Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Hooper's such an idiot though and probably as accurate with his intel as a north Korean missile test
Apparently Newcastle are looking at Adam Keighran from Roosters, he is a relation (nephew) of Michelle Bishop on SEN and ch 7
You don't see her saying anything about that rumour of going to knights though
 
I think Staines will play fullback, with Laurie at five-eighth, and Doueihi at centre.

Gould has claimed for many years now that Laurie is a long-term five-eighth, not a fullback.

He was the one that initially signed him to Penrith so he’d know his game very well.

AD sulks at centre tho.
 
Just my 2 cents.

Laurie is often "out of position" in defence at fullback. His attack has generally been ok. He is quite willing to jump for a high kick. I don't think bravery or effort are an issue. Positioning, however, is. And if he is in charge of organising the defensive line, this could lead to even bigger problems. What he IS, is quick & agile. Now, if he is playing a support role in the halves, running off either Hastings through the middle, Douiehi out wider or any of the forwards that can offload (Papali'i for example), Laurie could be quite dangerous.

Doueihi is a big body. I've always thought we was a bit like Scott Hill, the former Storm 5/8. He's not as fast as Brooks. BUT, he is more decisive, and being a bigger body, he can offload when he runs (see Laurie above). His kicking game isn't as rounded as Brooks, but in the same breath, Brooks hasn't been a consistant kicker for the club for a couple of years. Not sure we are LOSING there. If Doueihi is getting the ball more as this suedo-halfback role, I expect a more direct attack as I'm pretty sure he'll run often.

Hastings at lock offers the creativity and control we probably lack through Doueihi & Laurie. His kicking game is only ok. His speed, as has been discussed ad nausium, is only ok. But he does scheme well. We will LACK an effective hit-up runner at #13 if Hastings is our guy, and more importance will then fall on having props that look for 2 runs per set (Hello Klemmer) to carry the weight.

Staines at fullback works IF his positional play is an improvement on Laurie. Is it? Don't know. But the reports are promising. He's pretty quick, so he offers that as well coming back. His defence is no better than Laurie. So long as he isn't missing when grubbers go into the in-goal, in my opinion, this is potentially an upgrade positionally (although I believe Laurie is a superior footballer).
 
Doesn't fill me full of confidence. Laurie fairly untried at 6 and a fullback without runs on the board. Could go either way I suppose.

The biggest problem for mine is the general kicking game without Brooks there, or even Madden for that matter. The great high Doueihi bomb is good when used occasionally, though ineffective overall.

A better performing pack and a consistent decent chase would help somewhat, but like it/him or not, Brooks is/was our best kicker in general play.
 
@The_chad - really good post but there isn't much positive is there.

Can Laurie really defend in the line ?
Can Hastings really defend in the middle of the park for 80 minutes over the course of the season ?
Is Staines a game changer ?
 
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