Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:02 pm  

Sam Wood signs a new deal until the end of 2016. LINK

Sam Wood signs a new deal until the end of 2016. LINK

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:00 pm  

Great news.
One of our best prospects with a down to earth attitude.

[Bullseye]

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:07 pm  

Glad he’s re-signed. He’s got good speed and can pass. Needs to put some muscle on but he’s a young lad so should fill out.

He’ll get plenty of opportunities in 2014.

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 3:58 pm  

He is a good prospect for the future and does need to beef up a little without losing the speed.

I have been surprised a little over the past few months about the lack of comments on our "forgotten" overseas centre in Purtell. Yes he has had a very average - some would say poor season just finished but he was a good centre down under.
I find myself wondering if he could put last season behind him and give us a much better campaign next year. It would be like having a new signing if he could really hit some form. It is his last contracted year and he must know that he will be released if he performs the same again and would then struggle to get a top contract anywhere with his medical and performance record recently. Sam may not be ready to take over from him in 12 months time. Purtell will be on a good contract and IMO will be released next year if he doesn't improve dramatically.
What do others think?

[Bullseye]

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:03 pm  

It’ll be Purtell’s last year, I think he’s said as much in interviews so I expect he’ll want to give it his very best shot.

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:11 pm  

woolly07 wrote:

He is a good prospect for the future and does need to beef up a little without losing the speed.

I have been surprised a little over the past few months about the lack of comments on our "forgotten" overseas centre in Purtell. Yes he has had a very average - some would say poor season just finished but he was a good centre down under.
I find myself wondering if he could put last season behind him and give us a much better campaign next year. It would be like having a new signing if he could really hit some form. It is his last contracted year and he must know that he will be released if he performs the same again and would then struggle to get a top contract anywhere with his medical and performance record recently. Sam may not be ready to take over from him in 12 months time. Purtell will be on a good contract and IMO will be released next year if he doesn't improve dramatically.
What do others think?

Regards Purtell I think I am starting to believe the views of Penrith fans more and more, for my sins I read up on him on the Panthers' forum and they absolutely slated him. With the each game I fail to be overly impressed, barring the odd try scoring pass away to Kear he's been a let down.

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:20 pm  

I didn't get a chance to see Wood play last year, but from everything I've heard he's a good prospect so I'm glad we've retained him.

As for Purtell I thought he was poor last season. That being said, the guy was coming back from having a heart attack, so I think that entitles him to be cut a little slack. Hopefully this year, with that behind him and a proper pre-season, he'll find some form and be a good shout for us. I hope he does. Even if he doesn't, I've still massive respect for the guy for even coming back at all.

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 5:11 pm  

I think well probably see Wood end up in the centre along with Henry in the next two seasons. Really food news for the lad and the club. It's lads like Wood that are really buying in to Frannys methods and if they all the potential prospects do it from now then we will start to grow a squad and club with some real belief in the system.

Re: Sam Wood : Thu Nov 14, 2013 9:47 pm  

TBH I think people are being slightly harsh on Purtell. After all, the guy nearly DIED. Fair play to him for even continuing to play.

Re: Sam Wood : Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:21 am  

roofaldo2 wrote:

TBH I think people are being slightly harsh on Purtell. After all, the guy nearly DIED. Fair play to him for even continuing to play.

Yes fair play to him, but there's no room for sentiment any more. Everyone no doubt agrees you give him time after what happened. But he's been back playing almost a whole season now, and needs to show some improvement. I'm with Hindle on this one, I haven't seen anything apart from the odd pass here and there that really shows off Purtell as worth a quota spot, or even a place in the team with our current squad. For the first few months after his return, you could forgive him for not standing out. But it's been a while now, and he needs to show something soon or give it up as a bad job.