err we got Berrigan and Crocker (well not our fault anyway) and other sides will have wanted them

you win some and you lose some, and to be honest Saints are always going to be first choice due to their continued success, I'd imagine some players would even accept slightly less money to join them, as they'd easily make the difference back with CC and Grand Final appearances.

Ahhh, incentives to do well eh??

Errr...what happens if we arent after them.....why would we want Flannery?

Did we even inquire about him?

How do you know we havent got someone else lined up?

He wouldn't have signed for us even if we had!

Because they are successful?

We don't "always" miss out, HTH.

Because we might not go for every single player that becomes available.

I know
We've been looking for a decent centre for years, and as soon as saints "decide to fill the gap", they sign a 22 year old international.
We're not exactly poor in the finals department in recent years, the third most successful in the past four years, so why do we sign 5hite?

Certain factors play big parts in where a play decides to go. Soliola said today he has friends at Saints In Chris Flannery and Tony Puletua, as well as this, he will know Jason Cayless from his NZ days.

I would like to think that most SL clubs would have expressed an interest in Soliola, but the lad's only 22, coming to play your footy at the other side of the world is obviously a decision he didnt take lightly. Having friends at the club you sign for will have been a big factor in his final decision I would imagine.

Why would we? Our need in other areas is greater

I agree... and i wouldn't mind if we had signed a 7... but we haven't.
And i am sure that Sia Soliola's wage is much less than Crockers. Not forgetting Byrne was released too.
Which i would imagine is enough for both positions

That sums the difference between Sainst and FC; they buy players while they are in their peak

We generally buy players coming towards the end of their careers

You dont have to tell me pal! I wish we could sign top quality talent at the peaks of their careers! Lets hope we can put the cap space and spare money we have to buying a couple of op quality players on the right side of 30!!