Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lukic]

Bateman's regressed since his Canberra days and that shoulder may be an issue but if he can rediscover his Canberra form it'll be a great signing.

Personally would've preferred Frizell, but maybe this fits the budget better.

If we can land Brown and Klemmer too we'll have undergone one of the greatest transformations of a pack the NRL has seen over one offseason.

8. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
10. Ofahengaue
11. Papali'i
12. Bateman
13. Brown

14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Blore
17. Ngatikaura/Talau/Utility

That's every bit as good of a pack as you'd see on a top 4 side. Obviously we won't make the top 4 as our backs/halves aren't at that level, but we're certainly gonna have a pack capable of holding its own against anyone.

 

[tiger_one]

How is it fixed ?

We just finished last in the comp.
The squad needed a complete cleaning out of the swamp.

 

[Telltails]

Just as we welcome all the newbies to our squad, look at this (almost) team who have left us - thanks to astute roster management by Coach Sheens:

1
2 James Roberts
3 Oliver Gildart
4 William Kei
5 Junior Pauga
6 Tyrone Peachey
7 Jock Madden
8 James Tamou
9 Jacob Liddle
10 Tom Mikaele
11 Luciano Leilua
12 Luke Garner
13 Kelma Tuilagi
14 Zane Musgrove
15 Austin Dias
16 Nu Brown
17 Tom Freebairn

We have never had a problem letting players go remembering we still have to pay the ones that are contracted to us, and some of those players chose to leave - LL Kelma and Garner
Let's see how he goes getting some of the players signed that we have been linked to and then when they produce something on the field the accolades will come from far and wide.

 

[watersider]

Klemmer is probably better than many props we have but he's an old school prop who is a bit slow for the modern game. His lateral movement isn't great and he's probably only an average prop in terms of defensive impact. He always looks really good against us and is a competitive player. Just the prototype prop these days might be more of the Reuben Cotter type player or more nuggety and athletic junior paulo or moses leota. Not against him, but not sure if he's a premier prop. Probably better than any we have.

What is good about Bateman? I've just never noticed him in games.

 

[tiger_one]

Klemmer is probably better than many props we have but he's an old school prop who is a bit slow for the modern game. His lateral movement isn't great and he's probably only an average prop in terms of defensive impact. He always looks really good against us and is a competitive player. Just the prototype prop these days might be more of the Reuben Cotter type player or more nuggety and athletic junior paulo or moses leota. Not against him, but not sure if he's a premier prop. Probably better than any we have.

What is good about Bateman? I've just never noticed him in games.

Bateman was Dally M Second Rower Of The Year, 2019
(And Isaiah Papali'i was Dally M Second Rower Of The Year, 2021.)

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Klemmer is probably better than many props we have but he's an old school prop who is a bit slow for the modern game. His lateral movement isn't great and he's probably only an average prop in terms of defensive impact. He always looks really good against us and is a competitive player. Just the prototype prop these days might be more of the Reuben Cotter type player or more nuggety and athletic junior paulo or moses leota. Not against him, but not sure if he's a premier prop. Probably better than any we have.

What is good about Bateman? I've just never noticed him in games.

I remember when Bateman was playing for the Raiders v WTs and he put that chip over the top, regathered and a try was scored. He's a very skillful player and I still wonder how Ricky managed to lose both Bateman and George Williams.

 

[rusted-on]

Can't miss if you can't move quick enough to get there.

Still managed 30 odd tackles a game this year, but we can agree to disagree

 

[jrtiger]

Klemmer is probably better than many props we have but he's an old school prop who is a bit slow for the modern game. His lateral movement isn't great and he's probably only an average prop in terms of defensive impact. He always looks really good against us and is a competitive player. Just the prototype prop these days might be more of the Reuben Cotter type player or more nuggety and athletic junior paulo or moses leota. Not against him, but not sure if he's a premier prop. Probably better than any we have.

What is good about Bateman? I've just never noticed him in games.

the modern game is definitely moving towards your smaller, mobile front row types like Cotter, Leniu and even Pole, but there will always be a spot for man mountains who can bend the line and put a hit on. Klemmer is exactly what we need. can’t remember the last time we had an enforcer.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Still managed 30 odd tackles a game this year, but we can agree to disagree

I suspect lurking under the surface is a good offload. If you are coached to play a conservative brand of footy, often the offload is put away. Twal is one of our very good and most consistent players and we missed him when injured.

 

[rusted-on]

I suspect lurking under the surface is a good offload. If you are coached to play a conservative brand of footy, often the offload is put away. Twal is one of our very good and most consistent players and we missed him when injured.

I am keen to see how he goes with a more attacking style of play, I do hope you're right about the offload as well. He gives his all every game and I felt the difference was obvious after he went down for the year.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I am keen to see how he goes with a more attacking style of play, I do hope you're right about the offload as well. He gives his all every game and I felt the difference was obvious after he went down for the year.

Many years ago a member posted that Twal was proficient at the offload in the juniors. He certainly is a footballer who knows his strengths and plays to them.

 

[rusted-on]

Many years ago a member posted that Twal was proficient at the offload in the juniors. He certainly is a footballer who knows his strengths and plays to them.

Do you think the game plan under Madge didn't play to his strengths? If he has an offload, awesome. If we start seeing it, just another notch in his belt IMO

 

[Aceshigh]

Bateman's regressed since his Canberra days and that shoulder may be an issue but if he can rediscover his Canberra form it'll be a great signing.

Personally would've preferred Frizell, but maybe this fits the budget better.

If we can land Brown and Klemmer too we'll have undergone one of the greatest transformations of a pack the NRL has seen over one offseason.

8. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
10. Ofahengaue
11. Papali'i
12. Bateman
13. Brown

14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Blore
17. Ngatikaura/Talau/Utility

That's every bit as good of a pack as you'd see on a top 4 side. Obviously we won't make the top 4 as our backs/halves aren't at that level, but we're certainly gonna have a pack capable of holding its own against anyone.

Good pack and you gotta fit Pole in

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Do you think the game plan under Madge didn't play to his strengths? If he has an offload, awesome. If we start seeing it, just another notch in his belt IMO

You and I know in team sport, you need the consistent and no frills player who works hard for the team with no fuss. That is Twal and I am sure he will come ahead with Benji and Robbie coaching him.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I hope Robbie is coaching our hookers to kick from dummy half. It is another kicking option and reduces pressure on the halves.

 

[rusted-on]

You and I know in team sport, you need the consistent and no frills player who works hard for the team with no fuss. That is Twal and I am sure he will come ahead with Benji and Robbie coaching him.

Couldn't agree more

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

I don't believe all these good forwards are being signed so Hastings can play 7. Sheens and Benji want a quick running pair of halves and Hastings ain't it.

Lets just play hypotheticals, say Brooks does go who plays in the halves?
I guess Hastings could play 13 and still pull the strings of a 7 in attack, but Doueihi isnt the quick half either. If this is the long term plan and you may well be right 23 might be a year too early for it.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Lets just play hypotheticals, say Brooks does go who plays in the halves?
I guess Hastings could play 13 and still pull the strings of a 7 in attack, but Doueihi isnt the quick half either. If this is the long term plan and you may well be right 23 might be a year too early for it.

If Brooks goes, I've always thought George Williams did an outstanding job at the Raiders and have always had a high opinion of him. He can bring Jack Welsby with him.

 

[rex2ce]

Klemmer is probably better than many props we have but he's an old school prop who is a bit slow for the modern game. His lateral movement isn't great and he's probably only an average prop in terms of defensive impact. He always looks really good against us and is a competitive player. Just the prototype prop these days might be more of the Reuben Cotter type player or more nuggety and athletic junior paulo or moses leota. Not against him, but not sure if he's a premier prop. Probably better than any we have.

What is good about Bateman? I've just never noticed him in games.

What Klemmer offers is “ follow me”, an attitude that we haven’t had for ages

 

[tiger_one]

What Klemmer offers is “ follow me”, an attitude that we haven’t had for ages

And is Klemmer bringing his water bottle with him? 😉

Klemmer likely to be warned over bottle

Canterbury forward David Klemmer is likely to receive a concerning act notice from the NRL after throwing a water bottle at a Souths opponent.

www.sbs.com.au