Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The Chad]

@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 ?

I think Laurie is WILLING. Is he great? Is any smaller framed defender great? Probably not. But he'll have his bodyguards either side- Blore, Papali'i etc to assist.

I think the focus will be attack. Does he ADD to the attack? Probably.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Absolutely. Laurie is a tough player and has saved many tries with his defence. Let's be honest, with Doueih at 5/8, the benchmark is not high for defence but I have no doubt Laurie is a far better defender.

Yeah I think too many people here are confusing his poor positioning at fullback with being a poor defender. His tackling efficiency would be above average as a half. He defends in the line all the time, which is probably why he too often gets caught out of position.

 

[batboy]

A good signing was announced yesterday in Charlie Staines. I'm sure our forum replicates other forums insofar as it relates to signing speculation.

Announced by whom?
Journalists??

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

People think Douiehi is slow..

But for him to score multiple times out of the scrum shows he must have some sort of speed.

Also, the last 8 or so last games of the year Laurie was always running the ball in which I thought we should give him a go in the halves.

AD is deceptive with his speed, he isn't a flash but he isn't a slug either - he also holds his speed over distance as well. Mix his actual speed with his strength it works in 1-1 or when he hits a defender side on well.

I think he could be a very very good centre but also can see why 5/8th & fullback is a calling option for him because of how effective he is with the ball in hand.

I also think Laurie skill set is under utilised & we could benefit from his agility & speed off the mark if he was closer to the ball.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Yeah I think too many people here are confusing his poor positioning at fullback with being a poor defender. His tackling efficiency would be above average as a half. He defends in the line all the time, which is probably why he too often gets caught out of position.

In 22, Laurie had the hardest position in the NRL to deal with. Trying to organise people in defence, whilst trying to cover defensive weaknesses, defending in the line more than any other fullback and then trying to chime into the attack where we changed hookers/halves/backs every few weeks.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

In 22, Laurie had the hardest position in the NRL to deal with. Trying to organise people in defence, whilst trying to cover defensive weaknesses, defending in the line more than any other fullback and then trying to chime into the attack where we changed hookers/halves/backs every few weeks.

Yeah probably made more tackles than he should have at the back due to the line leaking like a sieve. I think he would do well in the 6 though, would like to see him more involved.

His defensive liabilities at the back lie in being caught out of position.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

@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 ?

He showed positive signs he could defend in the line this year.
Hastings was fine in the middle, the issue was his foot/leg issues limiting him.
Staines a game changer - no, I wouldn't be putting expectations on the 20yr like that especially in a rookie year as fullback (if that's where he plays, maybe Ken talk could be for Staines), but do think he could offer us something different at the back not in a bad way.

 

[earl]

With the amount of money Doeuhi would be asking for, playing Centre does not justify it. Crossroads moment for the Club. Could lose a player who many presume would be Captain, if we did away with the stupidity of 5 Captains.

Maybe losing him is the right thing to happen as well. He is such a hard player to get a read on. At his best he is our captain and a guy who can turn games.

At his worst he is an overpaid liability in defense and drifts out of games all the time.

I think we have to stick with him but geez he should be paid for his performances and not on promise.

 

[earl]

Absolutely. Laurie is a tough player and has saved many tries with his defence. Let's be honest, with Doueih at 5/8, the benchmark is not high for defence but I have no doubt Laurie is a far better defender.

Doueihi is a big body though who can hit. If he starts moving better he'll be a good defender. I agree his defense is atrocious right now but that can change.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Doueihi is a big body though who can hit. If he starts moving better he'll be a good defender. I agree his defense is atrocious right now but that can change.

You mentioned previously about his renumeration. After the WC, I assume he'll be seeking an upgrade or upgraded offers from other clubs. It's a watershed moment for the club to let him leave. I don't believe he is worth more to WTs.

 

[earl]

He defends in the line all the time,

You are correct. He also gets run over the top of. He isn't a big guy. It happens to Brooks who looks bigger than Laurie and he is a good defender.

 

[tony soprano]

Announced by whom?
Journalists??

Brandy confirmed today on radio

 

[earl]

I don't believe he is worth more to WTs.

I think he is overpaid now. He is being paid on potential.

There is so much upside though. When he runs the ball he consistently makes something happen. He can do a nice little offload in traffic plus he can ball play. He has an awesome bomb. The only one who can put up a better kick is Burton. He can throw a great long pass to his right.

I hope we keep him because if he gets his game together he can be a weapon.

It's such a tough decision though because of the money he is already on.

 

[Roar_Power]

You mentioned previously about his renumeration. After the WC, I assume he'll be seeking an upgrade or upgraded offers from other clubs. It's a watershed moment for the club to let him leave. I don't believe he is worth more to WTs.

Don't know if there'll be suitors paying an upgrade. He was red carded and will miss a match. Not the greatest stage for him so far....

 

[earl]

Brandy confirmed today on radio

I'm assuming this is a done deal. It's an improvement for us.

 

[Roar_Power]

Brandy confirmed today on radio

Very interesting that Staines is for 1 year only. A mere stop-gap solution it seems. Appears even the WT's dont see him as a viable long-term replacement. Maybe waiting for Teddy to recommit lol.

 

[balmain boy]

I think your underplaying Lui's speed. He was very quick off the mark which allowed him to get through the first line of defence. He was a top notch half. What we are really lacking can be seen in all its glory at around the 1'50" mark of this video.

Stand corrected on Lui. He looked faster than I recalled. Not fast, but good acceleration over 10-20m, which is enough to make a break/score/try assist.

 

[balmain boy]

Try the Buderim one ...way better

This i can confirm. Buderim spice rum +ginger is fantastic.

The Wildling ginger beer from Ballina is also excellent

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Re Nofoaluma

Staines is faster and hopefully a better defender than our "narcist emblem kisser"!
If we can only play Twal and Staines in defence, and then in the attack Simpkins and Nofoaluma!

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Stand corrected on Lui. He looked faster than I recalled. Not fast, but good acceleration over 10-20m, which is enough to make a break/score/try assist.

He was also deceptively strong, great stepping but most of all his ball playing like we have not seen for a long time. That pass to put Ellis away in the highlights was sublime.