Brenton Bowen has signed with the Northern Pride, he is replacing Rod Jenson, and the Pride have also got Brett Anderson back from the Storm.

Jason Cayless Broncos

Tim Smith is training with the Broncos

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html

Newcastle U20's Halfback Ryan Stig signs with Northern Pride.

Jason Cayless signs a two year deal with the Wests Tigers.

Looks like Dallas Johnson is going to France.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... z0W4z38VHp

Wow That'll leave a massive hole for them. I reckon they'll concede 50-60 more points next year.

I wonder who they will look at to replace him

Good question. Billy Rogers locked their U20's team last year and he's a bit of a tackling machine. Then of course there's Koopu (I'm pretty sure he's still with them next year). Will be interesting to see.

Havent they signed Todd Lowrie. He would be the direct replacement I would of thought.

Todd Lowrie will be their lock next year, i dont think they will lose much. Lowrie was great for the Eels this year. Johnson's loss may hurt QLD, but you would think Stagg will come straight in.

Johnson will be very tough to replace. Not often you get a hard hitting defender who pulls off 40+ tackles a game. He's a huge factor in killing the momentum of opposition forwards. Even for all his work ethic I doubt if Lowrie can provide that level impact in the defensive line. Melbourne will find it much tougher to dominate the forward battle without Johnson.

Terrance Seu Seu has signed with Manly, since the Sharks have about 8 thousand hookers.

Who cares.

IMO Lowrie has to be the most ordinary starting lock in the NRL. He makes half as many tackles as DJ with twice as many misses. Of course this is because Johnson defends in the middle whereas Lowrie is usually 3 in on the left hand side for Parramatta and doesn't have to do half the work Johnson does. Strangely enough the two of them still manage to make about the same number of metres in attack.

No matter which way Bellamy reconfigures his defensive line it will mean their front rowers will need to do a fair bit more work in defence. It will be interesting to see how they adjust.

Possibly hinchcliffe to lock who is a pretty solid defender.

Looks like Tim Smith will definately be playing for the Broncos if he gets through the pre season.

He is contracted to play for Easts ( QLD ) for 2 years and has been ruled out as an option for Manly.

It was reported up here in Nth Qld today, that there are 5 NRL teams interested in Johnathan Thurston for 2011.

Canterbury, Brisbane, Roosters(what a surprise), Cronulla, Canberra.

Roosters? How many halves do they want?

Put it in the Signing Speculation lol it's gone wayyyyy to off topic

He's a great player - but can you imagine the sacrafices !
Who knows if it's worth it. Cronulla/Broncos seem like the only teams that could afford him.

I read James Stosic is been punted from his ESL club because of their overseas quota.

I'm hearing rumours that Aiden Tolman will be a Rooster

Just signed with the dogs

yeah just read that and boy did i give it to my source on that one.

Cooper Vuna has signed with Melbourne Rebels

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 66,00.html

I must say, that's a little dissapointing..... i always like Vuna's enthusiasm and he always digs in....

Hmm, I didn't see that coming. I bet he's jumping up at least a hundred thousand a year in pay.

Cooper who?

He plays left wing for Newcastle GE.

They couldn't get Uate, so they took the next best Knight

My point was I just don't rate him. No doubt he'll be OK in union.

Mate it's Rugby Union - he will rip up

He will represent his country in no time, they loving giving Ex Leaguies a free ride for the publicity.

GI --> Roo$ters for 3 years. Still expecting Dugan to be delivered for next year.

Its not a rumnour and not worthy of its own thread

but Steve Michaels has just joined the Titans from the Broncos

Dogs are after Blair.