marklaspalmas

All average signings but to be honest the "hype" was pretty muted with all these players, wasn't it? Four of those players were simply a punt on ageing players at their last club, and the other an unknown aussie.

Probably worth a thread in its own right. I think expectations play a huge part. Leo Casey was a solid enough prop, but the large transfer fee created an expectation he couldn't libe up to. Etu Uaisele was a decent NRL winger and looked the part, but never really settled. Ryan Verlinden's reputation just got bigger and bigger the longer we waited for his visa. Disappointment was bound to follow. Tales of Joey Leilua's amazing pay packet created an unrealistic sense of what he'd do. Cam King, Nu Brown had injury histories and so perhaps seemed relatively unheralded. They were allowed to settle and get on with it. As has been said, Brett Daunt had an impossible act to follow, but Mark Aston's transfer was set up to fail. With Currier, the injury was unlucky, and he was nowhere near the same level as the player he replaced. But who was? We'd have been better grabbing an import like Greg Austin or Iva Ropati with no transfer fee and making do. But the pressure was on the club to make a big statement.

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it

Or Hooley at FB and German at centre if Hardo isn't ready......

I don't think anyone could possibly disagree with any of that.

Back in the day there used to be a show hosted by Brett Kimmorley looking at NRL Tactics. I always enjoyed it. I imagine it's long gone. What would be the equivalent show these days? The only show I've seen so far in 2024 is that one with Matty Johns and Tallis, etc. Not really my cup of tea

Sorry, mate. It does look at way, but isn't. The perils of posting online. The first list was clubs who were given a gilt-edged opportunity/ a poisoned chalice (delete according to your POV). I don't necessarily count that as favouritism, but IMO it was a definite opportunity. The second list was simply clubs invited to have-a-go under their own steam. I don't want to fall out with you over this misunderstanding.

Yes. I lost you. Sorry.

Sigh. Carry on. Those clubs were put into SL above others. Where have I said that's necessarily a bad thing? It happened. Why do you "guess" on my behalf. Your childish last line is so far away from me, I fear exchanging views is pointless.

Eh? Creating spurious POVs for other posters is poor form in a 'debate'.

Climb down mate.

I refer you to my previous post with specific regard to 'favouritism' a loaded word which seems to mean whatever anybody wants in this thread

I simply answered your question. It did happen. Whether it should have, or how clubs were then supported and developed (or not) is the endless debate. But it has happened. Quite regularly, in and outside SL. Toronto, Toulouse, Oxford, Hemel, Gloucester......

Whenever London, PSG, Gateshead, Catalans, Crusaders, etc were pushed into SL.

I'm not sure how you took it that way, but it certainly wasn't. I don't post on here as much as I used to, but my digs tend to be blunter, but hopefully never personal. I feel that in many threads on TRL the level of analysis of all aspects of our sport far outstrips what can be read in UK media outlets in general. I guess that's why I'm still here 25 years later.