Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

. . . . . . and then something happens at the last minute and it doesn't come off.

I am in no way being critical or doubting the POM's inside knowledge, but things can take a turn and change and go in a different direction at the drop of a hat, that is the reality with the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the scenes particularly when greedy player agents are involved.

Having said all that, I'm like everyone else and look forward to whatever news the POM has. Bring it on, but people shouldn't get too excited about anything until it is announced by the club.

I don't think there is actually much to get excited about re POM update this time round

Nikora & Pele = nope
Bird = confirms talks internal which is good but not confident = nope
Fainu = not fit enough for backrow but is in our top 30 squad next year = nope
TT extended a year = meh
Williams = settle for 2nd best, ok but backup to Nikora at Sharks (is 26 this year)
Hopgood = Meh, is 23 next week would be ok for squad depth
AD needs size to be lock = 5/8th or center not his gig. defense is a bigger issue than size
 
By the sounds of it the club are still struggling to sign players
There's not a lot of signing news for any clubs though, at the moment. Even the Dolphins, who have heaps of spots to fill, are only sporadically adding players. I'm glad we're keeping our powder dry, waiting for teams like the Dogs to implode, which should happen any day now. Much rather be us than them. They will need to offload some players, in multiple grades, in order to fit in their big recruits next year.
 
Looking pretty desperate for first grade quality back row and centre options, probably prop as well. Lot of work for Sheens and co to do before next year.
 
I don't think there is actually much to get excited about re POM update this time round

Nikora & Pele = nope
Bird = confirms talks internal which is good but not confident = nope
Fainu = not fit enough for backrow but is in our top 30 squad next year = nope
TT extended a year = meh
Williams = settle for 2nd best, ok but backup to Nikora at Sharks (is 26 this year)
Hopgood = Meh, is 23 next week would be ok for squad depth
AD needs size to be lock = 5/8th or center not his gig. defense is a bigger issue than size
Yeah, I wrote that just prior to seeing POM's post and was hoping to see something a bit more promising, but it is what it is.

Still early days and you never know what may happen.
 
Appreciate Poms Info but wow there is not much joy in that , club sitting back again
sounds like Nikora , Pele are zero chance , that means we have none coming to replace Kel and Lucy , Garner may leave also , Big Tom to Dolphins , there is holes everywhere we only have Papai coming in those type spots , and our reserve grade guys are bog average , I think the over spending we have done in the past is now hindering our current spending , I don’t know what players are being offered but Pele getting better offer and Npakora no response means it’s not enough also Bird may need a decent offer , I can see us landing a few second graders but saying hay we got plenty money still
 
Following this weeks recruitment & retention meeting.



Nikora’s delayed/lacking response to the club has been brought to ahead following his management asking for an increase per year on our offer. He’s been given a take it or leave it response with no reply so far, another Sharks back rower in Jack Williams & Matt Doorey from the Bulldogs have been discussed as a target should this not eventuate.



Franklin Pele also appears to be a no go either due to higher offers elsewhere & focus has now turned to J’Maine Hopgood from the Panthers.



Jack Bird is a genuine option from the clubs point of view at the right value but they get the feeling we aren’t a genuine option for Jack, his management using us to hurry up the Dragons, not to say if the right offer comes in it might sway him, but don’t see this going much further.



Joe Ofahengaue has taken up his option for 2023.



Can confirm Sione Fainu is a top 30 player for 2023.



Only a handful of spots remain for the squad next year & lack of genuine targets has the club sitting back with money to spend & see who gets restless.



Sheens is hoping to pull a fast one on the Eels & securing the services of a young winger named Matthew Komolafe.



In relation to RE-signings as it stands only Tommy Talau has a 1 year contract in front of him & Jock Madden is negotiating with the club, the rest are free to find new homes.

Mikaele almost seems certain to be heading to the Dolphins.



Tuki Simpkins & Jacob Liddle have permission to look elsewhere.



Final top 30 spot is being saved for an outside back, the wait & see approach will come to ahead with this in the next 2-3 weeks as it must be filled by June.



Outside back depth/strike power the main focus for remaining 2023 spots, Tex Hoy has been offered to the club by his management.
Any talk on extending Hastings Pom?
 
Laurie 4-6 weeks
AJ 2-4 weeks / coming off a knee AND a pec
Talau most of the season
AD probably 6 more weeks or so and then will need a month / second ACL
Jimmy the Jet: Back surgery 6-8 weeks best case...prob won't see him again.

You would think an outside back immediately has to be a massive priority.

We are one-two more injuries away from having to play state cup backs who are getting hammered every week even at that level.
 
I don't think there is actually much to get excited about re POM update this time round

Nikora & Pele = nope
Bird = confirms talks internal which is good but not confident = nope
Fainu = not fit enough for backrow but is in our top 30 squad next year = nope
TT extended a year = meh
Williams = settle for 2nd best, ok but backup to Nikora at Sharks (is 26 this year)
Hopgood = Meh, is 23 next week would be ok for squad depth
AD needs size to be lock = 5/8th or center not his gig. defense is a bigger issue than size
Agree, not much to be excited about in this update.
 
Following this weeks recruitment & retention meeting.



Nikora’s delayed/lacking response to the club has been brought to ahead following his management asking for an increase per year on our offer. He’s been given a take it or leave it response with no reply so far, another Sharks back rower in Jack Williams & Matt Doorey from the Bulldogs have been discussed as a target should this not eventuate.



Franklin Pele also appears to be a no go either due to higher offers elsewhere & focus has now turned to J’Maine Hopgood from the Panthers.



Jack Bird is a genuine option from the clubs point of view at the right value but they get the feeling we aren’t a genuine option for Jack, his management using us to hurry up the Dragons, not to say if the right offer comes in it might sway him, but don’t see this going much further.



Joe Ofahengaue has taken up his option for 2023.



Can confirm Sione Fainu is a top 30 player for 2023.



Only a handful of spots remain for the squad next year & lack of genuine targets has the club sitting back with money to spend & see who gets restless.



Sheens is hoping to pull a fast one on the Eels & securing the services of a young winger named Matthew Komolafe.



In relation to RE-signings as it stands only Tommy Talau has a 1 year contract in front of him & Jock Madden is negotiating with the club, the rest are free to find new homes.

Mikaele almost seems certain to be heading to the Dolphins.



Tuki Simpkins & Jacob Liddle have permission to look elsewhere.



Final top 30 spot is being saved for an outside back, the wait & see approach will come to ahead with this in the next 2-3 weeks as it must be filled by June.



Outside back depth/strike power the main focus for remaining 2023 spots, Tex Hoy has been offered to the club by his management.
RE: Final top 30 spot is being saved for an outside back, the wait & see approach will come to ahead with this in the next 2-3 weeks as it must be filled by June.

One I would look at for depth this season is Kayal Iro if can gain a release from the Sharks but only on a deal for remainder of '22. If he impresses, then look to upgrade. Doubt he gets a look in at Sharks this season so may see better opportunity to impress at Tigers. Food for thought.

He is going well in NSW Cup for the Jets this season and was in same NZ U20 team as Starford T'oa & Asu Kepaoa.
 
Id be disappointed if we sign any of Bird, Aitken or Hoy. Bird we don’t need, I don’t see what people see in Aitken and Hoy is bog average

We need a center and backrower - Bird ticks those boxes.
Hoy approached us from what POM said would be a Meh move
Aitken would be taking a step backwards
 
I disagree on Aitken. I think he would be a solid squad signing. We need to accept the chances of us landing a top class centre are slim but what Aitken offers is experience, very good defender & strong runner. I have watched his Warriors games in the back row since he became available for 2023 & he rarely misses a tackle. Even in the Storm debacle, he was one of the few who aimed up defensively. Shane Elford wasn't a world beater back in the day but contributed massively to a GF win.
 
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