I note that the Raiders didn't announce the signing of Sam Williams as had been touted in the Canberra media.
After this week's game, it is my view we simply have to just do whatever it takes to get Williams. He is the best young halfback to come through the NRL since Pearce and he is off-contract and the Raiders have made life difficult for themselves by signing Orford for 2 years. He is a genuine half who has a great kicking game, and a strong running game and can guide a side around a park.
The great thing about signing a genuine half, is that you could confidently move Jarryd Hayne to six. Having a dominant half could let Jarryd float around and inject himself into the game, not unlike what he is doing now but with more regularity. With Williams and Hayne at six and seven we'd suddenly have a brilliant kicking game and we'd instantly have a halves pairing that you can base a side around for at least the next five years.
Luke Burt could slip back to fullback next year, without a drama, and then we have a player like Jacob Gagan and now it seems Marmim Barba as young fullbacks coming through the grades. I'd argue, fullback is right now probably the easiest position to fill as its the one spot you can hide your small players. Let's at least say its far easier to find a fullback than a half.
Opportunities to sign players like Williams seldom come-up. They're normally locked up by their clubs double quick-smart. Canberra have left everyone else an opening by not showing faith in their kids and putting Orford in their way. We must pounce. If we really wanted him, and I think we should, I can't see Canberra being able to put together a deal that could get anywhere near what we could put together. Yes, it's a bit of a risk, to throw big dollars at a kid who has not proven himself consistently at NRL level but if it pays off and he's as good a I reckon he is, it would instantly transform our side.
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Again, I agree. We need to be proactive and act now. To be realistic, the odds of Cronk coming are getting slimmer by the day, especially given Bellamy's adulation of him in the media recently. We can't afford to wait around and hope for the miracle signing of somebody all ready under contract.
Let's chase this kid Williams or Cronk's understudy Luke Kelly. They can both play a lot better than what we have right now. At least we can offer them a guaranteed NRL spot. We have to do something. The prospect of relying on Mortimer and Robson with no light at the end of the tunnel will do my head in, I'm sure along with all other Eels supporters.
Dont think paul osbourne is interested in really good up and coming players, hes more about signing un contracted 500-800k superstars
Well get on wif it then Parra!!!
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