Re: Jake Mullaney : Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:05 pm  

This is obviously not good news for us, but I hope it works out for jake back down under and I'd like to thank him for his efforts, was always exciting to watch.

Naughton would be good but id really doubt he'd come back to play in the championship. I'd be tempted to see how thomas goes at 1, and keep Claire on the wing which I think is his best position. Makes the signing of the full back from Batley clearer if this has been on the cards for a while.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:18 pm  

mullaney doesnt feature in the booklet in membership pack so must have been sorted when that was printed which was presumably a couple of weeks ago which ties in with when rumours started.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Sun Dec 06, 2015 3:08 pm  

At least the booklet still lists Purtell as a centre and not a half

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 9:24 am  

Was wondering when this bit of news would surface.

From talking to Jake personally he was always in two minds about going home at the end of season gone.

Unfortunately the Harry Siejka/Steve Ferres incident was the major factor in the decision making process.

Brothers in arms and all that. A huge blow to Lowes' preparations.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 9:49 am  

I didn't give a monkeys about losing Siejka. I'd rather play a centre or 13 at scrum half than him. But losing Mullaney is a huge blow. He, along with Gaskell and O'Brien was one of the very few players we had that could change the game and inject that bit of pace and flair just when we needed it.
The other fullback options, while ok, are nowhere near the quality that Mullaney was.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:02 am  

Agree about Siejka's inability as a player, but the perceived way in which in his friend was treated by the club was enough for Mullaney to join Harry on the first flight back to Australia.

With James Mendeika out for the season due to that unfortunate injury in the Ireland game, one would suspect a new FB is on the transfer radar. I wonder if Jimmy regrets binning Ryan Shaw? Could be a decision that comes back to haunt us.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:19 am  

Peter Hood wrote:

I wonder if Jimmy regrets binning Ryan Shaw? Could be a decision that comes back to haunt us.

I wouldn't think so. Apart from the odd game or two, I never really got the big deal with Shaw, and was amazed when KR signed him. I'm not convinced he would be a much better option than Clare, Campbell or Thomas. And certainly not in Mullaney's league.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:28 am  

HamsterChops wrote:

I wouldn't think so. Apart from the odd game or two, I never really got the big deal with Shaw, and was amazed when KR signed him. I'm not convinced he would be a much better option than Clare, Campbell or Thomas. And certainly not in Mullaney's league.

With the long term injuries to Campbell and Mendeika I'd fully expect Clare to make the FB spot his own.

The squad is certainly looking a lot leaner in 2016 with all the departures and long term injuries.

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 10:36 am  

Peter Hood wrote:

With the long term injuries to Campbell and Mendeika I'd fully expect Clare to make the FB spot his own.

The squad is certainly looking a lot leaner in 2016 with all the departures and long term injuries.

I would agree with that. Especially since Thomas may be needed to play at 7.

Personally, I prefer Clare on the wing. Him moving to fullback means Caro is likely to be first choice for the wing along with Williams, and apart from pace, I can't say I've seen a lot in Caro, so I think that makes the 13 a little poorer.

I wouldn't say the whole squad is looking leaner, as we have plenty of back and front rowers. However other positions are certainly looking light on the backup front (and one or two on the first choice front!).

[Bullseye]

Re: Jake Mullaney : Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:31 pm  

The Mullaney news just confirms what we all knew some time ago – even if I’d hoped it was wrong.

I’m not sure the squad is any leaner. In fact we seem to have begun to collect backrowers. Also with Purtell as captain that leaves me wondering if he’s a cert for halfback given that Neilson and Welham should be starting centres.