True and as Welham seems to have regained his form, its such a shame that Goulding had to retire. That would have been a very good back line.

For me blair and mantellato have been stand outs this season.

In pure value for money terms, Mantellato has possibly been the best of the lot.

Tommy has been one of our best buys this season .......After seeing his performances for Italy within the last world cup I said that he should be playing within the Super League, and how ecstatic was I when we revealed that he had signed for us after years of us enduring that the wing position was almost assigned as a non position and comparable to giving the fat kid a game within the amateurs ......We love Tommy!

I think most of the guys who have done well for you have been guys who are youngish fringe players from the NRL, rather than old guys who once were stars. Dobson and Mantellato are great examples. Both guys with plenty of skill and plenty to offer, but couldn't quite lock down an NRL spot. Both probably signed with you for next to nothing just to make a name for themselves.

The NSW cup and the Qld cup are full of guys like those.

Old guys like Mason and Costigan would want big money, and are probably only about the same chance of being good as a young guy like Kelly or Sio who is in and out of firstgrade.

If I were a player manager I'd try to organise a team of NSW and Qld cup players to tour the UK in the per season - basically looking for contracts. The best 20 or so players in the NSW cup every year would be quality firstgraders in ESL. Many of them still have the dream of making NRL, but many would be happy to play firstgrade and make money in the ESL.

I like what you say Roopy but it will never happen and if it did people would say what about the home grown player never mind Aussies

If this nsw cup team played against england, we may have a concept...

Who's "Tommy"?

He sure plays a mean pinball

I think it's the Italian for Josh

Sorry, it's that old ridiculous nickname culture again borne after a few beers .....Josh Mantellato becomes Josh Mantomato, and Mantomato becomes tomato .....hence Tommy .....That's what some sections of the East stand affectionately call him .....We love Tommy!

Ah, ok........

I clearly don't stand anywhere near the Italian section of the East Stand. It's very clever though.