

Good signing imo. Im liking the fact that Agar seems to be doing a Hudds and filling the team with as many pivots as possible which can only mean some free flowing great to watch rugby to come next season. Put in Westerman, Elllis, Houghton and possibly Long and Horne and i really like the shape of the squad.

I think we have to judge on the remainder of the season. If Long stays fit I think the sky's our lobster - if he suffers another long-term injury then we're looking at Ellis at 7 with back-up from Nicklas. Not sure they're rady to carry us yet.

fantasy nrl upto 2/6/2011..
arron heremaia (hooker,NZ Warriors) - 166 points


shaun berrigan (hooker,NZ Warriors) - 179 points


cameron smith (hooker,storm) - 518 points


robbie farah (hooker,tigers) - 398



any shaun berrigan slaters take note......berro was signed to replace heremaia in the interchange hooker birth....

No, I think you're right. I think Houghton has it in him but a good tutor will help as it did with Berrigan. Danny Houghton still has the potential to be an international but is some way off imo.

As a halfback rather have Horne or Long than Obst.

Obst has proved that he is an Ok replacement for the odd game, but now we have Ellis to do this.

Obst seems a bit of a spare part to me now.

Thats how we judge players now, fantasy RL?

That would make Kirk Dixon the worlds best winger.

And who says your club dont look at players who have played in the lower leagues, best ask the Leigh fans once again what they think of him

I don't think the two weeks are up? Did you try to get signed up?

That was before he played fo NZW without missing a game and got a call up to the last Anzac Test, maybe best ask Kearney what he thinks eh!

Or the first team NRL team he currentley plays for?

no, but lets be fair, its a good judge mate,..as for dixon, if he couldnt kick goals he'd be turd on fantasy, wereas corey parker of the bronco's is officially the worlds greatest fantasy player ever....
he racks up 50 points a game on average, granted he's a kicker but the man does alot of graft etc...hence his massive points on a regular basis......

Come on guys,

How can the BOD and Agar win, if we resigned Long & Horne with Ellis and Obst as cover and suffered our usual injury crisis they would get slated again. They are looking at all options, making best use of the Cap and signed additional cover and still get slated.

Many on here are suggesting that we offer Long and Horne extended deals on reduced terms, dosn't Aaron provide us with the ability to do this and improve the clubs ability to negotiate with the OOC players?

Shocking stats for Berro there, he's been playing centre all year!
Best thing we did was get rid.

Guy looks ok, found this youtube video of him earlier this season, Newz Warriors v Melbourne. He's the number 9 on the team in white, setup the second try with a scoot from dummy half and a short crash ball to send his team mate over, good sign, knows where his players are hitting.

=#FF0000No YT links please - K

Throughout the video, he does a lot of nice quick scoots are darts across the line and fires v.good balls out wide to his players on the counter.

I'm happy with this signing.

Just having a think fwiw I think:-

6) Horne
7) Obst (Ellis as backup)

9) Houghton (Heremaia as interchnage)

Long will stay but as part of the coaching staff and will retire from playing.

There's no place on this forum for the like of you.

wrong mate, berro was at hooker for afew early rounds, then switched to centre and picked up some good points, and then got injured

and has struggled since.....

This signing seems very strange, unless Obst is moving on?

6. Horne/Nicklas
7. Long/Ellis
9. Houghton/Heremaia

Where does Obst fit in?
Maybe Long isn't staying? Widnes?

Now that would be a novelty, players backing up a break