As well as signing an experienced enforcer prop, one other area where I would like to bring in experience is at 9. The 9 is such an important position, a good 9 can dictate the play and offer so much in attack and defence.

Clearly the club are unconvinced with Logan etc, hence why they elected to play Lockers there then elect for a Smith interchange.

An experience 9 on the interchange with Micky would offer us cover, and a different option in attack when on the pitch.



Currently I think the NRL is the place to go shopping.

And who do we get given that the NRL salary cap is higher than ours.

I think the problem with that is again the quality of the available options. There are quite a few hookers who would have something to offer as backup but they would command fairly high wages and in some respects they would only be needed as backup and that might not be too inviting for a player who might not have many years left. I've mentioned a few times that someone like Diskin might be useful but he'd probably command a higher wage than would be justifiable because most of the time we haven't really needed an interchange hooker. To add to that they would also have no reserve competition to keep up their match fitness and even if said hooker did keep his place on the bench it would still mean another first team regular would struggle to find a way to gain match fitness.



Signing a promising young player probably wouldn't help either as they'd either be too old to play in the under 19's or not have the experience to really be a suitable back up.



I think at this moment in time the only option the club has it to keep Logan Tomkins and/or use other versatile players as backup so that would no doubt mean Green, Smith, O'Loughlin or Powell as backup hooker.

It's not a back-up hooker as such, when the game time is split equally. Offering a 1st team role in a top SL team.

I'm a fan of the sport who likes to discuss where I feel improvements could be made. I don't have access to the list of available NRL players, so naturally I couldn't say who to get, I stipulated loose criteria, an experience 9.



I believe the standard of quality 9's is better in the NRL, and just cause there cap is higher, doesn't mean all NRL players are now a no go.

The issue with that is the club might be making an unnecessary signing. McIlorum has been fine playing 80 minutes for most games and having an interchange hooker to split that time might not be worth the expense. It would all be dependent on the quality available and the room on the salary cap. Lets say hypothetically we can sign Heath L'Estrange from Bradford, his wage demands might be too great compared to how much the club actually need to sign another hooker.



NRL players are mostly out of the picture because most decent hookers will be commanding good wages at an NRL club. A hooker from Super League on the other hand would probably be unrealistic as most if not all decent hookers are contracted and I don't think Lenegan will go throwing any more cash around.



It's an incredibly difficult time to try to strengthen a team and replace a lot of quality.

All your points are hypothetical, all ifs and buts. You don't actually know who's available and at what cost. You say McM has been fine playing for 80, how do you not know he's be better spelled? Have more impact? Plus he's been suspended on two separate occasions leaving us short.

How do you not know he'll pick up a nasty injury next season leaving us short?



All hypothetical.



What's not hypothetical is than the 9 spot heavily influences the team, and it's clear we're short in that position.

If we are looking for a hooker then Shaun Lunt would be my choice (from SL)

There could be another wigan player moveing to sydney in the off season [ Not sam tomkins talks are ongoing.

PM me please, interested.

Mossop

Why does it require a pm this is a rumours thread!