I’m still maintaining I’m no fan of Lewis hall but as he’s now officially a Viking I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and a fresh perspective. Aggression without being dirty is welcome in the team within its limits
Lewis hall is a far far better player than some give him credit for....bags of aggression...durable...plays numerous positions..plays big minutes.. skilful and will add another dimension and unpredictability to our kicking game especially if he plays loose ...did play originally at 6 when at barrow
I've seen Cameron brown watching Crusaders. He seemed a great player in champ1. Lead them around the park well.
That seems good news. Half back?
We've been bullied often enough!!!! As my dad used to say in the old days 'let 'em know they've been in a game!'.
Thinking back to the MIlls/Hogan era we had a pack that could play it either way, easy or hard!
@sandgroper agree in past we've just been rolled over ..don't think that'll happen to often next season this.. 2025 the front rowers are huge...same in the back row can absolutely guarantee Lewis isn't the type to take a backward step...some on here refer to him as a grub but I think every team needs those masters of the dark arts types ..the gaffers right in how he compared him to JJ...workhorse ..does the big minutes and can most certainly pack a whack ...I just like the fact he'll bring more unpredictability to our kicking game ..most games the opposition know where we're going to shift the ball on the last ...next season in theory it could shift to..Gilmore..Patton...hall ..even fozard ..just little things like that keep teams guessing
The only one of the original rumoured signings yet to be announced is Joey Romeo. From the fans forum we have 3 more to announce plus 2 other contract offers on the table.
The Cameron Brown name seems to be a late addition to the rumoured signings, I wonder if he is in place of Maizen? Looking him up he is a full back or stand off. It makes more sense seeing he can play full back as he provides cover in this area or we can move Jack Owens to centre.
The one position I think we are short on is centre. Bardsley-Rowe you would say is 5th choice at Warrington, not ideal as we have been stung in the past with players being recalled, but he would be useful on a season long loan. I hope the Maizen signing still comes off as it sounded like we beat Bradford Bulls to his signature and he has real pace.
@cumbria-viking Maybe Jacko can concentrate on defence tactics and Patton/Gilmore look after the attack, at least it keeps the opposition guessing!
It will be a change seeing our pack dominating!!!
@dan1 Romeo can play full back aswel..has played loads there...also covers centre and wing
@dan1 Romeo can play full back aswel..has played loads there...also covers centre and wing
That sounds good a utility player and we definitely require as 2 centres is not enough, because this our weakest recruitment at the moment. Yes we can put LLoyd and Roberts in as an emergency but not my ideal situation. We wont need loan or dual if got a decent squad and it be interesting if use loan this year at all. At least we do not look desperate now.
Looking at squad so far, I feel we are certainly a centre short
brown maybe the answer there if his signing is true
however as other people have said our new signings do not shout out as a first 13 players, probably patten aside
so it seems we have got more strength in depth which probably is a good thing
hold out for 1 major signing left , but I think recruitment is essentially done
so let’s get behind them and hope for an even better season
onwards and upwards
Another surprise signing, McKenzie Buckley. About to turn 21 in December, signed as a prop by Saints but converted to a 2nd rower. He was a member of last years first team squad at number 27, but didn't make any appearances. Been playing for Saints reserves and a handful of games for North Wales in 2023.
Sounds like he could be one of the mentioned project signings, meant to be a strong runner so will be interesting to see how he goes in the pre-season games. One things for sure, we certainly have enough forwards this season! I wonder if we will look to convert him back to his original position of prop.
Thought there was a youngster coming from Saints, but didn’t think it was him, so there might be another coming too.
Can never have enough forwards, as recent years have proved.
Certainly looks like we will be self service next year rather than looking for short term reserves when injuries hit.
Much better for the coaching staff, than just hoping that someone useful will be available when we need them.
According to the stats he played 1 first team game for Saints in2022, so I’m guessing after 3 years, they decided he wasn’t going to be good enough for SL, but hopefully he will be able to do a good job for us in the championship .
FB Owens tbc
WG Ince Butt Sumner
CB Edge Fleming tbc tbc
HB Lyons Gilmore Patton
PF Kirk Reilly Murray Bennion Bailey Buckley
SR Lloyd Bent Langtree Roberts Lannon
HK Johnstone Fozard
LF Gregson Hall