VALENTINE FEELS THE FORCE

[BLR]

But look to within WA first guys before you go abroad looking for halfbacks the other super 14 franchises don't want.

Do you honestly think they haven't done that? Do you think after three years that we would suddenly be able to pull Super 14 quality players out of the club competition...didn't Stannard win best player or whatever last year and he has been a bit iffy at best at Super 14 level...how would the rest of them do?

[Jess]

Well I rate Stannard so I guess we're not on the same page.

[TOCC]

he was developing pretty well when he was back at QLD, i always thought it was a stupid move for him to go to NSW, where he was going to be fighting for a starting/bench position constantly. I suppose he depatrure did coincide with the Reds signing Sam Cordingley though.

[PerthGirl]

any news on Stephen moore talking about signing players ??

Just read that Moore will be signing with the Brumbies

[jono]

why do we need another number 9?
what a waste of money!

[joblot]

Just read that Moore will be signing with the Brumbies

Bugger

[Punkpapa]

No 9 has been a problem spot for us. Proof in point - 2006, Henjack injured, COY injured during season. 2007 Henjack injured for two crucial games, COY also injured during season. 2008, Henjacked off, COY and Stannard inconsistent at times, alternatives have little S14 experience. Valentine brings a third S14 level 9, which is what we need.
I know we all have our fave 9's, but for such a crucial role (again especially so with the ELV's), depth is much better. Flip it around, can you see any other Oz franchise taking any of our 9's??

[Shaun]

The problem was signing O' Young. We have Stannard (who I rate in his first season) and then signing Valentine now would not be a bad option as a halfback pair. Don't forget we have Justin Turner on an apprentice contract, he played 10mins in the Reds trial match and was impressive.

[jono]

signing valentine will probably cause stannard to loose game time, with o'yound and valentine being the starting and reserve halfbacks.
if he looses game time, he will most likley look somewhere else for gametime. and i for one dont want to see him go.
o'young can do before stannard IMHO.
keep the two we have. and use the money to strengthen the tight 5 instead

[prop53]

i suppose Stannard will improve with more game time he still as a long way to go, yes we have been wanting in the tight five. With just a few injuries we have struggled in way of experience but all in all we have a good future balanced team. Requiring just a few twicks here and there

[BLR]

I know we all have our fave 9's, but for such a crucial role (again especially so with the ELV's), depth is much better. Flip it around, can you see any other Oz franchise taking any of our 9's??

Exactly right, it's about time the rose tinted glasses are taken off and we looked at our players objectively, if Stannard didn't get time would he even be given the time of day by anyone else?

[jono]

or, we could invest more money into the academy to develop more halfbacks?
that would be cheaper, then we could possibly develop more than one?
or even better devloping utility backs so we are not understaffed if we get injuries?

[jono]

Exactly right, it's about time the rose tinted glasses are taken off and we looked at our players objectively, if Stannard didn't get time would he even be given the time of day by anyone else?

as can be said for most players BLR

[jazza93]

They are all very good halfbacks, we would have to wait till next year to see how good they are then, if he does or doesnt come over here it will still be a battle for halfback.

If COY is playing better then stannard why would John Mitchell play stannard for 70 minutes against the cheifs, I think stannard must be playing a little bit better at the moment.


anyway how long is left of COYs contract?

[BLR]

or, we could invest more money into the academy to develop more halfbacks?
that would be cheaper, then we could possibly develop more than one?
or even better devloping utility backs so we are not understaffed if we get injuries?

We want to be competitive sooner then later, it's all well and good looking towards the future but we don't want to do it by sacrifising current results, case in points .QLD Reds.

as can be said for most players BLR

Okay, let's put it this way, how many mistakes has Stannard made? How many bad kicks has he made? His error rate is too large if we want to seriously challenge for the title, and he is not a player that you'd comfortably throw into the fire to play against the best of the best...I want to win not to play players because they come out of the club competition...