Chris Houston

[Guest]

Beau Champion imo would be the one to get, he is a good player and the most important thing is he is available now. Let Phil Graham go to the eels to free up the cash to get Beau.

as much as I cant stand Champion, I feel it could be a smart move.....

[Guest]

I take your point, and you've put a lot of thought in that post, but I reckon you're missing something.

You say Houston would be brought in for experience and workrate, which is, in effect, a forward's version of consistency.

Where is our consistency and experience in the (outside) backline? Mini, while experienced, could unfortunately break down at any moment. SKD has had one good season, but needs to show this form over a long period of time. Perrett is consistent, but still leaves a little to be desired, especially with some of his decision making. Graham has big question marks over his physicality, although I think he'd be much better in the centres. Leilua, Naughton, Fine etc. are all very young and very raw. They have not (bar Leilua, although there are question marks as to his suitability as a winger/centre) made the transition to first grade. And this transition would be infinitely easier with a classy, experienced, reliable player inside them. That is why we need a centre, someone like a Willie Tonga, a Chris Lawrence... an established, consistent first grade (or rep standard) centre.

Honestly, I believe we have most of the key ingredients of a fantastic backline. We have brilliant young halves, and a heap of potential, with Mini holding it together. But we lack a genuine classy outside back, who is both safe in defence and dangerous in attack.

Our forward pack is perfect as it is. We have an experienced metre-eater in Ryles, who after a full season, should be raring to go. We have a young hooker in Friend, whose defence and workrate are second to none, and whose running game is developing nicely. We have two massive props who've shown they can handle first grade in Masoe and Kennedy. We have an enforcer in JWH, a Fitzy-in-the-making in MAubs, and leaders in Myles and Anasta. On top of that, we have a ridiculous amount of young forwards (Tasi, Cherrington and co.) trying to grab a spot. We probably have an excess of talent as is, Houston would be surplus. With Anasta, Myles and Ryles, we have plenty of experience, and workrate.

Post-Fittler, our tendency for signing talented, but UNNECESSARY, players was highlighted. We're leaving this reputation behind, and signing players (like Riddell) who are REQUIRED, as opposed to just being talented and available. Houston is a very good backrower. But we have a LOT of good backrowers, and a LOT of kids who will be fantastic in a year or two. All we are missing is a genuine outside back.

All valid points and well reasoned. On your first point, i dont think we need a centre, i think we need a winger. imo, carney/linnett can provide plenty in that role and we dont need to splash the cash on another marquee player. the way i see it is every side has about 6-7 marquee type players that they can afford to distribute throughout the side. the backline generally has roughly 3 marquee type players. We have pearce, carney, SKD and mini i guess (ability wise not salary cap wise); wests have lawrence, tquiri, mashall. In pearce, carney and SKD we have 3 genuine gamebreakers so the rest of the backline (mini aside) needs to be filled with players who are consistent, not error proned and who are good finishers - well rounded footballers who can score tries but arent necessarily expected to come up with the big plays.

To compare again, wests have ayshford, ryan, lui who play that sort of supporting role whereas it is marshall and lawrence and tquiri they look to for inspiration/the big plays.

In keeping with this logic, i therefore think centres isnt an issue at all but instead, we need to sign a winger like nightingale, quinn, yow yeh, duffie.

On a side point, does anyone remember that winger who played for the titans rapana. I thought his mormonship was due to expire sometime around now so maybe he could be an intelligent acquisition to bolster our outside back stocks. definitely wouldnt break the bank as he is not an established first grader but his former club the titans have already got 2 capable and permanent options on the wing so he is another i would be looking closely at.

In terms of the forwards, as i have identified previously, my issue with masoe, JWH, tasi, cherrington etc is their workrate. they are excellent impact players but lack the general work ethic when on the field and i dont think our side can afford to accomodate so many of these sorts of players which is why i thought houston at the right price may be worth considering. Houston's inclusion would also pave the way for us releasing anasta next year as we would already have sufficient depth to cover for his loss without even drawing on some of our younger players (cordner etc) which could also be a safe option.

Just something to consider but i will be as happy as you are if our squad doesnt change at all. It has the potential and i agree that the last thing we need is to start making unneccessary signings as the likes of leilua, kennedy and cordner in the forwards in particular must not be lost. they are our future

[crikey chris]

Knights re-signed him for 2 years + 1 year option

[c_q]

One of the Sydney papers had a story about his court case on their website a couple of weeks ago. Going by the transcript of the tapped phone call, I thought he was guilt for all money.