3 players off contract this year who could win us a premiership

[Rooster_6]

Last piece of the puzzle.

- Jonathon Thurston
- Todd Carney
- Jaryd Hayne

With an 800k rise due in the cap, another rise expected for 2014 + potentially SBW's salary there's enough room to move there. A playmaker with creativity is the key.

Who would you sign?

[chook 56]

Interesting that Carney still wants to come back to us but do we want another media meltdown?
Thurston? Maybe.
Hayne...for sure. Just needs good man management to get his best.

[Guest]

The only one I'd even consider would be Hayne.

Thurston is great, but too old. Even putting his age aside, thinking that his talents are going to simply transfer across at a different club with a different style of play is flawed. Way too much of a risk given the $$ he'll be looking for

As for Carney, not even a chance. He'll never reach the heights of 2010 again, and will be in England sooner rather than later

[SConcierge]

JT based on age prob not a maybe he is a freak and I think he has got some yrs left in him
TC + JH no based on inconsistancy V price tag

If I could choose a player it would be Issac Luke

[G-Unit Guerra]

I am happy with current squad to be honest. This might change once they get into the season but it's the strongest I've seen us be in yonks.

Wouldn't have the Hayne Pain, he can't play to structure and is living in '09.

I'll eat my hat if Thurston leaves NQ. He is a god up there.

As for Toddy, he is basically still a rooster who plays for the Sharkies. All his friends etc are at the RWB and I feel he wants to redeem himself for his indiscretions. Hence why his has stated that he'd return if he could. I'm not sure what a return to Easts would look like for Carney with Pearce, hopefully resigning soon, and Maloney in the halves.

You'd imagine it would only ever be debated if Pearce leaves but Maloney and Todd are out and out 5/8ths so still missing a halfback.

If none of them come I'm happy as long as none leave.

[Rooster_6]

Carney stated he would come back?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Bloody hell...how about we put the chequebook away and work with what we've got now...its pretty good.

[chook 56]

Carney stated he would come back?

Apparently.
Someone from inside the club (on Melons site) posted it last week. Found it rather bizarre.

[Guest]

Where is the none of the above option?

Thurston too old, Carney too much baggage and the last time the Hayne plane took off was in 2009.

We have a well balanced sqaud, I'd rather the club try and keep them together as long as we can.

Chook.

[ism22]

Carney stated he would come back?

Yeah I thought he said something along the lines of "I'd stay if I could... but it's out of my hands and I've been punted."

Not "I want to come back now if given the chance."

He's happy in Cronulla. Good bloke... provided unstructured ad lib brilliance to an AWFUL team with an AWFUL coach. Upset a lot of opponents and nearly won us a premiership.

---

IMO we are now in a better position as we are a more structured team. Maloney/Pearce are both conservative but have good hands.

Our forwards are all pretty lightweight, switched on blokes (expect lots of speed, ball playing and offloads.)

Our backs now have a bit of raw speed (oldfield), youthful brilliance (Sheck), safe hands under high balls (Mini) then... 2 of the game's best Centres (SKD and Jennings - expect them to find lots of holes!)

---

In short we now have a good team and a lot of BIIIIIG weapons all over the field. Before we had a $hit team and an amazingly creative half with a point to prove. He proved his point then rather than becoming the next captain of Australia, ran off the rails.

Good team > 1 amazing game changing player

[Rooster_6]

Bloody hell...how about we put the chequebook away and work with what we've got now...its pretty good.

I'm not really satisfied, none of the signings really addressed our main issues imo. Workrate, defence & creativity.

Workrate - Robinson will get more out of his forwards than Smith did, largely down to his philosophy on footy and his game plan. So not a HUGE issue. With the likes of Kennedy, Cordner, Guerra, JWH & others who have displayed large workrates at lower levels of footy we can address this within.

Defence - These weren't just individual mistakes throughout the 2012 season, they were systematical problems which during the season is a massive worry as it's something that takes time to address. Robinson has the whole off-season, between himself, JT & Fitzy I'd be surprised if this isn't one of the major improvements in 2013. But I think our signings have made our defence slightly weaker if anything...

Creativity - SBW provides some, but really he's a backrower who'll be touching the ball 20 times a game. SBW & Jennings are potent but apart from scoring plenty of tries I'm not convinced either of them will set up a whole lot. RTS could be the key but we all know he'll be stuck on the wing until Mini hangs up the boots. Maloney isn't the answer either, he basically plays like a fullback in attack, just supports the ball runner and relies on others creativity, he'll love running off Pearce and teach Mini a thing or two about how to support your halfback but he's not a creator as much as I rate him.

I hate to be the kill joy but I just think this is the reality of it all. In saying that though I think we're in for an exciting season.

[Guest]

I rate you highly Rooster_6 you r my favourite moderator but surely, surely Robbie Farah is the last piece. If we get hot n warm Hayne that displaces RTS. We already have Maloney so no need for Carney. JT is 31 in 2014.

Plus we need a hooker. Robbie Farah for sure.

[Vasco]

The only one I'd even consider would be Hayne.

Thurston is great, but too old. Even putting his age aside, thinking that his talents are going to simply transfer across at a different club with a different style of play is flawed. Way too much of a risk given the $$ he'll be looking for

As for Carney, not even a chance. He'll never reach the heights of 2010 again, and will be in England sooner rather than later

I hardly think one of the best players in the game would have that problem.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I rate you highly Rooster_6 you r my favourite moderator but surely, surely Robbie Farah is the last piece. If we get hot n warm Hayne that displaces RTS. We already have Maloney so no need for Carney. JT is 31 in 2014.

Plus we need a hooker. Robbie Farah for sure.

[I]If anyone has any issues with Lemon Goats feet please send a footnote.

[Guest]

I hardly think one of the best players in the game would have that problem.

never seen a top player change clubs and not have the impact they once did?