Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Richo indicated another signing in the next week....

 

[rugbygoated]

My takeaways from Richo interview:
* Luai didn’t sign a contract with us until last night, he informed the media he will do a press conference at 10am ish (before club sent announcement out)
* Richo son is best mates with Ciraldo and up until last night didn’t know if he was coming or heading to bulldogs.
* roster and staff changes to be announced over next 7 days.
* mentioned development spot free that needs to be filled
* subtle hint re Fainu and Galvin as 5/8ths mention both as superstars, interesting that Sullivan was an after thought
* Richo focus is governance and structure to simplify/manage over next 60 days get it going before season starts to take pressure off the footy side.
* did mention changes to happen on pathways, development side
* Richo isn’t comfortable with the balance of the roster next 12mths will be of focus to mould it into something for next 2-3 years, he did point out this year we need to win games.
* expect changes in our media area, he made specific mention on that.
* when asked about expectations for this year he didn’t set one, took total pressure off the coach/team on this one


Its really refreshing to hear a proper CEO lead us he just controls the media brilliantly and they listen/respect him.

It’s early days, people talk about players and coaches being the best signings a club makes to win more but Richo could very well be our best.

I have a feeling Sullivan is going to prove a lot of us wrong this year and fire. It would leave a massive halves headache though. Fainu or Galvin definitely going if Sullivan goes better than expected in 2024

 

[Flippedy]

I keep reading how Penrith hates us.
It's obvious why we hate them but why do they hate us?
It's like stealing another bloke's wife and she turns out to be a fantastic wife, and hating the bloke you stole her from.
It makes no sense.

Media talk trying to make something out of nothing, big rivalry, hatred blah, blah…all BS.

 

[Needaname]

Richo indicated another signing in the next week....

Any clues?

 

[Tom Shines]

Any clues?

No…We don’t even know if he was referring to Top 30, development or staff …

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

He had massive wraps on Galvin. Bit surprising given Fainu looks more ready for first grade and is also a top talent

How good would this be:

1. Bula
6. Latu
7. Laui
13.Galvin
9.Api/Da-Silva
14. Sullivan


A top 4 spine....if they stay together could lead the WT to a dynasty like the Riff

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I found his comments interesting regarding the way he spoke about the squad in a few years sounded like he was saying it was going to be a process that would take a few years and he would be apart of it. Which would be difficult to do within a 6 month window. I dare say he is in it for the long haul 🙏

I’m not looking into timeframes for those comments the same way for Richo yet ALOT can happens over next few months and we all know our board can make wrong decisions.

I think though he is acting as a CEO should - strategy, structure, financially, people/roles and Governance.

We are a footy club and the roster is a critical aspect of that.

 

[Flippedy]

Any clues?

Surely it’s Olam

 

[Glenji95]

Richo indicated another signing in the next week....

My guess is Olam.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Best is still in the picture.

 

[Tom Shines]

I see Sullivan as our long term 14. Which in the modern era is super important. If he can be our Conor Watson, Dylan Walker,Kurt Mann type that would be super handy

I dont … come 2025 I see Da Silva as the full time 14 to blood him to take over from Api 2027…

Sullivan could be moved on come 2025 if he doesn’t outplay Fainu

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I think our next signing will be To'o, but if we sign Best that would be even better.

I think he is overrated. Good for a little guy, but overrated IMO.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Why would we offer him back to them? Luai isn’t coming until 25 so if we offer him back we’ve got Fainu, Sezer and Galvin for halves. We aren’t gonna let him go. The Dragons have no one to blame but themselves for losing him, probably should have thought to be smarter in regards to Amone. Should’ve realised there was a possibility Amone would have been torn up by the NRL.

because we may well have 500k sitting in reserve grade for 2025, I think if we can offer him back at full freight we can run 2024 with sezer and fainu

 

[Glenji95]

because we may well have 500k sitting in reserve grade for 2025, I think if we can offer him back at full freight we can run 2024 with sezer and fainu

And what if one gets injured or suspended? Then we’re screwed. No point in letting him go for 24. Maybe 25 we can figure something out not 24.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Bingo,

This club has only really had two top shelve halves in 23 years, Benji and Prince.

Even if we are surplus let's deny them to others and have depth options.

This has been our perennial problem.

Pezet as an example for Melbourne is not costing them 500k like Sullivan would be costing us if he doesn't get a run in 2025
Also think we need to be blooding TDS to take over the 14

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

And what if one gets injured or suspended? Then we’re screwed. No point in letting him go for 24. Maybe 25 we can figure something out not 24.

St george may not want him in 2025 they may take him now though for 2024
As for us in 2024 we probably dont make the semis without Luai 2025 we have a good shot at semis

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Pezet as an example for Melbourne is not costing them 500k like Sullivan would be costing us if he doesn't get a run in 2025
Also think we need to be blooding TDS to take over the 14

True,

But Sullivan can also cover FB.

 

[Leck]

I think he is overrated. Good for a little guy, but overrated IMO.

That's a double negative. They are actually both the same size and weight

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I see Sullivan as our long term 14. Which in the modern era is super important. If he can be our Conor Watson, Dylan Walker,Kurt Mann type that would be super handy

While he could play 14, Sullivan imo will be a very good buy for WTs. As someone else wrote, he has next year to establish himself as a half. He would know good halves are in short supply in the NRL and an outstanding season will place him in a very strong position. There is still lots of love for him in Wollongong and many (including me) cannot understand why he was not prioritised over Amone.

 

[The_Old_Fox]

We are in a good position now. Benji can run his eye over Sullivan, Sezer, Fainu & Galvin for a whole season to determine who (if any) may be expendable.

By expendable, I mean tradable so we can get a player that fills a need in return.

Ideally Sullivan gets plenty of reps in the top 13 this season to enhance his value & with the shortage of quality halves on the market suddenly could find himself in hot demand if he was allowed to explore options.

Or he absolutely kills it & we retain him to partner JL.

Agree, the other good point is the fact all these understudies need to prove themselves every chance they have..they have no leverage until they start carrying the team like the rest of the spine can..by then, that person is our future part of the spine locked in moving forward.