Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[LeichhardtTiger]

This is my thinking too. I would really like him to work out but the way he plays I think he needs to be fully fit. He does seem like a much harder worker on and off the field than Leilua and Jet though. Does anyone in the know have any idea what the process for a medical for a potential signing looks like at a club?

Yes, according to NRL Physio if the player is not wearing bandaids then they are fully fit. 🥃 🤣

 

[tony soprano]

He offers a lot more than the likes of Mansfield, Sione F. and Tumeth in the squad.

True, the top 30 squad has too many of these type of players (not ready for first grade) coming into next year.
There is a few more players from the 30 you can easily add to that list.

 

[balmain boy]

Kepaoa is physically, the perfect winger.

What, small, slow, uncoordinated and blind?

 

[full80]

If it’s true and Blore doesn‘t want to stay though, there’s nothing the club can do. Might as well use him as a bargaining chip while you can.

We have a very, very young team. Olam provides experience. I read somewhere he is a good solid person too, and is huge in the PNG community. He has played in many very big games and can give a calmness and strength to our very young backline. He's a big body that will benefit from good ball from a Sezer, Sullivan or Fanu. Blore is great, would love to keep him. If he stays fit he will be a beast. But if a guy doesn't want to stay with a club that has paid him through two big stints of rehab then let him go. Olam is the best on the market.

 

[balmain boy]

I understand. When we made the trade it was
him or Christian Tuipulotu from the chooks. You
don't have to be happy with how it worked out.
I'm sure he isn't too, nor is the club/fans, I get it.
I'm just not draining him down the sink that's all..

I recall we asked for Tuipolutu and got rejected. Only for him to sign with Manly a few months later.

 

[The Chad]

What, small, slow, uncoordinated and blind?

He's many, many things. But I don't think you can brand him as 'small'.

 

[The Chad]

Kepaoa is 6'1" & 89kgs
Staines is 6'0" & 87kgs.

It's not like we are talking about Daniel Fitzhenry here.

 

[The Chad]

Now, to be fair, Hymel is also working as a real estate broker in the Newcastle area, so Benji will have to reorganise training around house viewings.

But, finally, we have our winger.

 

[balmain boy]

Large is still ages away and will likely come into grade via the backline. Luai for 3-4 years gives him time to understand what is required in first grade. I completely agree that competition for spots is important though, will bring out the best in all potential candidates.

Large will most likely debut in 2025, so it's not that far away. But he won't debut in the halves.
We do need competition, but that's harder for us. Players are happy to be patient at the Storm, Roosters, Panthers. Clubs with depth, quality and success. We have none of those, so players want to play here or go to a stronger club.
Out of Fainu, Large and Galvin i tip 2/3 will go onto being in the uppermost elite players in the comp at the peak of their careers.

 

[balmain boy]

Yeah I agree. I think there must be a couple of things bubbling away in the background (i.e. player releases) with Staines having agreed to take a spot once officially available.

Otherwise, he would have been signed elsewhere by now 100% or, if his injury was career-threatening, it would have leaked to the media by now.

Why are these things taking so long though? Clubs are all back in training, surely if a club wants a certain player and is happy to make a trade you do that at the very start of pre-season so they have as much time as possible to acclimatise to the new club. Some deals may take longer than others but so far no deal have been made across the comp. If they're going to happen it's got to happen over the next couple of weeks.

Currently Staines isn't getting paid and isn't' training. Why would he accept those terms? He's already lost 1/24th of his pay.

 

[balmain boy]

The player we should be targetting is without a doubt Mark Nawaqanitawase.

He grew up playing in the Balmain junior leagues, his dad played for the Tigers. If he comes to the NRL and a club gets special dispensation to do so, he should only be allowed to come to us and Benji should be moving everything to make it happen!

 

[boonboon]

Matt Betsy appointed interim Head of Football

 

[balmain boy]

Kepaoa is 6'1" & 89kgs
Staines is 6'0" & 87kgs.

It's not like we are talking about Daniel Fitzhenry here.

So very similar stats, only Staines is lightning fast and Kepaoa is just bog average at everything

 

[The Chad]

So very similar stats, only Staines is lightning fast and Kepaoa is just bog average at everything

I think that is called 'consistent'.

 

[Tcat]

I'm going against popular opinion atm and think Olam would be a great signing. Our centre situation isn't great atm, Olam isn't a world beater but is on a completely different level to who we currently have in that position. We need to buy ourselves some time until our juniors are ready and i can't think of anyone else decent who is available that we could realistically sign.

 

[tigerman 0]

Now, to be fair, Hymel is also working as a real estate broker in the Newcastle area, so Benji will have to reorganise training around house viewings.

But, finally, we have our winger.

Was good early on but tailed off later in the year. Confidence player.

I think Benji will be good for him moving forward.

Wot chew talking bout Willis

 

[Kelce68]

He looks good doesn't he

He looked good in the trial this year, haven't seen enough of him in Cup yet my man.

 

[Todd Packer]

Kepaoa is 6'1" & 89kgs
Staines is 6'0" & 87kgs.

It's not like we are talking about Daniel Fitzhenry here.

Kepaoa can't play but I'd be very surprised if he's only 89kgs.

 

[Kelce68]

Large will most likely debut in 2025, so it's not that far away. But he won't debut in the halves.
We do need competition, but that's harder for us. Players are happy to be patient at the Storm, Roosters, Panthers. Clubs with depth, quality and success. We have none of those, so players want to play here or go to a stronger club.
Out of Fainu, Large and Galvin i tip 2/3 will go onto being in the uppermost elite players in the comp at the peak of their careers.

Yeh, entirely likely.

People need to understand these aren't your regular 'good juniors'. They're pretty special young players, but they will need time.

Almost no-one comes in and dominates before 22 years of age.

 

[Todd Packer]

The player we should be targetting is without a doubt Mark Nawaqanitawase.

He grew up playing in the Balmain junior leagues, his dad played for the Tigers. If he comes to the NRL and a club gets special dispensation to do so, he should only be allowed to come to us and Benji should be moving everything to make it happen!

No.
I struggle to spell Kepaoa.
We need a couple of Smiths and Jones'
It's a big no to Nawaqaqatinaesseae.