Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

What this season so far has shown is how bad we've gotten recruitment wrong for many years. Even with our current batch of young stars coming through, many of them don't have the physical traits common to NRL players.

For whatever reason we've been incredibly attracted to nuggets, small and stocky types. Currently we have Olam, Feledy and Faatape in the centres, Kit and Luke Laulilii, Faagautu, Pole, Papali'i, Bateman, Mason, Tumeth, Craig, Tofaeono, Kepaoa who are all well undersized for their positions. Excluding halves that are expected to be smaller so Api, TDS, Sezer, Sullivan get a reprieve. Size isn't always everything but if you're carrying small players side by side in multiple positions at once those big and stronger players will always force their way through eventually. If they're slightly out of position they can't compete with the power, as was extremely evident yesterday. Out of the players listed above it's highly unlikely that more than 2-3 will be playing first grade for us in a couple of years time.

How many of our juniors could have competed with Lomax yesterday? From our previous champion Harold Matts squad where many of our players have come from to date, none of them could have competed with him. Only Makasini and newly acquired Nav Willett would have had a chance. How many of our forwards have the build and mindset to dent an opposition defence? Fainu, Utoikamanu, Pole (when he feels like it). That's it. 3 forwards who might be able to break the line if they try hard enough. It's not good enough.

Storm recruits players based on physical attributes and teaches them the rest. We recruit hard working leaders and then try create them into powerhouses. Which rarely works.

Moving forwards our back should be minimum a minimum of 185cm 90kgs+, forwards 190cm, 105kgs+. This is what other clubs do, we can't just rely on the small players to punch above their weights collectively.

At least there are some youngster that meet the or exceed the average physical dimensions of players in their positions these days: Galvin, Miller, Willet, Makasini (if he re-signs). We need to keep looking for the next Folau, Inglis, Tuqiri not the next Utai or Fitzhenry.
I agree we certainly need sone players that fit this mould and I agree our pathways recruitment do not seem to be recruiting/signing enough players that fit this criteria.
However smaller forwards are often the best, Liam Martin, Hudson Young, Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Reuben Cotter etc.
The above names all have a couple of crucial traits in common, they are all highly aggressive, all play with high energy and are all quick over a short distance.
I don’t think it’s fair to name names, but the younger forwards we have catapulted into our top 30, don’t appear to share these characteristics.
 
Last edited:
What I find weird is that players like Latu Fainu and TDS are officially listed taller than Faagutu, Tumeth and Kit judging by the few games I've seen last year and this year Kit and Faagutu are taller than both players. But in saying that I believe alot of these 'nuggety' players that we have will be fine. Players like Liam Martin, Cam Murray, Nat Butcher, Kenny Bromwich, etc. who are few cms taller seem to be doing fine.
Dont even start with their shoe size...
 
I agree we certainly need sone players that fit this mould and I agree our pathways recruitment do not seem to be recruiting/signing enough players that fit this criteria.
However smaller forwards are often the best, Liam Martin, Hudson Young, Cameron Murray, Victor Radley, Reuben Cotter etc.
The above names all have a couple of crucial traits in common, they are all highly aggressive, all okay with high energy and are all quick over a short distance.
I don’t think it’s fair to name names, but the younger forwards we have catapulted into our top 30, don’t appear to share these characteristics.
You guys do more work.it seems than the people getting paid to do it.. Respect you all.
..
 
Last edited:
I couldn't think of anything less relevant than discussing the 3-5cm or 3/4kg differences between players when it pertains to their ability.

It's all output.

For a forward, for example -

How hard do they hit?
Do they run good lines?
Are they disciplined?
Do they have good lateral movement?
Do they have good hands?
Are they strong in the wrestle?
Do they regularly show the 1%ers?
Do they work from the inside?
Are they good talkers on the field?
Do they split defenders in contact?
Whats their offload rate?
How quick is their ptb?
What is their motor like?
Do they maintain line speed throughout?

Etc.
 
I couldn't think of anything less relevant than discussing the 3-5cm or 3/4kg differences between players when it pertains to their ability.

It's all output.

For a forward, for example -

How hard do they hit?
Do they run good lines?
Are they disciplined?
Do they have good lateral movement?
Do they have good hands?
Are they strong in the wrestle?
Do they regularly show the 1%ers?
Do they work from the inside?
Are they good talkers on the field?
Do they split defenders in contact?
Whats their offload rate?
How quick is their ptb?
What is their motor like?
Do they maintain line speed throughout?

Etc.
What about tackle busts, line breaks, tries, line break assists, try assists !
 
  • Haha
Reactions: BZN
What this season so far has shown is how bad we've gotten recruitment wrong for many years. Even with our current batch of young stars coming through, many of them don't have the physical traits common to NRL players.

For whatever reason we've been incredibly attracted to nuggets, small and stocky types. Currently we have Olam, Feledy and Faatape in the centres, Kit and Luke Laulilii, Faagautu, Pole, Papali'i, Bateman, Mason, Tumeth, Craig, Tofaeono, Kepaoa who are all well undersized for their positions. Excluding halves that are expected to be smaller so Api, TDS, Sezer, Sullivan get a reprieve. Size isn't always everything but if you're carrying small players side by side in multiple positions at once those big and stronger players will always force their way through eventually. If they're slightly out of position they can't compete with the power, as was extremely evident yesterday. Out of the players listed above it's highly unlikely that more than 2-3 will be playing first grade for us in a couple of years time.

How many of our juniors could have competed with Lomax yesterday? From our previous champion Harold Matts squad where many of our players have come from to date, none of them could have competed with him. Only Makasini and newly acquired Nav Willett would have had a chance. How many of our forwards have the build and mindset to dent an opposition defence? Fainu, Utoikamanu, Pole (when he feels like it). That's it. 3 forwards who might be able to break the line if they try hard enough. It's not good enough.

Storm recruits players based on physical attributes and teaches them the rest. We recruit hard working leaders and then try create them into powerhouses. Which rarely works.

Moving forwards our back should be minimum a minimum of 185cm 90kgs+, forwards 190cm, 105kgs+. This is what other clubs do, we can't just rely on the small players to punch above their weights collectively.

At least there are some youngster that meet the or exceed the average physical dimensions of players in their positions these days: Galvin, Miller, Willet, Makasini (if he re-signs). We need to keep looking for the next Folau, Inglis, Tuqiri not the next Utai or Fitzhenry.

Agree with this 100%.

Flanagan May be many things but he knows his footy.

He tweaked that roster and made sure that lack of talent is replace by size and aggression both in the forwards and the backs. He has great half in Hunt and an overall team that seems to be consistently up, motivated and well prepared for a battle ….. their whole team looks up this year ….. just like the 2024 buldogs.

The only thing that I’m puzzled about is how they can allow for Lomax to be let go. Time will only tell If that decision does not come back to bite them.
 
Your second sentence. I dont understand. Its biting them.already...
Agree with this 100%.

Flanagan May be many things but he knows his footy.

He tweaked that roster and made sure that lack of talent is replace by size and aggression both in the forwards and the backs. He has great half in Hunt and an overall team that seems to be consistently up, motivated and well prepared for a battle ….. their whole team looks up this year ….. just like the 2024 buldogs.

The only thing that I’m puzzled about is how they can allow for Lomax to be let go. Time will only tell If that decision does not come back to bite them.
Your second paragraph. I dont understand. Its biting them.already.. Would it be fair to say that I have written.a decent comment?
 
Agree with this 100%.

Flanagan May be many things but he knows his footy.

He tweaked that roster and made sure that lack of talent is replace by size and aggression both in the forwards and the backs. He has great half in Hunt and an overall team that seems to be consistently up, motivated and well prepared for a battle ….. their whole team looks up this year ….. just like the 2024 buldogs.

The only thing that I’m puzzled about is how they can allow for Lomax to be let go. Time will only tell If that decision does not come back to bite them.
Didn’t Flanagan inherit the majority of that roster? He signed Luch and his son but Luch didnt play on the weekend.
 
Might be an unpopular opinion but if we could get an adequate trade i would move Ice on. From moment one when he signed with us he's be disinterested, we seemed to have the warriors version not the Parra one.
I know he makes a lot of tackles at times 48 yesterday someone quoted but he also has some horrendous misses or efforts highlighted in the Sua try there's quite a few of those ive seen him attempt or not attempt.
He rarely makes an impact in attack perhaps its the way we use him vs his Parra days, but i really think he doesn't give a toss about being here.
I think as soon as he's able he'll probably sign elsewhere anyway so we may as well try and get something in return for him the bloke is treading water here.
 
So what? They kicked our ass. Benji inherited also.... they played with heart... we didn't.. simple... forget the Individuals for a second... and maybe look at a whole team performance....
That's Flanno he's abit like Ricky Stuart two coach's that will bleed for the players in there team but want the same level of commitment back
 
Might be an unpopular opinion but if we could get an adequate trade i would move Ice on. From moment one when he signed with us he's be disinterested, we seemed to have the warriors version not the Parra one.
I know he makes a lot of tackles at times 48 yesterday someone quoted but he also has some horrendous misses or efforts highlighted in the Sua try there's quite a few of those ive seen him attempt or not attempt.
He rarely makes an impact in attack perhaps its the way we use him vs his Parra days, but i really think he doesn't give a toss about being here.
I think as soon as he's able he'll probably sign elsewhere anyway so we may as well try and get something in return for him the bloke is treading water here.
Saw him at Frangos Drummoyne last year and my impression of him was one who is not serious and is taking it easy
 
He's a bench player, you can't compare that with a starting half.

He plays a specific role at Penrith. He showed with Samoa he can be the main man.

Hynes was a back up half/fullback at Melbourne, now he's on similar money that Luai will be on next year.
He didn't have pressure on him for Samoa compared to next year. I also don't think he will be as motivated after winning 3 (potentially 4) premierships in a row. It's his retirement contract and that's it
 
Back
Top