Luke O'Donnell

Rumours that we have made a massive offer to him. Current origin player. Great addition? Any thoughts?

He is an animal. Question marks over the number of injuries and suspensions, but when on the pitch he would tear into Super League sides. I think most packs would not like to meet ours now, but with him in it they would be bricking it.

Happy on the face of it to be sure. Just wondering who else we are losing and bringing in. Fullback, centre and prop are priority if you ask me. I think wild must be on his way as he is on big money and o'donnell maybe a straight swap. Fatz and Brett need quality replacements though alongside a prop.

I wonder how much money he will be on? It says in the Australian press that the NRL clubs can't get near what we are offering. Could just be paper talk.

Not sure we do need another prop. We have Crabtree, Griffin, Mason, Raleigh, Patrick and then Fairbank and Walker with another year under their belts.

If we can get O'Donnell and Fa'alogo fit and on the pitch we will have a monster pack, especially as we should have Kirmond coming back too.

matt01 wrote:

I wonder how much money he will be on? It says in the Australian press that the NRL clubs can't get near what we are offering. Could just be paper talk.

Not sure we do need another prop. We have Crabtree, Griffin, Mason, Raleigh, Patrick and then Fairbank and Walker with another year under their belts.

If we can get O'Donnell and Fa'alogo fit and on the pitch we will have a monster pack, especially as we should have Kirmond coming back too.

We just need some of them to put as much into the skill side of the game as they do in the effort side.

Found this on net: O'Donnell turns down knights

Latest story in Newcastle Herald.

even on nrl tactics on wnesday.. lawrie daley was saying huddersfield were after him with a daft money offer

l hope Ken reads these sites, before he makes a daft offer, personnelly l think he,s learnt a lot about these Aussie "stars", and the other guy Patten seems to have sick note, written all over him, read on other sites and newspapers, not having the best of seasons
O,Donnell just needs to stay on the field.

It is always "silly money" when a club misses out on a player. I suspect we are in the same ballpark but have a longer deal on the table. I also suspect he could play longer in Super League than NRL.

4 years

I hope the Examiner has got this wrong. 4 years for a 29 year old who will be 30 in October, especially as he has had his fair share of injuries. I hope they know what they are doing. When he is in his last year of his contract and still one of the best paid players will he be worth it?

I hope someone tells him its cold and wet in winter! I also hope the RFLs plans to move to Huddersfield is done soon, preferably to the Galpharm, as this will save a fortune on travel up the M62 to the disciplinary hearings he is likely to have on a regular basis!!

We are short of an enforcer, I was hoping Fa'alogo would be on the field long enough to bring that bit of power to the field, put that element of fear into the opposition. Unfortunately his injury has prevented him from getting into his stride.

Only time will tell if this is a good plan or not.

Don't get me wrong I think Luke is an awesome player, but four years does seem a gamble.

I think nowadays players are looking for long term contracts especially to come over here. He is looking at the end of his career and wants to feel secure after leaving the NRL - perhaps due to his age it would be difficult for him to get back into the NRL once he leaves.

Anyone know who we are loosing next year, I know there is Fatz and Hodgson, and possibly Wild, who else is likely to be going, Who's Ooc, Heard Drew is going home ,and also heard he is going to be coaching, What about Horne, Aspinwall, Grix ,and are we getting Kirmond back, If this guy is coming some of these will need to go, Plenty rumors , but does anyone no anything.

i work with a cowboys fan and he will be glad to get rid..

adelaide-giant.no9 wrote:

i work with a cowboys fan and he will be glad to get rid..

He doesn't want an ex-test player and current State of Origin player?

Rather sign players like this than such as Mcarthy-Scarsbrook, we are missing a little aggression this season and teams are not scared enough of us, get Mase, Frog and O'Donnell (if rumour is true) on park at same time and if they can channel the aggression in right way we will not be messed around next year.
"Bring back the Biff"

Well the deal is done, so lets hope he can deliver on the field, and reading the bit on the Giants page by R Thewlis, it seems like there is another one to come, If that's the case , am i right in thinking that next years quota players will be , Fa-alogo, O donnell , Faiumu and A N Other, In fact how many quota players are we allowed next season , anyone know ? are not Finnegan and Jamma quota ?.

Also i will be very disappointed if we do not get back Kirmond , he is apparently playing really well at Wakey, Most posters on the Wakey board would keep him given the chance, To leave him there and keep players such as Horne would be very bad news as far as I'm concerned. Thoughts anyone ?

Great news about O'Donnell, lets hope the contract is nothing like they are quoting in the press, I am sure it will be less than that.

I hope we can keep Kirmond, but because of the salary cap we can't hold on to them all and I bet Kirmond is on a lot more money than Horne.

As for another quota spot I would like a younger player, find another talent like Nero would be nice.

matt01 wrote:

Great news about O'Donnell, lets hope the contract is nothing like they are quoting in the press, I am sure it will be less than that.

I hope we can keep Kirmond, but because of the salary cap we can't hold on to them all and I bet Kirmond is on a lot more money than Horne.

As for another quota spot I would like a younger player, find another talent like Nero would be nice.

Yeah Know what you are saying Matt, but if Fatz and Hodgson are replaced by O Donnell and A N other, at app same money, ( both Fatz and Hodgson would be on good money ) Then you would think that Kirmond could be accommodated with the loss of Horne and Drew. No doubt all will be revealed in the fullness of time, I hope they tell us in good time , because the squad will determine whether i buy a season ticket this time or whether i just pick my games.

Looks like if Fa'aloga and O'Donnell are gonna be in 2nd row is Gilly seen as a center again? that would leave a fullback to come, possibly an overseas signing as hinted by Thewlis?

Rumour is Wild on his way and Drew will be moving into a coaching role, Horne done ok but personally feel we have better in the likes of Kirmond and Patrick.

Forwards would be Griffin, Mason, Eorl, Patrick and Raleigh (not a prop IMO)
Robbo (Hooker), Lunty and Fuey (Hooker, Loose Forward)
O'Donnell, Fa'aloga, Kirmond and Finnigan (not sure if OOC?)

probably missed some and apologies if have but seem to have a large quota of forwards;-

what will be the team next year

A N Other
Cudjoe/Mcgilvery
Lolesi/A N Other
Gilmour/Lawrence?
Hodgson
Brown
Brough
Mason/Patrick
Robbo/Lunt
Griffin/Crabtree
O'Donnell/Raleigh
Fa'alogo/Kirmond
Fuey/Finnigan

minichello the full back is out of contract lol

adelaide-giant.no9 wrote:

minichello the full back is out of contract lol

how old is he? you laugh but Brett came over so why not?

................if I clean my boots --wash my kit ----and spray some WD 40 on my ankle and knee joints ---maybe Ill get a game Matt!!??

penninegiant wrote:

................if I clean my boots --wash my kit ----and spray some WD 40 on my ankle and knee joints ---maybe Ill get a game Matt!!??

you and Stan can wear the gold shorts Masters Rugby League