What would people say if Perry was the 'only if we can find a suitable replacement for you' for Jammer's go in the NRL. Wouldn't look quite so peachy then would it.

It wouldn't, but Perry would still be an excellent signing.

Well, I would have thought we'd struggle to tempt him, given there should be some real competetion for his signiture. Mind you, the new stadium facility must be a real selling point.



What really makes me scepticle is that a few posts after he was mentioned some one's decleared it definate.



I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Offside,its the man on your page they need to get back and the rumour in yorkshire is your Coach and Board are trying to do just that.

When's his contract up? I'd love it if we got mace the ace back!

I thought we may have picked up Griffin from Hudds at the end of last season - I emailed MP and he said they knew about him coming off contract and were having a look.

Must be a fee involved as he is contracted to 2011.

Sorry guys, but Shenton is no replacement for Gidley.



Granted, he is quick, but is nowhere near the class we should be looking at to replace someone who is arguably one of the most respected and skillful centres in the game.



Centre has (and probably always will be) a marquee position for Saints - do you really think Shenton is in that bracket? He was made to look average at best against Oz and NZ.

'tis true, but he is probably the best availiable, and it allows us to sign a monster prop or two, i'd be happy

or, we could sign another marquee aussie centre, who will see no ball and in the meantime, leave Graham to struggle on AGAIN for another season with no help.



Shenton is much better than Gidleys current level of ability. if we can get him on a cheaper wage, bonus!. However, hes nailed on for Wigan anyway.

I think with the likes of Warrington and Wigan in the running for all these potential signings, we're unlikely to make any of them stick.



I don't think we'll miss Gidley. For whatever reason he's been very quiet for 18 months now.

Shenton is okay by me. He's young. He's quick. He weighs in with the odd try and he can defend. What's not to like?



The centre position was doubtlessly a "marquee position" ten years ago. But is it today? I don't think so.



I mean, there's nothing bad about having a marquee NAME at centre. We profited immensely out of Lyon. But I think the slot itself lost its glamour when the salary cap was introduced. Look, if it's a choice between buying a top prop or buying a top centre I'll take the former every time. Not least because without your props that marquee name (costing an arm and a leg) is going to find it very difficult to operate effectively. But even a modestly gifted grafter can look good playing behind a dominant pack (Scott Naylor is an excellent example).



If I were offered the opportunity to run an emerging SL franchise I'd be spending the money in the following order (most to least) - prop, playmaking SO or SH, back row, full back, hooker, loose forward, centre, wing.



Barring bad luck with injuries a dominant pack will ALWAYS keep you in contention. There are no guarantees with silverware, but you won't fail to be in the hunt. On the flipside, a team that invests most of its money in the backs whilst maintaining an average or below average front six will find it very difficult to be successful.

In the same vein, a great pack with average outside backs will win you nothing.



There is no reason why we can't have both. I've seen how much impact quality props like Ward, Fairleigh, Britt and Jammer can have on your team but that has also been combined with a Newlove, Gibbs, Lyon and Gidley.



Take South Sydney this year - one of the best packs in the comp in the NRL but the backs are inferior to other teams. They will end up winning nothing.