Brian Smith = Chris Anderson

[melon....]

I admit when it came to Chris Anderson, I really believed and wanted to give the bloke a chance to get us going post Politis' stuff up with Bennett. Unfortuantely I can also admit I got that wrong and Anderson proved to be the start of us going back to 1991 - recruitment aside. That was all Nick.

Does anyone get the feeling Smith is another Anderson?

Whilst I understand Smith being heavily involved in the game unlike Anderson who was away from the NRL for some time, if the rumours are true and he is going after Ryles and King, the we are in deep doo doo.

I cannot believe Ryles will offer anything. He is way past his peak. At his peak he was carried by a formidable Saints forward back anyway.

King - had 2 great seasons - then deflated.

Old heads yes. And thats what we probably need given we have the youngest roster in the league.

Smith is a funny beast. He is either going to complete the transformation into the transit lounge that Nick Politis and his cohorts started, or he will somehow work an absolute 1000/1 miracle with acquisitions like Ryles and King.

Are we officially into our next decade of Transit Lounge?

[Guest]

I don't think so. I would like to think that a team is a mix of individuals and needs some old heads. We have a heap of young blood in the team and we do need someone to lead both on and off the field. A couple of old heads might be good.

I reserve my judgement until the first 4 rounds of the comp for 2010.

I was never comfortable with Anderson. When he ran with the one marker my faith went even lower.

[Guest]

There was actually no evidence that we are chasing King. He wants to come home, and we are looking for experienced centres, but the news article stated that we are unlikely to fit him under our cap anyway.

We aren't the transit lounge in most regard, as Tom Symonds, Jake Friend, Mitchell Pearce, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Mitch Aubusson, FP Nuuausala, Ben Jones, Setaimata Sa (if he stays), Anthony Cherrington are all kids who made their first grade debut at Roosters, and are yet to play for anyone else - they are all signed long-term and will figure prominently next season. Throw in off-contract players next season, like Stanley Waqa, Martin Kennedy, Lopini Paea and of course Anthony Minichiello, that is 4 more players that WE made. And it isn't as if James Aubusson or Jared Waerea-Hargreaves were completely established first graders at their previous teams anyway, they were both young and inexperienced rookies when we signed them. Myles was only a rookie at the time too, hence, a very expensive one.

The players who are creating this transit lounge image, are Mason, O'Meley (now gone), Kouparitsas. People don't realize the impact that the first two in particular had on us. To sign Mason and O'Meley for the 2008 season, we had to cut our best lock, Ashley Harrison (who had his critics, but always gave his 100%) at the end of the 2007 season. After the first backloading carrying over to the 2009 season, the contract rise cost us Tupou and Shillington. Now the final backloading of Mason's contract for next year, whilst essentially replacing Ogre's contract with that of Carneys, has cost us both Shackleton and Fitzgibbon.

Shillington
Shackleton
Tupou
Fitzgibbon
Harrison

That is two solid props, and a TOP quality backrow, that we have cost ourselves due to the money we threw at Mason, O'Meley and now Carney. 4 players who bled the RW&B, and a 100% effort lock forward that we needed since Ricketson's retirement, were all forced out so we could sign two over-the-hill and overpriced Bulldogs, and now a drunk five-eighth to play in a position we already have adequately covered.

Very, very stupid.

[Guest]

There was actually no evidence that we are chasing King. He wants to come home, and we are looking for experienced centres, but the news article stated that we are unlikely to fit him under our cap anyway.

We aren't the transit lounge in most regard, as Tom Symonds, Jake Friend, Mitchell Pearce, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Mitch Aubusson, FP Nuuausala, Ben Jones, Setaimata Sa (if he stays), Anthony Cherrington are all kids who made their first grade debut at Roosters, and are yet to play for anyone else - they are all signed long-term and will figure prominently next season. Throw in off-contract players next season, like Stanley Waqa, Martin Kennedy, Lopini Paea and of course Anthony Minichiello, that is 4 more players that WE made. And it isn't as if James Aubusson or Jared Waerea-Hargreaves were completely established first graders at their previous teams anyway, they were both young and inexperienced rookies when we signed them. Myles was only a rookie at the time too, hence, a very expensive one.

The players who are creating this transit lounge image, are Mason, O'Meley (now gone), Kouparitsas. People don't realize the impact that the first two in particular had on us. To sign Mason and O'Meley for the 2008 season, we had to cut our best lock, Ashley Harrison (who had his critics, but always gave his 100%) at the end of the 2007 season. After the first backloading carrying over to the 2009 season, the contract rise cost us Tupou and Shillington. Now the final backloading of Mason's contract for next year, whilst essentially replacing Ogre's contract with that of Carneys, has cost us both Shackleton and Fitzgibbon.

Shillington
Shackleton
Tupou
Fitzgibbon
Harrison

That is two solid props, and a TOP quality backrow, that we have cost ourselves due to the money we threw at Mason, O'Meley and now Carney. 4 players who bled the RW&B, and a 100% effort lock forward that we needed since Ricketson's retirement, were all forced out so we could sign two over-the-hill and overpriced Bulldogs, and now a drunk five-eighth to play in a position we already have adequately covered.

Very, very stupid.

Spot on Mack

Ive been banging on about this from the time before Mason signed. You can also add Monaghan to that list of lost players due to those signings. I beleive we could have made a gf by this season had we kept all those players. Another thing that has had its effect is the lack of depth leads to no pressure for spots leading to half hearted efforts for some players. This whole episode has made me very angry .

As for Ryles I think he would make a good leader of the pack as we don't have anybody who gets anywhere near his numbers which are very consistent over the past 5 seasons.

King I would pass on, but as you said there is no indication that we are even interested. I think Adam MacDougall is unsigned and maybe a good stop gap signing until Williamson or Linnett are ready for a permanent NRL spot. The old dog could also teach them a trick or two. And I think he would be a good one to tutor SKD who I think has a lot talent if he can get his act together in defence.

[elo]

Does anyone get the feeling Smith is another Anderson?

Nope.....Anderson was well and truely past it - he wasn't mentally (nor physically by the end of it) fit enough to return to first grade coaching period. Uncle Nick had a panic attack after the Bennett deal fell through and threw money at any name for the sake of his own credibility, it was a disaster.

Brian Smith is near the top of his game and rebuilt a club that lost it's two best players (Johns & Buderus) in the club's history within 12 months. Smith seems to have this amazing ability of turning lost souls into rock solid first graders with his role specific and (from what I've heard) confidence based coaching methods. I think he is the perfect guy to turn this club around, not convinced it will be in such a quick time like up in Newcastle though.

Have faith melon!

[Guest]

Actually Monaghan left because he was in poor form under Ando, he was gone well before Mason was even in the picture. He would have stayed, had Freddy takenover a few weeks earlier.

Adam MacDougall with either stay on with Knights, or go to ESL. I can't see him playing for another club.

It is our own fault for passing over so many centres earlier in the season when plenty were on the market. Guys like Taulima Tautai, Esi Tonga, Blake Ayshford, Chase Stanley, Daryl Millard are still young, and were ALL on the market yet they are all exactly what Soliola was meant to be - big, strong centres with the ability to create room for their wingers. The, of course, strike centres Ben Farrar, Jerome Ropati, Will Chambers, Dean Collis, Ashley Graham and Joseph Tomane were all on the market too - we didn't make a play for any of them either. Plenty of pace and skill in that group.

The only centre we were linked to is Delaney. He is probably one of the few who is almost as bad as Soli. What on earth are we thinking?

[Guest]

Actually Monaghan left because he was in poor form under Ando, he was gone well before Mason was even in the picture. He would have stayed, had Freddy takenover a few weeks earlier.
Adam MacDougall with either stay on with Knights, or go to ESL. I can't see him playing for another club.

It is our own fault for passing over so many centres earlier in the season when plenty were on the market. Guys like Taulima Tautai, Esi Tonga, Blake Ayshford, Chase Stanley, Daryl Millard are still young, and were ALL on the market yet they are all exactly what Soliola was meant to be - big, strong centres with the ability to create room for their wingers. The, of course, strike centres Ben Farrar, Jerome Ropati, Will Chambers, Dean Collis, Ashley Graham and Joseph Tomane were all on the market too - we didn't make a play for any of them either. Plenty of pace and skill in that group.

The only centre we were linked to is Delaney. He is probably one of the few who is almost as bad as Soli. What on earth are we thinking?

Yes but if I recall correctly we stitched up the O'Meley signing in March or April 2007 for 2008. If we had that cash we may have of kept Monaghan as he wanted to stay especially after Freddie took off and he hit top form.

[Guest]

Like I said, I don't think the issue was cash.

Monaghan was homesick, and with Anderson at the club he felt isolated. Thus, he signed with Raiders. Unfortunately, once Freddy took over, Monaghan found the kinship and attitude to his liking, but by then it was too late.

His finish to 2007 was amazing, he scored 10 tries and made 9 linebreaks and 37 tackle breaks in 8 games. Two hattricks included.

[Guest]

Like I said, I don't think the issue was cash.

Monaghan was homesick, and with Anderson at the club he felt isolated. Thus, he signed with Raiders. Unfortunately, once Freddy took over, Monaghan found the kinship and attitude to his liking, but by then it was too late.

His finish to 2007 was amazing, he scored 10 tries and made 9 linebreaks and 37 tackle breaks in 8 games. Two hattricks included.

Maybe you are right

Also you right about his form under Freddie, he was the red hot strike centre we are sadly lacking ever since. I don't think his form at Canberra has come anywhere near matching his form under Freddie in 07 especially this year.

[Guest]

Matt King I believe is just the sort of player our backline needs. Strong, Quick and able to make a break. With Graham supposedly already signed and with Symonds in the centres and with Carney on board our backline looks much more potent. The same with Ryles, he will come in very handy. Our side will look something like this.
1. Mini
2. Perret
3. Graham
4. Symonds
5. King
6. Carney
7. Pearce
13.Anasta
12.Morbs
11.Mason (c)
10.Ryles
9. Friend
8. Myles
Inter
14.Cherrington
15.Conn
16.Hargreaves
17.Jorbs

I'm very interested to see if Smith can turn Friend and the Aubausun's into better players. In my opinion this is a very good side which should make the 8.
Gone are FPN, SKD, Hauraki, Jones, Paea, Sa, and both Waqas who are either not up to 1st grade standard or are past their best.

[Guest]

Matt King I believe is just the sort of player our backline needs. Strong, Quick and able to make a break. With Graham supposedly already signed and with Symonds in the centres and with Carney on board our backline looks much more potent. The same with Ryles, he will come in very handy. Our side will look something like this.
1. Mini
2. Perret
3. Graham
4. Symonds
5. King
6. Carney
7. Pearce
13.Anasta
12.Morbs
11.Mason (c)
10.Ryles
9. Friend
8. Myles
Inter
14.Cherrington
15.Conn
16.Hargreaves
17.Jorbs

I'm very interested to see if Smith can turn Friend and the Aubausun's into better players. In my opinion this is a very good side which should make the 8.
Gone are FPN, SKD, Hauraki, Jones, Paea, Sa, and both Waqas who are either not up to 1st grade standard or are past their best.

Only 11 linebreaks 9 tries in 21 appearances for Warrington for Matt King this season. Not too good in a more open expansive league than the NRL. Matt King is 29 now may have loss a bit pace.

[Guest]

Only 11 linebreaks 9 tries in 21 appearances for Warrington for Matt King this season. Not too good in a more open expansive league than the NRL. Matt King is 29 now may have loss a bit pace.

King might be 29 but he'd be much more potent than the crap wingers we had this year.

[Guest]

We wouldn't cut Jones and FPN, they are both recently re-signed.

Hauraki, the Waqa's, Tuigamala are admittedly average, SKD and Sa are in terrible form, and Lopini has been below his best. I wouldn't cut Lopini just yet though. He still has a fair bit to offer, he is only 25.

[Guest]

King might be 29 but he'd be much more potent than the crap wingers we had this year.

Not sure why you would want to play him out of position he would probably make a pretty slow winger. How much per season would you be willing to pay him Coggy?

[Guest]

Not sure why you would want to play him out of position he would probably make a pretty slow winger. How much per season would you be willing to pay him Coggy?

How much does SKD get?