PAUL Crarey is excited by what he believes Alec Susino can bring to Barrow Raiders after the Italian international became the club's first new signing ahead of the 2018 Kingstone Press Championship season.

The prop has drawn some rave reviews from his performances with Canberra Raiders' feeder club Mount Pritchard Mounties in the Sydney Shield competition, where he won the club's rising star award and led the way in metres made and offloads this year.

Susino's displays earned him a place in the Italy squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup and Raiders head coach Crarey expects him to make a big impact at Craven Park once he arrives early next year.

“He's got a big offloading game and he can play,” said Crarey. “He's a bit of a weapon and he's as good as some of the props who are playing in the Championship.

“He needs time to settle, but he's going to do a good job with the other forwards we have got, and they're young, fresh and wanting to have a go. I've got a lot of good people in Australia who know these players and the big thing for me is his attitude is absolutely fantastic.

“He comes with big raps from the Italian coaches, the assistant at Penrith Panthers and I spoke to him personally, and all he wants is to do well for us and play rugby.”

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Bringing in a new prop was one of the immediate aims for Crarey following Barrow winning promotion from League One, particularly with front row pair Andrew Dawson and Brad Brennan departing.

At least 18 players from the current squad are signed on for next year and negotiations are continuing with other members of the team who are out of contract, with Crarey and director of rugby Dave Robinson currently operating with the same playing budget as this season just gone.

However, it is hoped that will be increased once the short-term debt revealed at last week's EGM has been cleared and Crarey insists there is no rush to bring new faces to Barrow as they prepare for life back in the second tier.

“We're not going to panic and buy players,” said Crarey. “People will come along and we've got a chance to sign players after the World Cup who are playing there, so we're just waiting on that and we've got until February,

“We've just got to be patient and be selective with who we bring in, and we want to bring a little bit of flair into Barrow.

“Our job is to get players who are interested in playing for Barrow, who want to give their all, challenge themselves and the challenge for us is to stay up. Like I keep saying, it will be a massive feat to stay in that division.”