Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jrtiger]

Like I said the track record says no.

Come on who else goes from media straight to first grade coach. Let's be real. There is a legitimate concern for his coaching there.

I know he is once in a life time player but coaching is different.

In reality benji the coach was a another poor management decision.

who's he missed out on? Mitch Moses and Shaun Johnson, who both stayed at their respective clubs. big whoop.

I understand there is cause for concern given he hasn't done a traditional apprenticeship, but this is Benji Marshall we're talking about. the player managers may have concerns but I'm sure there's plenty of players throughout the league that want to play under him, and in 12 months who's to say those concerns won't be put to bed if we shoot the lights out next year?

there's also been plenty of chat from internal and external stakeholders that Marshall has created an environment and culture players want to be a part of. players talk. let's see what happens in these next few weeks when free agency opens.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

who's he missed out on? Mitch Moses and Shaun Johnson, who both stayed at their respective clubs. big whoop.

I understand there is cause for concern given he hasn't done a traditional apprenticeship, but this is Benji Marshall we're talking about. the player managers may have concerns but I'm sure there's plenty of players throughout the league that want to play under him, and in 12 months who's to say those concerns won't be put to bed if we shoot the lights out next year?

there's also been plenty of chat from internal and external stakeholders that Marshall has created an environment and culture players want to be a part of. players talk. let's see what happens in these next few weeks when free agency opens.

Great post. Creating an environment where our own juniors want to stay and play and new recruits wanting in at the club is exciting.

 

[jrtiger]

Large is playing centre for the Waratahs at the moment, I've watched a bit of their games coz I know one of the kids in the team. He's an outstanding runner of the ball, quick and a big kid. He'll end up a centre

he definitely has the physical skillset of an outside back, but if you have a look at tape from his time in Matts last season you'll see he has incredible ballplaying skills as well and already possesses the ability to play up and down the gears, which most players don't learn until they're 60 games into their career.

he is generational. given how hard we pushed to keep him and his brother he will be playing in the spine when he's ready for regular first grade.

 

[jrtiger]

Great post. Creating an environment where our own juniors want to stay and play and new recruits wanting in at the club is exciting.

a lot of the youngsters in the HM side have wanted to stay together and build the club to where it should be. Marshall as head coach with some decent assistants and Cheika above him will be more than enough to ensure they reach the heights they should.

we've had two golden generations come one after the other. the first went undefeated through Harold Matts in 2022. this next Harold Matts side next year is going to be very fun to watch and could do something very similar with Karnib, Makasini, O. Large, Isdale, A. Large, Sheck and Havea.

 

[Roar_Power]

he definitely has the physical skillset of an outside back, but if you have a look at tape from his time in Matts last season you'll see he has incredible ballplaying skills as well and already possesses the ability to play up and down the gears, which most players don't learn until they're 60 games into their career.

he is generational. given how hard we pushed to keep him and his brother he will be playing in the spine when he's ready for regular first grade.

If the ARU gets their s%*t together they will throw huge money at Large when the time is right!

 

[Lestronge]

Yes it is why he has been recruited. That doesn't actually mean he can do that job. It means our club hopes/believes he can do that he can.
The best example of this I believe is Frizzell. Knights signed him believing they were not only getting a very good player but also a leader only to discover Frizzell doesn't talk. He is not a leader and not a guy to guide young players, even though he himself exemplifies what it takes to be a first grader.
It is more common for experienced players to not act as mentors for young players than it is they do. I'm not saying Sezer isn't that guy, I'm saying it certainly isn't a given that he is.

Again with Cogger, the insight is that he isn't assured of a starting spot at Knights, yet he signed there anyway. This shows he either understands that he is currently a benchie/fringe first grader. Or he has such an ego that he believes he will displace Hastings/Gamble/Crossland. He might do so but it isn't a given. There is no evidence that he will soon or cause any other chaos if he isn't in their best 17, just as there is none that he would do so if he was here.

No way he goes to the knights for the exact same role he’s in at the panthers . He’s been given assurances or at least first crack .
Once again if the future has been identified as Fainu and Sullivan (4 year deal says a lot) then an old vet is ,and always was the way to go .
I don’t even know what to say about your ridiculous Sezer point . You’re just arguing for the sake of it .

 

[Lestronge]

Large is playing centre for the Waratahs at the moment, I've watched a bit of their games coz I know one of the kids in the team. He's an outstanding runner of the ball, quick and a big kid. He'll end up a centre

I tend to agree with this . Maybe a fullback . Either way he’s going to be dynamic and a huge asset whoever he ends up playing with .

 

[jrtiger]

If the ARU gets their s%*t together they will throw huge money at Large when the time is right!

he's on a long term deal with WT. nothing to worry about for a few years.

 

[Wiz]

he definitely has the physical skillset of an outside back, but if you have a look at tape from his time in Matts last season you'll see he has incredible ballplaying skills as well and already possesses the ability to play up and down the gears, which most players don't learn until they're 60 games into their career.

he is generational. given how hard we pushed to keep him and his brother he will be playing in the spine when he's ready for regular first grade.

Large is only in year 10 at Scots. He played inside centre for them this year because of other, older kids in the 10 and 15 jerseys. I expect you’ll see him play 10 and/or 15 for his year 11 and year 12 seasons. That’s five eighth or fullback in league positions.

 

[Canadian Club]

Just played a full season in Reggies at 7. He is a 7 out and out.

Strongly disagree. He may have had 7 on his back but played nothing like a 7.

Humphries was the chief playmaker for that team. Watching those games, he was the one directing the team and did most of the kicking.

Fainu isn’t an organiser and doesn’t have much of a kicking game at this point of his career. He’s a ball runner, with an elite ability to beat players and create space for his outside and inside men.

 

[stephen]

Just remember any external signing is due to fulton not benji. If you think benji can attract recruitment you should look at his track record. Fulton is the guy to attract players. They signed fulton because the club had a long history of not being able to attract players and losing players.

Benji alone does not change this.

I think when it comes to recruitment too many are letting their personal feelings get in the way with what is best for recruitment.

Again, recruitment has been an issue for 10 plus years and fulton the only guy at the club presently that can change that. That's why I don't think benji involvement in recruitment is good for the club

What's Fulton done so far?
He might end up being an astute buy for our club but hasn't set the world on fire yet.
You make a point of others letting personal feelings get in the way. You bang the drum pretty hard for Fulton.

 

[Camel2281]

Large is only in year 10 at Scots. He played inside centre for them this year because of other, older kids in the 10 and 15 jerseys. I expect you’ll see him play 10 and/or 15 for his year 11 and year 12 seasons. That’s five eighth or fullback in league positions.

Perhaps. But the Tahs have him at centre in his own age group

 

[tony soprano]

What's Fulton done so far?
He might end up being an astute buy for our club but hasn't set the world on fire yet.
You make a point of others letting personal feelings get in the way. You bang the drum pretty hard for Fulton.

I'm going over the same point again and again. Fulton was bought because the club could not recruit or hold on to players. I think the club should let him do his job.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

What's Fulton done so far?
He might end up being an astute buy for our club but hasn't set the world on fire yet.
You make a point of others letting personal feelings get in the way. You bang the drum pretty hard for Fulton.

Without Fulton, we wouldn't have signed the Fainu brothers or Sullivan, plus about 10 kids in SG Ball & Harold Matts. Yes all speculative but the Fainu brothers have the ability to be national reps if guided correctly.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

he's on a long term deal with WT. nothing to worry about for a few years.

I am sure the salary cap gurus at the WT are ensuring we'll have the space when Large & Makasini turn 18 to make them an appropriate extension offer. For Onitoni, having Ashton signed up may help! I wonder what father Large does, maybe we can bring him into the club lol

 

[gregjm87]

No way he goes to the knights for the exact same role he’s in at the panthers . He’s been given assurances or at least first crack .
Once again if the future has been identified as Fainu and Sullivan (4 year deal says a lot) then an old vet is ,and always was the way to go .
I don’t even know what to say about your ridiculous Sezer point . You’re just arguing for the sake of it .

Mate. I think you have missed my original point which was given that there is arguments for and against Sezer/Cogger (and you can even throw in Sullivan given he was signed after Cogger committed to Knights), then debate between Marshall and Fulton should lead to us pursuing the better option as it should mean that all options and their pros and cons are considered.

 

[jrtiger]

I am sure the salary cap gurus at the WT are ensuring we'll have the space when Large & Makasini turn 18 to make them an appropriate extension offer. For Onitoni, having Ashton signed up may help! I wonder what father Large does, maybe we can bring him into the club lol

both Onitoni and Ashton have NRL components in their deals moving forward, just comes down to how many years and how much money. as you say extensions and pay increases will come if they exceed expectations. Makasini I hope and I assume is locked up. he is a representative-capable talent.

 

[CornerPost]

Large is only in year 10 at Scots. He played inside centre for them this year because of other, older kids in the 10 and 15 jerseys. I expect you’ll see him play 10 and/or 15 for his year 11 and year 12 seasons. That’s five eighth or fullback in league positions.

Especially in the juniors but they tend to put league 5/8 into the centres in Union.. league 5/8 tend to run more .. Union 5/8 are more of a half back.. tactical kicking and organising

 

[hank37w]

I'll be glad when tomorrow comes around and the announcements come that we have signed 5 or 6 representative players.

Can't wait.

 

[jadtiger]

I'll be glad when tomorrow comes around and the announcements come that we have signed 5 or 6 representative players.

Can't wait.

I like your optimism but i have grave doubts about your accuracy