Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Dragon David]

I mean, everything else being equal, with a good long kicker, it'll automatically be a better team.

Agreed Chris and provided the guys chase that long kicked ball as quickly as possible so that they nab the receiver to stop him from gaining too much territory on return. Practise makes perfect. We know that trials are just that but all things need to be practised during those trial games because come the Las Vegas comp game against the Dogs, they will have Burton showing all of the American spectators at the ground what he can do with the ball - long, high, twisting, awkward kicks to catch and I wouldn't like to see our guys get too embarrassed when trying to catch those kicks and we need to do a lot of catching practise especially by the wingers and fullback. Our kicks need to be practised a lot too so that we can show the American people how great we can kick as well -- Hahaha! Yeah right.

 

[Dragon David]

Ben Hornby was good for 3 years with Sowie mostly pulling the strings. Apart from that, it's been slim pickings for as long as I've been alive.

...and that includes Benjamin Hunt!!

 

[RedV01]

...and that includes Benjamin Hunt!!

Worst of the lot considering how much he was paid and what he brought to the team and club in return.

 

[Frank Facer]

I hope we give Atko a long rope to show his effectiveness as a halfback, I doubt he hits the ground running. All I want to see is improvement throughout the season but expect it to be a rollercoaster year for him. I assume we'll ease him into the role with a focus on his kicking game & set management.

Acko has played fullback. So that indicates he should have a strong running game. From the little I have seen and heard of him, I think he is more of a 5/8. I was pleased we signed him.

 

[RedV01]

Acko has played fullback. So that indicates he should have a strong running game. From the little I have seen and heard of him, I think he is more of a 5/8. I was pleased we signed him.

Jerome Hughes was a fringe first grade fullback when he join the Storm....

 

[Morgan]

Jerome Hughes was a fringe first grade fullback when he join the Storm....

And his halves partner was Cameron Munster.

 

[George Sancti]

I'd say the best 7s that I saw were:
Billy Smith
Mark Schulman
Steve Morris
Noel Goldthorpe
Trent Barrett
Jamie Soward
Ben Hornby

Another fine halfback was Ross Strudwick, who played for Saints in the early seventies. I remember the late Frank Hyde remarking on how remarkable, almost unfair it was for one club to have Billy Smith, Ross Strudwick and Mark Schulman all on their books at the same time.

 

[No Surrender]

Another fine halfback was Ross Strudwick, who played for Saints in the early seventies. I remember the late Frank Hyde remarking on how remarkable, almost unfair it was for one club to have Billy Smith, Ross Strudwick and Mark Schulman all on their books at the same time.

Strudwick left and went on to represent QLD

 

[George Sancti]

Strudwick left and went on to represent QLD

I believe he may also have been selected for Australia when playing in the Brisbane competition.

 

[Justadragon]

Worst of the lot considering how much he was paid and what he brought to the team and club in return.

Everything about recruiting him was total BS.He did nothing but suck the blood out of the club in every possible way. Just thinking about it gives me nightmares

 

[Frank Facer]

And his halves partner was Cameron Munster.

And Cooper Cronk was apparently a backrower, who Bellamy turned into a halfback. Bellamy's record of turning 2 players who weren't halfbacks, into elite halfbacks is quite amazing. Cronk and Hughes would have made a top pair of halves, with Cronk at halfback and Hughes as 5/8.