Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Huh ? The quote was thier b team would beat us , and I explained why it wouldn’t . The rest of your post is irrelevant and obvious .
Fully agree,i would rate Blake no better and possibly even worse than what we have at the moment.
Not many other clubs do either.
Eternal Tiger
Well-known member
Might be environment. I think it's obvious that the environment at Concord, $80m COE, or demountables isn't one where players excel.
Eternal Tiger
Well-known member
But, they are all more successful than us.
What it highlights to me is the challenge of decision making around giving talent the time to develop into consistent performance versus moving players on. Easy for armchair bandits to talk retrospectively about decisions made by the cub but clearly not an easy thing to get right 100% of the time.
The knock on the club is they appear to get it wrong more than right.
Conversely, we shouldn’t underestimate the number of times that players try to leave for better opportunities elsewhere as I don’t think it’s always a club decision.
I liked Kelma in attack but man he was lazy in defence. He seemed to either struggle or simply not bother covering the inside in defence and we seemed to have breaks made through his edge a lot.
Dennisspicer1
Well-known member
Gamble would be a superstar in our team,
The only reason he is not a superstar for the Knights is a guy called Ponga.
But he has turned out pretty bloody good.
But when our mob have a bet on a player it always seems to be the wrong Gamble.
The only reason he is not a superstar for the Knights is a guy called Ponga.
But he has turned out pretty bloody good.
But when our mob have a bet on a player it always seems to be the wrong Gamble.
watersider
Well-known member
Newcastle filled their squad really well with capable, hard working and smart players. Even players like Lachlan Miller have played an important role.
On the other hand, we signed Wakeham off the street with about two weeks to go before the season. Who were our backup halves before that? And why did they think Wakeham would be good enough? Did everyone just have complete faith in Doueihi and Brooks? And if so, how did we get that assessment so badly wrong? Sure they got injured, but they were terrible, absolutely terrible, before that. There have been plenty of capable backup halves going around this year, none of them superstars, but they do their job well. Our halves pairing were not only the worst in the league, they were probably also worse than half the other teams' backup option.
It was just really poor recruitment in the area of filling out the squad.
We tend to hyperventilate on here, however, most everyone of us could see that the halves were a huge gaping hole in our squad.
The club must do better at getting the basics right, and it starts with proper management of the squad recruitment.
On the other hand, we signed Wakeham off the street with about two weeks to go before the season. Who were our backup halves before that? And why did they think Wakeham would be good enough? Did everyone just have complete faith in Doueihi and Brooks? And if so, how did we get that assessment so badly wrong? Sure they got injured, but they were terrible, absolutely terrible, before that. There have been plenty of capable backup halves going around this year, none of them superstars, but they do their job well. Our halves pairing were not only the worst in the league, they were probably also worse than half the other teams' backup option.
It was just really poor recruitment in the area of filling out the squad.
We tend to hyperventilate on here, however, most everyone of us could see that the halves were a huge gaping hole in our squad.
The club must do better at getting the basics right, and it starts with proper management of the squad recruitment.
Odessa
Well-known member
tony soprano
Well-known member
WesternSuburbsBoy
Well-known member
Our halves problem this year was down to a stubborn Sheens. No one can convince me otherwise.
diedpretty
Well-known member
I would seriously consider taking him for 4 years if Manly coughed up 350 - 400k a season. He is only 22 and does have some serious talent - just lacking in maturity and attitude at the moment. If you could turn that around he would be a bargain.
tony soprano
Well-known member
U rate fulton mate?
The Chad
Well-known member
Our outside backs are clearly now the focus of this forum, and rightly so.
My belief is we have filled the squad with a bunch of players that, although they can have good moments, are just not consistent enough as a group, or perhaps not pushed enough by the guys vying for their spots to play consistent high quality football.
Weirdly, there's probably an argument for & against every one of the guys pushing for playing time.
Nofoaluma is the longest tenured Tigers player, and I'm of the strong belief clubs NEED those kind of guys in the playing group. Unfortunately his production is not what it used to be & we are not strong enough to carry players. I see him as our version of where Mansour was toward the end at Penrith. Still useful, but being pushed.
Tupou is the physical speciman we need. Probably the ace of our outside backs, to be fair. His defensive numbers are sadly similar to Nofoaluma's, which is to say- somewhere in the mid to high 70% range in effeciency (trust me- we have worse). He is the player with the most x-factor to his game though, without a doubt, and a keeper. I've argued he should be a centre, but I suspect he's a bit too quiet in his communication. He's not a liability under kicks, has some damaging runs in him- he's our #1 winger.
To'a- I've complained about his on-field demeanor in the past, but I'll put my hand up & say that in all honesty- he is easily our best centre. Defensively his numbers are sound. Better service would make him a better player too. Our #1 centre (at this point)
Kepaoa- Centre/Winger that is not only inconsistent in defence but also catching & effort areas. There is talent there to be unlocked, but released to play elsewhere or moved into the KOE squad & used solely in case of injuries would be a step in the right direction.
Naden- Another inconsistent performer with suspect defence. A much better attacking player though. But seems injury prone to boot. Used as a back-up Centre/Winger would be ideal. If he was the guy you bring in through a couple of injuries- the squad is probably strong at that point. as a starter- it shows how thin we really are.
Staines- believe it or not, by FAR the worst statistical defender in the squad with an average tackle efficiency at 66%. He is quick, but not a damaging runner. Can play fullback as well. Weird how there has been SO little critisism of Staines but his numbers are really quite poor, and at $500k a year to boot. There are cheaper options available that would be as effective. I honestly think he's better served elsewhere.
Reilly- Promising start. Very promising. Tackles quite nicely. Seems to find a gap quite well. This is not to say he is the answer. Just that in the depth-game, he's part of the puzzle now. Would definately prefer if he is KOE with a view to pushing To'a/whoever plays next to To'a.
Feledy- showed he was not quite ready to be considered as yet. A couple of decent runs, some rather glaring defensive misses. In a team that can't defend with authority...some work is required. He's got plenty of time & I think there is a player in there if developed right.
Doueihi- I think he is probably our best centre in the club. Injury is a concern- no doubting that. For all the critics- his defence is no worse than Naden. He is significantly better at linebreaks than nearly every other player in the backline however. And I don't know where any kind of attitude critisism comes from for Doueihi who has only ever shown the desire to see the Tigers do well. The idea of de-registering him for the whole of 2024 sounds interesting. Let him train & heal. Then have him come back in 2025 on a new deal (with the injury history in mind) to compete with the centre options & possibly take Naden's spot on the roster.
We lack a starting calibre centre & a winger to push Nofoaluma out of the starting role. Having a splash of the x-factor wouldn't hurt.
Letting Staines move on leaves 1 spot in the 30. I think we need to invest in 3 outside backs (Doueihi de-registration could assist) to give the club the depth & quality it needs.
Isaiah Tass is essentially the centre we need. Very good defender that also sets up his winger. MAYBE with Wighton going to Souths there is a chance. But he's not exactly the player good teams give up on.
Justin Olam has been mentioned & he can provide some impact tackles for certain. Age is a concern, as is the Storm's unwillingness to reinsert him into the lineup.
I've suggested Momorovski in the past, but in reality- I'm not certain he is an actual upgrade. Additionally, his defence is barely upgrading Naden.
Young players like Harley Smith-Shields are interesting, but we are reinforcing a young squad with more young, untested players at that point. If we are picking up young players, Paul Alamoti is my choice right away. In fact, he might be the guy I'd suggest regardless.
Billy Smith from the Roosters might be the other ideal pick-up, alongside Tass. Another good defensive centre, but those injuries in his past are slightly concerning.
Left field option to add "impact"- Konrad Hurrell. If Talakai at the Sharks can be effective, the original beast out wide could be too. Wouldn't necessarily help our defensive read issues...although he can pull off a clean hit on his day.
Apparently we are looking at Lobb as a winger from the Dragons. Physically he works. As a KOE player, T&T type- I see value.
Keao Weekes is free to negotiate. Weird player in some ways- he's a fullback, maybe a 5/8...I think he could learn wing & even centre. He looks like a player that might not have a specific role. In order to avoid falling into the trap Mbye, Doueihi etc find themselves in- get him to focus on one spot that gets him on the field. One thing for certain- he can move. I'd kind of prefer him as a centre I think where he can use his ballplaying a bit more than on the wing.
Xavier Savage is a genuine x-factor player. Pretty far down the pecking order at Canberra now. Can't really defend (Staines-like) but he absolutely can move. Given our issues scoring, I'd make allowances for his defence to unleash him on the opposition, particularly on set plays around the ruck or on wide sweeps. Upgrading his defence would make him so much more valuable.
Haze Dunster would be another name- I think he's Benji's cousin from memory. Those wing spots at Parramatta are pretty congested. Another player that can run.
My last name- Hymel Hunt from the Knights. Bigger type & more a strong defender. Can also play centre. I think there is more value in him than people give credit for. Not an explosive player, but very professional, popular & really defensively strong. Only a couple of years ago Wayne had him in Maroons camp. Injuries have held him back.
My belief is we have filled the squad with a bunch of players that, although they can have good moments, are just not consistent enough as a group, or perhaps not pushed enough by the guys vying for their spots to play consistent high quality football.
Weirdly, there's probably an argument for & against every one of the guys pushing for playing time.
Nofoaluma is the longest tenured Tigers player, and I'm of the strong belief clubs NEED those kind of guys in the playing group. Unfortunately his production is not what it used to be & we are not strong enough to carry players. I see him as our version of where Mansour was toward the end at Penrith. Still useful, but being pushed.
Tupou is the physical speciman we need. Probably the ace of our outside backs, to be fair. His defensive numbers are sadly similar to Nofoaluma's, which is to say- somewhere in the mid to high 70% range in effeciency (trust me- we have worse). He is the player with the most x-factor to his game though, without a doubt, and a keeper. I've argued he should be a centre, but I suspect he's a bit too quiet in his communication. He's not a liability under kicks, has some damaging runs in him- he's our #1 winger.
To'a- I've complained about his on-field demeanor in the past, but I'll put my hand up & say that in all honesty- he is easily our best centre. Defensively his numbers are sound. Better service would make him a better player too. Our #1 centre (at this point)
Kepaoa- Centre/Winger that is not only inconsistent in defence but also catching & effort areas. There is talent there to be unlocked, but released to play elsewhere or moved into the KOE squad & used solely in case of injuries would be a step in the right direction.
Naden- Another inconsistent performer with suspect defence. A much better attacking player though. But seems injury prone to boot. Used as a back-up Centre/Winger would be ideal. If he was the guy you bring in through a couple of injuries- the squad is probably strong at that point. as a starter- it shows how thin we really are.
Staines- believe it or not, by FAR the worst statistical defender in the squad with an average tackle efficiency at 66%. He is quick, but not a damaging runner. Can play fullback as well. Weird how there has been SO little critisism of Staines but his numbers are really quite poor, and at $500k a year to boot. There are cheaper options available that would be as effective. I honestly think he's better served elsewhere.
Reilly- Promising start. Very promising. Tackles quite nicely. Seems to find a gap quite well. This is not to say he is the answer. Just that in the depth-game, he's part of the puzzle now. Would definately prefer if he is KOE with a view to pushing To'a/whoever plays next to To'a.
Feledy- showed he was not quite ready to be considered as yet. A couple of decent runs, some rather glaring defensive misses. In a team that can't defend with authority...some work is required. He's got plenty of time & I think there is a player in there if developed right.
Doueihi- I think he is probably our best centre in the club. Injury is a concern- no doubting that. For all the critics- his defence is no worse than Naden. He is significantly better at linebreaks than nearly every other player in the backline however. And I don't know where any kind of attitude critisism comes from for Doueihi who has only ever shown the desire to see the Tigers do well. The idea of de-registering him for the whole of 2024 sounds interesting. Let him train & heal. Then have him come back in 2025 on a new deal (with the injury history in mind) to compete with the centre options & possibly take Naden's spot on the roster.
We lack a starting calibre centre & a winger to push Nofoaluma out of the starting role. Having a splash of the x-factor wouldn't hurt.
Letting Staines move on leaves 1 spot in the 30. I think we need to invest in 3 outside backs (Doueihi de-registration could assist) to give the club the depth & quality it needs.
Isaiah Tass is essentially the centre we need. Very good defender that also sets up his winger. MAYBE with Wighton going to Souths there is a chance. But he's not exactly the player good teams give up on.
Justin Olam has been mentioned & he can provide some impact tackles for certain. Age is a concern, as is the Storm's unwillingness to reinsert him into the lineup.
I've suggested Momorovski in the past, but in reality- I'm not certain he is an actual upgrade. Additionally, his defence is barely upgrading Naden.
Young players like Harley Smith-Shields are interesting, but we are reinforcing a young squad with more young, untested players at that point. If we are picking up young players, Paul Alamoti is my choice right away. In fact, he might be the guy I'd suggest regardless.
Billy Smith from the Roosters might be the other ideal pick-up, alongside Tass. Another good defensive centre, but those injuries in his past are slightly concerning.
Left field option to add "impact"- Konrad Hurrell. If Talakai at the Sharks can be effective, the original beast out wide could be too. Wouldn't necessarily help our defensive read issues...although he can pull off a clean hit on his day.
Apparently we are looking at Lobb as a winger from the Dragons. Physically he works. As a KOE player, T&T type- I see value.
Keao Weekes is free to negotiate. Weird player in some ways- he's a fullback, maybe a 5/8...I think he could learn wing & even centre. He looks like a player that might not have a specific role. In order to avoid falling into the trap Mbye, Doueihi etc find themselves in- get him to focus on one spot that gets him on the field. One thing for certain- he can move. I'd kind of prefer him as a centre I think where he can use his ballplaying a bit more than on the wing.
Xavier Savage is a genuine x-factor player. Pretty far down the pecking order at Canberra now. Can't really defend (Staines-like) but he absolutely can move. Given our issues scoring, I'd make allowances for his defence to unleash him on the opposition, particularly on set plays around the ruck or on wide sweeps. Upgrading his defence would make him so much more valuable.
Haze Dunster would be another name- I think he's Benji's cousin from memory. Those wing spots at Parramatta are pretty congested. Another player that can run.
My last name- Hymel Hunt from the Knights. Bigger type & more a strong defender. Can also play centre. I think there is more value in him than people give credit for. Not an explosive player, but very professional, popular & really defensively strong. Only a couple of years ago Wayne had him in Maroons camp. Injuries have held him back.
851
Well-known member
The Knigjts swapped Chad Randall for him
The Chad
Well-known member
Forgot to mention Enari Tuala from the Knights.
In fact, if the Tigers got both Tuala & Hunt on one side, we would have exactly 1 good defensive side of the field.
Both are highly underrated.
In fact, if the Tigers got both Tuala & Hunt on one side, we would have exactly 1 good defensive side of the field.
Both are highly underrated.
Yeah but he’s an NRL standard winger who is not getting regular games in Canberra’s NRL team, surely he’s not happy with that.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Sheens turned out a very bad appointment in hindsight, i must admit i bought into the 2005 hype. It's rubbish the game has passed him by. Its not like Bennett who has been a constant in the NRL he's moved with it unlike Sheens who went to the UK and flopped.
I will hold my judgment with Benji for now, hoping Johnny Cronk can steady the ship with him but i don't have a lot of faith.
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