Downgrade from what? If you mean Luke Thompson then he isn’t being signed to replace him. He doesn’t play the same position for a start.

Joel Thompson won’t do anything out of this world but he’s a good, solid, consistent player. Normally an 80 minute player too. Has only missed 4 games in 2 years. You don’t rack up over 200 NRL games unless you have something about you.

Also; what’s your definition of journeyman just out of interest?

so Luke Thompson has gone with immediate effect and he has come in with immediate effect but hes not his replacement?...yeah ok, he could have missed no games hes still garbage. 200 games in 12 years.......yeah cool story how many you want who were garbage who have played 200 games in 12 years in the NRL? You cant try and defend the signing as much as you want but hes a massive downgrade for the REPLACEMENT which he has been signed for

Pretty sure Wigan were looking at Thompson a couple of years ago.

A better-than-average signing. A solid, honest forward, but no world-beater.

So you genuinely think we are replacing a prop with a 2nd rower? Come on think about it.

Also, he is only coming over next year. They’ve released him from the final year of his contract which is 2021. So in reality he’ll be replacing Zeb Taia.

Finally, you simply don’t play every week for a side like Manly if you are “garbage.” That’s a ridiculous comment.

Your post really couldn’t be more wrong if you tried I’m afraid.

I believe Hull and Wigan were both in for him last year.

Good player and a leader.

Will go will in SL.

Had his issues in the past with alcohol I believe however since he went t total he has turned his form around.

Interesting to see who he replaces for them.

Taia is out of contract and 35 now so I imagine he’ll go. Could be quite a few changes with Amor, Ashworth, Bentley, Peyroux, Taia, LMS all out of contract and Thompson already gone.

a side like Manly? They are average at best

They are good this year but in the last 5 years have been very average. Its really interesting the NRL at the moment. The sides that have been down at the bottom for the last few years are all starting to challenge with the exception of Gold Coast Titans who would struggle in Super League. The likes of Manly, Newcastle, Parramatta, Wests and Penrith are all starting to challenge.

They’re a side in the playoffs more often than not. Top 6-8 side. As I said, you don’t play week in week out for Manly and win players player of the year and captain them in the absence of Cherry-Evans if you’re garbage. To suggest that is absolutely ridiculous. You’re obviously one of those people who can’t see beyond your anti-Saints bias so we may as well agree to disagree.

JT from what I’ve seen won’t set the world alight but he’s a solid honest worker and grafts for the team. Willing to do the tough stuff and is solid in defence. Very much like for like with Zeb Taia IMO. He’ll go well for Saints

Injured himself drunk October 2019 and lucky it was not more serious.

keeps being released from contracts early , Jake Trbojevic is the vc so is captain the DCE's absence, how did they go in 2018? top 6-8? or second bottom, 2016? 4th bottom? hes only been there since 2018, anti saints? he doesnt play for you yet so hardly is it?

I said more often than not, not every year.

Listen I’m not getting into a drawn out argument with you because it won’t be you who gets accused of derailing a thread, it’ll be the nasty Saints fan. You’ve probably had more airtime than you deserve already given some of the nonsense you’re coming out with.

He has captained Manly since he’s been there and he’s also captained the indigenous side, so he’s clearly well thought of and a leader. He’s played over 200 first grade games and is a regular started for a good NRL side. He has won Players Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. If you think he can do all these things whilst being “garbage” then you are severely deluded.

You’ve shown your limited knowledge on the matter by claiming he’s coming over now and claiming we are signing him to replace Luke Thompson. You conveniently ignored this when I pointed it out yesterday.

You obviously don’t know much about him and you’re slagging him off purely because Saints have signed him. There is literally no point in continuing this.

come on now no need to throw your toys out of the pram, players player means you try hard not the best player. finished in the top 8 twice in the last 5 years so not more often just saying. you can detail a thread all you want, whatever that means, more airtime than I deserve? and finally DCE has been the captain since hes been there and Trbojevic has been the vc since hes been there, keep up sunshine and stop sulking