We should have been wary of signing Clyde. Two knee reconstructions early in his career were starting to have their predictable effects on his hamstrings. No real surprise when he struggled. However, agree with Andy, a real pro whereas Mullins was an idle sod. Went back to Oz and was suddenly "brilliant" again.

Re-signed with the Roosters this/last week

achurch has only been deemed good enough in patches and that donkey of a winger 2 yr ago was thoroughly assessed

the difference is mullins and clyde were names recent signings apart from webb and buderous have been on the cheap

mullins knee was fine when dancing and sprinting for last orders

Didn't Mullins return to Australia & win the Grand Final with his new club the following season?

Achurch was signed after very few pro games and was by our own admission 'raw' but agree he hadn't fulfilled his potential. Personal view is he is better out wider - see Schoeys recent article on 2nd rows.

That 'donkey' paid his own airfare and came for a trial. He got found out and left the club. I'd say that was smart by the club. His being here cost nothing.

Stop clutching at straws. Why are you so desperate to disprove the club has moved on, and got better at recruitment - surely that's a good thing!
Perhaps you long for the good ol days of big names and no trophies.

Yep, he was top try scorer in the NRL that year as well IIRC.

Big names that come for 3 mths no .

proven internationals ali, webb , buderus yes . But it's getting harder to impossible to sign such people from nrl.

just saying may have got luckier rather than better.

Delaney has been a better forward than the back he was signed to be. McKenna similar.

Dunneman paid his own way too and never let us down

On Dunneman, we used to be quite good at spotting mid-range Aussies who'd adapted well to England at other clubs. Dunneman from Halifax, Poching from Wakefield, Furner from Wigan. The only recent example is Moon from Salford, but that way of recruiting probably had a higher success rate than just taking players straight from the NRL.

Would you put aiton in that group?

Yes, I suppose he would be.

Regardless of where they get players from, getting to a position where its very likely that we have to replace two long-serving props in one year is poor planning.

My money is on Sam Thaiday and or Paul Gallen.

That's assuming the replacement will come from outside the club though.

Dave Shillington maybe available, should we be in for him?

Personally I wouldn't sign shillington, he's a quality player, but come next season he's nearly 33. Rapira is more exciting potential signing. That is if he can get over his niggling injuries over the last couple of seasons

I read that another club was in for Shillington - HKR I think.
He has the size I believe we should be looking for.
Does he qualify for an English or EU passport since that appears to be one of GH's criterion?
I wrote the above before reading about Shillington's age which very much counts against him.