Oh dear, I hope those words don't come back to haunt us....

Precisely my thought as I typed them...

If Burgess does go then our transfer priorities will change too. I wouldn't be surprised if a transfer fee had been agreed some weeks ago and a deal was dependant on the Bulls securing a suitable replacement. If Moi Moi is available then he is probably the sort of player we should aim for. A fiercely strong prop who makes a big impact and would no doubt become a cult figure with the fans. Although as I type this he is getting smashed by the Bulldogs, he keeps coming back for more though!

I can't help but wonder if the total lack of any new signings is down to the lengthy negotiations on Burgess.

Hope this doesn't cause us to miss the boat with players who are waiting for decisions on them from the Bulls.

If the Burgess deal isn't a factor the other reasons for the silence from the club are more worrying.

If Tadulala is still to make his decision I really do hope he decides to stay on for another 12 months. Otherwise we have problems at Wing, Centre, Halfback and Prop (if Burgess goes).

We may decide to go with Crookes/Platt/Sykes to fill the Right centre spot but who would replace Semi? I read an article today suggesting Brough needs to move to a bigger club if he has any International ambitions. Could he be the answer to our lack of creativity at Scrum half? At the moment it is difficult to see how we're going to improve significantly given the amount of high profile departures. I just hope the club have a few quality signings lined up.

There must be something to come as we must have masses of cap space to play use with all the high earners already going, nevermind any others who may go.

Well not only did Moi Moi keep getting up he was still going strong at the end and played a key role in their last try. He's also something of a 'character' and could be a real marketing asset, and there's no doubt he provides impact! Let's hope if Sam is going, and I hope he's not, then we have someone lined up who might at least provide a little excitement. I think L'Estrange and Hall are decent signings, solid and proven, but it'd be nice to see someone who was a real draw, particularly if we're aiming to get the walk up crowd back.

Indeed, I think someone like Moi Moi would end up being a fans favourite like Lesley/Vagana were. If we are going to lose our biggest name, then let's replace him with someone who can create some publicity for the club. If we then use the cash to further recruitment for example a federation trained Halfback then we've probably made the best of a bad situation for the club.

Losing Burgess would be a hammer blow, but with the right recruitment the club can limit the damage.

Isn't that what was said when Harris, Vagana and Co all left the club?

Hmmm.

wait for the wakey trolls to read that and start arguing whos the bigger club

We should replace Sam (only if he wants to go) with Moi Moi and then use the cash from the Burgess sale to buy Danny Brough.

Would John Kear be mad enough to take Deac's off our hands in any sort of cash plus Deac's for Brough?

He always gives the impression he thinks he's a good player.......

won't happen but another one to put out there!

ACE!!!

rlhttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rabbitohs-sign-english-prop/story-e6frexqr-1225779913951rl

Rabbitohs sign English prop



SOUTH Sydney are poised to announce the signing of English international Sam Burgess as they continue to assemble one of the NRL's most formidable forward packs.

In a major coup for co-owner Russell Crowe, The Sunday Telegraph understands he has convinced the 114kg prop to play in the NRL for the next three seasons. Burgess, 19, is the front-rower who famously decked Parramatta's Kiwi Test prop Fuifui Moimoi during the 2007 Tri-Nations.

South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson refused to confirm Burgess had agreed to terms for next season. The Sunday Telegraph understands the Rabbitohs will have to pay his current club, Bradford, a transfer fee.

"We've been in discussions with Sam for some time now, but I've got no further comment to make on the situation at this stage,'' Richardson said.

Souths co-owner Peter Holmes a Court was also tight-lipped about the expected announcement next week. "That one is definitely in the category of Richo handling,'' Holmes a Court said. "There have been various discussions going on, but nothing's a deal until Richo announces it. He's clearly an impressive footballer.''

South Sydney legend Mario Fenech said the combination of Burgess with Kiwi Test prop Roy Asotasi, star recruit David Taylor, Michael Crocker and Eddy Pettybourne would give the Rabbitohs one of the most intimidating packs in the NRL.

"I'm told he's an outstanding young prospect and there's no question as a club we've benefited by the addition of Russell Crowe,'' Fenech said.

"There's a clear advantage with having someone of Russell's calibre associated with the club. He's a person not many people say no to. We're on the rise as a club.''

Since it's now looking like Burgess is gonna be going (although the fact the article can't get his age correct throws a little doubt on there), the club REALLY need to announce some pretty positive news pretty damn sharpish after Burgess is confirmed as leaving.

Some of us will buy season tickets anyway (mine's already ordered and would be pretty much no matter what), but I suspect a large percentage of the "floaters", i.e. the fairweather fans, will definitely not be renewing season tickets or even showing up next year unless a few games have gone and we start winning.

Losing some of the name we have lost and signing two players that most fans don't really know isn't encouraging at all for the more casual fans. Losing the club's most marketable player is a massive blow to it. To be quite honest, I don't think the signing of Brett Kearney or Chris Walker would do a great deal to rectify it either.

Regardless of the club's reasoning (and let's be fair, it could be VERY good reason to let Sam go, namely getting a fee instead of him going for nothing next year), the casual fans won't see that. They'll just see what is considered our best player, the 19 year old wunderkind, leaving.


I'll be there regardless next year. But I'm starting to get quite worried for the club's future success.