Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:04 am  

http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4903

http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4903

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:08 am  

Looking at the bigger picture its a decent signing. The money Lomax is on means we could never sign another top class full back you just cant do it with todays salary cap. He will proably move to the wing if Johnny is fit next year.

Hopefully it allows us sign another top class forward and centre.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:12 am  

It's an underwhelming signing to be honest. I was in support of him to the end of the season, but not sure what he's going to add next year. The rumours we were in for him at the start of the year but wouldn't meet his wage demands and have since gone back with an improved offer doesn't sound good to me. I hope we've not been bent over a barrell on this one. He's Super League level, but he's not a signing that will improve our side.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:15 am  

Saddened! wrote:

It's an underwhelming signing to be honest. I was in support of him to the end of the season, but not sure what he's going to add next year. The rumours we were in for him at the start of the year but wouldn't meet his wage demands and have since gone back with an improved offer doesn't sound good to me. I hope we've not been bent over a barrell on this one. He's Super League level, but he's not a signing that will improve our side.

1. McDonnell, 2.Makinson

is stronger than

1. Makinson, 2. Fleming/Bailey/Dawson

It IS a signing that will improve us, despite it being an underwhelming signing as you say. It's a signing out of necessity. It will also take the pressure off Lomax getting fit for round 1 next year and possibly coming back unfit.
It's a sensible, if unspectacular, signing.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:20 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

It's a sensible, if unspectacular, signing.

That depends on how much we're paying him. I just hope this isn't a sign of McManus returning to his old ways after the Grand Final success last season. We need to make a couple of big signings at the end of the season to keep pace with the other top sides.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:21 am  

Happy enough with this, I wanted to sign him last year so better late than never! Covers the backs very well and should be more reliable than Lomax. Of course as with every signing it's hard to know how good it is without knowing the full details, but I think this will work out. Not a superstar but also i don't think takes all the cap space we have ,,,

Bare in mind "his demands were too high"'could easily of meant that he wanted another year as opposed more money than we were willing to offer -now Lomax is questionable as well it's a far easier compromise to meet

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:24 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

1. McDonnell, 2.Makinson

is stronger than

1. Makinson, 2. Fleming/Bailey/Dawson

It IS a signing that will improve us, despite it being an underwhelming signing as you say. It's a signing out of necessity. It will also take the pressure off Lomax getting fit for round 1 next year and possibly coming back unfit.
It's a sensible, if unspectacular, signing.

Very good point. Look at the positives, it's better than today.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:41 am  

i thought he did well in the games he played. Bit of pace and good support play.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:42 am  

Technically competent. Good speed. Good footwork. Covers a ton of positions and - importantly - he's in his prime (and cheap).

Although, I hope Saints don't keep bumping him from wing to full-back each week. Give the lad a chance to build up some games in one position.

Re: Shannon McDonnell Signs : Thu Apr 30, 2015 10:35 am  

I think its alright. I don't expect him to be a star, but I expect him to be pretty good for us (from what we saw last year).

He's pacey and IIRC in the less fashionable mould of sniping around the ruck areas looking for offloads from the big guys. I think that's okay for us, given the size of our first choice pack.