Agreed.

But if this is true it is something the RFL must look at. How can we keep our potentially great (which Eastmond is) in our game? Why bother promoting these youngsters and putting money into them if they're only going to sod off to RU?

I realise I'm venturing slightly O/T here.

I don't think you're venturing off topic at all. I think this is the most important issue.

Saints lose a star player? - big deal. They couldn't have cared less when we lost one or two.

RL loses a star player - yes, that matters a lot.

What will be interesting now is how many Saints fans rush on here to yet again defend the salary cap instead of agreeing with us that it should be moderated. One or two will still defend it, because they'll want to keep up the pretence that it's good for the game and not look shallow and self-interested, but there won't be half as many as there are whenever we lose a star.

For 2010?

No, when his contract expires at the end of next year.

Be interesting if they give him the 7 shirt to replace Long next year then if thats the case, or if they go and find a 7 from elsewhere.

Big loss to RL if he goes to Stockport.
As the RFL/SL are going from an U21s comp to U20s next year as do the Aussies, perhaps it's time to do as the Aussies do with the salary cap, they exclude the reserve grade.
Should we now do the same?

I don't whether it would prevent Saints losing Eastmond but if I were Lenegan I would be petitioning the RFL that players brought through a clubs own Junior system should be exempt from there salary cap.

I know that would benefit us greatly as well as rewarding those clubs that do try and bring through juniors.

Have you ever bothered to read the salary cap rules? The £1.6m cap is based upon the top 20 earners only.

FIWI, some clown on the Saints board is already trying to claim that the Eastmund to Sale story is a Wigan conspiracy designed to gain their support in our opposition to the salary cap.

This would be funny if it didn't make three tragic presumptions:

a) That we are such fantastists that we'd realistically expect their support on any matter; b) that we are so insecure as to want their support on any matter; c) that we are too stupid to realise they would happily see Eastmund leave the game altogether before they did anything in support of us.

Yes I have read the SC rules, or those I can get to read.
The SC applies not to the highest paid 20 in the squad but the highest paid 25.
That includes U21 or U20 players at most clubs.
They need to be excluded from the SC IMO.
If we want to compete with the NRL on the field then we've to compete with them off it too.
U20s off the SC asap!

I think under 21s as long as they are not your highest earners.

This means that more young players would leave though due to us not being able to pay them when they reach a certain age.

I would have 3 parts of the cap, one for young players through the system, one for foreign players (anyone not from this country

), and english players bought from other clubs. Leave enough room on the foreign players cap for 2 world class players.

I think legally you can't catagories "foreign" players anymore.
Hence the RFL brought in the Home trained, Federation trained and Non Federation trained rules
I just think that if the NRL exclude their reserve grade and they can bring players through in the vast numbers they do, then to increase our supply of younger players that could very well be the way to do it.

[url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/eels-exodus-on-cards/2009/10/01/1253989999281.htmlA useful prop and halfback might be available soon[/url

Moi Moi would be outstanding.

I've not seen much of Robson to comment but he had a good game in the semi last week.

I thought Moi Moi was going to Warrington.

If not IL must find the money to make the move happen, because we have room under the cap, so he needs to boost income somehow. Perhaps a couple more sponsors would do nicely....

I agree that he would be an excellent addition and just what we need. Here's hoping IL is already on the phone to his agent.

When his name first reappeared a couple of weeks ago, I expressed concern that he had a criminal record, which would prevent him getting a visa. But someone else said that was myth not fact. Not quite sure where we stand on that.

If Moi Moi came he would not only bring his own quality but he would lift the rest of the pack and the team. Imagine him and Feka coming off the bench

You could have a double threat from the bench or my prefared option of having one starting and one on the bench so you never let a team have a minutes rest.

I say that the chances of us signing him are minimul at best.

Agreed

Seems Moran at wire is really going for it.He will not let any club out bid him for players he wants..he'll give them anything

Cant see him going anywhere other than wire.

I just can't see him going anywhere but agree if he does come to this country it'll be to Wire to play under their magic cap system.

Tony Smith has said they aren't signing him but do we believe him? I'm not sure.

Great idea actually, how good a start to a game would it be if we had a Feka special from the kick off, it could set the tone for the first 20mins of the game.

I think if I was coach I would start with both of them off though amd then make my decisions on how we are playing. In certain games you could start both or just one depending on what is infront of you I guess.

Just to have them both especially if Feka works on his fitness would be amazing. I'd look forward to a season like no other for years and years.

Shame it's a non starter.

Very true! But an impact player isn't it would be great to have another strike player like that! Get em both fit and we would be sorted in the forwards for a few years.

If we had those 2 aswell as a rapidly maturing Prescott and the 2 solid players in Coley and Fielden we'd be very strong next year imo.

Add in guys like O'Carroll and Mossop and we'd also have huge depth and competition for places.

The pack is only one aggressive and tough prop forward short of being very good imo.