Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[batboy]

Just on Brooks, he’s ok but on the balance, let’s think coin as well and while he’s above factory, I don’t think he’s Marquee.

Im not blaming him or a single unkind word, he’s just got the run of the market.

Also, he hasn’t had the best squad with him at all times.

Hastings on the other hand, well, he’s aspiring Marquee, can be quiet, but at other times, he’s simply massive, dominant and a real handful.

Without any intentional harm to Brooksy, if we get a better option, I don’t think there’s too much left in the tank. But I’m neutral on an official level. I’d be more willing if he could find his way down to about 500k.

Also, out of sight is out of mind, subject to the to the usual injury worries and his orientation back into the game, people forget just how good AD is.

Plus as I understand it, he’s coming back during the injury siege when about the quarter of the NRL are wiped out or laid up. So great timing to return mid season.

On their day, Hastings, Brooks, AD, Nado etc in the backline would destroy most sides, all that we could want.

Plus paps is killing it for the eels. The upgraded pack is going to plan.

Exciting days to come, we’ve been patient, show us the love fellas!

Yeah, I'd be looking to re-negotiate an extension with Brooks to get him back to market rate.

I think we all know how good Doueihi can be, There's folks here that aren't as enamoured with his highlights reel and see other things in his game where he's well got a ways to go.

One of my favourite plays this year is where our second half is hammering across the field to link up with Jacko...
Plays like that aren't happening with AD.

I think the Backrowers have been quite bar a couple rounds this year - So an upgrade there will help us no end!!
We're upgrading centres, We could go one better there as well...
I think there's a few guys who know more about what they want the squad to look like than us - Hopefully they get it right.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

People mentioning we need a few more signings but the way I see it we're looking pretty good for 2023 with the signings we have (if all fit and uninjured).

Ofanengaue has been great at lock. May need to replace Tamou but looks like we'll get one more year from him. Throw in Crichton and I think we're done.

2023 TEAM

1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Brent Naden
5. Ken Maumalo

6. Luke Brooks
7. Jackson Hastings

8. James Tamou
9. Api Korisou
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Angus Crichton
13. Joe Ofanengaue

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Alex Twal
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Alex Seyfarth

RESERVES BACKS: Jock Madden, Starford Toa, Jnr Tupou, Peachy, Kepaoa, Fa'amanu Brown, etc.

Maybe need one more big middle forward but on paper, this team isn't too shabby. Or am I missing something?

To'a for Nofoaluma - better defence and some speed

 

[Leichardt61]

Ofanengaue has been great at lock. May need to replace Tamou but looks like we'll get one more year from him. Throw in Crichton and I think we're done.

This should be Tamou's last year with us. He's playing alright for the moment but won't be able to maintain this level for another season. We can't count on him being effective week to week.

The extra roster spot is more valuable.

 

[sleeve]

I'd love him as a 6. I think he has to play in the halves. He has one of the best kicking games in the comp, he can ball play plus he can make a bust and support players up the middle.

If I was playing fantasy footy it's between Burton and AD. I think Burton might be better. I think I'd rather move AD to centre than Burton if we had them both.

Burton is a class player who could play anywhere, AD is a nice guy but not top shelf. If this club wants to rise above the ashes it must get tough, and pass on our below par players,.

 

[Odessa]

Are you sure Ron Griffin even exists ?

Or are you referring to the character on family guy 😂

Apparently they both fight chickens

 

[earl]

Burton is a class player who could play anywhere, AD is a nice guy but not top shelf. If this club wants to rise above the ashes it must get tough, and pass on our below par players,.

I think AD is pretty good. I think full strength our team now will go okay.

I'd love to get Burton as well though.

 

[Odessa]

To'a for Nofoaluma - better defence and some speed

Is Nofo off to Parramatta ?

 

[Blacknwhite]

This should be Tamou's last year with us. He's playing alright for the moment but won't be able to maintain this level for another season. We can't count on him being effective week to week.

The extra roster spot is more valuable.

Tamou is like Brooks.... odd parallel, though hear me out.

Brooks cannot guide a team, in the same vein Tamou isnt a leader in the out-right sense.

Neither statement takes away from their quality.

Tamou cannot lead from the standpoint that he cannot drive the culture alone, but bet your bottom dollar, the guy can keep an exemplary record maintaining the culture, and setting the standard. I would eat a roster spot, just to drive home that what is being asked of the players isnt impossible, and to be a sounding post for the players before taking it to the next level.

Brooks isnt a marquee 6, but he is a very decent 6... not a 7's ring-hole. Bloke never kicked rocks when asked to play 9 either. Shows ticker, taking the roles with such professionalism, and have half a feeling the longer he runs at 6, the more we can see the shackles and burden he carried at 7 fade away. I would say he would blossom with a change of scenery quicker than staying here and we would realise the loss/possibility pretty fast.

 

[cqtiger]

The club has to decide who our 6 & 7 will be going forward. We have Hastings, Brooks, Madden and AD - I think of these Madden is the only one not signed next year.

Hastings has shown that he is a good organising half. Brooks looks better as a running 6. Madden is improving with every game. AD was good at 6 last year but needs to back on the paddock again.

I believe we also have a couple of very promising young halves coming through.

My money is on Hastings running the team at 7 which means extending him.

Brooks is a funny one money wise. If he stayed as a 7 he would want the same or more money but as a 6 he’d really have to take a pay cut.

I think Madden leaves to secure his future as a 7 somewhere.

AD has to prove his fitness returning from knee surgery again. He also has to show that he can compliment Hastings at 6.

So next year we still have Brooks and AD on contract. The club has time. If the rumours are true and Brooks wants to go to Newcastle next year then Newcastle will have to stump up decent coin to us.

 

[Tito Santana]

He statistically takes on the line about half as muck as Brooks, and breaks less tackles. He’s nowhere near the threat running the ball Brooks is.

If you’re going to make an argument for him at least argue something that’s close to being true 🤷‍♂️

Well, his statistics wouldn’t be near Brooks because Madden hasn’t been afforded the opportunity to play on big dollars and be lame for 9 years. 🤔

As per your note, if you’re going to make an argument for him at least argue something that’s close to being true.

Arriba!

 

[Speed2burn]

Still too passive in games for me. Scoring a few tries and running some good lines, on occasion, is not enough workload. Yesterday was one of Garner's better performances, including some dirty carries, but we've had Garner on the books for 5 years now and we are still waiting for him to cement his position in the side.

Being overtaken by Kelma during the pre-season, prior to the Panthers deal, was not a good sign for Garner.

That's not saying I don't like the guy and would not keep him, much like I appreciated Momirovski or Eisenhuth, but I would certainly not get into a bidding war for Garner. Garner is a good addition for an established side, which Penrith are and Tigers are not.

My jaw dropped when I saw Garner had 17 runs last night….that is the effort we’ve been waiting from him for a long time.

I think Kelma taking his spot gave him the kick up the ass he needed and will probably end up levelling up at Penrith sadly for us

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

One thing i do hope though is if there was a lingering thought in someones head about Thompson in the club that game last night should close that book. He was terrible last night in no way shape or form is he a marquee prop.
He's an average prop someone you may consider on half the coin he's apparently on, Musgrove,Twal,Tamou all put him to shame last night Stef however hasnt come back from injury firing so far.

 

[Speed2burn]

Not at minimum wage, but certainty not at the overs we are paying Brooks.

Can see brooks getting quite a pay cut then it’d be up to him if he stays loyal. We could probably afford to lose one of Madden / Brooks but losing both would be bad business

Hastings / Brooks were developing nicely for anyone who has eyes but who partners Hastings for the future is still very much up for grabs imo … especially with Doueihi still coming back

 

[hank37w]

Where did the Ben Gardiner moving on come from ? I know some of his family and they say it’s news to them , i would be interested in the source to this

Fair enough, happy to be corrected but I am sure I saw that somewhere.

Personally I am happy to see him stay on and was a fan of him while he was KOE/NSW Cup coach, seems to have a pretty good rapport with the players.

 

[SeanT]

People mentioning we need a few more signings but the way I see it we're looking pretty good for 2023 with the signings we have (if all fit and uninjured).

Ofanengaue has been great at lock. May need to replace Tamou but looks like we'll get one more year from him. Throw in Crichton and I think we're done.

2023 TEAM

1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Brent Naden
5. Ken Maumalo

6. Luke Brooks
7. Jackson Hastings

8. James Tamou
9. Api Korisou
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Isaiah Papali'i
12. Angus Crichton
13. Joe Ofanengaue

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Alex Twal
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Alex Seyfarth

RESERVES BACKS: Jock Madden, Starford Toa, Jnr Tupou, Peachy, Kepaoa, Fa'amanu Brown, etc.

Maybe need one more big middle forward but on paper, this team isn't too shabby. Or am I missing something?

Won't need Simpkins on bench. API can play 80.

Need a utility.

Don't think Seyfarth is the answer.

Maybe Blore if he shows something next year.

 

[SeanT]

Can see brooks getting quite a pay cut then it’d be up to him if he stays loyal. We could probably afford to lose one of Madden / Brooks but losing both would be bad business

Hastings / Brooks were developing nicely for anyone who has eyes but who partners Hastings for the future is still very much up for grabs imo … especially with Doueihi still coming back

Yeah Not sold on Hastings/Douhie. Both talented but think they won't work as.well.as.Hastings/Brooks. Brooks takes a.bavk seat and uses his speed more. It works.

 

[Spartan117]

Hastings/Madden

 

[Leichardt61]

Tamou is like Brooks.... odd parallel, though hear me out.

Brooks cannot guide a team, in the same vein Tamou isnt a leader in the out-right sense.

Neither statement takes away from their quality.

Tamou cannot lead from the standpoint that he cannot drive the culture alone, but bet your bottom dollar, the guy can keep an exemplary record maintaining the culture, and setting the standard. I would eat a roster spot, just to drive home that what is being asked of the players isnt impossible, and to be a sounding post for the players before taking it to the next level.

Thing is you wouldn't need to give up a top 30 spot to keep Tamou on as a cultural/standard setter. An advisor/consultant position of some sort would keep him in and around the playing group without using up a roster spot. His current form is not sustainable long term.

 

[Speed2burn]

Yeah Not sold on Hastings/Douhie. Both talented but think they won't work as.well.as.Hastings/Brooks. Brooks takes a.bavk seat and uses his speed more. It works.

Every chance Hastings / Doueihi could clash on the field calling for the ball. Same personalities on the field doesn’t always equal the best results

What I do know is that Doueihi is probably our biggest threat in the opp 20 zone

 

[Wearealaughingstock]

Some people are so gullible. Nofa is out for a few weeks with concussion and people believe he refuses to play with Hastings.

Out for 3 weeks with concussion hmmmm