Jack Wighton

[Steakface]

Broader issue... next year's gonna be tough without Cronk! There's a big opportunity beckoning for somebody. Is Flanagan a serious option or was he recruited to play for the bears? It's kinda the sad thing about any premiership, the next year's always gonna be tougher. Back to back followed by losing Cronk and having Latrell off contract (with $1m up in the air for somebody) is gonna be tough.

I lean towards saying Keary is now our legit marquee half. He has 3 premierships to his name (more than any current half in the comp I believe?) In my books he's a better pick than Munster or Wighton as he's defeated them both during grand final mental duals.

Do we need another expensive half or have we already got our 2020 team in place? The more I think about it, there's no rush to spend Cronk's money unless it's to lock up Latrell and Toops. It's Cronk's brain that we wanted more than anything (not bagging him but I suspect he was playing through multiple pain barriers for us and is really glad to be retiring - physically he wasn't up to much and he missed a lot of drop goals).

Wighton has been around for ages and the Raiders have always loved him. Call it my bias but I'd take him or Hunt above a Reynolds or Munster. Subjective but when I see people inked up like they are Dennis Rodman or some shyte, it says to me that they're an individual who wants to stand out rather than a quiet achiever. Friend's the exception to this rule but I wouldn't trust another Rodman-style half after Todd Carney. Aside from his rampage where he assaulted 5 people (something I'm 100% sure I woulda spent time in prison for) Wighton radiates positive vibes... much like DCE. Like a lot of indigenous boys, I think he lacks a bit of confidence so (not unlike Latrell) his form goes up and down. It's always there when it matters though (which is rare when playing for the Raiders).

If we absolutely needed a marquee half right now (we don't) I'd be looking at DCE and Wighton for sure. But like, they are locked into their clubs for life IMO. Keary's our man and we got him coz phone chucker was a douche. I'm happy with him as our single marquee half.

I've been wondering how Verills would go in at 6, with Keary 7.

I've been overseas so missed weeks of games at times.

DoesVerrils have a broad enough skillset to get a look in the halves?

[rented tracksuit]

Yes, but it's called 'Civic' for some reason

Edit: it would be pretty shyte being banned from there actually, coz you've gotta go through it to get everywhere (including to the stadium - long story short Canberra's a hub and spoke city with Civic in the middle + 4 other major town centres). LOL@Wighton... not sure where he lives but banning him from Civic is a great punishment.

Okay not that hard coz he can bypass Civic (which is quicker)... but he'd still find himself having to do some odd commutes I reckon.

i thought he had banned himself from Civic. Anyway, apart from the many Asian cuisine places and the dirty old Mooseheads, there ain’t no other reason to really go to Civic so he should be fine.

His other hangout is the Star Buffet at the Burns club. A very long way from Civic.

[chicka]

The one thing that we are seeing over the last few years is how much players improve under our structure/culture. Keary and Tedesco are two obvious examples of that. Personally speaking, I think Wighton is a fantastic player who still has a lot of potential and would be excited about what he could bring to the Chooks.. On saying that, although we lose Cooper, we kind of get another leader back in Jake who I think is a lot more mature and wiser than the Jake who was running around a few years ago. I can remember when a few of us were debating who should go between Jake and Pearce. So it was interesting reading how he was looking forward to getting back on the paddock and possibly sharing the role with young Sam next year. This isn't the same bloke who wouldn't pass the ball to Jackson Hastings.

[rented tracksuit]

The one thing that we are seeing over the last few years is how much players improve under our structure/culture. Keary and Tedesco are two obvious examples of that. Personally speaking, I think Wighton is a fantastic player who still has a lot of potential and would be excited about what he could bring to the Chooks.. On saying that, although we lose Cooper, we kind of get another leader back in Jake who I think is a lot more mature and wiser than the Jake who was running around a few years ago. I can remember when a few of us were debating who should go between Jake and Pearce. So it was interesting reading how he was looking forward to getting back on the paddock and possibly sharing the role with young Sam next year. This isn't the same bloke who wouldn't pass the ball to Jackson Hastings.

Interesting you say that Chicka. Does anyone think Teddy would be the player he is today if he ended up in Canberra or stayed at the Tagpies? Would Keary be where he is now if he had stayed at souffs?

Great players in their own right but as you said, the culture and leadership here has helped them develop monumentally.

People dont realise its not just about the player but the surroundings as well. We have a great club and amazing culture that is driving our boys to succeed.

[Andrew Walker]

wouldn't pass the physical ...apparently is hard of hearing !

LOL or has issues surrounding his integrity I think he heard loud and clear and is a liar

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Interesting you say that Chicka. Does anyone think Teddy would be the player he is today if he ended up in Canberra or stayed at the Tagpies? Would Keary be where he is now if he had stayed at souffs?

Great players in their own right but as you said, the culture and leadership here has helped them develop monumentally.

People dont realise its not just about the player but the surroundings as well. We have a great club and amazing culture that is driving our boys to succeed.

Interesting point. Whenever I hear about the roster, the roster, the roster, the roster...I feel queasy.

Put this exact same roster in another NRL system and you wouldn't be talking b2b If even one premiership. There is so much more to it...a lot of these boys wouldn't be the players they are today without the Easts magic touch.

[rented tracksuit]

Interesting point. Whenever I hear about the roster, the roster, the roster, the roster...I feel queasy.

Put this exact same roster in another NRL system and you wouldn't be talking b2b If even one premiership. There is so much more to it...a lot of these boys wouldn't be the players they are today without the Easts magic touch.

Arguments about the 'roster' or the same old 'cap' crap and 'salary sombrero' are all just tampons to stop the flow from the butthurt.

[Thirteen]

We have Flanagan coming to be guided by Cronk. We also have Lam jnr.

Money needs to be spared to keep the players we have.

Lam seems to be taking a while to develop. Hutch and Lats preferred to him this year.

[Rooster1908]

LOL or has issues surrounding his integrity I think he heard loud and clear and is a liar

100% agree , he heard the call , don't want him but would be a good fit at the vermin , same integrity.