Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:08 pm  

We are losing Cross at the end of the season, is it likely that we could be making a signing from the NRL or is such a signing going to be beyond our means?

Signings from the NRL for 2014 are starting to be announced with Hull, St Helens (x2) and Salford already named as signing players.

My sense is that we will be looking to do our business within the UK, not that I expect that many additional bodies coming in on top of Tickle, maybe 2 or 3 at most. I sense that the very gradual improvement in attendances will make the Club very wary of making a big splash as they probably feel it will not be met with a significant rise in support.

Cross may have some contacts he can point in our direction, which I suppose might help find us an experienced prop, but they are few and far between in Superleague especially now that Carvell has signed up for Bradford.

No rumours around about since Carvell was mentioned. Hanson was mentioned but he is more a back row forward (who to be fair could develop into a prop) and I am pretty certain Wigan will want to keep him (if he doesn't go to the NRL). I'd be happy to take Crosby off Wigan's hands, but he wouldn't be the old head we need!

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:29 pm  

Paul Prescott and Chris Bridge are being strongly linked with us through more than one source, if we're looking at anyone from the NRL Jason Demetriou who now coaches northern pride (currently top of the league) would be worth keeping in touch with. Cross like you say is another the club I hope keep in contact with once he goes home.

Were a lot more attractive to players now that we're competitive, they can see the progress the club is making. Next season is pretty crucial as well given the changes coming up.

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:48 pm  

A ugly prop forward is a must signing.I heard Harrison Hanson signing and that could mean Cahill to prop.

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:08 pm  

OFFTHECUFF wrote:

A ugly prop forward is a must signing.I heard Harrison Hanson signing and that could mean Cahill to prop.

Whilst I wouldn't say no to Hanson he still has an optional year on his contract and Wigan would expect a fee. I just cant see us getting him if Wigan want to keep him. It would be a shame to turn Cahill into a prop

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:13 pm  

WirralViking wrote:

Whilst I wouldn't say no to Hanson he still has an optional year on his contract and Wigan would expect a fee. I just cant see us getting him if Wigan want to keep him. It would be a shame to turn Cahill into a prop

Cahill be great wherever plays mate.If Hanson signed he be in the backrow with Tickle,Allen,and Cahill which is strong.Agree prefer a prop of quality to be signed though.Hey Gallen be nice.lol

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:25 pm  

Have we still got a link up with Brisbane? it seems they didnt return the favour when we sent them mull.

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:36 pm  

-VIKINGMAN- wrote:

Have we still got a link up with Brisbane? it seems they didnt return the favour when we sent them mull.

That turned out to be the shortest lived joint development link ever, I suspect!

It looks more and more like it was just convenient that they were a prop short in their U19s squad, rather than it signalling the start of a player development collaboration. Mullally was in need of a change of scene for a year whilst things settled down for him domestically. That now looks like the end of it, as they would seem not to be interested in the sort of players we would like to see developed (Gore, Gilmore, Lawton etc), because they wouldn't want to displace one of their own (obviously with most teams including 4 props in a playing 17 it is that much easier to fit one in).

I have to say I was very excited about it all when announced, although I did expect that Mullally would be tempted to play over there at the end of his contract (a crazy decision by the Club not to tidy all that up before he went!), instead of being "poached" by Huddersfield.

I thought there was a real opportunity for some emerging Bronco's players to come over here for a year and get game time in Superleague in the build up to them making their start in the NRL. As far as I know the Club have never commented on the link since Mullally came back. Perhaps we should ask Vikings Voice to get a definitive answer, although I suspect we all know what that will be!

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:58 am  

So will Paul Prescott retiring (http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/28 ... -announces?) and Carvell going to Bradford where are we going to get our experienced prop from to replace Cross. Saints and Wire (and Wakey this season with Poore) have shown that props are still available from the NRL, but I just get the feeling that after all the initial hype about us looking at the NRL we feel that it is too expensive. We have struggled without Cross leading the pack this season, sadly Pickersgill has gone backwards in recent games (a bit better against Leeds), O'Carroll has been steady if not spectacular, Joseph has been the real surprise package, but you feel he would really benefit from having an old experienced head around, Kavanagh has started to show a bit of form and Gerrard picked up where he left off as a tireless workhorse, who doesn't take a backward step. They are all young for props and will be with us for some time to come and will get better with more experience, but we do need a "mentor" figure to lead by example for the next few years. Anyone got any idea as to who may fit the bill?

So will Paul Prescott retiring (http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/28 ... -announces?) and Carvell going to Bradford where are we going to get our experienced prop from to replace Cross. Saints and Wire (and Wakey this season with Poore) have shown that props are still available from the NRL, but I just get the feeling that after all the initial hype about us looking at the NRL we feel that it is too expensive. We have struggled without Cross leading the pack this season, sadly Pickersgill has gone backwards in recent games (a bit better against Leeds), O'Carroll has been steady if not spectacular, Joseph has been the real surprise package, but you feel he would really benefit from having an old experienced head around, Kavanagh has started to show a bit of form and Gerrard picked up where he left off as a tireless workhorse, who doesn't take a backward step. They are all young for props and will be with us for some time to come and will get better with more experience, but we do need a "mentor" figure to lead by example for the next few years. Anyone got any idea as to who may fit the bill?

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:47 am  

Well i hope Cross knows a few players who are decent and put a good word in for the Vikings.

Re: Is a Signing from the NRL a possibility? : Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:41 am  

I see Wigan have now got in on the act by signing Pettybourne from Wests Tigers, http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news So deals can be made. Lets hope we can find someone to replace Cross. I appreciate that some of the so called "big NRL sinings" have not always worked out so I can appreciate the Club being cautious with their limited resources.

I see Wigan have now got in on the act by signing Pettybourne from Wests Tigers, http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news So deals can be made. Lets hope we can find someone to replace Cross. I appreciate that some of the so called "big NRL sinings" have not always worked out so I can appreciate the Club being cautious with their limited resources.