O'Donnell confirmed 1yr deal

[Guest]

Other than the experience he will bring I don't really understand the signing at all.

From what I have been told, O'Donnell is a very different player to what we remember him to be a few years ago. He is no longer an 80 minute work horse. He is not going to be a replacement for Myles as the workhorse of the group. He just isn't up to it anymore. He is a front rower who plays limited minutes. He isn't exactly known for his go forward either so it should be interesting how he handles it.

[Guest]

So much for the youth policy. This is a short sighted decision imo. To lose two young backrowers in Taka and Cherro for a 32 yr old with dodgy knees who hasn't played NRL for 2 years is a massive gamble. I know many here have on rose coloured glasses regarding LOD, but I can't see this decision paying off in the long or short term.

Chook.

Nor can I

All this enforcer garbage is overrated

And on a 1 year deal

Pointless

[Cockadoodledoo]

So much for the youth policy. This is a short sighted decision imo. To lose two young backrowers in Taka and Cherro for a 32 yr old with dodgy knees who hasn't played NRL for 2 years is a massive gamble. I know many here have on rose coloured glasses regarding LOD, but I can't see this decision paying off in the long or short term.

Chook.

The coach sets the recruitment policy. Smith's recruitment policy failed. Remember Mullins? This could have similar impact, we need an old hard head in the forwards to lead the younger blokes. If recruitment is based on youth then you end up with no leaders.

[Spanner in the works]

Not too upset with it at all. He could be a poor purchase but it is only for one year. Tough, vastly experienced, and someone I would want next to me when things get tough.

[Spanner in the works]

Other than the experience he will bring I don't really understand the signing at all.

From what I have been told, O'Donnell is a very different player to what we remember him to be a few years ago. He is no longer an 80 minute work horse. He is not going to be a replacement for Myles as the workhorse of the group. He just isn't up to it anymore. He is a front rower who plays limited minutes. He isn't exactly known for his go forward either so it should be interesting how he handles it.

A bit of experience off the bench never hurt anybody.

[Thirteen]

JWH, Cordner, O'Donnell....now there's a pack with a bit of punch!
I cannot wait to hurt Souths.

[Guest]

A bit of experience off the bench never hurt anybody.

Well it can hurt you if the person on the bench doesn't have the ability to get any go forward. Last year he averaged 49 metres per game and in the last 2 years he averages about 6 metres a run. That's in the super league too.

[Thirteen]

Other than the experience he will bring I don't really understand the signing at all.

From what I have been told, O'Donnell is a very different player to what we remember him to be a few years ago. He is no longer an 80 minute work horse. He is not going to be a replacement for Myles as the workhorse of the group. He just isn't up to it anymore. He is a front rower who plays limited minutes. He isn't exactly known for his go forward either so it should be interesting how he handles it.

If he gives us 40-50 quality minutes a game than it will be money well spent.

[Guest]

If he gives us 40-50 quality minutes a game than it will be money well spent.

Refer to my last post

Well it can hurt you if the person on the bench doesn't have the ability to get any go forward. Last year he averaged 49 metres per game and in the last 2 years he averages about 6 metres a run. That's in the super league too.

[davos]

So much for the youth policy. This is a short sighted decision imo. To lose two young backrowers in Taka and Cherro for a 32 yr old with dodgy knees who hasn't played NRL for 2 years is a massive gamble. I know many here have on rose coloured glasses regarding LOD, but I can't see this decision paying off in the long or short term.

Chook.

It's still there mate. Most players in our team are under the age of 25. RTS, Cordner, Moga, Evans, Napa etc.

Youth on it's own last year took us no where very slowly. We need some older minds within our team to lead the younger guys around the park. Of all the players we have released, the only young guys I can think of are BJ and taka. Bj we gave plenty of chances but his attitude was not there and we've all seen how this mental approach can spread and poison our club (2009). Taka fielded a better offer from the tits and we have more than enough promising backrowers in our brigade.

The youth policy takes time but fans need good results now. In 3-4 years if Cordner, RTS, Moga and co can stay injury free, then we will see the true rewards of the youth policy. But until then we need to sign some players who can help us achieve results now.

[davos]

If he gives us 40-50 quality minutes a game than it will be money well spent.

He'd only be on a 100-150K contract, if we are talking minimum wage. Symmonds is on that easily and he has produced rubbish in the last 3 years. Had he stayed at the cowgirls and we tried to sign him from there, he would have commanded double what we are paying him. A lot of things have factored into his decision to return to Aus on a low contract like this. His young family is one factor.

[chook 56]

So much for the youth policy. This is a short sighted decision imo. To lose two young backrowers in Taka and Cherro for a 32 yr old with dodgy knees who hasn't played NRL for 2 years is a massive gamble. I know many here have on rose coloured glasses regarding LOD, but I can't see this decision paying off in the long or short term.

Chook.

Chook.
I can see where you are coming from but we have lacked a hard arsed, no nonsense pig for a few years. Someone that will give it to the opposition all day. His influence, in that role, will be invaluable.
Even if he only lasts for a dozen games I think the his job will have been done.

[Guest]

Maloney >>> Anasta
Odonnell >>> Masoe
Jennings >>> Lielua
Sbw >>> Taka
Seluini >>> Ant Mitchelle
Oldfield >>> Perret

Cant argue with that,,,,,i know some guys mite think well what about when SBW & LOD leave and that we should of kept Taka & Masoe but by then Kane Evans dylan Napa & Cordner will take over and do a better job then say if we kept Masoe & Taka

[Ray Stehr]

Fu$k the youth policy, it doesn't work. If you want to be competitive in the NRL you have to have experience, proven first graders with talent. Sure every club has some youth but as we've seen with us, no stars means a shit season.

[Guest]

I cant see him nailing a starting spot. I recon he could mae excellent bench impact and can be our workhorse.