According to various Saints fans, the primary reason for not offering Long a 2 year deal was to allow them to bring their younger players through. That seems plausible at least.

We do have likes of wheeler and eastmond coming thru but both untried at 7 at super league level.



I think he do ok for you if he stays clear of injurys. Don't let him kick goals tho!!!

Been reading what the Saints fans have been saying about Long on their board. Interesting comparing it with what the Giants fans said about Thorman when he signed for us!



I'm sure he will do a good job for us for two years, but we need to start looking for a long term replacement sooner rather than later.

completely agree; for me this is a perfect signing for 2 years but we cannot be in the same desperate position this time in 2 years



we have to start planning now for when Long leaves

The reason is the long term plan. We recruited Potter to integrate the younger local talent since he had done well in that regard in France. We have had a number of players all approaching the latter end of their careers and/or contracts at a similar time. Last year Talau wanted a two year contract and he was offered one; he went to Salford. We didn't renew Scully, due to the enormous cost of his injuries I should imagine. Long was offered one year as well, just as Cunningham has been (again). Cunningham has taken these extensions up to now, Long did not want to. I don't think it was about talent but ultimately about flexibility for the club which has to rebuild itself given the number of players coming to the end of their careers and/or contracts. This season alone sees Long, Cunningham, Cayless, Gidley and Gilmour all out of contract.

Yeah, the scrum half played a lot more games last season

I've been saying this for weeks, good post.

For all those bemoaning us signing Long instead of Orford. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ju ... l-transfer Taken from the above article "Hull, who have already signed the ­veteran Sydney Roosters forward Craig ­Fitzgibbon for 2010, had also made a substantial offer to the Manly Sea Eagles scrum-half Matt Orford, reportedly wanted by Wigan and Warrington. But Orford is now expected to stay in Australia, and that has forced any Super League club in need of a new half-back to look closer to home."

For all those bemoaning us signing Long instead of Orford. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ju ... l-transfer Taken from the above article "Hull, who have already signed the ­veteran Sydney Roosters forward Craig ­Fitzgibbon for 2010, had also made a substantial offer to the Manly Sea Eagles scrum-half Matt Orford, reportedly wanted by Wigan and Warrington. But Orford is now expected to stay in Australia, and that has forced any Super League club in need of a new half-back to look closer to home."

Close - but no banana.



Try reading the various threads on here an the Saints board and you'll learn why Long was only offered 1 year at Saints.

I may have been speculating a little with the reasons but Fact is he was only offered a ONE year deal and that is the ONLY reason he has now signed for Hull...end off.



Had Saints been able/willing to offer him the two year deal do you seriously think he'd have chosen Hull over Saints....if you do...then keeping taking the tablets

Wayne Bennett recently said (on the BBC website) that sometimes it's better to take a short term loss in favour of long term gain. This is precisely the thinking at Saints regarding Long.



Perhaps Saints will be the poorer next season for Long's absence. He's a hell of a player who is bound to be missed. At this moment there are a number of kids competing for his shirt, with Eastmond being the #1 candidate (Smith may return from CC, but I doubt it. Lomax can play seven, as can Wheeler).



If Eastmond gets the nod he will doubtlessly find it difficult. The Saints pack and backs are so used to Long communication is almost telepathic. Kyle is going to have to stake his own claim and that will take time and effort. But he has plenty of talent and his attitude seems good.



I expect there will be some short term loss, but we've got to bite the bullet. Yes, Saints may well drop points because of this, but it would be extremely counterproductive to keep kids like Eastmond waiting much longer. So you see, it's not that Long isn't up to it. He is. But there are other, younger - and possibly better - players ready to make names for themselves now.