Having Longy on board has given me a sense of optimism. He was the best British half back ive seen. He can teach our backs a lot. Hope they sign a good partner for Bishay and some good props and we will win a few. Dollapi and Krasniqi always put a good shift in. Just need a big Polyinesian with some clout to lead the line.

Never sure why people suggest they were unknown. McLinden had played 165 NRL games before joining us!

Luke had played 38 and Tommy 21, which were not bad figures for guys who were 22 and 18 respectively. Tommy had also already been capped by the Kiwis.

Wow those are some stats.... but my point still stands, none of them were with a team tearing up the scene in the NRL at the time - additionally none of them would have been "star" players at the respective clubs - as they wouldn't have come to SL if they were.

I remember McLinden had a reputation as a quality player at the time we signed him, but Dorn and Leulaui didn't. Also, at the time NZ weren't the same team as they are now - we were regularly beating them. So the one game Leulaui would have played at that level doesn't really mean much - we all know international RL is (sadly) next to pointless.

My point anyway is that Rea is good at finding young players that can do the business.... so hope Solomona is another example.

McLinden was 28 when we signed him. At that time that was a fairly normal age to come to the UK if you were not a rep player and he was clearly the sort of bloke who fancied the challenge. I recall he was often featured in the Australian Rugby league Week and was the face of Canberra while there. He and McFadden were seen as the successors to Stuart and Daley in the Raiders team but never reached those levels of success (which is hardly surprising).

Got to disagree with you about Leulaui too. He was on many team's radars. I recall he wanted to sign for Parramatta but the Warriors were not keen for him to go to a rival. He had been the youngest ever player to pull on a Warriors jersey. I can't agree with you about the Kiwis either. It was only a couple of years since they had trounced England 40-12 in a World Cup semi and were generally having the better of series from 1998 up until the 2007 Gary Kemble debacle.

Only Dorn could be suggested not to be well known as he spent all of the year before he joined us in reserve grade after a disastrous move to the Roosters. he had been a first grade regular with the Sea Eagles the two previous years though.

No one who is being mentioned as potential signings is anywhere near the quality of these three imo. More like Lucky Luisi I'm afraid.

I remember Tony Martin joining as an Academy player, who had heard of him? what playing record did he have, I sponsored him and glad I did, he did us proud and the game while he was here in the UK, lets hope Solomona is the same.

Rea did not unearth Tony Martin. He came via the Marantas contacts at Brisbane.

Lets try and focus on the now guys! The past is gone.
Thanks to those who get the snippets of info', it is appreciated, I personally don't have time to get to Underhill and speak directly to anyone I find.
I just wish the Club would give us the information themselves, Jan 10th and the website has given me a fixture list I have already seen on the RFL's site weeks ago and a picture cut n' paste from Barnet's website.

No ticket or merchandise info, No player info, DAMMIT even the directions and address are still given as the STOOP!!!!!!!

Sorry! I can't see any mention of Rea in what I wrote??

2 Holden cup or reserve graders so far....the rest of SL must be ting themselves

what about Nigel Roy and the players who came at the same time Bradley Q etc

TR was in charge when Sykes and Budworth were signed. Temata, O'Halloran, Tookey and that Bill Peden chap never contributed anything. So can find signings just he has been left in position it's far too late.

If we signed Billy Slater you'd still find something negative to say

Don't forget the loan signings we are getting. Im sure Wigan and Leeds will give us a few who will be upto scratch.