I think you are missing my clear use of the "IF" here. I said "if" they do sign those players, which we already now know since that post that they have missed out on one.

It could be Leeds sign Waterhouse instead, and in which case I will say the same thing that he is a brilliant signing.

What you have to look at is who is available and in what positions. Had saints got Bailey and Waterhouse along with Hohia and Laffranchi, then they would have signed the best "availabe" from overseas that their recruitment needed, and quite clearly in that regard put us to shame.

Ok i missed the "IF" but i still would wait and see who we sign before comparing any other teams transfers with how we are looking squad wise for 2012.

I was more comparing the available talent and positions, rather than whom they were.

willie tonga is out of contract! Great left centre would be a massive signing. Unrealidtic but what is needed to fill keiths spot.

Luke bailey has signed a new contract with Gold Coast news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sp ... 1egsa.html

Luke bailey has signed a new contract with Gold Coast news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sp ... 1egsa.html

Saints non-fed quota full now, so no more NRL signings for us, rumour is Chris Hill the Leigh prop will sign as a squad player.

Our overseas 6 for next season are all of the quality you'd want to bring over IMO in Hohaia/Meli/Laffranchi/Perry/Soliola/Puletua.

Good pack on show next year I reckon, with decent depth:

Perry
Roby
LMS
Puletua
Soliola
Wilkin

with Laffranchi/Clough/Moore/Magennis/Dixon/Ashurst as pretty experienced squad forwards plus probably Chris Hill and other youngsters.

Losing Graham is a massive blow, but re-signing TP is huge. The probably departures of Kyle/Pryce looked killers before the start of the season, but with Hohaia coming in and Lomax/Gaskell/Wheeler all performing very well at SL level, I'm quite confident we'll be right up there again in 2012.

Were developing some real quality backs in Foster, Wheeler, Lomax and Makinson and Hohaia will go well in SL. With the strength were assembling in our forward pack with either Waterhouse or Bryce Gibbs to come in were arguably looking stronger next year.

Never been abig fan if I am honest.

Judging from the rumours
we look set to be losing Ali, Webb, Buderus and maybe Senior and Burgess so far
I think we need a Prop, second row and maybe an experienced hooker and/or a centre
i think we could look something like this
1 Jones Bishop, 2 Smith, 3 Delaney, 4 Watkins (new experienced centre?), 5 Hall, 6 McGuire, 7 Burrow, 8 Leuluai, 9 McShane, 10 JP, 11 Jones Buchaanan, 12 Ablett, 13 Sinfield, 14 experienced hooker, 15 Cross, 16 Bailey, 17 Kirke, 18 new second rower, 19 new young prop, 20 Hauraki

I think we should try and sign (3-4 of these)
Props
Ben Gledhill (young wakefield prop)
Brent Kite (experienced, seasoned prop forward if Bailey leaves)
Paul Johnson (young Wakey prop, good replacement for Burgess, but we do have two props on loan, who look good, so may not be necessary.)
Ryan Boyle (in the same boat as Johnson and Gledhill)
Nathan Massey (young player at Cas)
Hookers
Mick Higham (experienced backup for Macca, bit like Millard but better)
Andy Ellis (looked really good when they played us at Headingley)
Chad Randall (experienced hooker, and a good player)
Shaun Lunt (would more than likely want no 9, but good player to play alongside Macca if not)
Ben Fisher (experienced hooker)
Centres
Tony Clubb (if there is a need for a new centre)
Matt Cooper (2 year deal, will allow Watkins to develop fully, and gain more experience)
Second Row
Sika Manu (Melbourne second row/prop, not young but not past it, would be a good solid signing)
Mike Burnett (looks impressive at Quins)
Oliver Wilkes (young, good all round player)
Frankie Mariano (if Wakey get kicked out of SL, young second rower, scored some good tries this season, looks dangerous when on the ball)

As far as ooc players go, i would give these contracts
Ian Kirke (1 Year) - i know some may not agree with me, but i think that he does the job when on the field and drives the team forward, made the transition to prop well.
JP (2 years)
Luke Burgess (3 years)
Callum Casey (3 years)
Kylie (2 years)

I would promote Ward, Wilson and Normington into first team ,all looks promising) and maybe Danny Smith

let go: Webb (going anyway), Ali (quality, but injury prone), Buderus (looks set to join Newcastle for swansong), Keith Senior (retired, allows younger players in), Bailey (maybe?? he might want to leave, im neither here or there with him)

I seem to remember last year GH went to Aus, and said he was looking at players for both 2011 and 2012, so i think that he has a player signed or set to be signed from Aus.

If Buderus leaves we have Mcshane to take the 9 shirt and young Hood as back up.
Webb will be replaced internally.
If Senior retires Watkins should get 1st go at the 4 shirt and then a call will hac eto be made on the RC position but personally i think Smithy is more than capable with hopefully Wilson ready to cover and Hardaker takes the 2 shirt.(This leaves Delaney to the SR but also able to cover in case of injury)
Bailey should be retained on at least a 2yr deal and i'd offer Burgess another 2/3 deal but i think he's going.
JP is staying at least 1 more year so it'll be time to make a call on Ambler and Amor.
I think Ali will leave also and that's where we need to sign a replacement we have plenty of hard working SR's but none that can open up defences with the guile that a fully fit on form Ali can.
I also would look at bringing in a HB for cover so we don't have to keep pushing Sinfield to 6 or someone than compete with Burrow for the 7 shirt.
If Kylie an keep his form i'd give him 1 more yr unless a younger like for like can be signed now.
As for Kirke i would let him go and give his squad spot to either Ambler ,Amor or Singleton.
There's plenty of calls to be made re-retention and recruitment lets hope Brian Mc and GH have it sorted.

You was doing quite well up until "drives the team forward"

well, hes a decent squad player Webb will be replaced internally.
If Senior retires Watkins should get 1st go at the 4 shirt and then a call will hac eto be made on the RC position but personally i think Smithy is more than capable with hopefully Wilson ready to cover and Hardaker takes the 2 shirt.(This leaves Delaney to the SR but also able to cover in case of injury)
Bailey should be retained on at least a 2yr deal and i'd offer Burgess another 2/3 deal but i think he's going.
JP is staying at least 1 more year so it'll be time to make a call on Ambler and Amor.
I think Ali will leave also and that's where we need to sign a replacement we have plenty of hard working SR's but none that can open up defences with the guile that a fully fit on form Ali can.
I also would look at bringing in a HB for cover so we don't have to keep pushing Sinfield to 6 or someone than compete with Burrow for the 7 shirt.
If Kylie an keep his form i'd give him 1 more yr unless a younger like for like can be signed now.
As for Kirke i would let him go and give his squad spot to either Ambler ,Amor or Singleton.
There's plenty of calls to be made re-retention and recruitment lets hope Brian Mc and GH have it sorted.'"