Luke Thompson Crocked

[Noel Cleal]

By that time he’ll be about to turn 31, not sure he’ll be going back for a 2nd crack over there at that age. If Thompson wants to prove himself in the NRL he needs to stay there now, if he comes back over I don’t think he ever goes back.

I do think it is something Thompson wants to do. I don't believe it has ever been a money thing. It has been a proving himself thing.

From our perspective, I think we all thought that when Walmsley retired it would be great to get Thompson back to balance out the loss. With question marks over Walmsley and Passi for next year and the year after a Thompson return would be great for us. It just depends if Thompson has "better" options in the NRL. If his only options are squad player or West Tigers you never know, he could come back.

[NSL]

I do think it is something Thompson wants to do. I don't believe it has ever been a money thing. It has been a proving himself thing.

From our perspective, I think we all thought that when Walmsley retired it would be great to get Thompson back to balance out the loss. With question marks over Walmsley and Passi for next year and the year after a Thompson return would be great for us. It just depends if Thompson has "better" options in the NRL. If his only options are squad player or West Tigers you never know, he could come back.

His family is minted and I would hope his next move isn't just about money. That said he is on a relative fortune and it's only natural to be reluctant to take a drop, or to accept the best financial offer made to him. I'm sure he would command a better salary over there but he must also have looked at our success since he left with more than a little envy.

Frankly I find it difficult to make a judgement on his ability any more as he's been out so long. Between Bulldogs and internationals he's not even played 50 first grade games since he left. He could get back fit and get back to his best again and he's got plenty of time on his side but it would be a risky investment assuming his high wage demands. Cap relief makes it a bit more manageable for us but not the owners in terms of the overall package and I could see McManus balking at his demands.

All things considered I'd definitely be making him an offer but not be held to ransom, and not be expecting him to accept when he weighs up his options.

[bewareshadows]

I agree I think given our prop situation Thompson is a decent bet assuming the club can afford the wage and he wants to return to the UK.

[The Wee Waa Womble]

I do think it is something Thompson wants to do. I don't believe it has ever been a money thing. It has been a proving himself thing.

From our perspective, I think we all thought that when Walmsley retired it would be great to get Thompson back to balance out the loss. With question marks over Walmsley and Passi for next year and the year after a Thompson return would be great for us. It just depends if Thompson has "better" options in the NRL. If his only options are squad player or West Tigers you never know, he could come back.

If it really is about proving himself then he could take a lower deal to be 3rd/4th prop at a decent NRL side. I'd love to see him at a Penrith, Melbourne, Broncos type club who are actually competitive at the top end.

[grungellamas]

If it really is about proving himself then he could take a lower deal to be 3rd/4th prop at a decent NRL side. I'd love to see him at a Penrith, Melbourne, Broncos type club who are actually competitive at the top end.

Absolutely.

[magic superbeetle]

Wests supposed to have upped their offer to Thompson to $700kaud. We’d be crazy to match that offer

[Blobbynator]

Wests supposed to have upped their offer to Thompson to $700kaud. We’d be crazy to match that offer

Luke Thompson has always been a non starter for any SL club. He's got unfinished business there.

[The Wee Waa Womble]

Wests supposed to have upped their offer to Thompson to $700kaud. We’d be crazy to match that offer

Be such a waste to see him leave one mediocre team for another

[magic superbeetle]

Luke Thompson has always been a non starter for any SL club. He's got unfinished business there.

He seems to have created a really weird situation where all the English clubs think he wants to stay in the NRL and all the NRL clubs seem convinced he wants to return to England. We know he’s had poor agent advice in the past but he seems to again be full on smoke and dagger about it all.

One things for sure though, any that kind of level I hope Saints say thanks but no thanks. It would just be a slap in the face to those players who have turned down big NRL offers and sends the wrong message to the likes of Welsby/ Delaney/ Lees etc that coming back on a mega deal is a safety net. We have seen it massively impact Wigan in the recent past, and it takes one move like this to open the floodgates.

We’re in a tricky spot about our props next year though. It doesn’t look like we’re going to know Paasi’s position for some time, and bringing a prop of Thompson’s calibre for 50k of cap space would cover it nicely. I doubt we have much room in the cap to bring in another senior prop without the home grown marquee rule, unless we give up on signing another outside back, which is desperately needed.

[The frenchman]

He seems to have created a really weird situation where all the English clubs think he wants to stay in the NRL and all the NRL clubs seem convinced he wants to return to England. We know he’s had poor agent advice in the past but he seems to again be full on smoke and dagger about it all.

One things for sure though, any that kind of level I hope Saints say thanks but no thanks. It would just be a slap in the face to those players who have turned down big NRL offers and sends the wrong message to the likes of Welsby/ Delaney/ Lees etc that coming back on a mega deal is a safety net. We have seen it massively impact Wigan in the recent past, and it takes one move like this to open the floodgates.

We’re in a tricky spot about our props next year though. It doesn’t look like we’re going to know Paasi’s position for some time, and bringing a prop of Thompson’s calibre for 50k of cap space would cover it nicely. I doubt we have much room in the cap to bring in another senior prop without the home grown marquee rule, unless we give up on signing another outside back, which is desperately needed.

Big George be cartin thegg in don't worry

[Belgian Saint]

He seems to have created a really weird situation where all the English clubs think he wants to stay in the NRL and all the NRL clubs seem convinced he wants to return to England. We know he’s had poor agent advice in the past but he seems to again be full on smoke and dagger about it all.

One things for sure though, any that kind of level I hope Saints say thanks but no thanks. It would just be a slap in the face to those players who have turned down big NRL offers and sends the wrong message to the likes of Welsby/ Delaney/ Lees etc that coming back on a mega deal is a safety net. We have seen it massively impact Wigan in the recent past, and it takes one move like this to open the floodgates.

We’re in a tricky spot about our props next year though. It doesn’t look like we’re going to know Paasi’s position for some time, and bringing a prop of Thompson’s calibre for 50k of cap space would cover it nicely. I doubt we have much room in the cap to bring in another senior prop without the home grown marquee rule, unless we give up on signing another outside back, which is desperately needed.

I’ve said before that we need a prop because of the extent of Paasi’s injury. I would be happier if it was Thompson, but not at that price.

[Buddy]

He looked a shadow of his former self yesterday. He looked for work but hardly made an impact IMO. Also seems to complain about every tackle he takes. I'm really surprised he's not on his way home already

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[magic superbeetle]

He looked a shadow of his former self yesterday. He looked for work but hardly made an impact IMO. Also seems to complain about every tackle he takes. I'm really surprised he's not on his way home already

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I was always surprised by Bulldogs going for Thompson; hes never been the player to swing momentum, hes a player to capitalise on momentum created by other players (Makinson, Walmsley etc) unfortunately Bulldogs languishing in the bottom of the NRL aren't effective at creating momentum for themselves.

[magic superbeetle]

https://amp.nine.com.au/article/e3be...1-5c23b8d1d4e2

Roosters linked with Thompson. If this is genuine he should absolutely jump at it

[The Wee Waa Womble]

https://amp.nine.com.au/article/e3be...1-5c23b8d1d4e2

Roosters linked with Thompson. If this is genuine he should absolutely jump at it

Would love that for him. Chance to link up with Holbrook again as well.

[The.Reverand]

Rumours he has signed for Wigan. I don’t know how they have managed all the signings they have made. Where has the space on the cap suddenly come from?

[STIDDY]

Rumours he has signed for Wigan. I don’t know how they have managed all the signings they have made. Where has the space on the cap suddenly come from?

Extra marquee signing for next year in regards the salary cap. However he must well over a million quid over 4 years, a lot of money for a player who is injury prone and has concussion issues.

[BackrowSaint]

Extra marquee signing for next year in regards the salary cap. However he must well over a million quid over 4 years, a lot of money for a player who is injury prone and has concussion issues.

£1m over 4 years is chump change for Wigans new owner, they'll be able to use the marquee ruling to full effect once he's fully at the helm.

The other part of it too is Lenghan has pillaged the club over the past few years and once they've got an owner who doesn't take money out of the club to fund other ventures they'll be in a much stronger position financially.

[FearTheVee]

£1m over 4 years is chump change for Wigans new owner, they'll be able to use the marquee ruling to full effect once he's fully at the helm.

The other part of it too is Lenghan has pillaged the club over the past few years and once they've got an owner who doesn't take money out of the club to fund other ventures they'll be in a much stronger position financially.

Pillaged the club? Any examples?

Looks like he’s been propping it up to me given they make losses every year, it’s not exactly a cash machine.


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[Brian Nazareth]

I'll be gutted if Thompson does sign for the scum.

When he played for us, there were a few times he spoke of how he'd always hated them; growing up as a Saints fan at Eddie Arrowsmith, the scum fans used to give him loads of sh*t. His family are/were Saints sponsors and huge Saints fans.

If there's literally no offers on the table from within the NRL, then I guess his options are limited, but going to that bunch of ****s?? FFS.

[Woolyback]

I'll be gutted if Thompson does sign for the scum.

When he played for us, there were a few times he spoke of how he'd always hated them; growing up as a Saints fan at Eddie Arrowsmith, the scum fans used to give him loads of sh*t. His family are/were Saints sponsors and huge Saints fans.

If there's literally no offers on the table from within the NRL, then I guess his options are limited, but going to that bunch of ****s?? FFS.

James Graham more or less confirming that Thompson is going to Wigan, looks like fans will find a new Judas to replace Connelly in the near future and also confirms what I thought about the way he left St Helens and the very curt good wishes the club gave him when he left

[FearTheVee]

I imagine deep down Thompson is probably a bit bitter that he chose to leave (in less than glorious circumstances) a team that has become a dynasty and world champions in his absence.

And that’s before considering he traded it in for a dumpster fire of a club (and a chunk of cash admittedly!)

Good to have a pantomime villain, bring on the boos and the Thompson hunting by Lees/Bell/Morgan/Siro/Sione etc!


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[Brian Nazareth]

I imagine deep down Thompson is probably a bit bitter that he chose to leave (in less than glorious circumstances) a team that has become a dynasty and world champions in his absence.

And that’s before considering he traded it in for a dumpster fire of a club (and a chunk of cash admittedly!)

Good to have a pantomime villain, bring on the boos and the Thompson hunting by Lees/Bell/Morgan/Siro/Sione etc!


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Hoping he never gets to turn out against us.

[STIDDY]

Hoping he never gets to turn out against us.

Or better still Delaney puts him in his place.

[Euroboy]

There is a reason why St George and the roosters have pulled out. Let’s just say their due diligence is better than Wigans who you thought would have learned their lesson after George Burgess.