boxhead

The set up is full of loopholes that make the system a Joke. There are that many ways around the quota the whole system lacks credibility. If Wigan played all of their imports as you would expect them to and add the overseas born exempted players how many of the 17 would be English born? 7 or 8? Not much different with some other teams. Good to see teams are using the 3 year license that allows them 3 years to build a supply of locals being taken full advantage of.

I wish I was there and could sponsor a team. The game needs new input at the top level.

For a Carton of Beer and a BBQ (Premium Rib Eye Steak with all the sides) I wouldn't mind being a Sleeve sponsor. Is that possible?

WHO?

You may be right. I was talking about actual Club sponsors. What was Leeds Shirt sponsor again? (the club that is the shining light since Saints were) Which team has a sponsor on their shirt, that is usually the major sponsor isn't it? that would be known around the World say in Australia or NZ Irnbru multinational? you using The Isle of man as another Country? Digger World? its almost smaller than Bobs Pie Shop. (in two locations)

I think that amount of turnover is the minimum for a game that aspires to move forward. Its chicken feed in the scope of things. My post was more in reply to the subtext (oh no it isn't)

I think the game has some pretty big problems. Until more teams are competitive to the point where they challenge to be the best team in SL on a regular basis its a limited league with only half the teams with a chance and recently only a couple that ever win anything of consequence. The Crowds are not really growing and the local players that are top notch world class would not make up one squad of 17. Many of the sponsors are local and poor in all honesty and not anywhere close to National companies that relate to National exposure If the TV deal is downgraded its curtains for half the Clubs. Sorry to be negative but the game is at the crossroads. The franchise points system was pretty pathetic and nearly half the Clubs need a new ground with little happening other than PR ######. Several Clubs have a population base that ensures they can never be a big Club or be competitive over a number of years.

Peacock has already played in Australia and did ok.

Spot on.

Lam moved to Qld when he was 7. Australia have plenty of players that were born there but play for "heritage" teams to help pad out the player skills in World Cups and the like, same as plenty have represented NZ and then played for Island nations. According to Morley he was never approached it was a media beat up. Widdop is not even a regular first grader why would Australia want him? he will do a lot better with England.

Lets face it, Living or Coaching in the North of England is the next best thing to living in Russia or Mongolia. Its GRIM.

Is free speech connected to offensive language? The game is promoted as the "Family game" pretty hard to promote that concept if all around you are blind drunk swearing obscenities at the team or players they hate.

Maybe for you. Meninga the fine player that he was lines up with many other Australian players that were champions but "Legend in his lifetime" is corny. He was a great player, you could list a couple of dozen of similar status, Mal may have some records as far as Test caps go but with due respect to those achievements he is one of many greats. It does not sound like he is fully committed to Saint Helens. "Mal categorically denies that he is going to St Helens. Neither he nor I have spoken a word to them at all. "Mal wants to definitely coach Queensland next year to a possible sixth consecutive series win over NSW, especially with two home matches being held in Queensland. He does not know where any of this speculation about him going to St Helens is coming from. Link http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/mal...0-1225887809460

Why do Saints fans feel some sort of connection with Meninga in such a big way? He only played around 30 games for Saints 25 years ago. If he is that symbolic for the Club I suggest the Club needs more heroes or symbols......

The best Standoffs in recent times Wally Lewis Brett Kenny. In the modern game Darren Lockyer

That is your opinion and I respect that. If some of the money spent on importing players that occasionally do not live up to their reputation (for many reasons) that money was invested in Junior development and Coaching and building solid foundations in Schools, you do not think that in a few seasons a benefit will be produced? There comes a point where a country has to build a structure internally to sustain its own game rather than buying talent to prop its game up. A good comparison would be the Premier League although they will be around for some time still. A couple of good examples would be Leeds with a Veteran and Delaney who is an also ran. Wigan and Saints in the Centres etc etc. Are there no good local kids or is there not enough being done to find and develop those kids because the money is being used to buy imports?

What you say in many cases is true Parksider but the fans crave instant success and "name" signings. If you pulled all of the imports out it would leave a game that would leave much to be desired even though most signings are not players at the peak of their game at Rep standard. If every team had only three imports instead of around eight how high would the quality of those three be? if you named the top 10 imports in Super league who would they be? Most are journeymen and fringe players or a select few that can command far more in England than Australia like Buderus, King and Berrigan, none of those would be Test players in Australia in 2010.

The Game is in a lose lose situation through its own short sighted policies Keep the imports and the Juniors never make the grade and realise their potential. Get rid of the imports and the lack of talent coming through due to the neglect of the game and its reliance on imports and what sort of standard is left? ( the NRL are at the opposite end of the spectrum in Cherry picking the best England has to offer, 2 or 3 at that) What has happened in Super League in the last decade and even before that may well see the decline of the game in the coming years. The solid foundations have not been built in Junior development, the grounds have not been developed, the fan base has not been grown. If the TV deal was cut back the game would be on its last legs.

I dont think the word fear is in the mindset of teams from downunder. Respect maybe but fear is not a word that an NRL player would think about. Eastmond has done what at top level at this point of his career? He is around the same ability as Matt Bowen a couple of years ago.

I doubt Bridge will be missed in the four nations. There is not an English player from stand off to full back that is better than the opposite player they will face from NZ or Australia.