Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

BENJI’S RUGBY MOVE

Kiwi Super Rugby flyer Solomon Alaimalo could make a surprise crosscode switch after meeting with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.

Alaimalo is eyeing a move to the NRL with the Tigers expressing an interest in signing the 27-year-old after having discussions with the club in recent days.

He has been a mainstay for New Zealand’s Super Rugby clubs since making his debut for the Chiefs in 2017. He won the Chiefs’ rookie of the year award after scoring two tries on debut. He also played for the Highlanders.

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Alaimalo took some time out in 2021 to deal with depression and anxiety.

He returned to the field this year with the Chiefs having played in their round one Super Rugby game against the Crusaders. Alaimalo played out the rest of the season for Canterbury in New Zealand’s provincial competition with the side losing a semi-final against Taranaki earlier this month.

The Tigers have dabbled with cross-code converts in recent seasons. They handed Triston Reilly an NRL deal after he played for the NSW Waratahs. Reilly made his NRL debut this year.
 
Kaito said:
Yes I do remember haha, fondly, and hatefully lol
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Why Hatefully?

All I remember is looking up who was our defensive coach, and crying...

That said, when Kidwell left we were far FAR worse in defense.
Yes things were not good under Mick Potter. Jason Taylor was a nightmare that did not teach our kicker "HOW TO KICK"
Cmon Jason, you were second to Hazem "magic" el Mazri and Darryl Harrigan when he was playing. One of the best boots and you did not pass that skill on.

Cleary it was a new squad, but yea haven't seen us really muscle up in defense in ages. In fairness it always used to be a "mad Scramble" then a muscle.
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
Main takeaways acceleration/ability to maintain speed and support play all things we lack.
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Should go well as a winger to start with.
Also Declan Casey would be handy as a back up in the outside backs, with potential to grab an NRL starting spot if the others are not playing well enough.
Casey is tall, with decent speed and decent size and has shown ability to break tackles, he’d be a handy acquisition.
 
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clontarfkid said:
Very last player we need is a lazy, error prone,uncomitted, disloyal and dumb as ds player like Suli...up there with Woods for screwing us over when we needed him,and single handedly cost Dragons the match against us with a stoopid pass as clear evidence of his shortcomings

Theyre not the attributes were looking for..talented but...defecient in the areas above that count more
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Yep another Joey Leilua. Hope we’ve learned and stay away.
 
Vicious said:
Should go well as a winger to start with.
Also Declan Casey would be handy as a back up in the outside backs, with potential to grab an NRL starting spot if the others are not playing well enough.
Casey is tall, with decent speed and decent size and has shown ability to break tackles, he’d be a handy acquisition.
Click to expand...
Why don’t we sign Stains before this guy
 
If the rumours are true- looks like the club & fans see the same issues.

Centres & wingers abound in the rumours now- Declan Casey & Alex Lobb are both likely KOE type signings, but provide depth & get an opportunity to push for better at this club.

The rugby kid Alaimalo looks good- big, elusive, seems to have a consistant pace & can break tackles. You'd expect he would be looked at as a Top 30 if he was to come over. Most likely a winger that can play fullback, yeah?

Staines- if what I hear is right- is still in discussions. Then the recent JAC rumours floating as well.

Then we have Olam, Best (2025) & Suli on the radar as well.

There's a lot of smoke on Olam for a little while now, and Blore has been named a few times as the target. This could be a pretty strong rumour.

I have little doubt there are still moves to be made. Simpkin is still one of the most likely to move on. I look at the rosters & I think Parramatta makes the most immediate sense. Maybe the Dragons. Maybe even the Roosters. Blore is trade bait for both the Storm & Bulldogs apparently.

If Blore goes for Olam, Simpkin moves on Staines re-signed, we only need to move one player on to get Benji's rugby guy. I'd say the outside backs would be addressed with those 3 moves.

Wasn't there a small link with Tumeth to Souths at one point? Could be the 3rd guy to move.

Then to target Best & Luia in 2025...
 
crazycat said:
Why Hatefully?

All I remember is looking up who was our defensive coach, and crying...

That said, when Kidwell left we were far FAR worse in defense.
Yes things were not good under Mick Potter. Jason Taylor was a nightmare that did not teach our kicker "HOW TO KICK"
Cmon Jason, you were second to Hazem "magic" el Mazri and Darryl Harrigan when he was playing. One of the best boots and you did not pass that skill on.

Cleary it was a new squad, but yea haven't seen us really muscle up in defense in ages. In fairness it always used to be a "mad Scramble" then a muscle.
Click to expand...

Totally, really bad choice of words bro. I beleive
Kidwell was really good, he's done well 4 himself
since leaving the club, who can forget that shot
on willy mason too!! Spot on with that JT remark
Also - JT learnt from Halligan @ norths, as
You mentioned. New coach @ the dogs God help.
Lol. I genuinely beleive D is just application and
'want', No matter who's coaching...our club is
in such a dire position, Easy to be a bit slack I
suppose. Hodgo has been very lucky too getting
the job in the UK and with Eddie he's done shit
F all. Really looking forward 2 our rise up the table
 
The Chad said:
If the rumours are true- looks like the club & fans see the same issues.

Centres & wingers abound in the rumours now- Declan Casey & Alex Lobb are both likely KOE type signings, but provide depth & get an opportunity to push for better at this club.

The rugby kid Alaimalo looks good- big, elusive, seems to have a consistant pace & can break tackles. You'd expect he would be looked at as a Top 30 if he was to come over. Most likely a winger that can play fullback, yeah?

Staines- if what I hear is right- is still in discussions. Then the recent JAC rumours floating as well.

Then we have Olam, Best (2025) & Suli on the radar as well.

There's a lot of smoke on Olam for a little while now, and Blore has been named a few times as the target. This could be a pretty strong rumour.

I have little doubt there are still moves to be made. Simpkin is still one of the most likely to move on. I look at the rosters & I think Parramatta makes the most immediate sense. Maybe the Dragons. Maybe even the Roosters. Blore is trade bait for both the Storm & Bulldogs apparently.

If Blore goes for Olam, Simpkin moves on Staines re-signed, we only need to move one player on to get Benji's rugby guy. I'd say the outside backs would be addressed with those 3 moves.

Wasn't there a small link with Tumeth to Souths at one point? Could be the 3rd guy to move.

Then to target Best & Luia in 2025..
Click to expand...

Our NSW cup team does need strengthening too so adding Casey & Lobb is a good thing, I reckon.

Haven't seen the union player before but if Benji is interested, there must be a reason....

Making moves in the right direction, imo.
 
phil1986 said:
Makes sense.

Canterbury Bulldogs back Declan Caseyhas delivered an emotional farewell to the club on social media after not being offered a contract extension.

One of few players who remained off-contract at the Bulldogs, the club has decided not to extend his contract for the 2024 NRL season.

The son of former Dragons and North Sydney Bears player Stephen Casey, the 23-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 16 in 2022 against the Cronulla Sharks. Unfortunately, he was taken from the field with a concussion after being knocked to the ground.

He would go on to play six games for the Canterbury Bulldogs scoring two tries in the process, and was a member of the club's NSW Cup team in their 2022 Grand Final loss to the Penrith Panthers.

"I can't thank you enough for seeing in me what no one else did," he wrote on social media.

"Coming to the club in 2019 I made a promise to myself that I'd do everything in my power to repay you for taking a chance on me.

4 years later you made something I could only DREAM of come true and for that I'm forever grateful.

"To all the teammates I've had during my time here, you've made coming to work everyday worth it. The brotherhood and memories I've created here is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

"I appreciate you for believing in me and for challenging me to be better every single day.

"Last but certainly not least. Something I've learnt from my time at the Bulldogs is that we don't have fans...we have SUPPORTERS, people that cheer for this club no matter win, lose or draw. I can never express enough gratitude for all of you, but just know this club will forever hold a special place in my heart.

"Thank You."
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at least he has a bit of class about him.
 
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