It would be a real shame to lose Lamb. He’s a young promising half who could potentially develop into one of the better playmakers in the game. I’m a big fan of Lamb and think his ceiling is extremely high. Halves definitely carry more value than props no doubt, but to say we would be better off losing Daniel Saifiti is a big call. Daniel Saifiti is one of the best young forwards in the game. Right now, he’s a better prop than Lamb is a half – no question IMO. I’m not sure if you’re underrating Saifiti with that comment, or overrating Lamb. Regardless, I don’t think that’s a black and white proposition.
I think if Brown had the benefit of hindsight, knowing we were going to land Pearce, he wouldn’t have signed Watson knowing it would shaft Lamb. At the time of the Watson signing, we were struggling to sign players and the selling point for Watson to sign here was the opportunity to cement a starting spot in his preferred 6 jersey. At the time, that jersey was vacant for us, and it was necessary and smart sales pitch which ultimately landed him. You can’t just sit on your hands and not sign promising young players at a position of need in the hopes of signing a rep quality half down the track which may or may not come to fruition. The way it’s all played out, unfortunately Lamb is now left on the outside looking in. Pearce was a no brainer signing as he improves this team tenfold, and Brown can’t go back on his word to Watson this early in the piece. He needs to stay true to his word and give Watson a good crack at the 6 jersey, otherwise Watson will be unhappy and Brown’s word will mean nothing. In saying all of that, I don’t think the door is closed on Lamb, and I don’t for one second think Watson is cemented in the 6 jersey for the entire season before even a trial game has been played.
With the benefit of hindsight, I think this plays out much differently, but right now we have great depth and competition which is what you want. It may ultimately cost us Lamb, but let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. Besides, there was no way of knowing how this would unfold with Pearce becoming available and actually wanting to be here. That was a one in a hundred chance – at best.
I think if Brown had the benefit of hindsight, knowing we were going to land Pearce, he wouldn’t have signed Watson knowing it would shaft Lamb. At the time of the Watson signing, we were struggling to sign players and the selling point for Watson to sign here was the opportunity to cement a starting spot in his preferred 6 jersey. At the time, that jersey was vacant for us, and it was necessary and smart sales pitch which ultimately landed him. You can’t just sit on your hands and not sign promising young players at a position of need in the hopes of signing a rep quality half down the track which may or may not come to fruition. The way it’s all played out, unfortunately Lamb is now left on the outside looking in. Pearce was a no brainer signing as he improves this team tenfold, and Brown can’t go back on his word to Watson this early in the piece. He needs to stay true to his word and give Watson a good crack at the 6 jersey, otherwise Watson will be unhappy and Brown’s word will mean nothing. In saying all of that, I don’t think the door is closed on Lamb, and I don’t for one second think Watson is cemented in the 6 jersey for the entire season before even a trial game has been played.
With the benefit of hindsight, I think this plays out much differently, but right now we have great depth and competition which is what you want. It may ultimately cost us Lamb, but let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. Besides, there was no way of knowing how this would unfold with Pearce becoming available and actually wanting to be here. That was a one in a hundred chance – at best.
