A couple of urban myths to put to bed:

Penny has very good handling, especially in the air.

His weakness, which was accentuated by our problematic left edge defence, was his reading of attacking lines. This was a focal point of oppositions efforts, leading his confidence shattered.

The biggest culprits for bagging him, was his his own 'supporters'.

He's been playing the game for five years, pretty raw by any standards.

His greatest ability isn't the fact he is quick, he has an excellent change of pace and step and can use them effectively.

Being throw in at the deep end, as referenced above hampered his progress more than helping it.

i do need to change my sig that was from when i had hope in ade

I would think it would be a good signing. Despite how maligned he is, he is no worse defensively than Francis Meli is in a big match. Put him with Gidley and he wouldn't be able to make all that much damage on our own line. In attack he'd score 30 tries.

Exactly. He has his defensive problems but they are coachable. I'd take a winger that fast tomorrow, he could be turned into brilliant player.

I'd have Penny at Saints! I know he makes cock ups but decent coaching would help that and playing him alongside Gidley he'll get space to move! I know it was a different era but Meninga created so many tries for Sean Day... and Penny is definately better than Day. Mind you, Meninga was better than Gidley is. I still believe we could make him a better player at Saints. Eastmond would have to improve his kicking game or we could use Moore at 7? I think Price needs to stop sulking, shed afew pounds and in doing so get his pace back, then I'd have him in left centre with Meli or Gardner on left wing.

He is not exactly the thinking mans Francis Meli, is he?

Why is everybody so liberal minded about players from other clubs making abominable cock ups on a weekly basis yet apparently keen to have Francis Meli boiled in oil at the first sign of a knock on?

Probably because Meli's a seasoned, overseas international on significant cash, whereas Penny is a young player with potential given the right coaching.

Because Meli has cost us two Grand Finals perhaps?

If Saints signed Kevin Penny he'd be verbally crucified every week, regardless of age or experience.

When?

Or it could swing the other way. He'd gain confidence from steaming in for so many tries and might turn out better in the fumble department. Sullivan wasn't all that hot early in his career and he turned out okay.

Kevin Penny wouldn't score any more than Gardner. Ade's ability to finish when being tackled close to the line is his greatest (and most ignored) asset.

Didn't London hold a "Prop Idol" open trial once (half as a publicity stunt)?

We could go to all the amatur clubs from the surrounding areas asking for lads to enter. Get the press in, let speccies in to watch for free....

Candidate must:
Be between 18 and 20
Be 6' 1" minimum
Weight 13st odd minimum
Be able to run 50m in less than X seconds
Be able to run 100m in less than Y seconds
Be able to run 400m in less than Z seconds
Must have two arms (with hands)

Run the above tests to sort the wheat from the chaff and then go into skill tests to find the best rugby players.

You never know, you may unearth a gem.

Whilst I agree that it is his best asset, I'm not so sure it's that much better than many other wingers in the league.

Just imagine what he could do with a world class centre like Gidley. He would be worth a punt in my book.