Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Agree, Benji and Prince ---- Hastings and AD, like comparing Ferraris to Combie vans.

We would not have got to the 2005 finals, with this pair, and the game is far quicker today. Sheens knows this, both WT and Raiders that he coached to premierships had great halves, has have all the great sides. I don't think Brooks, AD or Hastings are great , but of the three i would take Brooks.
Why pick the proven dud?
 
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My theory - any players that outwardly supported Maguire will be on shaky ground with Sheens. The two can't possibly be on good terms given how the termination was handled and Sheens back handed digs at Maguire. Hastings of all the players was most vocal in his support for Maguire, and Sheens ego may just not be able, or prepared to get past that.
 
Laurie played well toward the end of last season. Once Madge left it was obvious that he was being told to support up the middle and we looked sharper when he was doing it. We could have been successful with this play too if our forwards had an offload in them.

Part of me wants Hastings to stay. The other part just thinks its more of the same. I never want guys to leave that want to be here and he is someone that always has a go.

I think AD will stay. He has versatility and can cover most spots in the backline bar wing.

If we lose all 3 and Moses says no....what happens then?

We have filled a lot of top 30 places with kids. Reminds me of when we got Ben Murdock M to re-sign by promising him a first grade debut, which happened to be in a semi final. Sheens will take the time to invest in the Juniors and they will respond to him because of it.
 
not entirely surprised about the mail re: Jacko. he wants to play 7, Sheens sees him as a 13. it was never going to end well. i’m hopeful we don’t budge on a release so we can have him here for ‘23 while we unearth and develop our long term 13, whoever that may be. Kit Laulili’i and Chris Fa’agutu the most likely you’d think.
 
There's a lot of concern, obviously & rightly, about the halves for next season.

Hastings offers certain on-field 'smarts', but his lack of speed is now extremely well documented (on here) and he offers an 'at-best' ok kicking game. There is no denying his will to succeed, and he's something of a fan favourite- but keeping things in context, he's a supplemental half- he'd be best served next to a dominant player (which we don't have).

Brooks appears as good as gone. Often praised as a player with a good running game, he only averaged 70m a game last season & his kicking metres per game were average at best.

Doueihi has the best general field kicking stats for our halves last season. Does that make him great? No. But he at least has something on his side- for general field kicking, he's competant. Last season was a terrible year for all involved. Adam certainly threw in a couple of below par performances. But I don't think a lack of desire can be thrown at him. His passing game is hit & miss, in my opinion. For mine- he's better served running the ball with a good supportive runner off his hip than he is trying to throw cut-out passes etc. That just isn't his game. He's Scott Hill (former Storm 5/8).

Laurie had a surprisingly decent finish to the season. His try assists were pretty decent too. There is talk of him practicing at 5/8 this season. Not sure of the effectiveness of his kicks, but I could see him being the guy to follow Doueihi around looking to be put through gaps. His link play in attacking raids was understated by fans- he was actually pretty decent.

Apparently Albert Kelly is on a train & trial. Sadly, he might actually be the best general field kicker at the club if this is the case, making him a genuine option to be retained. His play at the Broncos last season wasn't terrible. I don't think he could be worse than Brooks was last season.

Players off contract-

Pheonix Crossland was mentioned by the Pom. He's definitely more a running half or 5/8 with little in the way of a kicking game. I'll say this- he's a decisive runner. Is he the best option? I don't think so, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Kurt Falls has been mentioned as well. I'm extremely skeptical of his impact. Looked like a guy that didn't lose games for Penrith more than anything. I doubt he'd be any better than Crossland.

Brandon Wakeham from the Bulldogs might be the best option to add to the squad. Has a kicking game (2021 was used as a primary kicker when he played). Untapped potential at this point, so not sure if he'll ever make it. But as the back-up #7? This would be my guy.


What I suspect- we are overthinking it. I believe we already know the answer- it's just not making us comfortable.

Staines was brought in to play fullback. Laurie we are hearing is already training at 5/8. Hastings is lock. Brooks looks to be gone. That leaves Doueihi at 7.

1. Staines
6. Laurie
7. Doueihi
13. Hastings

I strongly doubt this will be any worse than what we've seen over the last couple of years.

Doueihi is a passionate Tigers man. Farah is in his corner. I pretty much expect him to be named captain. Having him, Hastings, Staines & Laurie off contract doesn't inspire great confidence- BUT- we could lose Hastings with little real impact. If the rumours about Mitch Moses are true- he would move into #7. They'll know pretty soon I'd think if this is even possible. Then the club can decide on Staines/Laurie & Doueihi's future roles. If Moses comes over, all three could be shifted playing roles, effecting their salary values. Once a decision on Moses is made, I expect these guys become priority re-signings.
 
Comparing Sterling is chalk and Cheese...
He played when it was 5m rule, The game itself was much slower and they played in Quagmires every other week...

Johns was slow over 200m.... But decent off the mark, And reasonable agile.
Different again.

Halves don't need to run 100m in 10 seconds, (Sure it's handy)
They need to be quick off the mark....
That's where JH and AD are severely lacking....
Halfbacks need brains too…
Comparing Sterling is chalk and Cheese...
He played when it was 5m rule, The game itself was much slower and they played in Quagmires every other week...

Johns was slow over 200m.... But decent off the mark, And reasonable agile.
Different again.

Halves don't need to run 100m in 10 seconds, (Sure it's handy)
They need to be quick off the mark....
That's where JH and AD are severely lacking....
unf I’llotimste
not entirely surprised about the mail re: Jacko. he wants to play 7, Sheens sees him as a 13. it was never going to end well. i’m hopeful we don’t budge on a release so we can have him here for ‘23 while we unearth and develop our long term 13, whoever that may be. Kit Laulili’i and Chris Fa’agutu the most likely you’d think.
if we lose Hastings to keep the anchor (Brooks) it will be the stupidest decision in our history .
 
My theory - any players that outwardly supported Maguire will be on shaky ground with Sheens. The two can't possibly be on good terms given how the termination was handled and Sheens back handed digs at Maguire. Hastings of all the players was most vocal in his support for Maguire, and Sheens ego may just not be able, or prepared to get past that.
Or the rumours of jacko, being a bit of a punish may be true! There was talk late last year about this matter, so could also be that.
 
My theory - any players that outwardly supported Maguire will be on shaky ground with Sheens. The two can't possibly be on good terms given how the termination was handled and Sheens back handed digs at Maguire. Hastings of all the players was most vocal in his support for Maguire, and Sheens ego may just not be able, or prepared to get past that.
Another explanation is roster management. We have good players emerging who could fill the 13 position. It's more believable than being moved on for being a fully paid-up member of Le Club Madge
 
There's a lot of concern, obviously & rightly, about the halves for next season.

Hastings offers certain on-field 'smarts', but his lack of speed is now extremely well documented (on here) and he offers an 'at-best' ok kicking game. There is no denying his will to succeed, and he's something of a fan favourite- but keeping things in context, he's a supplemental half- he'd be best served next to a dominant player (which we don't have).

Brooks appears as good as gone. Often praised as a player with a good running game, he only averaged 70m a game last season & his kicking metres per game were average at best.

Doueihi has the best general field kicking stats for our halves last season. Does that make him great? No. But he at least has something on his side- for general field kicking, he's competant. Last season was a terrible year for all involved. Adam certainly threw in a couple of below par performances. But I don't think a lack of desire can be thrown at him. His passing game is hit & miss, in my opinion. For mine- he's better served running the ball with a good supportive runner off his hip than he is trying to throw cut-out passes etc. That just isn't his game. He's Scott Hill (former Storm 5/8).

Laurie had a surprisingly decent finish to the season. His try assists were pretty decent too. There is talk of him practicing at 5/8 this season. Not sure of the effectiveness of his kicks, but I could see him being the guy to follow Doueihi around looking to be put through gaps. His link play in attacking raids was understated by fans- he was actually pretty decent.

Apparently Albert Kelly is on a train & trial. Sadly, he might actually be the best general field kicker at the club if this is the case, making him a genuine option to be retained. His play at the Broncos last season wasn't terrible. I don't think he could be worse than Brooks was last season.

Players off contract-

Pheonix Crossland was mentioned by the Pom. He's definitely more a running half or 5/8 with little in the way of a kicking game. I'll say this- he's a decisive runner. Is he the best option? I don't think so, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Kurt Falls has been mentioned as well. I'm extremely skeptical of his impact. Looked like a guy that didn't lose games for Penrith more than anything. I doubt he'd be any better than Crossland.

Brandon Wakeham from the Bulldogs might be the best option to add to the squad. Has a kicking game (2021 was used as a primary kicker when he played). Untapped potential at this point, so not sure if he'll ever make it. But as the back-up #7? This would be my guy.


What I suspect- we are overthinking it. I believe we already know the answer- it's just not making us comfortable.

Staines was brought in to play fullback. Laurie we are hearing is already training at 5/8. Hastings is lock. Brooks looks to be gone. That leaves Doueihi at 7.

1. Staines
6. Laurie
7. Doueihi
13. Hastings

I strongly doubt this will be any worse than what we've seen over the last couple of years.

Doueihi is a passionate Tigers man. Farah is in his corner. I pretty much expect him to be named captain. Having him, Hastings, Staines & Laurie off contract doesn't inspire great confidence- BUT- we could lose Hastings with little real impact. If the rumours about Mitch Moses are true- he would move into #7. They'll know pretty soon I'd think if this is even possible. Then the club can decide on Staines/Laurie & Doueihi's future roles. If Moses comes over, all three could be shifted playing roles, effecting their salary values. Once a decision on Moses is made, I expect these guys become priority re-signings.
🤔💯
 
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