Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Bula]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Cantona - the shit that hit the fan.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

You can imagine Olam having a beer or two with Munster.

 

[AL The Tiger]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

 

[loklok]

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

He really needs to show something this year .

 

[Juice]

Olams defensive reads last year were awful, hopefully he can get back to his best… don’t think Bellamy would be trying so hard to get him off the books if he thought he could tho

 

[weststigerman]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

Not comparing personalities, I'm comparing the scenarios.

No one deserves to have their personality compared with BJ.

 

[CornerPost]

Think Olam will only end up being here for 2 out of the 3 years. So a subsidised first 2 years could work well.

Rumour is PNG team to be announced this year for 2026 entry. Olam would be a lock to be signed as an inaugural player and I'm sure we'll be happy to release him for 2026 with 1 year left on the contract.

Great point..

 

[Tito Santana]

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

Case in point. I only remember him for fly kicking someone. Same way as I only remember Blore for tackling Brown…and it wasn’t even that good.

Pathetic.

Long live King Olam. Hey that sounds like a goer for merchandise.

Tito - you’ve done it again! Marketing genius!

 

[gregjm87]

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

No he didn't. I'm not in favour of signing Aitken but at no stage was Te Whare picked ahead of him.

 

[innsaneink]

Not as a top 13 starter but as a cheap experienced utility to cover centre & backrow.

Brings experience, generally good defence & reportedly very good work ethic. I liked his performances in the backrow at the Warriors in '22.

We have to manage the cap & experience in the squad and I reckon Aiken can provide value (more than AJ).

Yeah hes not that bad
He cops Anasta style criticism for why I dunno
He wouldnt be my first choice but theres plenty worse
Hes inconsistent and has been throughout his carreer for whatever reason, but
Ive seen some really tough play from him at times

 

[gregjm87]

Yeah hes not that bad
He cops Anasta style criticism for why I dunno
He wouldnt be my first choice but theres plenty worse
Hes inconsistent and has been throughout his carreer for whatever reason, but
Ive seen some really tough play from him at times

Good defender and often does a lot of tough carries but just offers no attacking threat at all. Not quick, not a power runner, can't step, can't pass.
I don't hate him as a depth signing but there would have to be better options.

 

[Buttface]

I also like Blore and think he's a really good prop off the bench who can also play longer minutes. Disappointed we lost him but still think he's in our top 17 for next season and helps with the depth of our squad. Strange to me that we want seyfarth and have let blore go.

Bcoz nobody wants Sayfart.
Bellend can see Blore has a higher ceiling if he can stay on the park and probably reckon his mob can do that better than ours, and he’s a hard worker and Bellend will love that

 

[tigerman 0]

Since last season when we signed all those forwards and it was apparent our backs were crap, we have gone from Brooks, Doeuhi, Wakeham to Sezer, Sullivan, Fainu.
A million times better.

Then in the outside backs i know we don’t have any superstars (apart from Bula who is great) but at least we have options.
Bula
Naden
Nofa
Lobb
Toa
Staines

At the very least it will create competition

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I was told about 1-2 months ago that he’d be shocked if Olam wasn’t in the team come Round 1 even when reports suggested the deal had fallen through. So I expect it to be done relatively soon.

He comes from a great system, grand final experience and brings a lot of aggression/strength both from the attacking and defensive end. Good signing. Not many good outside backs on the market right now too.

Benji is continuing to cook…..

As long as we dont pay overs for him....i'm okay with this

 

[Lestronge]

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

IMO he’s shown in very very limited times that he has something! What that is … who knows . Maybe that’s the best we ever get . A guy who looks the part but just isn’t it … I hope not . I hope all the smart nrl people who said he was the next great lock , got it right … but youre right !! You really do have to squint , to have any chance of seeing it

 

[Wearyfan22]

Lots of discussion around depth in specific positions for 2024... realistically we have no depth in any position bar maybe Hooker and maybe fullback but even that is debatable. Some area worse than others imo - 2nd row and outside backs. There's a heavy reliance on young players for depth in the forwards and halves.

 

[Harvey]

Melbourne's centres last year were terrible when Olam was out. When Olam came back, he was worse than what was being dished up.

His attack is limited and his trademark strong defence was abysmal last year.

 

[tigerman 0]

Melbourne's centres last year were terrible when Olam was out. When Olam came back, he was worse than what was being dished up.

His attack is limited and his trademark strong defence was abysmal last year.

So do you rate him?

 

[boonboon]

Melbourne's centres last year were terrible when Olam was out. When Olam came back, he was worse than what was being dished up.

His attack is limited and his trademark strong defence was abysmal last year.

He had no off-season last yr. World Cup then groin injury then broken arm in 1st trial. Any player can have an injury riddled off-season and will have a poor year. He isn't someone like BJ or Naden with a history of attitude problems he is a professional who had a down year due to no pre-season. In the poor year he played 17 nrl games, averaged 126 meters and his missed tackle % at 79% was similar to all his other years and made 6 line breaks.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

He had no off-season last yr. World Cup then groin injury then broken arm in 1st trial. Any player can have an injury riddled off-season and will have a poor year. He isn't someone like BJ or Naden with a history of attitude problems he is a professional who had a down year due to no pre-season. In the poor year he played 17 nrl games, averaged 126 meters and his missed tackle % at 79% was similar to all his other years and made 6 line breaks.

This was a pleasure to read. Olam has been a very good player for many years.