Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

stevied said:
I agree with others that a 4 year contract, if true, is too long for Bateman and could it could end up being another financial millstone. However, what can you do? At his best, he's a gun and his forceful presence and experience could be a real boon. However, if injuries, poor form or indifference kick in we're sunk once again.
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what can we do - not sign old hacks on long term deals,its only 360 garbage at the moment,no need 4 knickers in a knot yet
 
Bateman’s form started to dip in the back end of his Canberra stint. Than his form continue to dip back in the ESL and now we throw a possible four year deal and a bucket of cash his way. I guess when you come last these are the things you have to try Because you don’t have any other options.

Big risk, but there is a real chance it could work with the calibre of forwards around him
 
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Chipofftheoldblock said:
That is the problem. There is no one putting pressure on our halves which means one of 2 things - either inadequate hales in the backup or no potential halves to pressure....Will Smith is not a halves solution and that is the problem when i look at our recruitment . Not to say we are the only ones either. Across the board apart from Dragon's, Roosters, South's, Canberra and Bronco's there seems to be a lack depth of backup halves.
I will always stand corrected but this is a massive weakness in our depth both in NRL and NSWRL.
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Halleluiah Someone else agrees with me on the Will Smith signing being bad (most people thought it was a good signing here??)

Ill also add the Cowboys above. With Jonathan Thurston around and 2x good quality halves + reserve grade they are in a good position.

We have Benji and Sheens. Halfback is a Million dollar position and kids will be trying their luck. Our scouts will pick up someone, the hard part is getting the high quality players before roosters/storm/etc.

So I ask, what's the point of having Benji as a coach if he cannot attract and develop halves?
 
crazycat said:
Halleluiah Someone else agrees with me on the Will Smith signing being bad (most people thought it was a good signing here??)

Ill also add the Cowboys above. With Jonathan Thurston around and 2x good quality halves + reserve grade they are in a good position.

We have Benji and Sheens. Halfback is a Million dollar position and kids will be trying their luck. Our scouts will pick up someone, the hard part is getting the high quality players before roosters/storm/etc.

So I ask, what's the point of having Benji as a coach if he cannot attract and develop halves?
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I agree and disagree, Firstly I disagree because our halves have been playing behind deadwood for years now so can't show what they're able to do on the front foot.
I agree though that although Brooks has been playing behind a weak pack I expect more from someone who has played 10 years of first grade, in saying that he's our only halfback so we have noone to compare his performances to behind our pack.
We have moved mountains to build a competitive aggressive pack for next year, he has no more excuses if he can't perform once the team starts to gel say 8 rounds in then he's got to go.
 
Merlot said:
what can we do - not sign old hacks on long term deals,its only 360 garbage at the moment,no need 4 knickers in a knot yet
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Having deciphered your message Merlot, I think you misunderstand me. I'm actually saying, what choice do we have? Sit pat and get no one or look in other places and roll the dice. It could be a big win or it could be more cash down the gurgler. No knickers in a not........yet!
 
liltiger said:
I agree and disagree, Firstly I disagree because our halves have been playing behind deadwood for years now so can't show what they're able to do on the front foot.
I agree though that although Brooks has been playing behind a weak pack I expect more from someone who has played 10 years of first grade, in saying that he's our only halfback so we have noone to compare his performances to behind our pack.
We have moved mountains to build a competitive aggressive pack for next year, he has no more excuses if he can't perform once the team starts to gel say 8 rounds in then he's got to go.
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Yep, I believe that is what the entire forum has been saying for the last 10 years.

Actually a strange one, Brooks best year was under Ivan Cleary. A time where our forward pack wasn't dominant, we were better a year or two before with Taupau and co. From memory Robbie Roccow was running a lot of interference in the opposing teams play the ball and that may have been beneficial to us.

My point is different. Benji + Sheens have to demonstrate that they can pick and coach halves. I expect extreme attacking flair:
structure?
defence?

They are the big questions and Sheens better be able to deliver in spades.
 
WesternSuburbsBoy said:
I hear what you’re saying but a 4 year deal for a guy who has shoulder issues & didn’t exactly set the super league on fire when he returned isn’t exactly smart. He’s sort of had a habit for breaking contracts recently as well. Happy to be proven wrong !!
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Bateman is an international, aggressive on-field and a competitor. I am pleased the club has signed him and believe he will be a good buy for WTs. His experience will be excellent for our young players including how to prepare for an NRL game. I cannot see a downside in his signing.
 
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crazycat said:
Halleluiah Someone else agrees with me on the Will Smith signing being bad (most people thought it was a good signing here??)
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Will smith is on a train and trial. I hardly even count it as a signing.

I agree. We could do with another half. But we do have brooks, doueigh and Laurie. I would be biding our time and trying to lock in a top shelf one, like Sheens and benji are trying to do.

Until then, we play the cheap, diamond in the rough game. Like Nu Brown last year.
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
Bateman is an international, aggressive on-field and a competitor. I am pleased the club has signed him and believe he will be a good buy for WTs. His experience will be excellent for our young players including how to prepare for an NRL game. I cannot see a downside in his signing.
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I agree. He's also a Brit, a 4 year deal is not an issue when you can negotiate a move back.
 
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