Southerns defence helped win the opening game at Widnes to be fair, since then when he's played its been solid enough. He needs to be playing in the backrow or not at all though and if there isn't room for him there and he is unsettled over here then maybe its best for both parties if theres an amicable parting of the ways and the end of the season.

Thats proffesional sport mate, no room for loosers only the strongest survive.

As for Tim Smith I don't agree with any player being booed no matter how bad, buts lets face it his early games were poor and I think fans at every other SL club would have given him stick for his performances. For all we know the flack he got for those poor games may have been the nudge he needed to up his game to an acceptable level, plus the lack of a contract

Agree with that especially the Smith thing, when you go back and look at our earlier televised games you can see evidence of this, where Smith seems to be constantly looking for runners and angles but his team mates didn't seem to be on his wave length and he ends up trying to make a pass that wasn't there or gets crushed.

Half the trouble with smith early doors was he had to look out for his half back partner besides playing his own game.Most things we did came through him then we had Sykes move to partner him and hey presto he could play his own game.With Southern lets face it he aint had enough time to make an impression on how good he is/could be/isnt and for me what we have seen so far he aint any better than whats in front of him in the squad.Hes had injurys before he came and he has spent that much time with injurys he could soon be called sick note.If he is still at Wakey next season then he certainly has to pull his socks up to get in the squad ahead of those that are doing a job now.

Totally agree with that.

I think of lot of people on here need a reality check regarding Southern, The bloke turned down NRL offers and a lot more money to come here. Its cost Steve and his family their savings to come over and he is not on 'massive money' as all his accountants on here seem to think. It doesnt sound like someone who is coming over for a last pay day to me, he has done it for the challenge.


He has been injured, played out of position, his wife has struggled to settle especially as her mother is Ill, had a newborn baby that was Ill & yet in the small stints he has played people expect him to be a world beater.

He is one of the hardest trainers down at Wakefield, ask any of the players.

Anyone who has watches the NRL will know how much of a tough SOB steve is, he is a quality player to boot.

Judge him next season and if he isnt delivering Steve will be the first to put his hand up, give the bloke a chance and im sure he will prove a lot of people wrong.!!!

I am sure next year we will see the best Steve Southern once he and his family have settled in more.

Regarding Smith its simple , our forwards are playing out of their skin at the moment laying the platform for him to work his magic.

you can be the best playmaker in the game but if your forwards arnt doing their job, your stuffed.

I think I read somewhere that Steve Southern was a reserve grade player and captain of the side if so do I take it the offers fro other NRL clubs was for reserve grade sides

I am not doubting what you are saying but if those facts are correct he needs some serious advice. To come over here and create a massive domestic problem and also pay financially for doing so was not a smart move. The guy should be securing himself a lucrative NRL contract and returning home to improve his domestic circumstances. If he did that then who could blame him.

Sorry?? How has he "created" the issues his family has experienced?

I hoped/expected more from Southern perhaps, but given the problems he has had, including injuries, I am hopeful that if he stays with us, we will see something a bit special next year.

Agree, how is ' ... wife has struggled to settle especially as her mother is Ill, had a newborn baby that was Ill. ' creating a massive domestic problem, don't see how anyone can say that about the bloke, those issues can effect any player.

I understand what you are saying ,the guy has suffered set backs beyond is control. However form what I understand the situation has been made far worse due to the fact he is over here. Returning to Austrailia would not put everything right but would make things easier I would presume.

Ateotd he wouldn't be the first overseas player that's found it tough to settle over here in the first season, like some of those did lets hope he becomes better for it and has a storming second year.

I fully expect Mellars to be a part of the team next year. Perhaps lining up a back line like this would see him regain his Crusaders form.

1. Cockayne
2. Fox
3. L Smith
4. Collis
5. Mellars