***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[Burgey]

Confirmed - Wendell Sailor has signed with Saints until the end of 2009. Comes back in metro cup this week.

 

[howardj]

Welcome back to big Dell.

Absolutely the harshest drug suspension in the history of professional sport in Australia.

 

[Johnners]

Shame it wasn't longer imo.

 

[Simon]

Dont know how much impact he'll have, what position he's gonna play and how much game time to expect. Be surprised if he lasts until the end of next season.

 

[Craig]

In news that will make Burgey's day is that Brett Finch has re-signed with Parramatta for the next three years. And Simon, is Purtell coming to Melbourne, or is he going somewhere else or staying put?

 

[Burgey]

He's not the greatest player going around, but he's been far from our worst this year imo.
At least he has a go, and makes his tackles through the game. Apparently he's the fittest player at the club in all the beep tests, etc. But he's not in the same league as some of the other half backs - I mean, he plays in the same league, but isn't in it - if you know what I mean.

 

[Simon]

In news that will make Burgey's day is that Brett Finch has re-signed with Parramatta for the next three years. And Simon, is Purtell coming to Melbourne, or is he going somewhere else or staying put?

Purtell signed a new three year deal with the Raiders last week.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hannant out for 3-4 weeks and Lockyer likely out for 6.

 

[Burgey]

Hannant from that head clash yesterday, or was it something else?

Kaufusi to come in I suppose, if he isn't injured or qualified for NZ.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hannant from that head clash yesterday, or was it something else?

Kaufusi to come in I suppose, if he isn't injured or qualified for NZ.

Yeah, from the headclash. Although, not too confident in the Courier Mail's sources for Brisbane injuries. They can never get Hodges' situation correct and whenever they tip someone to come back early, they're out the morning of the game, so wouldn't be too surprised if Hannant lines up next Wednesday.

 

[Simon]

Kaufusi has played Origin so he's definitely still Qld, not sure we should pick him, but I dont think we really have too many other options for the front row. Shillington maybe.

 

[Burgey]

Just ask Cayless to do a Tony Carroll - I mean, he's been to Qld once or twice, that qualifies him, doesn't it?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Kaufusi has played Origin so he's definitely still Qld, not sure we should pick him, but I dont think we really have too many other options for the front row. Shillington maybe.

Shillo hasn't been in great form but he'd do very well in Origin imo. I was surprised he wasn't picked a few years ago when he was in his best form and QLD were looking for a good bench forward.

 

[chaminda_00]

My concern with the NSW pack is, who's going to make the 30-40 tackles around the ruck? That pack seems more a running pack than one capable of really meaningful defence in high numbers. I hope I'm wrong.

Hoffman has pretty much made a career on making 30-40 tackles a game. If he gets a chance to play 80 minutes, rather then being rotated like in the past he should make 30-40 tackles easy.

 

[chaminda_00]

Just ask Cayless to do a Tony Carroll - I mean, he's been to Qld once or twice, that qualifies him, doesn't it?

Cayless has actually played for NSW City, just after the last World Cup. So he got more chance of playing for NSW then QLD.

 

[Simon]

Actually not sure we need anymore than four props.
8 Price
10 Civoniceva
14 Webb
15 Myles

Hannant will be back game two comes around.

 

[chaminda_00]

Actually not sure we need anymore than four props.
8 Price
10 Civoniceva
14 Webb
15 Myles

Hannant will be back game two comes around.

Could always bring in Neville Costigan off the bench instead of an extra front rower.

 

[Burgey]

Cayless has actually played for NSW City, just after the last World Cup. So he got more chance of playing for NSW then QLD.

So he should - he was born and bred in Wenty, and what's more, played cricket for the Tahs no less (was a handy junior player actually).

He played in the same junior cricket side as Steve Crouch, former Parra, Manly and Tigers back rower, who was good enough to play 1st grade cricket and, iirc, NSW under 19s.

Not to mention Phil Gould was our junior cricketer of the year in 1971.

As a cricket club, we've produced some really good footy players!!!

 

[Simon]

Could always bring in Neville Costigan off the bench instead of an extra front rower.

Costigan hasnt played an NRL game for two months, he wont be picked in game one.

 

[Craig]

So he should - he was born and bred in Wenty, and what's more, played cricket for the Tahs no less (was a handy junior player actually).

He played in the same junior cricket side as Steve Crouch, former Parra, Manly and Tigers back rower, who was good enough to play 1st grade cricket and, iirc, NSW under 19s.

Not to mention Phil Gould was our junior cricketer of the year in 1971.

As a cricket club, we've produced some really good footy players!!!

And how many FC class and Test cricketers?