Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Trying to think like Sheens and notwithstanding any other big signings, I would not be surprised if we finished the season with this pack.

13 Matamua (16 Hastings)
12 Talau (17 Pole)
11 Papalii
10 Ofahengaue (15 Twal)
9 Korisau (16 Hastings)
8 Utoikomanu (14 Blore)

Hastings also as backline utility. I truly believe that on talent Talau can become an exceptional hole-running backrower with ballskills & Blore our fast line-speed, aggressive & strong D middle (in the mould of Fisher-Harris). My smokey is Aitasi James!
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Trying to think like Sheens and notwithstanding any other big signings, I would not be surprised if we finished the season with this pack.

13 Matamua (16 Hastings)
12 Talau (17 Pole)
11 Papalii
10 Ofahengaue (15 Twal)
9 Korisau (16 Hastings)
8 Utoikomanu (14 Blore)

Hastings also as backline utility. I truly believe that on talent Talau can become an exceptional hole-running backrower with ballskills & Blore our fast line-speed, aggressive & strong D middle (in the mould of Fisher-Harris). My smokey is Aitasi James!
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The experiment of Pole doing some work on the edge in preseason is most interesting to me. Can't wait to see how that works out. After watching him closely last year, it's my opinion that if he can run good lines, he will be a huge success on an edge. Good mobility, great motor for a youngster, superb footwork late at the line, and can offload. Just needs to be able to hit that hole.
 
Demps said:
@CCTW Made a great post about Twal a while back.

A lot of his work goes unnoticed but we miss him massively when he's not out there.

An unsung hero.
He tightens up the defence massively.
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People forget that his best season with us that sparked even Freddy calling him out for SOO contention was when he played Lock for us. Big part was because of his motor, making 100mtrs+ per game and defensive capabilities.

Doubt that will happen again under Sheens/Benji but he is a value add for out team, every team needs his reliability.

I'm a fan of Twal but am struggling to see how he fits into our future plans unless he is used differently / his game evolves. Talk of Klem/Leniu with Miller etc coming through mixed with Stef/Joffa makes it hard to see how he stays long term with us.
 
Coastie_Tiger said:
I like Twal hes dependable and consistent, i just wish he had an offload in his game. Thats what makes him predictable, i dunno if someone has told him to put it away or he isnt capable. But he'd be a much much better footballer if he had 2 or 3 of them in his game it would also make the opposition pay more attention to him now they know they can drag him down with 2 men and hes not going to pop a ball.
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He needs people to run off him as well. Api could be good for him.
Hopefully Laurie runs off his hip as well.
 
Twal's only 26. his best years as a front rower are still well and truly ahead of him. Sheens had guys like Galea, Payten and Gibbs that were the glue for some of our greatest ever sides. Twal is this era's version. he's crucial moving forward and I expect he will be viewed as such.
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
People forget that his best season with us that sparked even Freddy calling him out for SOO contention was when he played Lock for us. Big part was because of his motor, making 100mtrs+ per game and defensive capabilities.

Doubt that will happen again under Sheens/Benji but he is a value add for out team, every team needs his reliability.

I'm a fan of Twal but am struggling to see how he fits into our future plans unless he is used differently / his game evolves. Talk of Klem/Leniu with Miller etc coming through mixed with Stef/Joffa makes it hard to see how he stays long term with us.
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The way he is reacting to concussion he not too far away from retirement
 
Kelce68 said:
Ofahengaue to start over Twally every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Modern game needs a utility of some sort. I'd say a Talau, Rua or Smith find their way onto the bench by default.
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Yep, cannot imagine Koroisau playing anywhere near the full eighty minutes.

I would have Hastings coming on at first interchange along with Twal, and have both seeing out the match from there.

Jackson would also be jumping into the 9 role as part of those minutes when Api rests as part of the rotation, else similar to one of your options.
 
TrueTiger said:
I reckon if Sheens and co hold the line and keep Jacko,Luke and Adam for season 23,it could work well for us getting off the bottom of the ladder...
Laurie at 1
Brooks at 6
Hastings at 7
Api at 9
And put Joffa at 13..he did ok for us there...
Douhie at centre with Naden...

WE use who we have got and gives Sheens the time to find quality replacements going into 24...
Just my thoughts because we really need stability this year with hopefully no injuries to our key players...lets face it last year was all about shuffling positions and playing mainly ressie fill ins...
If Sheens is as good as they say he will tell them all they play where he puts them or move on...
That was aimed at AD,JH.Brooks....and I know Sheens wants Brooks in the 7 and therein could lie the problem....
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TT i agree, next year will be a defining time for the guys mentioned. None will get the big offers again. Api will bring the attacking spark, experience from being in a top sides, and different structures, which may unlock the spine. We also have a better coaching staff. By mid next year the writing will be on the wall, i suspect we will have some idea who will be in the2024 team.
I don't want to see it, but don't be surprised if Api has a run at 6 or 7 if a number 9 shows promise from the juniors.
 
das tigers said:
Thanks,well I remembered about 3 games haha. It was the Titans game up there I remember
most.
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The Easter Monday game v Parramatta 55k people was an absolute beauty. Hayne looked like he was going to beat us on his own and then we just got into the groove of the game and overcame them. Best atmosphere in a club game that I can remember. I thought Sita Akoula BMM were destined - but not to be.
 
jirskyr said:
Well actually it is an argument, because the guy is literally a professional, firstly, because he's officially employed as a professional football coach.

Secondly he played over 150 first grade games and coached over 700 FG matches in Australia, plus another 58 in UK. So I've never heard of an amateur who has managed a 40-year professional career and literally coached more first grade matches than anyone except Wayne Bennett.

Again, if you disagree with the man that's fine, but he knows what he is doing and he runs a tight ship. It doesn't mean he is right or will be vindicated with performances in 2023, but it does mean he knows how to professionally coach a football club.
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First of all, I never said Sheens by himself was amateur. I said our front office was amateur which is pretty dead on accurate considering we have failed as a club for over a decade at this point with multiple brain dead decisions being made during that time, the most recent being that we’re willing to give up our best half to accomodate a career failure in Luke Brooks.

You can bring up his past accomplishments all you want. But they don’t change the fact that he hasn’t coached NRL or had any significant success in rugby league in general in over a decade. He was sacked from this club and Hull due to poor rostering decisions and conflicts with management, not to mention resigning from the Vikings because of more conflicts with management.

10 years ago, you would be 100% right. Problem is that it isn’t ten years ago and you and the Sheens bootlickers need to realise that it’s not 2005 or 2010 anymore. You can respect his achievements but he hasn’t shown anything so far to suggest that we are heading in the right direction. And believe, I’d love to be wrong and see us succeed with him.
 
jrtiger said:
Twal's only 26. his best years as a front rower are still well and truly ahead of him. Sheens had guys like Galea, Payten and Gibbs that were the glue for some of our greatest ever sides. Twal is this era's version. he's crucial moving forward and I expect he will be viewed as such.
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Can’t understand the Twal knockers.

Sure, he could add some things to his game, but at the core of the position he plays is rock solid defence, strength and getting over the advantage line. He has all 3 of those attributes and the gap between his best game and worst game is negligible. He’s also fit as they come and right up there with Haas in terms of prop fitness.

If I had to knock him on anything it would be to develop an offload and increase his aggro/intensity, but someone at the club needs to realise his potential and work with him.

He’s one of our best soldiers.
 
I wonder how much having Api at hooker negates the need for Hastings to be an organiser? Having a top shelf hooker changes everything, can get us on the front foot and reduce the pressure on the halves.
We would still lack a kicker in general play, a person to take last tackle options, and a real talker on the field but do we need Hastings on the bench or at hooker?
 
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