@another-pom said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1300795) said:
One thing that baffles me is that Hastings has ripped up ESL and looked a class above it for 2 years now and many people on here still turn their nose up at him and say NO. Yet Gareth Widdop came over last year with a big reputation, did very little and looked average at best, in the very same competition as Hastings yet people still wanted to sign him when he was linked pre Christmas.
I hope you are not comparing Hastings with Widdop? Chalk and cheese.
You say "Widdop came over last year?"
He basically played here since 2010.
i.e. 2010-13 Melbourne Storm (71 games)
2014-19 St. George (125 games)
He earned his reputation don't worry. I know, so did Hastings, but that was as a Flog.
Widdop was outstanding and had a brilliant career in the NRL, I haven't once declared that he didn't. My point is recent form and peoples differing opinions on that.
Widdop flopped in a competition that many declare as average, yet Hastings excelled in it.
My point was, i don’t see how people would of still taken the older, injury prone player who looked average, but then not be interested in someone who's moved on to a lesser competition to rebuild his career, done exactly that and excelled from that point.
Im with you Pom.Many ppl on this forum are backward looking and make decisions dased on distant history ...eg his unsettled "character" from yrs ago at Manly etc(with mitigating circumstances) ......and are unable to digest subsequent events which clearly demonstrate Hastings has both behaved and matured and more importantly has absolutely killed it over there.
Add to that the fact that most who do well in ESL as playmakers generally succeed(and then some) here despite the differences in intensity of defence in NRL
Our current 6 and 7 BOTH are a little vulnerable to making a difference in 2021,and if given the oppportunity Hastings will have leapfrogged one (or probably both)of em to be permanent starter within a few rounds
Hastings is potentially a gamechanger for WTs.... hes is a lot more proven than most of our offseason 'troubled "recruits who havent proven anything on the field recently except "potential:..but still worth the gamble
Hastings is low risk high reward IMO
Yes, I am amazed how some ppl here can not want better players than what we have?
However imo Hastings isn't one of them. Think I am entitled to that opinion.
Whilst I am unsure on Hastings but can see the benefits, you are a staunch Liddle fan, and Hastings has shown as much or more than Liddle, so why is one a star and one a nuffie
Well it's simple really 851. These are my thoughts only (opinion if you like).
Hastings is a half / come 5/8 who did nothing previously in the NRL in 47 games.
He then went to ESL (basically equiv. to cc) and I watched a lot of his games and thought he was ordinary.
Plus he is a dope and full of himself (in my opinion).
Liddle on the other hand, I think is a good footballer and a very good DH in his 43 games in the NRL (in my opinion).
I have seen enough of him in most of those games to consider he will become one of the best DH's in the NRL over the next few years.
You do not have to agree, you obviously don't - that's fine .... everyone has their own opinions of players.
But seriously we need to look seriously at Liddle's future if he can't get 18-20 games at least ...I think he is off contract anyway from memory
Why do you think he’s still unsigned? Don’t you think that’s what we’re doing?
Liddle will be unsigned until mid year too injury prone. Not sure Hastings is the answer and Simpkins inexperienced