Tom Symonds goooorrrrrrn!

[Roosterfarian]

Brian is just fishing mun. Unless the pendulum swings there will be no more signings for now...

[Guest]

I'm loving this ruthlessness and lack of sentimentality. Who gives a shit if Symonds is a local juniour if he can't make the team. He is injury prone and not very good. I really hope any other lazy squad members now have THE FEAR to motivate them.

[Guest]

Brian is just fishing mun. Unless the pendulum swings there will be no more signings for now...

abe relax nashiottttttttttt

[Guest]

I have a feeling that it was more the amount that Tommy was on that was the issue rather than skill.

If I remember correctly, the club rushed into his signing with too much expectation mostly stemming from the fact that he was a local jr.

All the best to him. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders and should be a success regardless where he goes.

[Horry]

And the fact that Parra threw a heap at him so they tried to keep him

[Guest]

We don't have much luck developing rangas do we. Ben Jones, Shackelton, Symonds, Vautin are all under the dud side of the ledger.

Chook.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Yes, but this is probably not about that. Clubs need to plan long term and maybe this is about freeing up space to upgrade the contracts of even younger, more promising players. Players like Tupou, for example. Or Langi.

The Roosters have assembled a gun squad for 2013. Let them do what they think is necessary to do the same for 2014, 2015 and beyond.

My feeling too.. The club feels guys like Isaac Lui and Samisoni Langi are better prospects and not as fragile as Symonds.. The idea that we keep local juniors at the expense of better prospects from elsewhere doesn't make sense. I liked Symonds but his track record of getting on the field and staying healthy make him a high risk proposition.

[kurtsherlock6]

Arona always seems to me to put in solid performances - you need that in your pack.

Couldnt agree more.

I've never really understood some of the crtisizim that Arona attracts on here.

[Funky Chicken]

Couldnt agree more.

I've never really understood some of the crtisizim that Arona attracts on here.

I agree 100% Sherlock,

Arona always gives 100%, has a big motor and has some pretty good ball skills.

[Cockadoodledoo]

I agree 100% Sherlock,

Arona always gives 100%, has a big motor and has some pretty good ball skills.

I think Arona's issue is he never bends the line in attack or dominates in defence. He is also useful for a crucial drop ball. That said I thought he looked good in the Manly trial and punched a few holes with the ball but I am not sure who Manly had on the field at the time he was on.

[Guest]

I think this will actually be good for Tommy. Get some game time in the ESL. He may then come back to us a better more durable player in the future. Once LOD and SBW move on.

I agree he is a local junior so would always prefer to come back to us anyway so England would be perfect. This is what the eels had Mateo do as well - instead of languishing in NSW cup, go and get some decent game time abroad and come back bigger and better. The tigers also recently did it with Fulton. Good player but. I dont agree he hasnt shown/done enough with his chances. Imo every time he got into the team, he was a crucial cog and was merely struck down by some form of injury every time.

[Guest]

he was a crucial cog and was merely struck down by some form of injury every time.

A crucial cog?? LMAO Roz. You write some good stuff but you lost me there. I remember him playing well 3-4 times. People talk about his versatility but I don't see it. He is just a really, really average back rower. I could see him playing at Parramatta.

[Guest]

Couldnt agree more.

I've never really understood some of the crtisizim that Arona attracts on here.

I agree 100% Sherlock,

Arona always gives 100%, has a big motor and has some pretty good ball skills.

You can put me down as an Arona fan too.

He's one of those quiet achievers and he has a bit of skill.

You need those guys.

[Guest]

You can put me down as an Arona fan too.

He's one of those quiet achievers and he has a bit of skill.

You need those guys.

I think one of the reasons people don't rate Arona is due to Brian Smith using him in the prop rotation at times. He looks way too small. I don't mind him. He is a no frills player so probably doesn't rate a lot of praise. Except for a few dropped balls he is okay. Hopefully he can keep improving. Every guy in the squad can't be a star.

[Guest]

Arona brings value for money.

He would be on peanuts but performs well above that.

You need some hard-working Nevilles to compliment your flashier players. If he gives us a solid 40 every week with 8 runs and 20 tackles I will be happy. His defence in the middle 3rd is very good.