Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

The frustrating thing with Laurie was the determination to play him as a fullback for so long. It's not as if our 5/8 position was a position of power while he has been here. I realise a mix of injury & timing have limited his chances THIS season, but he could have been moved to 5/8 last year just as easily. Doueihi could JUST as easily have been shifted back to fullback. Now we see how effective Laurie CAN be, right before he leaves. My bet is he would have been considered our 'long term' 5/8 had we seen this last year. Good for him. I know he has copped a bit on here for some questionable decisions in the past, but some people march to a different drum. He's not a thug. He's not out raising hell. He just vibes with his old mates more than Tigers fans wish he would. If his heart was always in playing at Penrith, good luck to him. Wish it had worked out.
 
Vicious said:
You will see how it pans out with him playing in a quality team such as the Panthers.
3 games at 5/8 for us and easily in out top 3 players each time.
To do that, make multiple line breaks, multiple try assists in a team with no idea how to attack is exceptional.
Ivan Cleary is sitting back licking his lips knowing they will not miss a beat if Laurie replaces Luai at 5/8 in 2025 and knowing the money they save by not re-signing Luai will help them retain their quality roster.
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He'll be playing against the Magpies at Lidcombe.
 
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Comparisons to Canberra are not that far off I think. Ricky has had to make a go of it using a mix of local talent & the scraps left by other clubs. Very few big name signings in Canberra.

Yet, you get the RIGHT guys together, and they exceed expectations.

Man for man, they are probably not as talented as most teams. But they play hard & let a few talented athletes run around. I think it shows what you can build if you do things wisely & have a group that plays for each other. They are, realistically, competitive most years under Ricky.

And with who leading their charge? Papali'i, Wighton....not really a bunch of big names in that club.
 
The Chad said:
The frustrating thing with Laurie was the determination to play him as a fullback for so long. It's not as if our 5/8 position was a position of power while he has been here. I realise a mix of injury & timing have limited his chances THIS season, but he could have been moved to 5/8 last year just as easily. Doueihi could JUST as easily have been shifted back to fullback. Now we see how effective Laurie CAN be, right before he leaves. My bet is he would have been considered our 'long term' 5/8 had we seen this last year. Good for him. I know he has copped a bit on here for some questionable decisions in the past, but some people march to a different drum. He's not a thug. He's not out raising hell. He just vibes with his old mates more than Tigers fans wish he would. If his heart was always in playing at Penrith, good luck to him. Wish it had worked out.
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Gus Gould on 💯 Footy a few weeks back said he remembers seeing Laurie’s highlight video as a young 5/8 or halfback before he first signed with the Panthers and it was the best highlights video he has seen and he has seen plenty.
Gus has always been a big wrap for Laurie as a halve, I’m very surprised he didn’t sign him for the Bulldogs.
Laurie has only signed with the Panthers for one year at this stage, so if he makes as big an impression as I think he will, he will be in high demand for 2025.
Anyway both Sullivan and Fainu also have brilliant highlights videos, so let’s hope they they fulfil their potential while playing for Wests Tigers.
 
Vicious said:
Gus Gould on 💯 Footy a few weeks back said he remembers seeing Laurie’s highlight video as a young 5/8 or halfback before he first signed with the Panthers and it was the best highlights video he has seen and he has seen plenty.
Gus has always been a big wrap for Laurie as a halve, I’m very surprised he didn’t sign him for the Bulldogs.
Laurie has only signed with the Panthers for one year at this stage, so if he makes as big an impression as I think he will, he will be in high demand for 2025.
Anyway both Sullivan and Fainu also have brilliant highlights videos, so let’s hope they they fulfil their potential while playing for Wests Tigers.
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Just wish Gus had bent Madge's ear earlier about it.

I don't think this is the last we hear or see of Laurie as an NRL player. Be interesting to see if returning to the Panthers is a step forward or not. There's a LOT of older halves & 5/8's in this competition. He will have people watching his progress, I'm sure.
 
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The Chad said:
The frustrating thing with Laurie was the determination to play him as a fullback for so long. It's not as if our 5/8 position was a position of power while he has been here. I realise a mix of injury & timing have limited his chances THIS season, but he could have been moved to 5/8 last year just as easily. Doueihi could JUST as easily have been shifted back to fullback. Now we see how effective Laurie CAN be, right before he leaves. My bet is he would have been considered our 'long term' 5/8 had we seen this last year. Good for him. I know he has copped a bit on here for some questionable decisions in the past, but some people march to a different drum. He's not a thug. He's not out raising hell. He just vibes with his old mates more than Tigers fans wish he would. If his heart was always in playing at Penrith, good luck to him. Wish it had worked out.
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Good post. He hasn't been utilized correctly via our coaching staff, We should have tried him in the halves earlier and he should've been retained.

I'm not sold on him proving himself our long term 6 but we've been heaps better with him in the halves. It's a missed opportunity for us.
 
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Vicious said:
You will see how it pans out with him playing in a quality team such as the Panthers.
3 games at 5/8 for us and easily in out top 3 players each time.
To do that, make multiple line breaks, multiple try assists in a team with no idea how to attack is exceptional.
Ivan Cleary is sitting back licking his lips knowing they will not miss a beat if Laurie replaces Luai at 5/8 in 2025 and knowing the money they save by not re-signing Luai will help them retain their quality roster.
Click to expand...
Yep. He did everything last night in a team running last against a top 3 side that a quality 5/8th should do and tackles his ring off. Anyone who thinks that he can't produce the same or better at Penrith are kidding themselves.
 
jadtiger said:
He has been terribly overpaid and next to useless since he arrived in Australia,a typical dogs signing just throwing money away
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I think there are bigger issues at the Bulldogs than individual performances. Thompson can play. Nearly that whole squad can play. But something isn't clicking there. Dare I say it- not enough youth development...
 
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Vicious said:
He won’t be getting moved to the wing as he’s now in a position of power being one of our better players, but he’d be a good winger no doubt.
Do you think the Panthers would be a lesser team with Laurie playing 5/8 for them ?
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you must have a low opinion of Luai - On his way to triple premierships, Origin and International player… what’s Laurie achieved so far?
 
Tom Shines said:
you must have a low opinion of Luai - On his way to triple premierships, Origin and International player… what’s Laurie achieved so far?
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It's not a matter of downgrading what Luai has done it's about what Laurie can do in the same environmen. He has demonstrated in the last two games what he is capable of in a team that has won 7 games in 2 seasons. His contribution in lasts nights game was outstanding.
 
Vicious said:
For someone who’s only played 5/8 three or four times over the past 3 years, Laurie has been outstanding.
Penrith will be licking their lips knowing they have him back on a very low wage and likely they have him lined up to replace Luai as their starting NRL 5/8 in 2025 while some club likely to be us will pay Luai 1 million per season for a player no better than Laurie 🤷‍♂️
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I have been calling for Laurie to move into 5/8th since last season. Watched him in juniors and he can become a NRL player for sure.

I think he also shows how bad our previous/current halves have been. Our forwards have been getting us in position and Api has had quick play the balls & space but no one around him who has had any smarts to take advantage of it. Seeing what Laurie has done fills me somewhat with confidence on the attacking halves we have signed for next season.

Wish we had kept Laurie (not popular opinion here but some) but in saying that he isn’t at the Luai level & has a heck of alot if work ahead of him to become at the same level. Time can give him that but can see Panthers offering Luai more than Laurie for 25 hands down to keep him due to the Cleary connect alone.
 
Telltails said:
Yep. He did everything last night in a team running last against a top 3 side that a quality 5/8th should do and tackles his ring off. Anyone who thinks that he can't produce the same or better at Penrith are kidding themselves.
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Should have definitely let him start at 6 ages
ago. His problem is he's immature & like a big
kid. Confidence in him to do a job was low, so
we let him fester in state cup unfortunately
 
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