The Transfer Rumour Mill Thread

[Josef K]

43 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Why do you think it’s quiet, mate?

Are Saints hierarchy hoping for further development from the younger players at the club?

As you say with Wigan putting together a good squad already then Saints can’t afford to rest on their laurels even though it’s already been an amazing era.

I think over the last three years G Ref we have hardly brought anyone into the club and instead we have upped the contracts of players already at the club.
I would be happy if we signed a quality centre, winger & prop. 

[Magic Superbeetle]

24 minutes ago, Josef K said:

I think over the last three years G Ref we have hardly brought anyone into the club and instead we have upped the contracts of players already at the club.
I would be happy if we signed a quality centre, winger & prop. 

So in 2022, yes we only brought in Ritson and Bruines, but in 2021 Hopoate, Sironen, Lussick, Hurrell and Bell came in, and in 2020 Joel Thompson, Paasi, Mata'utia and Norman. I don't think its fair to say we haven't brought anyone in to the club. Theres also a tonne of kids come through in that time, and theres a tonne more in the current 18s who are expected to make it professionally - talk of a golden generation in the team which won the Grand Final last week. 

Winger = Waqa Blake (or someone else). Centre might be Newman, but expect Vaughan and D Sambou are both highly rated in the academy at centre, prop will be Eseh (and potentially another if Paasi gets deregistered, talk being that we are talking to Kasiano ... for better or worse).

The deals are there, its just the club are choosing not to announce them for one reason or another currently. The hope would be because were waiting for our own marquees who might oust some of the names above, but who knows with Saints.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Game of opinions I guess

[LeytherRob]

Jenna Brooks reporting on Sky that Leigh are in for Brodie Croft for next year, i'll believe it when i see it but would be quite the signing if it did happen.

[Futtocks]

11 minutes ago, LeytherRob said:

Jenna Brooks reporting on Sky that Leigh are in for Brodie Croft for next year, i'll believe it when i see it but would be quite the signing if it did happen.

Now that would be interesting!

[UTK]

Lebanon International Elie El-Zakhem signs with Cas on a 2-year deal. 

One of the better forwards playing NSW Cup for the last couple of seasons, unlucky to have not made a debut this season but the Roosters had too many established backrowers.

Putt and El-Zakhem are two very handy signings that shouldn't break the bank.

[NRLandSL]

15 minutes ago, UTK said:

Lebanon International Elie El-Zakhem signs with Cas on a 2-year deal. 

One of the better forwards playing NSW Cup for the last couple of seasons, unlucky to have not made a debut this season but the Roosters had too many established backrowers.

Putt and El-Zakhem are two very handy signings that shouldn't break the bank.

Fantastic player, so unlucky not to debut. Been of the best players in the nsw cup for a few seasons now.

[EagleEyePie]

1 hour ago, UTK said:

Lebanon International Elie El-Zakhem signs with Cas on a 2-year deal. 

One of the better forwards playing NSW Cup for the last couple of seasons, unlucky to have not made a debut this season but the Roosters had too many established backrowers.

Putt and El-Zakhem are two very handy signings that shouldn't break the bank.

I was hoping Wigan might make an offer for El-Zakhem. I thought he was really impressive in the world cup for Lebanon and he just seems like one of those players who would thrive in Super League. A hugely consistent metre maker and good offloader. I thought he'd be ideal to replace what we're losing with KPP but it seems we're playing props in every position next year instead. I think he could have a big impact at Cas and be one of those lesser known overseas signings who make a name for themselves in Super League.

[UTK]

Catalans sign Jayden Nikorima from the Melbourne Storm, with another unique announcement video.

Nikorima has had a couple of strong QCUP seasons in a row but has never really translated that form to NRL level, is a five-eighth predominantly. 

[Mumby Magic]

Wondering what's happening with Appo at Bulls. Heard Hull FC but speaking to a Hull player yesterday it's a definite no.

[DG70]

On 28/09/2023 at 16:38, GIANTSTRIDES said:

Harry Huddersfield is a football town and always has been. Fartown have only had one brief spell since the Fifties ( a lifetime ago ) when crowds showed any signs of increasing to any degree and that was under Nathan browns tenure, We were playing football that was good to watch, we were winning our share of games and people were responding, Sadly that all went belly up but the lesson is clear to see. Under P Anderson we won the hubcap  playing a different style of football altogether and it did nothing for our crowds.

Regards Mr Davy and it costing him a fortune, I wouldn't worry about it mate , He has a few fortunes at his disposal, Nobody made him buy the Giants unless his good lady wife did, and you can rest assured you don't get as rich as he is by being a fool and not know what your doing.

People forget ( of perhaps never knew ) that he also saved Huddersfield Town from extinction as well and ultimately got a lot of grief for his trouble, For me he deserves to be honored in some way but he is known mostly for his link to the Giants and the profile of League is very very low in contrast to football so his contributions will more than likely be ignored.

Huddersfield is a big town with it's surrounding areas, and a successful side playing good rugby would get a reasonable crowd but there have been so many false dawns people have just turned away from League, They have to be won back and for me |It's all about whats on offer on the field, far more than cheap tickets and so forth ( although they may well help)

Just my opinion of course and there will be plenty of different ones.

Good post, don't think the dour displays on the pitch are doing much for the cause, perhaps Mr Davy has miscalculated somewhat regarding the coach?

[DG70]

Croft to Leigh wouldn't be a shock given the never ending financial issues at Salford, the rumour however has been rubbished by the Salford ceo but that's no surprise, given they need to sell season tickets and promote the club in a positive way.

[binosh]

9 minutes ago, DG70 said:

Croft to Leigh wouldn't be a shock given the never ending financial issues at Salford, the rumour however has been rubbished by the Salford ceo but that's no surprise, given they need to sell season tickets and promote the club in a positive way.

He also rubbished Dupree leaving, Croft or Milford either would do for me, Croft preferably as he is already settled and local, a few of the young Leigh Aussies live in Manchester.

I have been a fan of Milford for a while but his form has been inconsistent but when he is on, he’s electric.

We have come a long way to be linked with this calibre of on player.

[Futtocks]

 

[Josef K]

On 29/09/2023 at 16:17, Magic Superbeetle said:

So in 2022, yes we only brought in Ritson and Bruines, but in 2021 Hopoate, Sironen, Lussick, Hurrell and Bell came in, and in 2020 Joel Thompson, Paasi, Mata'utia and Norman. I don't think its fair to say we haven't brought anyone in to the club. Theres also a tonne of kids come through in that time, and theres a tonne more in the current 18s who are expected to make it professionally - talk of a golden generation in the team which won the Grand Final last week. 

Winger = Waqa Blake (or someone else). Centre might be Newman, but expect Vaughan and D Sambou are both highly rated in the academy at centre, prop will be Eseh (and potentially another if Paasi gets deregistered, talk being that we are talking to Kasiano ... for better or worse).

The deals are there, its just the club are choosing not to announce them for one reason or another currently. The hope would be because were waiting for our own marquees who might oust some of the names above, but who knows with Saints.

Yes i know the players who came in Magic but what about the players who left. I like Bennison but he is not a winger, i think Saints took the cheap option by moving Bennison to the wing. 

[Magic Superbeetle]

2 hours ago, Josef K said:

Yes i know the players who came in Magic but what about the players who left. I like Bennison but he is not a winger, i think Saints took the cheap option by moving Bennison to the wing. 

Bennison got his debut because Grace was injured rather than moved to replace Grace? They then brought in Ritson (who, given the fee involved can hardly be called the cheap option) on the basis they gave Grace too much time and the domestic market was basically dead by the time Grace announced he was off to union. If Grace had announced earlier/ Saints had set a deadline it’s entirely possible Johnstone would have been at Saints this season. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Further, as soon as Ritson was done, the club used the extra Grace money to extend Paasi and Batchelor.

I don’t think there’s any scenario where Bennison is our full time winger next season, even if he retains the 5 jersey. I think it’s more likely Dagnall will finish the year as first choice than Bennison. But in all likelihood the replacement for Hopoate will take that role, which I believe will be Waqa Blake. 

Since you ask, Saints full transfer activity for the last three years;

2020;

In: J Thompson (Sea Eagles), Paasi (Warriors), Mata’utia (Knights), Norman (London)

Out: Taia (retired), Peyroux (Toulouse), Costello (Salford), Ashworth (Huddersfield), Graham (Retired), Paulo (Toulouse)

2021;

In: Hopoate (Bulldogs), Sironen (Sea Eagles), Lussick (Eels), Hurrell (Leeds), Bell (Leigh), Danny Hill (Widnes)

Out: Bentley (Leeds), Thompson (retiring), Coote (HKR), Naiqama (Roosters), Fages (Huddersfield) 

2022;

In: Ritson (Barrow), Bruines (Rabbitohs)

Out: Amor (Widnes), Simm (Australia), Smith (Leigh), Grace (Racing 92), Nisbet (Leigh), Corkill (Barrow), Archer (Barrow)

2023 (So far);

In: Mbye (Dragons), Clark (Warrington)

Out: Lussick (Eels), Roby (Retired), LMS (Retired), Hopoate (Retired), Bruines (Warrington), Norman (Leigh), Baxter (Leigh), Foster (Salford), Pemberton (York), Moss (unknown), J Sambou (unknown), Hill (unknown)

Which doesn’t include covering a whole bunch of big contracts to keep Welsby, Dodd, Lees, Knowles, Batchelor, Sironen, Paasi etc at the club. I’m not seeing where the cheap options are really…

Edited October 1, 2023 by Magic Superbeetle

[Josef K]

Hopefully Saints have learned from the Grace situation and won’t hang around waiting for a player to make his mind up. 

[Magic Superbeetle]

28 minutes ago, Josef K said:

Hopefully Saints have learned from the Grace situation and won’t hang around waiting for a player to make his mind up. 

I think the only thing that has the potential to trip us up currently is if Paasi gets part way through his recovery before needing to medically retire/ extra operations which pushes his recovery past a year. Even then, he would free up a non-fed spot, which is a lot easier to find people in in short notice, look at Lussick/ Mbye situation. Grace was a really specific set of scenarios that managed to blow up in Saints face a little bit. 

We have announced the 11 leaving already, there are plenty of rumours about about the club actively recruiting (Blake, Whitley, Eseh). Not sure why the club haven’t gone on and announced things, but I suppose it would be a long off season if they announced the squad for next year already.

[V02]

On 27/09/2023 at 18:44, Damien said:

Seems a bit of a loss for Leeds:

 

Probably the third or fourth best academy outside back prospect in his year at Leeds. 

On 27/09/2023 at 19:48, Tommygilf said:

I get the sense that he was told he could go for the birth, and given Leeds had very little hope by the time he didn't come back it wasn't worth it. Certainly seems to be what he himself is suggesting:

https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/nene-macdonald-leeds-rhinos-wrong-27769757?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

Wasn't he due back for the Hull game?

On 28/09/2023 at 05:45, Tommygilf said:

Don't worry, we still have Olpherts!

And better prospects.

On 28/09/2023 at 18:04, graveyard johnny said:

tyrone may and adam keighran are massive  losses for cats - plenty of top quality rugby left in those 2  - intersting to see who they bring in to avoid a slump in fortunes

May was allowed to leave. Must be an extremely loose person.

[NRLandSL]

9 hours ago, Josef K said:

Yes i know the players who came in Magic but what about the players who left. I like Bennison but he is not a winger, i think Saints took the cheap option by moving Bennison to the wing. 

Bennison is a fantastic full back, Great support play, safe under the high ball, and fantastic acceleration. Unfortunately saints have one the best players in the world at full back so it’s hard for him to get a run at 1 without injuries. I reckon if Bennison was at a another super league team like Castleford or Wakefield he would be tearing up the comp.

[Gates1]

Josh Hodson to Cas from Batley.  Be interesting to see how he gets on in SL.

[Josef K]

17 hours ago, NRLandSL said:

Bennison is a fantastic full back, Great support play, safe under the high ball, and fantastic acceleration. Unfortunately saints have one the best players in the world at full back so it’s hard for him to get a run at 1 without injuries. I reckon if Bennison was at a another super league team like Castleford or Wakefield he would be tearing up the comp.

Bennison is a safe as houses and has got a great future, and he is also still only a young lad. When Welsby sails off to Australia hopefully Bennison will be Saints No1. 

[Johnny Ringo]

On 01/10/2023 at 21:05, Magic Superbeetle said:

I think the only thing that has the potential to trip us up currently is if Paasi gets part way through his recovery before needing to medically retire/ extra operations which pushes his recovery past a year. Even then, he would free up a non-fed spot, which is a lot easier to find people in in short notice, look at Lussick/ Mbye situation. Grace was a really specific set of scenarios that managed to blow up in Saints face a little bit. 

We have announced the 11 leaving already, there are plenty of rumours about about the club actively recruiting (Blake, Whitley, Eseh). Not sure why the club haven’t gone on and announced things, but I suppose it would be a long off season if they announced the squad for next year already.

Isn't Blake switching codes? It was in an article earlier in the year that his young kids live in Perth and he didn't want to leave Oz? 

[NRLandSL]

3 hours ago, Josef K said:

Bennison is a safe as houses and has got a great future, and he is also still only a young lad. When Welsby sails off to Australia hopefully Bennison will be Saints No1. 

As an Aussie, Who watches Plenty of NRL and SL Jack Welsby is one of the best players I’ve ever watched, and truly of the best players in the world at only 21. 
 

The Bloke could become anything, but as a roosters fan I want him to stay and Saint Helens unless he joins the roosters, because I couldn’t bare to have to play against him.

[NRLandSL]

3 hours ago, Josef K said:

Bennison is a safe as houses and has got a great future, and he is also still only a young lad. When Welsby sails off to Australia hopefully Bennison will be Saints No1. 

 Bennison has a really rare abilty for a 20 year old , Most players (fullbacks) take a long time grow in consistency and cut down on errors, but Bennison just seems to be born with it. 

There’s a lot of young full backs who have plenty of talent but struggle with this think Xavier Savage, Tyrell Sloan even Arthur Mourge. 

But Bennison just seems like he has played 400 games every time he plays. (I also really rate Jahream Bula for the tigers, Young full back but really safe already)