Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:01 pm  

He's a better centre than Hardaker. Hardaker just isn't a centre, he plays the same way he does at full back, but as he doesn't get the same amount of time he's way less effective. He's a back 3 player, he's never been a centre.
I'd be very cautious if I was Gildart, better players have gone to the NRL than him and returned home pretty quickly. They don't come back better players either most of the time.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:40 pm  

Rumours French isn’t coming back...

Just for clarity I regard this rumour in the same way I did “Long to Wigan”

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:12 am  

Watkins is a player I hope we stay clear of.

I’ve always seen him as a flat track bully. Great when his team is on top and cruising but a passenger when it is a much and bullets contest.

The first time I thought of him as being able to reach his potential was in the first year Wayne Bennett took over the England job, he seemed to develop a bit more steel internationally and for Leeds but it was short lived.

Compound that with the fact we have 4 centres already and his questionable injury record of late and I just don’t see the need for him...even if Gildart is going at the end of the year.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:27 am  

Watkins allegedly spoke to us and Wire....but chose Toronto.

Dodged a bullet there in my opinion IF true.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:24 pm  

jonh wrote:

Watkins allegedly spoke to us and Wire....but chose Toronto.

Dodged a bullet there in my opinion IF true.

Who are Toronto releasing? Centre is their strongest position with Leutele and Stanley and they're right at the limit of the cap.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:56 pm  

Watkins left Gold Coast because he wanted to be close to his family in the UK and then he goes and signs for Toronto! Something smells very Perch like.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 1:02 pm  

Like when Joel Moon (IIRC?) left Salford to be closer to his family in Australia, so moved to Leeds.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 1:07 pm  

His dad is dying of coronavirus, and Toronto will be in the UK until July at least. He's been back in the UK for a few weeks already.
People need to stop with the conspiracy theories.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 1:12 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

His dad is dying of coronavirus, and Toronto will be in the UK until July at least. He's been back in the UK for a few weeks already.
People need to stop with the conspiracy theories.

What happens after July...... does he sign for Warrington?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:02 pm  

jonh wrote:

Watkins is a player I hope we stay clear of.

I’ve always seen him as a flat track bully. Great when his team is on top and cruising but a passenger when it is a much and bullets contest.

The first time I thought of him as being able to reach his potential was in the first year Wayne Bennett took over the England job, he seemed to develop a bit more steel internationally and for Leeds but it was short lived.

Compound that with the fact we have 4 centres already and his questionable injury record of late and I just don’t see the need for him...even if Gildart is going at the end of the year.

We have 4 centres, 3 of whom are not as good as Watkins.