Think if we do sign Manu back, then Briscoe will defo sign. He'll get more ball and more tries.

I can't see Briscoe staying, but I can't see him getting a contract in the NRL if he continues playing like he has been, he's been quiet and looked to be hardly trying on Friday, his head was one of the first to go down. He usually puts in a solid performance in a derby and scores a try or two but he, like a lot f the players, just wasn't up for it.

Unless he pulls his finger out and finds some of the form that made him a star, I won't be too disappointed if/when he leaves.

maybe already signed with an nrl club and that's why he does not seem interested although he looks poor he is not getting the ball at all need to use a quick pass and a couple of dummy runners and get the ball to him then we will see the true Tommy briscoe hitting gaps and pinning his ears back not!!! keeping manu was a sin and whoever was negotiating with him needs shooting for not excepting his demands he was crucial to briscoes game!! much more valuable then galea and tickle put together

We did accept his 'demands'. He still chose to go to Saints. Short of chaining him in the basement what were we supposed to do?

Pretty much as I see it.

Completely agree. Think Houghton's all effort style has blinded some to his actual ability which is severely lacking imo. I'm not saying he's a bad player, he's not, but as one of our pivots he needs to be better.

we need our 1,6 and 7 back so houghtons got better options to go to if he puts a good display in with a fully fit side we will benefit its just a tough time 4 all at the club at the minute.

Likewise.

Watched the game again last night (yes, I know...) and Houghton's passing, distribution, and decision making were terrible all game long. Definitely a factor in the bluntness of our attack and general lack of direction.

I've said this for some time. We've been nowhere near good enough at hooker since swain left

Correct. Everyone's been focused on how we've never replaced Cooke, but IMO we've never replaced Swain either and it's hurt us almost as badly.

Although I liked Berrigan, he never came close to Swain. We would have been much better off spending his money elsewhere in the squad and playing Motu at 9.

and were did they say this unless you have seen the contract??
i remember them saying we have offered him a very good deal and its as far as we are willing to go!!
maybe not far enough in my eyes you can see how we are missing him this year he is more of a threat then mega money ellis and you cant deny that!!

I've no more seen the contract than you have. However, the club said several times that we had matched his and his agents requests at each stage. According to the press - all we have to go on - we offered a longer deal worth the same overall as Saints. Manu himself said that it wasn't about the money.

But hey - you want to find something else to hammer the club with you knock yourself out.

Problem was length, he only wanted to play for two more years, to match Saints offer we had to go over three, he didn't want that.

The one game Berrigan played at centre, he looked outstanding. Should never have been hooker IMO.

I keep hearing rumours of Cooper Cronk though....