Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Wiz]

The club has shown an ability to get rid of a dud contract recently. If we need to sign Bateman for 4 years to get him, so be it. If it doesn’t work out hopefully we can move him on.

 

[Westsboi2019]

What about the PNG kid. I think he is from PNG. His last name was Bula I think.

I thought people stated he was looking pretty good.

Born in PNG but he's Fijian

 

[earl]

I think we'll be surprised by our centre choices. TT, AJ, Naden, Toupou, all big and strong and now playing outside superior class second rowers.

I'm not really worried about our centres and even our wingers. Our halves and fullback are the areas that need an upgrade.

 

[tiger_one]

Forwards win matches.
Everything follows what the engine room platform sets in play.
Sure the backs score the points - but all of the back off the forwards.
Coach Sheens has identified this, and WOW! We have a real chance.
One wooden spoon ignominy is enough.
Bring on the pigs, 2023 style!

 

[gregjm87]

My only concern with Bateman is Ive only ever seen him play left edge and I believe he is not the type of backrower that compliments Brooks. If Bateman can be equally effective on the right I think he is a good fit for Doueihi.

 

[KCtiger]

I think posters may be a little surprised or expecting something different. All the talk about us becoming a development club may have conjured an image of youthful star recruits. But we seem to be signing the over 29yo players?
Recruitment was never going to be easy, regardless of who our coach was.

Before klem and Bateman everyone was complaining that we had no experience then we get some experience and everyone is saying we aren’t a youth club can’t win either way

 

[KingRobbie]

My only concern with Bateman is Ive only ever seen him play left edge and I believe he is not the type of backrower that compliments Brooks. If Bateman can be equally effective on the right I think he is a good fit for Doueihi.

Bateman played right edge for pretty much his entire stint at Canberra.

 

[SeanT]

Really all depends how the contract is structured. If it's back ended where in the 4th year we're paying him 900k then it's crazy.
If it's front ended where we pay him 900k next year and 150k in his 4th then it's OK. As a hypothetical.

No way would he stay for 150k. He'd sign elsewhere and get an upgraded contract.

Still think it's a club option.

 

[stevied]

I'm not really worried about our centres and even our wingers. Our halves and fullback are the areas that need an upgrade.

Halves, yes, not sure about fullback. As I've stated before, I think Laurie shows several attributes needed in a fullback including adequate pace, a step, a good pass and courage in defence. However, he does need to improve his positional play and his support play. He came back from an injury last year and was down in confidence at the start. A strong off season and a few more kilos will benefit him. Regarding the wingers, I don't think we can have two slow ones.

 

[bathursttiger1]

Rumour was he signed with the Dogs.

Gus much have a top 60 roster.

 

[tiger_one]

Gus much have a top 60 roster.

Almost as big as Uncle Nick's Roosters.

 

[finnzo]

I think it will be papali left edge with brooks Bateman right edge with doughi how good doesn’t that sound

 

[SeanT]

Halves, yes, not sure about fullback. As I've stated before, I think Laurie shows several attributes needed in a fullback including adequate pace, a step, a good pass and courage in defence. However, he does need to improve his positional play and his support play. He came back from an injury last year and was down in confidence at the start. A strong off season and a few more kilos will benefit him. Regarding the wingers, I don't think we can have two slow ones.

Spot on. His support play is non existent. Never seen him back up once. Stains I think would be running around everywhere. Interesting to see which way they go. I'd give the spot to the best trainer out of the two honestly

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Thanks mate, got them mixed up.

Hayze will do that to you! ... and bourbon 🥃

 

[Odessa]

My goodness you can big up a pup….
Was let go by the Knights wasn’t he?

I think Maca did a stealth run and got Under the Knights radar they wanted to keep him he does have some good qualities Maca

 

[balmain boy]

There's no way he's 5'11", I'd say more 5'8", he's not very tall.

180cm isn't very tall, not with footy players. If he is 5'8 then he'd be by far the shortest player in our squad

 

[tigerballs]

Thanks mate, got them mixed up.

Hayzed and confused

 

[balmain boy]

With my Benji hat on, I've been trying to come up with a list of potential targets for '24 that would fit the Benji mould & provide quality we need in those positions. They are all off-contract or potentially gettable (i.e. Tedesco).

Halves - George Williams, Mitchell Moses, Jack Wighton
Prop - Spencer Leniu, Toafofoa Sipley
Fullback - Lachlan Miller, Jack Welsby, Cody Ramsay, James Tedesco, Herbie Farnworth, Stephen Crichton
Centre - Jesse Ramien, Will Penisini
Wing - Sione Katoa, Dom Young

Disclaimer - I do think that Lachlan Miller will be one of the game's top fullbacks in the next 2 seasons.

Miller will be 30 by then!!
Don't think he'll get much higher than he is now

 

[balmain boy]

I think we'll be surprised by our centre choices. TT, AJ, Naden, Toupou, all big and strong and now playing outside superior class second rowers. Like you said, Api leading a top class pack around... If AD hits his straps at 5/8 that's a lot to stop. All Brooksy has to do is give them the ball!

The problem is the lack of pace, and defence in the players you listed

 

[bathursttiger1]

Almost as big as Uncle Nick's Roosters.

Gus and Uncle Nick are two peas in a pod.