Bugger it , the only player i get excited about us scoring a try these days has gone. Well played to the team yesterday i didnt expect that. Perhaps what would be good is our anonymous management team could pen a thank you message of support to the team for the effort displayed and all the long suffering supporters.

Newcastle

Will be Newcastle taking him early won't it?

Obviously a direct result of not getting picked for yesterdays game. He certainly was not the worst player against Dewsbury but Grix was always going to pick his brother if he were fit which was a shame as QLT was probably the only player in our team who may have been able to create something against Saints. As it were we did look like we could play all night without getting over Saints line. Obviously Saints are very good but the lack of ability to score points is now coming up to 4 seasons so hopefully in the off season we might see some changes.

Yes, Newcastle makes sense especially when they are only 2 points off automatic promotion.

As for QLT - he has great attacking quality, but that's cancelled out by too often going missing in defence. It's counter productive scoring 2 tries but then letting in 3.

I don't want to go "QLT bashing" now he's gone, but he did give the most lazy fullback performance I have ever seen when we played Swinton at home, after which I would readily have seen him leave with Sharpy regaining the full back berth, he was that bad.

We don't need a replacement for next season. Sharp and/or Grix are better fullbacks. Use the money to get a strong attacking centre.

Fair assessment, on his day an exciting player in attack but never the best in defence and that’s why he never had much time in SL and spent the bulk of his time in the championship.
Reece Chapman Smith is another who could well do a job at fullback.
Fax are in a transition period with a few players moving on / retiring so it will be interesting to see what recruitment plans Simon has.

Good point about Reece Chapman-Smith, faxcar, the few times I've seen him I've been impressed. He could be ready next season, as could other youngsters such as the Davies twins and having Grady and Jones back will be like new signings.

Another point about QLT, I was extremely disappointed he insisted on the Super League clause in his contract last season and his subsequent move to Cas was like him sticking 2 fingers up at Fax but I suppose we shouldn't allow such clauses in the first place to players who aren't showing commitment.

This "bigger than the club" attitude seems to have surfaced again the past week so I'm not sorry to see him go. Shame some fans on here are too shallow to recognise this - for example someone called Wally Fax (? need to check his name on the other thread) was crying his eyes out and stamping his feet 'cos he hadn't been picked, but obviously didn't know the facts behind his exclusion.

Time now to build a team of Grix's choice and look forward to a strong 2020, hopefully OFF the field as well in coming up with some innovative ideas to create a great match day value for money experience to strengthen the fan base.

Spot on, we need the shambles off the field to be sorted now and the “invisible chairman” removed. Hopefully now Croad is back in charge off player recruitment we’ll get a 6,7. & 9 who know what to do and can do it.

No his clause wasn't sticking 2 fingers up, it's called good business and career sense. I see your one those how dare someone else have an opinion brigade. So you're saying if QLT had played yesterday he would not have improved the attack? Forget defence my posts weren't about his defence. Same for JWH I was surprised he wasn't picked for his attacking prowess alone. Don't cry too much though will you Dizzy F@ck.

Less of the name calling please, it's extremely childish.

Having watched the match again on TV, and "hypothetically" swapping QLT with Grix, I seriously think we would have conceded more tries. Grix was superb at policing the defensive line and put in a classic full back display, something QLT has "lost".

Attacking wise, QLT wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference. Saints defence was superb and had us lined up, any Championship side (even the likes of Toronto with their "strike" players) would have struggled to break them.

With any luck the ‘Diners’ will do one now they have had their moment of glory and a last freebie yesterday. Ian Croad and co might have had their detractors over the years but on the whole they did a bloody good job in my opinion!!

I've heard on the grapevine that Ian Croad has actually never done a good job, but if you can name some good examples of what he has done then I'll stand to be corrected.

Blimey! If there's a better number 9 in the championship than Brandon, I've yet to see him.

Sorry Hudd-Shay badly worded agree on Brandon but need two hookers in modern game otherwise unlikely to last the season out due to injury. Also need more go forward in pack

Well played fuzzy, inoffski is busy trying to find any evidence from gregs PDR.

Newcastle's signing of QLT confirmed: https://thunderrugby.co.uk/on-field/sig ... -tyneside/

Newcastle's signing of QLT confirmed: https://thunderrugby.co.uk/on-field/sig ... -tyneside/