Possible rumour: Aiden Tolman -> Roosters?

[Roosterfarian]

We have frontrowers coming out of our arseholes. This is surely a gee up

[Geohood]

How many workers though that you know will be able to effectively tackle and promote the ball all game if needed?

[chook 56]

Isn't he signed with the Dogs until end 2013? Or is this another of Dezzy's dummy spits?

[Thirteen]

We have frontrowers coming out of our arseholes. This is surely a gee up

But nothing beats experience.

[Thirteen]

We can't be this stupid surely?

The forward pack is probably the one position where we are strong. Not to mention we have some very good young forwards coming through the 20's.

Our forwards will be strong in 2 or 3 years. At the moment they are all very young. Throw in an experienced forward to help their development.
We have lost more forward battles this year than we have won. Certainly not through lack of effort though.

[Geohood]

Tolman is only 23 still too - a baby in prop terms but still experienced based to everyone else we have.

[dj_sta]

Matt Balin may be available, he seems to be low on Manly's priority list. Although I haven't yet given up on Jake, we could do a lot worse than buy Balin.

I can guarantee you we wont sign Ballin. Rumour has it Knights are after him. And we wont even look at him because we have Friend and Mitchell on our books, in addition to Mortimer (utility) and Dumbrell.

We probably will be targetting a new signing in the back line if we have the cap space to accomodate it, centre or full back is where our next signing will be after SBW.

In saying that though Tolman is a possibility as Arona and Guerra are off contract.

[Rooster_6]

I can guarantee you we wont sign Ballin. Rumour has it Knights are after him. And we wont even look at him because we have Friend and Mitchell on our books, in addition to Mortimer (utility) and Dumbrell.

We probably will be targetting a new signing in the back line if we have the cap space to accomodate it, centre or full back is where our next signing will be after SBW.

I'd be surprised if we signed a centre, SKD & Moga would already be taking up a massive chunk of the cap and the club are very much set on promoting one of young fullbacks if not next year then the year after. I can't see us signing a player in either position tbh.

[Guest]

In other news, Ben T'eo is going to the bunnies, so we're not linked with him.

[dj_sta]

I'd be surprised if we signed a centre, SKD & Moga would already be taking up a massive chunk of the cap and the club are very much set on promoting one of young fullbacks if not next year then the year after. I can't see us signing a player in either position tbh.

Yea I thought about this too. But Moga wont be on too much yet. But you are right I have a feeling we most likely will encourage our own youth, especially when you look at who's actually on the market, there's not much to choose from.

Which could possibly mean we are done with recruitment for next year in terms of buying external players. The rest of the money might be kept aside for the players currently coming off contract in the next year.

I think we should let Arona go and keep Guerra. No need signing Tolman then, although I wouldnt complain if we did.

[Guest]

I wish it were true. Tolman keeps going forward all day long, doesn't hide away from the hard yakka, runs hard, tackles his backside off. He is as solid a front rower as you will get.

+1

[Guest]

I'd be surprised if we signed a centre, SKD & Moga would already be taking up a massive chunk of the cap and the club are very much set on promoting one of young fullbacks if not next year then the year after. I can't see us signing a player in either position tbh.

Yeah right, our club is so set that they have spoken to a couple of fullbacks from other clubs this year.

[Guest]

We need a fullback or a hooker or a good centre. It makes sense that this stupid club would sign a second rower/prop, in that case the rumour is probably true.

Excellent post, although I would add winger to that list

[Guest]

I can guarantee you we wont sign Ballin. Rumour has it Knights are after him. And we wont even look at him because we have Friend and Mitchell on our books, in addition to Mortimer (utility) and Dumbrell.

We probably will be targetting a new signing in the back line if we have the cap space to accomodate it, centre or full back is where our next signing will be after SBW.

In saying that though Tolman is a possibility as Arona and Guerra are off contract.

Mitchell won't get a decent go until smith is sacked.

Friend is rubbish.

Mortimer is untested at hooker. Dumbrell is an unknown at this level.

[Rooster_6]

Yeah right, our club is so set that they have spoken to a couple of fullbacks from other clubs this year.

No issues in flirting with a few birds on a night out before you marry the missus. I think it's inevitable that the club would continually explore all its options but at the end of the day when they all sit down to discuss the final decision the youth policy will prevail. I have little doubt if we wanted Stewart we would have got him, I doubt Manly with all their off contract players would've been in a position to match a big offer from another club so he was there for the taking if we wished.

If persevering with the youngsters prevailed over the opportunity to sign Stewart I can't see it being any other way for another fullback given he's the best off contract for some time... both Hayne & Slater are locked away on long term contracts.