If a vastly experienced SL player is put off by the thought of some doubts existing in the minds of some of the fans of his new club, then he really IS a duff signing.

The right way to look at it is that the fans know the high standards to which we are now aspiring and want to be confident that every decision made will support that. To put it another way - we care, deeply.

Just 2 or 3 years ago we would have been over the moon at this guy signing - now we are a little more "picky". That's a good thing.

And let's get past this constant reference to people "hiding behind usernames". It's called the internet. Unless people are saying something libelous or outright bringing the club down then who cares what their name is? It's just their opinion. I've been posting on this board since 2002, some people know who I am, most probably don't and they probably don't care.

Back to the topic, I think it could potentially be a great signing. By no stretch of the imagination is it a "no-brainer", it's something of a gamble, a calculated one - one which PR and the BOM have every right to take. Bouquets if it goes right, brickbats if it doesn't - that's life!

I'm bored now.

Ben joins us when he's finished in Emmerdale

I though he'd gone mining not farming

It surprises me that some aren't surprised at all about this signing - how many teams would sign a nearly 34 year old half back who has hardly played in the last year? I'm not saying it's right or wrong.....just surprising.

If any of you want to consider that as moaning then knock yourselves out.

PR has rarely been wrong since he became coach but everyone makes mistakes and only time will tell if this is one of those mistakes.

Personally I will welcome BJ regardless.

Due to the fact he will be 34 and hasn't played for 2 years, then in all honesty he can't be surprised at the fans reactions! It hopefully will just motivate him even more to prove everyone wrong.

Tommy Marytn did ok for us in 2004 mish how old was he again?

In this digital age, If I was signing for a club or indeed if I was connected to a club in any shape or fashion I would stay well away from reading any unofficial fans forum I really would.

Mr Harold E Rigby, Butts Bridger.

NB: Life long Leigh RLFC supporter, born a stone's throw from Kirkhall Lane, right next door to Ring O Bells pub who reserves the right to express on an unofficial forum a feeling of being completely under whelmed by the signing of a 34 year old Aussie half back as he see's fit but, will be cheering on the said player turning out for his beloved Leigh Rugby team regardless

He did, He was 32 having just come straight out of Super League and his burning desire to help his hometown club reach the promised land of Super League in his final flurry was passionately well documented by him at the time.

I've counted 5 posters on this thread who have posted negative comments about this signing. Hardly an overwhelming attack on the clubs transfer policy by hundreds of people!!! There are a lot more than 5 posters having a dig at their negativity!! Some people just like to keep going on & on & on. Now if we want a real debate lets get on to the subject of why Friday night games are so successful for all the top clubs in Super League.

Star Trek New Generation on at 8pm.

Well I personally think its a shrewd bit of business, Riddy & Kez are going to need support in a more intense league next year and Ben fits that bill perfectly. Those feeder leagues in OZ are as good as if not a better standard than the championship.
We are all assuming he will be on a huge salary but the noises im hearing indicate its not that much and will be a squad player rather than starting HB.
If he can come over help with the attacking structures, set plays, kicking game and slot straight into the team if an injury occurs to ANY of the pivots then brilliant, that's how league campaigns can fall apart.

He is only 1 year older than Penky aswell!

I have him playing in their grand final last September, dunno about after that though records are a bit thin on the ground for the Newcastle League, however I'm sure i read somewhere he had fallen out with Kuri Bulldogs in the off season and was trying to get out of his registration to play for another club in that league (May this year).

But he has played.....upto the end of 2013. In my opinion, for what its worth, opinions should always be based on facts.