I'd still prefer Clough to Perry and Clough is only average, but at least he tries.

I like Clough - he offers a work rate few others do, regularly makes meters and makes few errors

the difference is that he was working in the NRL, he is just on holiday here. His top level career was over when he left Manly, he has just been topping up his pension fund for the minimum amount of effort for Saints.

True, but we'd still have Walmsley, Puletua, LMS and Laffranchi/Thompson to cover at prop.

Josh Perry's best years where over in Australia that is quite clear. When we signed him I was impressed we recruited a player of his quality from the NRL. Its fair to say with injuries and complete lack of form that Perry has to go down as one of the worst overseas players we have ever signed. He is now only playing 10 minutes a game and that is just not good enough. Clough should replace him for the rest of the season and realise Perry at the end of 2013.

I'd imagine now wilkin is a half and Flanagan is injured one of the big lads will always be used as a loose forward and I think it unfair to load more games than required onto Thompson

He could be spelled with Greenwood, when needed. Also Clough was missed off that list of props. Also Walker.

Walmsley and TP are our most effective props going forwards. I would keep LMS to Loose Forward, it seemed to stop him messing about in the tackle. Don't know why that would have an effect, either that or someone has had a word in his ear about the penalty rate.

But I digress.

With Laffranchi, Manu, Sia at 2nd row
TP, Walmsley, Clough and one of Walker, Thompson or Greenwood.
LMS playing at loose.

Then there is certainly enough in numbers to keep us going both with a starting pack and on the bench.

I would not be so quick as to retire Perry though, he could well still be injured. Lets not forget he had an injury that could have ended him, playing wise. But I do agree, if he can only do 10 mins, that's not enough. He needs to be able to do at least 40 mins and be effective in those minutes to warrant a place in the side.

When you look at the pack for next year, it's still a strong pack but obviously with TP, Perry gone then we need 2 more props to keep or increase our pack strength.
If Laffranchi stays it should be 2nd row only, if he goes then I would argue we don't need another 2nd rower. With Manu, Sia, Wilkin and Flanagan + the likes of greenwood et al to play backrow.

We don'tneed Boof next year,not as a prop or a back row. We need two big solid STARTING props.
Assuming TP, JP and Boof all go we'll hopefully have the following

Two new starting props
LMS and Walmsley off the bench. Certainly this seems to suit LMS a lot better. Walmsley is generally awesone, but you do get the impression he'll be beast used against tiring defences.

Second rows will be Sia, Manu and Flash

Walker and Thompson are somewhere in between (I'd argue that against Leeds it was Thompson that played 13 and LMS was propping as usual). Walkers impressive tackle rate means he'll always be a reliable choice at 13.

Back up from Clough (proven as solid),Greenwood (looked ok so far), Jones (proven as useful), Savelio (reported great potential), Hand (seems to be going well at Whitehaven) and Wilkin.

www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 2k44u.html We are linked with Mose Masoe,he is a big Samoan prop.

www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 2k44u.html We are linked with Mose Masoe,he is a big Samoan prop.

Except he is on contract at Penrith for 2014 so unless he has special powers or we are paying a hefty fee, I can't see that happening.

So is Walsh,but the Panthers want to free up cap space and as in Walsh's case are willing to move him on.

Well, so far no word from the club on Walsh, which let's face it was a rumour in the RL press, and so I'll wait until there is word - assuming there is - before giving either rumour credence (because then it will no longer be rumour!).

Perry retired some time ago. At the end of the season he will take his muesli and our very best wishes and go post haste back to Oz. And no doubt be sadly missed P.S. He will leave much needed space on the salary cap to sign a prop that actually has an engine.

I'm pretty certain Walsh will be our 7 next year providing all goes well with his visa.

Nice comments about Walsh m.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-lea ... 2k44u.html

Nice comments about Walsh m.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-lea ... 2k44u.html