HANDS UP all those who had heard of Michael Withers
HANDS UP all those who had heard of Danny Peacock
HANDS UP all those who had heard of Shontayne Hape
HANDS UP all those who had heard of Danny Gartner

None of them turned out too bad did they? Let's give the guy a chance!!

Its not the not knowing which is the problem its the lack of NRL games.

It would be highly unusual for the Bulls to be able to buy from the top tier in the NRL, the trick is to find a player who has the potential but through either injuries at the wrong time and part of strong squad fail to become a regular.
In Paddy and Herbert MP was hoping these two would step up but they didn't and the fact the Team was out of sorts for all sorts of reasons was no excuse for their overall poor individual performances despite some stats showing differently.
You win some lose some with players signed on with something to prove, overall the Bulls still have a decent track record on that score and I'm confident MP will be getting the best he can for the money available.

Withers, Peacock, and Hape had all played less NRL games than Manase Manuakafoa when we signed them.

It's only a 1 year deal, so if the gamble doesn't pay off we can always go for someone else next year.

Get a grip and give the guy a break, why not wait until he pulls on a Bulls shirt to see how he fairs in SL and what contribution he can make to the team

I'm more than willing to give this guy a chance as I am with any new signing, however I'm concerned that we are replacing our best prop with a prop who has primarily been playing reserve grade for the past couple of seasons.

He could turn out to be a good signing and the fact that he played as many first games as he did earlier in his career he has the ability to be a good signing, however I am underwhelmed that we are replacing Lynch with a player who looks on paper to be a gamble.

I'd assume that Potter will have the full intel on Manase and will hopefully know understand why his career has gone downhill and his confident that Manase can get back on track in super league.

I think that sums it up well.

Well things can only get better cant they, until they actually play a competitive SL game we cant really pass judgment on them.

If all the key players can stay fit and gel during the first half of the season and we are in the top 8 I see no reason why we cant push on up the table or at least maintain a top 6 finish which i think this team is capable of.

I dont think he can been seen as a Lynch replacement. It looks to me as if they have looked at what we have got and what sort of a prop we need and this guy fits the profile (yes and the budget). Powerful, NRL experience, still young, good offload and quick play the ball skills will add to the pack. The rest of the pack have to step up to replace Lynch too, it cant be seen to be on his shoulders alone. indeed the rest of the team, fewer hand overs because of handling errors, more metres made because of better kicking game, etc etc. In fact the pack this year must have been a horrible place to be, no wonder Elima looked totally p****d off at times after the work he put in just to see it wasted. So I hope he does what he was brought in to do, and the rest of the team do their bit.

You said that after signing Herbert and Ah Van last year and have already said it about Purtil and Lulia this season.

Interesting comment from Morrison in my local rag. He hasnt signed for Batley, yet, he is currently speaking to 3 SL clbs and feels he wants to do another 12m in SL before coaching. Although the assistant role is tempting him, could still be mileage in him coming to us?

Do we still have quota room for him? Would love to see him back at the club, especially in a coaching role

I'd suspect not after the most recent signing.

I thought Manase will count on the non-fed quota and therefore we will have our 5 non-feds. However due to Tongan eligibility he won't count as an overseas quota player? Which should leave us the option of signing an overseas player who has played in this country pre 2008?