Always seen him as deadwood tbh. Who else is there though

It's disappointing, of that there's no doubt. Is there anyone better available? Probably not and that's just as depressing.
I pray this is not our last signing

Honestly as a 2nd rower behind soliola and Wilkin, this gives us a good player on the bench and cover for injury.

Who did people want in the 2nd row? Steve Menzies is the only other guy I can think of whose been available recently and mbe it's no accident we have announced this after he announced he was staying at le cats

Flannery is a good re-signing because we're already losing some experienced players, we can't afford to lopse 5 or 6 of them in one go, we've been doing that for too long.

Our squad has been decreasing by experience and quality since 2006. We've probably replaced half of those that have left with youngsters filling the other spots. The last couple of seasons it's come to the point where after our starting 17, we look so light in terms of star quality. In comparison to Warrington and Wigan our squad is lightyears behind. They have 20 - 22 uality players who they can feel comfortable rotating and rely on. If we lost Graham or Pryce or Roby or even Meli, we'd struggle because we don't have the depth and quality to replace. I think we're 2 or 3 experienced players short. I do admire our strategy of giving youth a chance, but they're not physically mature enough to play every week at such a consistent level. You need to have a balance and with our luck with injuries, those youngsters would still get a chance.

1. Why can't we sign any NRL players?
2. Better young players for example like Chris hill who we didn't sign and Jake Emmet who we let go. I know they are props but with TP still with us he could easily switch to 2nd row.
3. Flanners is pants and has been since he joined us as a rather poor replacement for hopperman. Our quota places are very precious so why waste them on a "second rate aussie".
4. I'd rather have vinnie anderson back from dire now he's on a free and off quota.

We can't sign Nrl players as the quota is full. Flannery is off the quota so won't take a overseas spot.

I don't think flannery is the greatest of players but if the is nothing else out there to replace him then I'd rather have him than not.

One things for sure, he's ten times better than ashurst and Dixon.

1. Because we're up to our limit of non-federation players.
2. I would have liked us to sign Chris Hill, but there's every possibility he preferred the option of going to Wire. Same with Emmit - he was offered a wage elsewhere that we couldn't possibly justify matching.
3. We disagree on Flannery. He's no flash Harry, but no way is he pants. Regarding quota spaces, Flannery doesn't count as non-federation, as he's been here since before 2008. This is precisely why we've retained him. If he had left we wouldn't have been able to bring in an NRL player to take his place.
4. Vinnie Anderson is at Salford. Louis Anderson would seem to have agreed terms with Catalans.

Points taken.
I meant to sat Louis.

Makes me weep this post. I've been preaching this for 2 years now and finally everyone is singing Saddened!'s tune.

A one year extension seems about right for me for all parties.

If gives Saints the safety of having a good no nonsense backrower with experience and a decent amount of ability. While at the same time it gives the younger players a further year to mature and reach the desired level.

I cant believe Saints fans slagging Flanno off. For me he would always be one of the first names on the team sheet as he is ultra reliable in what he does. Just because a player doesnt make big hits or make the odd rhino like charge into a defensive brick wall doesnt mean a player is poor.
Granted i would have preferred Saints to sign a world class backrower, but we arent going to sign a top draw Australasian, and neither is anyone else in SL. Within the UK away from Saints, I can only think of Ben Westwood and Sean O'Loughlin with the necessary experience, that would also be a sizeable improvement on Flannery.

Nice to see you havent responded to my post.
Probably because you are talking out of your backside and have no argument to come back with.
Until we know the make up of our final squad for 2012 then we cant really comment.
We could have a couple of new signings and maybe (although unlikely) leon still with us.
CC semi finalists for God knows how many years and 4 consecutive grand Final appearances in a row doesnt not suggest we are that far off the other teams.
This season we have been decimated by injury and the restraints of the salary cap mean we would never have had the squad to fully cope with all the injuries. Despite that we are still in the top 4 and are favourites to make at least another CC semi final appearance.
You really need to get a bit of perspective and reality in your life.
Failing that, if you are so despondent just stop following the Saints and make all our lives a much happier place.

Look newb, I'm not despondent or pessimistic I'm realistic. I love watching Saints and will support them no matter where they are in the overall scheme of things. Doesn't mean I cannot tell it like it is on a fans forum.

So pipe down or I'll set my friend the orange lion onto you.

Your not realistic though, we have been within the top 2 teams for the last 5 or 6 years and only this year have we slipped, mainly due to injuries. However the season is by no means over and we are still in with a shout on both fronts.
Despite this you are saying we will finish in mid-table based on looking at a squad that isnt even confirmed as complete yet.
You made a post about 5 players leaving and being replaced by 2. Of the 5, one hasnt played all year and the other has played only a few times despite all the injuries. Therefore they cant be considered a major loss. Another of the 5 is yet to confirm that he is leaving. That is therefore a very general statement.
Of course you are entitled to your opinion and it is clear that it is different to mine but I just think you are basing it on things that arent really accurate.
Watch out for the purple octopus, he is the worst of all the coloured animals!!

Oh come on saddened, not pessimistic? Really.

Sure you can tell it like you 'THINK' it is, but just remember everyone in the mental hospital think's they are sane.

I've grown accustomed to your wild prophesys on the end of days for Saints, but anyone new to this forum will take some time to adjust to your reverse positivity attitude, just like I did when I joined at the start of the year. But Saint fan put me right and now I just understand that a mild critism is positive support, a doomsday senario is generally an ok review. I'll start to get worried about Saints when you start saying that Mars being in alignment with venus will cause the decemination of the Saints club. At that point we may struggle to make the top 8.