I keep hearing this from a number of people too!

Did I say that outloud? How bad of me!

Just think how many penalty's that team is going to be giving away a match.

Anyhow, Newton, is it what we need? We already have 3 players who can play at 9.

I never said if it was a good or bad thing, I don't pick the team or buy the players! (Unfortunately)

Indeed you did not! But surely this is a bad idea!

exactamudo.

you cannot knock the effort of the three mentioned players. what we need is a big Orrible prop with a nasty streak and a world renowned reputation as an enforcer. to me this is Webb or O'Meely.

the signing of a player would perhaps help Stu get his viciousness back because he would know he has the backup (like he did at the bulls).

it is no good signing a world class halfback if they aint got any room to play in. both our current half backs are excellent in open field running. Although we need an organiser, I feel that the room a strong pack would give us would be massively beneficial to our current half backs.

He would do. Webb is a fat second rower.

I don't know what the situation will be with Riddell/McC/Tommy next season.

Why I personally think overall Newton is the better of the 4, I don't see the need for anther number 9 (looking at the current team).

Personally I like McC and watched Tommy play very well in the WC at 9, in the final he out played Cam Smith which is no mean feat. But I really don't rate Riddell.

Looking at it from this angle I would like to see a new 7 come into the team and Tommy/McC work the interchange. Obviously, as far as we know, we can't just get rid of Piggy (contracts) but he's the worst for me.

But I have this crazy idea of getting in a new 6 and 7 and putting Sam T at FB for a season or two.

I agree vis-a-vis McC and Tommy at 9. Riddell was always an odd choice for mine. He was avergae at best in the NRL. One week he was hot, for the next 6 weeks you would not even know he was playing. I'd bin him, and keep the rotation of Tommy and McC at 9.

As for tomkins at fullback i can see some thinking in this. Lockyer afterall is a fullback turned into stand off. Many of the top fullbacks are ball players. Kurt Gidley, Karmichael Hunt etc. It could work.

If you watch many of the NRL teams they really use their FB. on some teams the FB is their main source of attack. They link up superbly in attack as a deep lying second receiver and are used to create overlaps to out number out wide.

Just watch KM Hunt, Gidley Slater and Stewart.

All outstanding and create so many attacking options, Manly have really missed Stewart this season, and Slater was rated best player in the world and he's a FB.

How was this benefit Sam? for starts he won't be in the thick of it and under so much pressure to create every time he touched the ball. He could watch and observe more experienced halves from on the field with them and overtime revert back to being a running 6.

Remember, Brisbane did this with Lockyer and we did this with Shaun Edwards, and they turned out alright!

I couldn't agree more. Newton is now knocking on and, as you say, the number 9 space is already getting crowded. If Riddell goes - seems unlikely to me, but you never know - I'd stick with Tommy and McIlorum. Another hooker would just deprive us in areas where we really are needy.

Nathan Fien isn't coming to Super League as he has signed for St George. www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html

Nathan Fien isn't coming to Super League as he has signed for St George. www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html