Melbourne will not be re-signing Brett Finch next season as they are chasing young Parramatta halfback Albert Kelly. Brett Finch is talking to 4 Super League clubs, i know we have a thread about this already but do you think he would be worth signing for next season.

Also someone on the BBC board said aswell as Glenn Hall we are signing either Brett Finch or Danny Brough and Gareth Raynor. Don't know what to think about that but i would'nt mind Danny Brough in our team next year.

finch will be 29 next year so not exactly a long term solution. would take raynor but cant see hull letting him go. brough if he could sort his off field issues off could be a better long term option but his off field behaviour is a worry.

Raynor's 30 now and will be 31 in February not long term either.

Short Term Solution > No Solution

To be honest I'd be very surprised if Brough goes anywhere, especially at the end of this season, he gets on with Kear very well and I believe we will be building a side round Danny rather than dismantling our team. Rooney on the other hand, I've heard his days may be numbered in the red white and blue, thought he played well on Saturday though got to admit the opposition wasn't up to much, managing just one win all season

didnt say he was but I think wingers are a position where you can afford short term solutions. If we could get 1-2 years out of raynor whilst sheriffe/halley/ any academy prospects are developing then that could be a decent bit of business especially if we could retain semi on other wing for another year then we'd have genuine competition for places.
halfback on the other hand is such a pivotal role that we should be looking for someone we can build a team around for next 3-4 years and thats a position where I wouldnt like to see us signing an aging player.

I don't see how Raynor would add anything to the team.

Finch on the other hand would be a very useful acquisition. Not only is he class, he'd be a great influence for any young halfback we might wish to sign and mould into the squad. A fairly short sighted view to just look at him as being 29 next year if you ask me.

Bird, Finch...I hear Russel Crowe is interested in investing.

The interests of the districts ornithologists have to be taken care of in light of the massive public spending proposed for the OSV.

This might be a long shot, but how about having a go at Albert Kelly?

It would be highly unlikely that Kelly would qualify for a work permit.

Hmm didn't think of that. I don't think we should be looking to sign Finch though, as people have said it is not a long enough term solution.

Why at 29 he could easily be here for 3 or 4 years.

Yes, but would we want him when hes 31/2/3 ?? Or would we be complaining of the same things we are with Deacon currently?

I doub't we'd be complaining about the same things as Deacon, Finch is actually good.

And there was a time at which Deacon was one of the best in the league, running amok behind the best pack in the league.

The difference is he's better than Deacons ever been.

Raynor offers more than Sherrife and Halley IMO

Finch would add some much needed class and spark to the HB's

Brough would also give us much more at HB than we have.

All 3 I would be happy giving 2-3 year deals, so hardly that short term.

Deacon has only ever been a decent player in a good team.

Fair comment I suppose. I would like to see Brett Finch here but I would still rather have a longer term solution.

To be fair, there won't be many contracts given out >3years regardless of age

I know, but if a player plays well for a club and enjoys it there, he often stays for a long time, if not the rest of his career.

Deacon, Sinfield, Cunningham etc.

I think the number of players staying at one club for 10 years will become less and less.

I'd be surprised if we hadn't made some enquiries about Finch. He seems the most likely NRL halfback who will end up in SL next year. We desperately need to strengthen this area of the squad and with quality. I'd be surprised if many if any similar quality players are available and willing to come to SL. Get him signed!

Douglas Bader could have run amok behind that pack, & to more effect.