The biggest issue I have with Thompson is that last season he served a purpose in the squad and looked a relatively cheap but useful signing.This year however he looks over weight and unfit.

Middles are ok when you've got a fit (or near fit) squad and you have one sat alongside two quality props on the bench.The trouble is that once you get a couple of injuries to genuine props they get exposed for what they usually are which is usually blokes that aren't that good and are 10kg under weight.tet and prior are good middles but if they aren't of that quality then I'd be concerned.

Why the 3 year deal for a player like this at this stage in their career - also taking up an OS spot? Anyway…

It's a shame we probably can't get Chris Satae, he's exactly the kind of prop we need.

Tariq Sims at prop anyone?

He's a back rower isn't he?

Yes but he’s big and aggressive, and one of my fave players.

Bit like Matt Adamson was back in the day.

Very good player but not quite a prop. Can’t see us bringing him in

After the Hull game this weekend, I think it's a real shame King is going. Aside from a couple of six agains, I thought he was excellent in the contact both in attack and D. I wonder if contracts are signed now, or whether we could tempt him to stay another year.

I'm expecting a big year from Zane next year. He's been a bit disappointing for me considering he's on a big whack. Hasn't been near the level of Mik or Prior in the games he's played. It can take oversees players a year to bed in, and to me he needs to be showing more quality more consistently.

Do we know yet who is coming to SL from the NRL? Tyrone Peachey could give us good cover across the backline, and don't think he's staying at GC.

I would have liked to have kept King, he has plenty of potential. He is far from the finished article but you can see he has the raw ingredients to be a top front rower. He constantly makes good metres after contact, is a handful for the opposition to hold and hits hard in defence. He also looks capable of playing decent minutes. He has given 6 again quite a lot this season and his tackling technique has been questionable resulting in HIA's but these could be worked on.
A player such as Thompson maybe looked on as more dependable but have nothing like the improvement left in them that Kingdoes.

but why use an overseas spot on a 5th or 6th choice prop?

Russell Packer from Wests?