Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:33 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

Reports in Aus that Toronto have tabled a $9m contract to SBW. That would be a huge signing for not just Toronto but SL as a whole.

How do they fit that under the salary cap?

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:33 pm  

The Toronto fans wouldn’t know the difference between Sonny Bill Williams, Super Benny Westwood or Skinny Bradley Wiggins.

Thy may aswell use that money to buy 4 or 5 players instead.

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 1:04 pm  

hatty wrote:

100% Warrior wrote:

Reports in Aus that Toronto have tabled a $9m contract to SBW. That would be a huge signing for not just Toronto but SL as a whole.

How do they fit that under the salary cap?

You'd guess he'd be a marquee signing & that's exactly what it's intended to do.

Huge signing and one that's good for the league imo. I'd say he's probably add an extra 200 fans onto each away gate. I know a handful of people who'd probably go to watch him play.

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:06 pm  

hatty wrote:

I’m in Toronto now on hols, it’s a fantastic place, loads of bars etc but.... bring plenty of money cos it’s expensive.
You have to try the PAI Thai restaurant & bar, it’s awesome. Can’t wait to watch us play here.... better get my savings head on

How much is your average pint? That's all I'm bothered about

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:56 pm  

post wrote:

The Toronto fans wouldn’t know the difference between Sonny Bill Williams, Super Benny Westwood or Skinny Bradley Wiggins.

Thy may aswell use that money to buy 4 or 5 players instead.

But the rest of Super League's fanbase do, and half of Toronto's games will be played at other grounds, where the fans would likely flock in to watch him play. And once that word gets around, it will make it easier for Toronto to sell their club to the home press.

To be honest, there are lots of reasons why signing SBW won't necessarily work out - long time out of the game, very untrustworthy etc - but the publicity coup outweighs them all in my view.

No disrespect to you, but it's part of the reason why SL's crowds are declining that too many people like your good self advocate ignoring superstars and signing handfuls of 'better value' journeymen instead.

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 3:14 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

But the rest of Super League's fanbase do, and half of Toronto's games will be played at other grounds, where the fans would likely flock in to watch him play. And once that word gets around, it will make it easier for Toronto to sell their club to the home press.

To be honest, there are lots of reasons why signing SBW won't necessarily work out - long time out of the game, very untrustworthy etc - but the publicity coup outweighs them all in my view.

No disrespect to you, but it's part of the reason why SL's crowds are declining that too many people like your good self advocate ignoring superstars and signing handfuls of 'better value' journeymen instead.

Spot on

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 3:46 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

No disrespect to you, but it's part of the reason why SL's crowds are declining that too many people like your good self advocate ignoring superstars and signing handfuls of 'better value' journeymen instead.

SBW to Wigan, Saints, Warrington, Leeds, Hull etc would be a massive coup and would create a lot of media exposure and put bums on seats. All those teams already have foundations and a superleague standard side. Toronto don’t have that foundation or a good enough team IMO.

They need to spend that money more wisely rather than spunk it on 1 player because what happens if he’s a flop or is constantly injured? He’s gone in 2 years along with all that cash that could have really laid the foundations for Canadian rugby league.

Spending 9 million on SBW is like spending all your holiday spends in the airport on your way there.

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 3:54 pm  

post wrote:

SBW to Wigan, Saints, Warrington, Leeds, Hull etc would be a massive coup and would create a lot of media exposure and put bums on seats. All those teams already have foundations and a superleague standard side. Toronto don’t have that foundation or a good enough team IMO.

They need to spend that money more wisely rather than spunk it on 1 player because what happens if he’s a flop or is constantly injured? He’s gone in 2 years along with all that cash that could have really laid the foundations for Canadian rugby league.

Spending 9 million on SBW is like spending all your holiday spends in the airport on your way there.

Now you put it like that it’s a fair point, I still disagree but it’s a fair point all the same.

FWIW I agree with the second paragraph, though money isn’t an issue over there, they could spend it on building a squad capable of not just staying in SL but competing too.

Re: Toronto : Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:54 pm  

tomrhodes28 wrote:

How much is your average pint? That's all I'm bothered about

About £5.50

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 30, 2019 12:28 pm  

hatty wrote:

About £5.50

Did you find an Irish bar? There must be a few of those
Can't wait for the fixtures to be released next week, then I can sort all my holidays out for next year. Thanks to Thomas Cook I have three spare weeks unallocated!!!