When NH stated the days of signing players from our noisy neighbours is over, I assume he didn't include ex-FC targets.

Mike Smith has held talks with Terry Campese with strong indications he is prepared to come.

FC were a whisker away from signing him in pre-season but Canberra pulled the plug on the deal. Apparently, they won't stand in his way after a somewhat indifferent season from their club captain.

At 30 he has the experience Chester is seeking and IMO would be a major coup for Rovers, if it does indeed happen.

Whilst Campese was a very good player a few years ago the fact that he has only manged 139 games in 10 years tells all about his durability. He also comes from a club that has never finished higher than 6th in that time.

Even if Canberra are willing to pay a very a large chunk of the £200,000 plus wage he is on this has alarm bells all over it. But something needs to be done.

Mis-management of the highest order to be left with no half backs 6 weeks from the start of training for the most important season since 2007.

He is very injury prone, but he is the guy Michael Dobson modelled his game on, and he is a mile better than Dobson.
Dobson is Campese Lite.

Ricky Stuart is an awful coach. He wastes a lot of salary cap space by his hot and cold approach to players. One day he loves them, next day he is trying to force them out of the club.

Couldn't agree more,he has been a quality player but over a 10 year career averaging 14 games a season says it all, and at 30 things are unlikely to improve.

With a positive spin on things, if we can get 14 games a season out of him and we win 90% of those, that should put us in the top 8.

The position we are in he would be a risk but maybe one we should take? I would like the club to take a chance on Mat Beharell (spelling?)or another young prospect as alongside a player like Campese & behind a strong pack he could be our future. We have been hurt once to often with Aussies coming here to make good or recue a career as when they get noticed they are off back home to the NRL or to one of the suposed big clubs here in search of trophys. if we go down this route Mike Smith better have an option two incase it all goes wrong.

Worried this may be true. I've watched Campese plenty this year & he just doesn't want to run the ball. Mike Smith better be arranging a serious medical if we're thinking about this.

On another note I see Joel Romelo is on the market. Might not be the worst option to replace Josh.

Joel romelo would be the perfect signing for me,can play hooker or off half as well.Playing the best rugby of his career in 2nd grade and only 25.Well worth a shot IMO.

I thought you weren't selling anyone either?

ooops

Any idea what you want to be when you grow up,or dont you think its likely to happen ?

If we could keep him on the park he would be a great signing paired with the correct partner. We'd need a running half to play with him. Could be superb/could be a waste of time. I'd be verging on the "it's worth a gamble" side.

My only worry would be that he comes here plays well & after two seasons we are back where we started as he will be off home, at least if we produce our own & they go we get a bit of cash for them. I dont envy Mr Smith as he is damed if he signs a good one & they leave or he signs a name who just can't cut the mustard for us. I just wonder if there is a player like Liam Finn (Featherstone to Cas) who could make the step up from the lower divisions for us? alongside the likes of Campese & one of our own youngsters it maybe what we should be looking for.

Fair point,but if he did come go after a couple of seasons,it gives those 2 years to develop somebody,because as we stand now there is nobody to step up at the moment IMO.

Why is that?

Don't fancy gambling on Campese, he's not gonna last a season and we're not rolling in replacements.

Agree 100%.

Relegation

So did we all dream relegation happening this year? Bulls fans will wake up in the shower anytime now.

Anytime now....

Fair point, but I think that everyone knew in advance who was going down this year though.

Be interesting with the league split next year. One or both of our teams won't make the 8, and will be left scrapping to stay in SL.

I'm genuinely looking forward to it. Excitement and some games against teams we haven't played for a while. Sure there's a lot at stake, but that's when sport is at it's best.