Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

kade7 said:
Just some whispers around the club

- tupou’s management asking for a player option 3rd year, he also wants to make a move to the centers in the coming years, canberra not a real
option

- noffa has been offered to parra / canberra / melbourne / dolphins, i wouldn’t say there is no interest, but canberra might be our only hope, we would be paying considerable freight
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Would be happy with both of those outcomes
 
Tucker said:
I’m not surprised. Wighton is a big fella
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Not saying he can't do it, the guy hits like a truck. But it's still a gamble to pay someone $800k plus and play them so drastically out of position. He played fullback for the whole first stanza of his career, not many players come to mind that have shifted from fullback to back row...
 
Bones said:
I’m interested in this whole Topou to the centres idea. To me he doesn’t display many of the skills you would usually look for in a centre, and even if he did are centres more valuable than wingers in the current game? Im not sure they are.
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We can say we'll give him a crack at centre next preseason, if he's better than our other options then he plays there. If he's not he doesn't. No guarantees for anyone
 
Bones said:
I’m interested in this whole Topou to the centres idea. To me he doesn’t display many of the skills you would usually look for in a centre, and even if he did are centres more valuable than wingers in the current game? Im not sure they are.
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Pretty sure he was playing centre in raiders juniors before he went to union, others would know better though.
He loves carrying the footy like Sonny Bill, he's either got to perfect that carry or learn to use two hands, causes far too many simple handling errors at the moment
 
Glenji95 said:
Well given we don’t have a million dollar player I don’t see how we can’t afford both. We have 25 spots filled in our 30 for 25 but not one of them will be on a million dollars or more. Obviously if we sign Luai he’ll be the only one who is but we would still have decent coin to offer AFB.
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Because we have no big money stars and lots of kids on peanuts...
 
AdelaideTiger said:
I say give Tupou whatever he wants, he should make a move to the centres sooner or later anyway. If considerable freight for Nofa is more than half (i.e. $300k+) then it would give me pause because we will need to backfill his spot with another winger anyway, but if it's half or less you make that happen because he just needs to go, I'd even entertain a swap plus cash for cotric, would make some sense for both parties.
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This. Noffa isn't worthwhile getting rid of at any cost, unless he's having a broad negative impact on the team. If the subsidization means it's effectively $250k to keep him, then you keep him.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Pretty sure he was playing centre in raiders juniors before he went to union, others would know better though.
He loves carrying the footy like Sonny Bill, he's either got to perfect that carry or learn to use two hands, causes far too many simple handling errors at the moment
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I’m sure he could play there, I’m just not sure he should. To me I’m looking for centres who have fast feet, good ball skills and solid defence as the 3 main skills. I’m not convinced he has any of those. Has has good top speed and size, and the possibility of being a real aerial threat, which is want you want from your winger.

I’d love to be wrong because we are in desperate need of quality centres.
 
Bones said:
I’m sure he could play there, I’m just not sure he should. To me I’m looking for centres who have fast feet, good ball skills and solid defence as the 3 main skills. I’m not convinced he has any of those. Has has good top speed and size, and the possibility of being a real aerial threat, which is want you want from your winger.

I’d love to be wrong because we are in desperate need of quality centres.
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He got good feet, not necessarily fast feet at the line, but he's got a huge left foot step that he unleashed a few times this year. He's not very technical with ball in hand but he is physically very gifted, and if you're just able to get freakish offloads away that may be all that's required.
Defence will be the issue, again physically he'll match it with most centres in the game, but can he get his reads and positioning down? we'll see
 
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kade7 said:
Just some whispers around the club

- tupou’s management asking for a player option 3rd year, he also wants to make a move to the centers in the coming years, canberra not a real
option

- noffa has been offered to parra / canberra / melbourne / dolphins, i wouldn’t say there is no interest, but canberra might be our only hope, we would be paying considerable freight
Click to expand...
They should play him at centre and promote lobb.
 
earl said:
I would definitely question it. Momo is the more well rounded or technical footy player but Kepaoa is the better athlete. That matters a lot in today's game. I'd prefer Kepaoa in our squad compared to Momo. Momo isn't a first grader. Kepaoa is a borderline first grader.
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An athletic build or body is just a vessel without a sound and focused mind behind it.
For mine Kepoa has always been a step off the pace and i think that comes from between the ears.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Pretty sure he was playing centre in raiders juniors before he went to union, others would know better though.
He loves carrying the footy like Sonny Bill, he's either got to perfect that carry or learn to use two hands, causes far too many simple handling errors at the moment
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Correct. He came through the juniors primarily playing left centre. Although he had a much slighter frame. He's clearly bulked up the last couple years to play on the wing.

He would be good in the centre but may need to lose a few kgs to maximise his potential there.
 
no issue with giving Tupou a player option and the chance to have a crack in the centres. while he may not hit the same heights, I've always likened him to Stephen Crichton, and with some decent coaching and patience he would do well in the centres. there's even a chance he could potentially succeed Olam and open the door for Luke Laulili'i to make his way onto the wing in 2025.
 
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