James Roberts

[Demps]

I find this interesting. You mentioned Value and Business.

He is our lowest paid NRL player who has started in our NRL squad this year.
We signed him on a min contract and despite playing busted at center he offered more than any other player at center has for us this year to date when given the ball & defensively his side didn't get broken down.

Toa is the only other player in our backline who has created a linebreak from nothing in 10 games.
We have Gildart, AJ and others who aren't better than JTJ even playing busted.
We lack speed and someone who can break things open.

We aren't going to sign a super star back anytime soon either.

If and its a big If lets face it, but if JTJ can get back on the park and his body holds up, especially if he has the speed for a min contract - business / value would make sense compared to the other nuffies in our squad who should never see NRL next year.

Yeah, he's low paid.... so is William Kei.
We need our top 30 providing value to our season.


I like James Roberts but he hasn't done anything for us, as a club... he looked OK in early games this year.

As for the others, I don't rate them at all... AJ, Gildart, Talau even.... if it was up to me, I'd let them all go and look for better options... but alas, it's not.

There's a reason Sheens is looking at former NRL centres wanting to return from the UK... he knows we're lacking something.

Naden and To'a look good going forward.
Jimmy could be OK for depth but we need to do better.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Yeah, he's low paid.... so is William Kei.
We need our top 30 providing value to our season.


I like James Roberts but he hasn't done anything for us, as a club... he looked OK in early games this year.

As for the others, I don't rate them at all... AJ, Gildart, Talau even.... if it was up to me, I'd let them all go and look for better options... but alas, it's not.

There's a reason Sheens is looking at former NRL centres wanting to return from the UK... he knows we're lacking something.

Naden and To'a look good going forward.
Jimmy could be OK for depth but we need to do better.

Interesting because your logic on some points is sound but you get unstuck the second you mention business, value and then Naden.

The reason Sheens is looking at options is because there are slim to no pickings available. You know we are desperate when we look for backs from ESL........

It's funny your argument in not keeping JTJ was Value (which he actually provides more than most min contracted players do for nrl sides) & that we have Naden here.

Naden was terrible at the Bulldogs this year. Worst than Gildart for us.
1 game against his former club, energy was always going to be on point.
He is a rocks/diamonds player never been consistent, played 45 games and is 27 this year says alot

Naden is on 2-3 times JTJ salary & picked us because a club with centers would never pick him.

hmmm talk about double standards around the business value debate.....

 

[Magpie_Magic]

The Jet will be an indispensable weapon in our push for the finals.....this year.

 

[Demps]

Interesting because your logic on some points is sound but you get unstuck the second you mention business, value and then Naden.

The reason Sheens is looking at options is because there are slim to no pickings available. You know we are desperate when we look for backs from ESL........

It's funny your argument in not keeping JTJ was Value (which he actually provides more than most min contracted players do for nrl sides) & that we have Naden here.

Naden was terrible at the Bulldogs this year. Worst than Gildart for us.
1 game against his former club, energy was always going to be on point.
He is a rocks/diamonds player never been consistent, played 45 games and is 27 this year says alot

Naden is on 2-3 times JTJ salary & picked us because a club with centers would never pick him.

hmmm talk about double standards around the business value debate.....

Naden has more to offer than Jet, imo.

Clearly unhappy at the Dog's.
Early days but looked good on debut for us and will enjoy playing with Daine.
Could go to another level with us.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Naden has more to offer than Jet, imo.

Clearly unhappy at the Dog's.
Early days but looked good on debut for us and will enjoy playing with Daine.
Could go to another level with us.

I hope you're right we have him for another 2yrs.
Reality is he will get game time regardless of if he performs or not.

I'm very interested in what you think he brings to us over what JTJ does?

 

[Demps]

I hope you're right we have him for another 2yrs.
Reality is he will get game time regardless of if he performs or not.

I'm very interested in what you think he brings to us over what JTJ does?

Naden was playing good football 18 months ago at the Panthers.

James Roberts, hasn't played good footy in years - IMO

As I said, I like Jimmy as a person but he doesn't offer a lot as a player.

Find it interesting he's saying he feels better than ever after surgery- probably wants another year... no thanks.

Rather see us go after, as @pawsandclaws1 mentioned... Kayal Iro ... reportably being shopped to other clubs.

Could be our best back on the roster.

Anyway,
Naden > Jet

Brings more consistency because at least he'll be able to take the field. Roberts never plays... 1 game then needs a 4 week rest.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Naden has more to offer than Jet, imo.

Clearly unhappy at the Dog's.
Early days but looked good on debut for us and will enjoy playing with Daine.
Could go to another level with us.

As a team building exercise ,the Jet, Laurie and Naden have in recent times performed below par but as a group have the potential to perform at a higher level than paid for given they seem happy and have had their demons previously. Their all itching to play, that can rub off onto the rest of the team

 

[Demps]

As a team building exercise ,the Jet, Laurie and Naden have in recent times performed below par but as a group have the potential to perform at a higher level than paid for given they seem happy and have had their demons previously. Their all itching to play, that can rub off onto the rest of the team

Same could be said about Jacko x AD

But most refuse to accept that too.... cos they want Brooks position to remain safe.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Naden was playing good football 18 months ago at the Panthers.

James Roberts, hasn't played good footy in years - IMO

As I said, I like Jimmy as a person but he doesn't offer a lot as a player.

Find it interesting he's saying he feels better than ever after surgery- probably wants another year... no thanks.

Rather see us go after, as @pawsandclaws1 mentioned... Kayal Iro ... reportably being shopped to other clubs.

Could be our best back on the roster.

Anyway,
Naden > Jet

Brings more consistency because at least he'll be able to take the field. Roberts never plays... 1 game then needs a 4 week rest.

I find it interesting that you're getting behind a player who got punted from the team who is dead last, paid a heap of his cash to come here, picked us because no club with a center would, is 27, hasn't played 50 NRL games and hasn't been in form for nearly 2yrs.

It sounds basically like what those in support of JTJ hold onto but he costs us 50-60% less and if gets early ball is actually a threat in attack.

Agree on Naden being able to play week to week but then again so can Gildart......

Let's hope for the next 2yrs we don't get the Bulldogs version.
Naden does have upside but I don't think if (big if) JTJ gets injury free he at the same level as JTJ.

 

[Demps]

I find it interesting that you're getting behind a player who got punted from the team who is dead last, paid a heap of his cash to come here, picked us because no club with a center would, is 27, hasn't played 50 NRL games and hasn't been in form for nearly 2yrs.

It sounds basically like what those in support of JTJ hold onto but he costs us 50-60% less and if gets early ball is actually a threat in attack.

Agree on Naden being able to play week to week but then again so can Gildart......

Let's hope for the next 2yrs we don't get the Bulldogs version.
Naden does have upside but I don't think if (big if) JTJ gets injury free he at the same level as JTJ.

Naden wasn't the problem with the Bulldogs.
Reported he only went there for the coach and when the coach left, he also wanted to go.

Naden > Gildart
Without a doubt.

Jet at 50% less than Naden but never even taking the field is just throwing money away.

I'd like to see our top 30 showing value to the team, not guys like Kei and Jet... never play or look poor in NSW cup.

Centres been a problem for years.
Bringing in players like To'a and Naden that can actually do a job.... compared to giving Jet 1 year extensions each year just because, he's cheap yet never plays... is blocking another players opportunity that could actually provide a benefit to the team. It's as simple as that.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Same could be said about Jacko x AD

But most refuse to accept that too.... cos they want Brooks position to remain safe.

Cmon are you serious?

I'm very certain everyone is itching to have AD back to see what happens when he is on the park.

I would be very surprised if anyone wants Brooks position to remain safe
The reality is if Hastings/Brooks/AD are all fit & with us, all 3 play & it's more how we play all 3.
We won't be playing any of those 3 in reserve grade, that's reality.

 

[Demps]

Cmon are you serious?

I'm very certain everyone is itching to have AD back to see what happens when he is on the park.

I would be very surprised if anyone wants Brooks position to remain safe
The reality is if Hastings/Brooks/AD are all fit & with us, all 3 play & it's more how we play all 3.
We won't be playing any of those 3 in reserve grade, that's reality.

Yes, I am serious.

I like the look of a AD x Jacko pairing.

Realistically, all three are too expensive to be a 14... clubs got a choice to make here.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Naden wasn't the problem with the Bulldogs.
Reported he only went there for the coach and when the coach left, he also wanted to go.

Naden > Gildart
Without a doubt.

Jet at 50% less than Naden but never even taking the field is just throwing money away.

I'd like to see our top 30 showing value to the team, not guys like Kei and Jet... never play or look poor in NSW cup.

Centres been a problem for years.
Bringing in players like To'a and Naden that can actually do a job.... compared to giving Jet 1 year extensions each year just because, he's cheap yet never plays... is blocking another players opportunity that could actually provide a benefit to the team. It's as simple as that.

Mate speak to any bulldog fan, they loathed him and actually nearly had parties with him leaving he was that bad!!!. Watch the games some of his mistakes were comical. Was he the Bulldogs problem, no they had bigger issues but he wasn't even a good effort player there.

Naden actually said him leaving had nothing to do with Trent leaving.
It was an open convo with Gus who said his future at the dogs won't be in the centers as they will be going a different direction.
His manager approach us because we have no centers and goes from there - there was an article with quotes from him in it about it.

Most NRL teams have a handful of players on min contracts with the goal they hardly get used if anything they are deemed emergency squad members.

Right now JTJ doesn't even get a contract discussion if I was incharge of the roster, but if he gets back on the park over the coming weeks and lasts the rest of the season, performs + lasts pre season (train and trial contract) injury free then I wouldn't have an issue with him getting a min contract next year.

 

[Demps]

Mate speak to any bulldog fan, they loathed him and actually nearly had parties with him leaving he was that bad!!!. Watch the games some of his mistakes were comical. Was he the Bulldogs problem, no they had bigger issues but he wasn't even a good effort player there.

Naden actually said him leaving had nothing to do with Trent leaving.
It was an open convo with Gus who said his future at the dogs won't be in the centers as they will be going a different direction.
His manager approach us because we have no centers and goes from there - there was an article with quotes from him in it about it.

Most NRL teams have a handful of players on min contracts with the goal they hardly get used if anything they are deemed emergency squad members.

Right now JTJ doesn't even get a contract discussion if I was incharge of the roster, but if he gets back on the park over the coming weeks and lasts the rest of the season, performs + lasts pre season (train and trial contract) injury free then I wouldn't have an issue with him getting a min contract next year.

Pom mentioned we have a 1 year deal on the table for Talau...

Gildart also under contract.

So our centre depth could be Talau, Gildart, AJ and Jet - if extended ?

This isn't good enough imo.

Assuming Naden and To'a start... those other options are the same as this year, minus Kei - who hasn't ever seemed to be in the plan.

Not improving the roster at all.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Yes, I am serious.

I like the look of a AD x Jacko pairing.

Realistically, all three are too expensive to be a 14... clubs got a choice to make here.

I think the pairing would be interesting my only challenge is I just never saw anything from AD as a roving 5/8th. To be fair though that could be because of our style last year and the face he just needs to be given the keys to a position for 18-24mths and make his own without any movement from said position.

He is a quality player but because his body shape and skill sets can cover alot of positions he becomes our medicab style player which sucks.

 

[TrueTiger]

JTJ coming good after surgery is great news for us....Demps keeps on squabbling about how he isnt value for money,the guy was dally m centre of the year,came to us on a pittance to revive his career,however he had a terrible back injury that caused severe pain and still gave it his best when out there for us..
Heres something for you Demps,your big spiel is JTJ never plays,bad back injuries can do that to a player,no different to your KING AD,he hasnt played for how long?but I suppose thats different,if AD can accomplish half of what JTJ has in his career then he will do well....
JTJ admitted to his demons,is doing something about it and will be an asset to us even if he helps the youth develop as well...Good luck to the guy....

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Pom mentioned we have a 1 year deal on the table for Talau...

Gildart also under contract.

So our centre depth could be Talau, Gildart, AJ and Jet - if extended ?

This isn't good enough imo.

Assuming Naden and To'a start... those other options are the same as this year, minus Kei - who hasn't ever seemed to be in the plan.

Not improving the roster at all.

Agree and what's even worse is not 1 player is putting their hand up in reggies either.
AJ/Toa/Naden hopefully come good but geez we are banking on alot of Ifs atm.

Hopefully Gildart calls it and heads back to homeland

We need to get some pathways depth at center coming through and sign some young talent at other clubs. There are other Toa's itching to get a go out and about.

 

[Demps]

Agree and what's even worse is not 1 player is putting their hand up in reggies either.
AJ/Toa/Naden hopefully come good but geez we are banking on alot of Ifs atm.

Hopefully Gildart calls it and heads back to homeland

We need to get some pathways depth at center coming through and sign some young talent at other clubs. There are other Toa's itching to get a go out and about.

Yep, if the goal is to manage the salary cap put together a good roster... we have some hard calls to make.

Watched some cup this year and not a lot of promise. Tupou looked better in grade than cup but Trey Peni looked better than him

Shame Scolari (winger) got injured in pre season as he looks a great prospect and the club considering for a dev deal whilst injured says a lot.

End of the day, it's not up to us mere mortals (fans) but I think we need to be aiming higher than Talau and Jet.... which sounds like what Sheens is doing, sussing former NRL UK options.

Penrith are getting it right... a Crichton or To'o go down and they have a Tago or Taylan ready to go.... it's a shame Ogden or some one isn't up to that standard... but were working on it at least with guys like Tupou.

 

[dazza65]

Man he was good then. Dally M Centre of the Year. He made fast players look slow.

His ” In and away” was just beautiful…

 

[mikey]

Same could be said about Jacko x AD

But most refuse to accept that too.... cos they want Brooks position to remain safe.

Don't know about safe Demps. I want competition for positions - that's what will take us to a better place. If we can keep peeps we have now, volster couple of positions, and get the younguns coming through to take their place we will be a stronger club.