Adam Blair is coming to us next year from melbourne storm. Along with an aussie second rower from the nrl. Not sure of the validity and don't want to blow my own trumpet. Just getting the mill going.

If so that would be a HUGE signing in more ways than one. Said he's after a lot of money, but we do have it and if not that many top class players available why not spend it?

Would be a mega signing if this came off. Added always said we'd need a top NRL back row in mild of Hindmarsh / O'Donnel / Hoffman someone who will work hard all game, never miss a tackle and run some top lines too!

That would be a major signing but would also cost you lots of money. He's effectively priced himself out of the bracket of most NRL clubs so he won't be coming cheap. Are Widnes intending on spending the full cap?

Although it would be major I can't help but think it would weaken your squad in other areas, he could easily demand £400k as he would earn that in the NRL.

Well it has been stated by SOC that he is willing to spend the full cap but he needs at least 7000 people to sign upto the strong hold, having said that he wants widnes to be competitive surley we need to?

Not necessarily, I would imagine only half of the clubs currently in SL spend to the cap. Adam Blair would certainly take a massive chunk of it but he is undoubtedly a quality player.

Does the unspent cap get added to warrington and wigans cap? Us widnes fans need to get to grips with sl banter!

He would but that's what I mean by availability. SO'C does want to spend up to the cap but if there is only say 1.2mill talent available for 2012 why not spend the rest securing big names even if only short term. Can't see us having to worry about cap in first few seasons purely due to availability.

Its just Warrington nowadays, they pool all the unspent cap and use it to buy in players instead of developing their own youth.

That's a fair point, if there's nobody else to spend the money on then why not I suppose.

I have also heard others may aswell post them but I'm assuming these are are all speculation with no substance at all but may aswell get them out there for oppinions:

Cooper Cronck (doubt it)
Roy Asotisi
Matty Bowen -been mentioned on here
Ade Gardner
Kylie Lulu (sp)
Brent Webb - discussed on here?
Braith Anesta (extremely doubtful)
Francis Meli
Tony Pulatua (wire bound?)

Cooper Cronk - No, was linked with Saints and came out to say he won't be moving.
Roy Asotasi - Possibly, thinly linked to us too.
Matty Bowen - Don't Know.
Ade Gardner - Perfectly feesable.
Kylie Leuluai - Don't Know.
Brent Webb - I've heard that one too.
Braith Anasta - Don't know but seems unlikely.
Francis Meli - No, will be at Saints next year.
Tony Puletua - Will either sign a 2 year deal at Saints or will go back to the NRL.

Yea was reading about Adotasi & Saints, is probably likely he'll come over as his injuries will put NRL sides off making a big offer. Again though you'd hope Widnes were interested.

Anasta is one of my favourite RL players (part reason I support the Roosters) but there was talk of NQLD offering top NRL $ for him so would be unlikely!

Also heard Lauititi linked and tbh I kind of expect Long to join unless he retires. Were going to need a 7 and there's a huge shortage in the NRL hence Orford returning and Gower likely too.

I've been mighty impressed with Leuluai and Webb this season. They've been outstanding after poor seasons in 2010. I'd rather us sign KL than Blair, simply because it'd make better business sense. I could see the logic behind our move for Lockyer, who'd put bums on seats like Andrew Johns did for Warrington. But Blair? The only ones who will be excited about the signing are the already converted. We could sign two good props for the cost it would to bring him here.

Kiwi front row of... Asotasi - Heremeia - Blair? Wouldn't moan too much

Not sure many others would either mate. But remember, those of the TIW Board were born with the passive ability to seek out and mentally destroy players with unheard of weaknesses.

We could sign the likes of Bowen, Thurston, Slater...the list goes on...and they would still find something wrong with it.

=#FF0000GODS HELP US ALL!

Hope not sign Long as past it and injury prone.We need to sign players in mid to late twentys with a will to win and a mix of youth.Look at Saints this year and Wigan.

Tee Hee

Ben Harrison Interntational and Double Wembley winner
Chris Riley England Knight and Double Wembley winner
Paul Wood Interntational and Wembley winner
Matty Blythe
Mike Cooper Wembley winner
Rhys Evans
Rhys Williams
Tyrone Mcarthy Wembley winner
Lee Mitchell.....

unearthing another Gem on Sunday in Gareth O Brien.

then We'll pick some more from our Academy u20's who sit top of the league or our under 18's who havent been beaten yet.

remind me who's coming through to replace James Graham and Kyle Eastmond are they coming via your Academy or Quantas....

Congratulations. I'll not bother naming all of our youngsters, it will take me too long, we've got 22 home grown under 21's in our squad.

anyway back on topic no mention of Widnes or any Superleague club in this piece on Blair in the Sydney Morning Herald...

[urlhttp://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/storm-sweat-on-adam-blair-decision-20110407-1d5wf.html[/url

I heard that Adam Blair was approached, but turned us down.

I seem to recall at an awards evening last year, Terry O'Connor stated that he didn't want to sign hasbeen Aussies or people that are coming for their payday. I guess only time will tell if he is sticking to that. Obviously there will have been some negotiations down under. It wouldn't surprise me if people were already tapped up.
I've heard a few names spouted about from the NRL and Super League.

The likes of:

Brent Webb,
Ali Lua'ititi,
Mark Flanagan,
David Solomona,
Jonathan Thurston,
Aaron Heremia,
Shaun Briscoe,
...
...
...
Grey Viane,
Brad Drew,
Maxime Gresque.

:
We will sort that out today!

Quote ="Winny Ingram"I heard that Adam Blair was approached, but turned us down. I seem to recall at an awards evening last year, Terry O'Connor stated that he didn't want to sign hasbeen Aussies or people that are coming for their payday. I guess only time will tell if he is sticking to that. Obviously there will have been some negotiations down under. It wouldn't surprise me if people were already tapped up. I've heard a few names spouted about from the NRL and Super League. The likes of: Brent Webb, Ali Lua'ititi, Mark Flanagan, David Solomona, Jonathan Thurston, Aaron Heremia, Shaun Briscoe, ... ... ... Grey Viane, Brad Drew, Maxime Gresque. '" Briscoe is still wanted by KR - might make it more difficult to get him; news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 470343.stm

Quote ="Winny Ingram"I heard that Adam Blair was approached, but turned us down. I seem to recall at an awards evening last year, Terry O'Connor stated that he didn't want to sign hasbeen Aussies or people that are coming for their payday. I guess only time will tell if he is sticking to that. Obviously there will have been some negotiations down under. It wouldn't surprise me if people were already tapped up. I've heard a few names spouted about from the NRL and Super League. The likes of: Brent Webb, Ali Lua'ititi, Mark Flanagan, David Solomona, Jonathan Thurston, Aaron Heremia, Shaun Briscoe, ... ... ... Grey Viane, Brad Drew, Maxime Gresque. '" Briscoe is still wanted by KR - might make it more difficult to get him; news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 470343.stm

32 - 20 ft can't say your unbeaten in the 18's anymore. Well played lads. Wire 15's and 16's won, much bigger sides good day out.

my head really would explode if we signed thurston

not very likely, but bloody hell! my brain would overload!