Kelce68
Well-known member
Yeh, look, I agree.
It was more to present a counter case to the earlier post that stated it was the least important position.
Your take is probably the most correct in retrospect.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
It was more to present a counter case to the earlier post that stated it was the least important position.
Your take is probably the most correct in retrospect.
19 year olds aren’t usually great defenders. Remember the old U20’s NYC? Most of the games were basketball scores.
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hank37w
Well-known member
If he stays injury free he will prove to be anywhere from a good to excellent signing.
If nothing else we need the depth as you have said.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
What is Bulldogs' bombshell - highlight of JAC on CH9?
AL The Tiger
Well-known member
People have short memories. Naden was one of our best the first 6 rounds or so before getting injured and he never really made it back into the team since. When he's fit and healthy, he's our best centre option by a large margin
AL The Tiger
Well-known member
Anyone got this story? https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...nonymous&mode=premium&v21=LOW-Segment-2-SCORE
because your likely to be just as athletic as them. I’m just saying a smaller less athletic player has to tackle a backrower another half of similar build and agility or a fullback or a centre. Tougher job.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
As long as Naden is on it (which is always questionable) i'd have him comfortably in front of Toa at centre.
Well how did that work out for us this year?
Having some experienced players who can show the young guys what it takes to be a top level player is valuable, especially when that player comes from the best system in the comp.
Also, it just so happens that arguably our best player this year was one of the over 30 guys.
The Wests Tigers are poised to launch a club-defining bid for Penrith premiership-winner Jarome Luai which is expected to soar north of $4 million.
The major development has emerged amid increasing suggestions from the NRL that Luai has told his closest teammates that he is leaning towards leaving the Panthers at the end of 2024.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has taken a personal interest in the chase for Luai and it is understood he has the support of the club’s board to go all-in for the Panthers star.
However, it is anticipated that Marshall will face stiff competition from the Bulldogs, who have a long list of connections to Luai through head coach Cameron Ciraldo, marquee-signing Stephen Crichton, backrower Viliame Kikau, NSW Origin talent Matt Burton and fresh recruit Jaemon Salmon.
Yet it is the Tigers that have got the edge after Marshall held a recent meeting with the three-time premiership-winner at his home in the inner-west of Sydney.
At the heart of the negotiations is Marshall’s preparedness to offer Luai the opportunity to be the chief playmaker, regardless of whether he plays in the six or seven jersey.
It is a position that many within the game believe Luai has craved, having spent his first grade career in the shadow of champion Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.
Money is also a factor. It is understood the Wests Tigers are prepared to offer a deal worth close to $1.1 million per-season for Luai, who turns 27 in January.
Marshall will need full board approval to table the offer given the enormity of the contract. However, it is understood that is a mere formality.
An offer in excess of $1 million would blow Penrith out of the water - the Panthers have already indicated to Luai that they can only offer him a maximum of $850,000 per season.
The Tigers have signed veteran half Aidan Sezer for 2024 only, but have invested heavily in recruiting Dragons half Jayden Sullivan and also former Manly rising star Latu Fainu.
The Wests Tigers also have high hopes for teenager Lachlan Galvin, who was a star at this year’s Australian Schoolboys carnival.
Luai, who has played seven matches for NSW and 11 appearances for Samoa, is also seen as a mentor to the likes of Sullivan, Faini and Galvin.
The Wests Tigers are also leaning on their connection to Luai through former Penrith teammates Api Koroisau, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines.
Luai was intending to return to Penrith on Wednesday to step-up his rehabilitation from recent shoulder surgery.
He is racing the clock to be fit for the three-time premiers pre-season fixtures and opening round clash against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
Luai is one of the few playmakers on the open market at the end of 2024, giving him the whiphand in talks with interested clubs.
North Queensland’s Tom Dearden is also up for grabs and it is believed the Bulldogs also hold an interest in the Maroons star, although it would take something special to convince him to leave the Cowboys.
Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary has also entered the final year of his contract, although he is expected to sign an extension for at least one season to stay at Bondi Junction.
Hardest position mentally or physically?
I agree with how you’ve stated, the centre is an important defensive cog on the edge. He should be calling out to the half what he is covering and thus providing his own cover for a short ball or out ball.
It gets tricky if the centre makes the decision on his own without support. It all depends on the system and a good system communicates and is one another’s eyes.
Hence what I mean’t by if you can dominate your centre 1 on 1 the rest should come easy but I am a defensive minded player so I do enjoy defending at centre and making those decisions.
hank37w
Well-known member
Maybe he could sign with Melbourne and not even leave Sydney.
Should be a walk up start at North Sydney.
Yeah I know, "why are people so unkind?"
That’s why we are looking at Olam and have 1 of Staines, Tupou, To’a or Naden to cover.
earl
Well-known member
He made way too many stupid mistakes. That is why he is always in and out of first grade. He is a great runner of the footy but players that give away dumb penalties lose games and won't keep getting picked.
I see Luai playing 7 like he did for Samoa when he led them to the WC final
watersider
Well-known member
So much noise around our attempts to sign Luai. Just feels like the same old routine and surely it's a bit of amateur hour again that all this information gets fed to the media when there's been no signature.
And then cue the 'basketcase' and 'tigers rejected again' when we don't get them.
Sorry to be negative, I just wish the club actually learnt how to handle negotiations to avoid this.
And then cue the 'basketcase' and 'tigers rejected again' when we don't get them.
Sorry to be negative, I just wish the club actually learnt how to handle negotiations to avoid this.
We wouldn’t be offering it. He is already on a contract for 3 more years so we would be taking it over. If he does come it has to be for 3 years.
hank37w
Well-known member
Why not, it's worked well for us in the past. 🤣
