I'm not sure whether you're misunderstaning on purpose or not, but just to be clear: I am talking about getting better in 2024-25. We can do this by not spending 600k on a bench prop and instead using that money to sign players we need. No-one is saying anything about three years' time.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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Tom Shines
Well-known member
I get it mate… offers are made all the time in this league..
So why not wait until the off-season.. like I said .. we are the ones panicking… I could see the Dolphins for one being interested in him..
In the meantime he provides much needed depth at the very least … if not an opportunity to recover his form and perhaps a change of mind
We don’t need another back half of the season like last year when we were the zombie team getting belted each week .., doesn’t seem to do much for the young guys…Murphys Law that they will cop injuries and perhaps Klemmer will be picked in Origin so they could struggle for depth..
Anyway … it seems pointless continuing this conversation… I had a similar discussion last offseason when they let Hastings go and someone was trying to tell me that was a good idea as they had just signed Wakeham to provide depth.
Sure - time will tell. I will just note that I'm not sure holding out for an imaginary offer from the Dolphins is absolutely how I'd play this if I was in charge, and that there's a big difference between losing a plausible first grade half back and a borderline starting middle forward. But yeah, I think we've both said our bit.
Eternal Tiger
Well-known member
My only issue is, Ofahengaue is a very capable NRL player. If we haven't signed a player of similar calibre, why release him, as you say the market seems empty. HOPEFULLY the WT surprise me and have an alternative, and I'll happily put my hand up and say I'm wrong. I just want to support a successful team.
supercoach
Well-known member
You’re right,but it works both ways. If a player wants out he can also apply pressure. Either way, who ever is driving for the release usually wins
Tom Shines
Well-known member
yep ..let’s wait and see … how he plays at the
Eels and how our depth goes in his absence…
You gotta an easier user name to remember then the other guy who was arguing about Hastings so we can touch base later in the year..,
Robbie's Love Child
Well-known member
I don't think we will pay anything, Fulton will be a smart operator, the eels are desperate. Joe O is a lovely bloke but he is not a props bumhole and has zero ball playing skills for a 13, I am glad that he is not taking up a place in the 30 heading forward, Blore and Matamua are way more beneficial on the bench.
I get the argument to save $$ in this year and next 2 years cap, the tigers have only just starting getting a solid forward pack together with some depth to it, so you going to release someone who is an experienced origin or former origin player there better be someone decent coming into the team regardless if your making finals or not
From what i have seen Matamua has a long way to go to be FG ready but i certainly hope he makes it,Blore i completely agree should be in the 17
Kelce68
Well-known member
You and me both.
I agree that he's very capable, but that's the rub, is that we have too many very capable players in his role now, which has happened relatively quickly and he has just become surplus to requirements in the eyes of club. That would suggest that he doesn't need to be replaced like for like, because in their eyes, they have excess in Joe's role and so feel no need to replace him, but rather recoup some of his salary and spend it in areas where were more in need (halves, backs, depth, etc).
I'm sure, in time, that will reveal itself, just not overnight.
I agree with 2041. Parramatta’s current circumstances mean they want someone now. We need to do the deal now. The offer won’t exist in the offseason and I would think it’s very unlikely we’ll be able to unload him on as favourable terms in the offseason. Sure it might cost us some depth and even a game or two this year if a middle forward gets injured. That will only mean we finish 16th instead of 14th (for example) this year. Whilst winning is wanted every week we need to be realistic as to where we are. Most times if you focus on the short term it can come at the expense of the long term (and vice versa). I think Joffa’s money could be better used in 2024 and 2025. If I am being honest, watching with my own eyes, Joffa seems to be getting worse.
earl
Well-known member
I don't think stating that Matamua or Blore are better than Joe O now is at all realistic. They have never played to the level Joe O has shown he can play at.
Matamua hasn't proven anything at all.
Blore hasn't been that good in first grade this year and he hasn't had good performances in previous seasons mainly because he has hardly been on the park. I think Blore has had one good game in first grade this season and he was dropped because he wasn't offering enough.
I'm fine with the decision though. I think we may be able to get better longer term value from different players in different positions than we will get out of Joe O over the next couple of seasons.
crazycat
Well-known member
I ... I don't know.
I was thinking Joffa, Twal and a bunch of others have lost a stack of games with us. Joffa always came with the right attitude and played hard.
Yet if he wants out. I get it. I don't get why he is starting from the Bench as I would have put Pole or another bigger name on the bench and have Joffa used to initially soften people up. Joffa+twal bench just seems wrong.
We may just have to cycle some people out. If the attitude of loosing so many games sticks with them. I get it.
watersider
Well-known member
Getting rid of Garner, Peachey, Liddle, Musgrove, Maumalo and now Joe O (have I forgotten a few?) who were all on contract and all average-below average is good business. I get frustration at not getting anything in return for Joe O but I don't think he's anything but a fill in player and there isn't much of a drop off to whoever is behind him. Turning over the roster is important.
I will say one thing more, so we can reconvene later on a reasonable basis: I'm not saying losing Ofehangaue now doesn't hurt us in 2023. He's a decent player and unless we are about to spring a surprise signing - which I doubt - it will obviously be a weaker roster without him. I just think it's a price worth paying in a season where we're doing nothing anyway to give us more flexibility to build a better roster for next season. Personally I'd rather come last this season and 8th next than 16th this season and 12th next. TBH we're never going to know, but that's half the fun of it, right?
Buttface
Well-known member
Maybe/ hopefully they do.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
I'd bet we will be paying some freight, we were the ones shopping him around and we were the ones who allegedly had him on 600k for 24 and 25 no club is paying that for a rotation bench prop.
Red88_Tiger
Well-known member
But you have to ask why we need him this week but not next. There must be something else about this that says we are happy to keep him or it’s reliant on another player ( can’t be someone we already have or he would be gone)
balmain boy
Well-known member
Klem and Twal both play big mins. Stef is developing, and Pole is coming on fast too and can play big mins.
Then the next replacement in the prop rotation is Blore. After a lean few years without much action just playing every week in NSW Cup has allowed him to find some form. He's been playing as a prop for the past few years, regardless of what number is on his back. He was running hard and fast last weekend, scored a powerful try.
And then Seyfarth, James or even give Fainu/Tuki a run off the bench if we're desperate and see what they come up with. We're not making the finals anyway
We need backs and halves, the 600k cash can be better used elsewhere.
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