Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[gregjm87]

Sivo is a specialist left wing and would be a worthwhile get if we felt we could get him back to at least his fitness of last year. Next to Olam would be a lethal combo. Would expand the Fiji connection at the club making us even more desirable for future Fijians. Bring experience & elite finishing and for 2 years (with Olam) would not block the pathway of whoever we have earmarked as a future left centre/winger (i.e Willett, Saukuru, Makasini, Feledy).

The likes of Staines, T'oa, Naden, Lobb and externally Cotric & Valemei are preferred right wingers. Think this is often forgotten when we are speculating centre & wing recruits.

Most of those listed have played both sides. It is a consideration but there would be few that cannot transition from one side to the other.

For mine Sivo has never really impressed. Good finisher but has never made any hard carries. Many years ago, when Sivo debuted, I was on a forum with a Panthers staffer who was a regular contributor (I didn't know him personally, outside of the forum). He was saying that Sivo had an extremely low aerobic capacity (despite his training) and that is why he was consistently passed over. From what he was saying he will never be a guy you can 'get fit' and have contribute from the back half.

Of those listed I'd have Valemai as the clear favourite but wouldn't be overly disappointed if we missed out and settled with another year of Staines/Naden/Toa

 

[Buttface]

Again…..No. He ownes that. But if he’s coming from a party, where a bunch of his teammates are doing the same shit, scapegoat might be a strong word, but they seem happy to let him take the heat for that part of it.

Too right he should take the heat. He was the idiot/scapegoat that drove a vehicle on a suspended license (not unlicensed but suspended, yeah? Is that sinking in for ya?), while high on coke, (meh if you ask me but the general public will not understand), and drunk. Dunk drivers kill humans, it’s that simple. He should own every part of that stupidity and then yeah he should cover for and take the “heat” for his teammates. He should be telling everyone that he was the only one on coke and that nobody else was involved with that. I’d cover for you G. 👍🏻
Just my take on it.

 

[Buttface]

That was the Easter Monday game. We were in the middle of a come back and that mistake killed it off. I wouldn’t crucify him for that mistake alone though. It happens.

Yeah, but it was pretty average.
I got a cross ready to go for him when he drops his next sitter.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Most of those listed have played both sides. It is a consideration but there would be few that cannot transition from one side to the other.

For mine Sivo has never really impressed. Good finisher but has never made any hard carries. Many years ago, when Sivo debuted, I was on a forum with a Panthers staffer who was a regular contributor (I didn't know him personally, outside of the forum). He was saying that Sivo had an extremely low aerobic capacity (despite his training) and that is why he was consistently passed over. From what he was saying he will never be a guy you can 'get fit' and have contribute from the back half.

Of those listed I'd have Valemai as the clear favourite but wouldn't be overly disappointed if we missed out and settled with another year of Staines/Naden/Toa

I will say the argument of players having better sides is definitely true, just look at how bad Lomax played on the left last year. He's barely a starter on the left but on the right he is one of the best in the game.

Some players it doesn't really matter though, Fox is one of those were he could play origin on either side.

 

[Buttface]

Do you know why you remember it? Because it was the only time he has done it. He learned and has been safe as houses since.

Edit: It also wasn't a sitter, it was a great dropout that Staines had to charge onto full speed in order to stop it from bouncing and going out. I believe it was the one against Parra.

Yeah fair call we’ve had worse, but as I said to GNR, I’ve got a cross ready when he drops his next sitter.

 

[Buttface]

Staines was also having the game of his life up until that point and was glad the reason we started to come back in the first place

Yep, and all I remember is him dropping that ball. We need better than him.

 

[KingRobbie]

Don’t think that is right. I think it would be 25 signed players?

I update the first post in this thread with the contracted players by year:

Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

ROSTER BREAKDOWN First post in thread is updated when new signings, contract extensions, or releases are made. 2024 - 29/30 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. David...

weststigersforum.com

 

[KCTiger2]

Can we please announce Turuva I got a lot of shit to say but I need to wait until it’s official

 

[gregjm87]

I will say the argument of players having better sides is definitely true, just look at how bad Lomax played on the left last year. He's barely a starter on the left but on the right he is one of the best in the game.

Some players it doesn't really matter though, Fox is one of those were he could play origin on either side.

I think lomax had other issues last year but you are right nonetheless. Left hand fend right hand offload, he's a right side player. Footwork he does both sides.
Of the ones in question Cotric seems to have (or once has at least) a dominant right foot step. Should lend itself to the right. Yet made his name on the left wing for Canberra. Toa has a dominant left foot step yet has played right for us. I don't see any features of the others that should see them with a preference.
Valemai left wing Canberra right at Cowboys. Staines and Naden have played both sides here and Penrith.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I update the first post in this thread with the contracted players by year:

Roster Breakdown: 2024-2029

ROSTER BREAKDOWN First post in thread is updated when new signings, contract extensions, or releases are made. 2024 - 29/30 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 10. David...

weststigersforum.com

Okay nice so confirms my thinking there will be 28 signed and only 2 spots left if we sign Turuva and keep Stefano.

I didn't know we only had 29 / 30 this year. Was that from when we got rid of Nofa?

 

[WswWt]

Can we please announce Turuva I got a lot of shit to say but I need to wait until it’s official

Gossip girl xoxox

 

[stephen]

Sorry I was wrong 4 centres not 3. Naden only had 30 minutes and then was swapped to wing for Bateman to be his centre.

I don't recall Charlie having a problem contesting attacking kicks this season, in fact he would of scored the other week if he was a bit luckier with Sezers bounce.

His defence against Sivo won us the Eels game too btw.

Might have been

 

[stephen]

Might have been a few other contributors to the victory other than just Staines defence on Sivo, Friday.

 

[stephen]

Might have been a few other contributors to the victory other than just Staines defence on Sivo, Friday.

Sorry. Frodi not Friday.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

His defence against Sivo won us the Eels game too btw.

That can also be a reason not to sign Sivo being easy meat for Charlie Staines.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Sorry. Frodi not Friday.

Am I watching someone have a stroke live.

 

[Demps]

Am I watching someone have a stroke live.

Froiiiidaiiiiii

 

[stephen]

Am I watching someone have a stroke live.

Certainly would appear that way, but, no.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I think lomax had other issues last year but you are right nonetheless. Left hand fend right hand offload, he's a right side player. Footwork he does both sides.
Of the ones in question Cotric seems to have (or once has at least) a dominant right foot step. Should lend itself to the right. Yet made his name on the left wing for Canberra. Toa has a dominant left foot step yet has played right for us. I don't see any features of the others that should see them with a preference.
Valemai left wing Canberra right at Cowboys. Staines and Naden have played both sides here and Penrith.

Good intel on Sivo's aerobic fitness. Valemei could be a handy better value option given he has played both sides & adds to the Fiji connection. Why I harp on this is having a strong Fiji connection (Api, Bula, Jordan Miller, Solo Saukuru, hopefully Turuva and Valemei/Sivo) should add to our supporter base & potential grassroots network for our club to identify the Sivos of tomorrow.

Also Jimmy Ngutlik is a predominant left wing so hopefully he can come back & re-find the form of the World Cup in '22 and add to our options.

 

[stephen]

Yep, and all I remember is him dropping that ball. We need better than him.

I don't recall Staines ever having a great game for us. Can't even recall instances of outstanding play. I'm sure he's performed at minimum 1st grade level at times. That's how I see Charlie; as a 1st grade squad level player. Probably above reserve grade level but not by much. I take the point made by others that he would perform better in a better team. I think you could say that about every player.