Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[BAGNF05]

I think there is a bunch of potential talent in our outside backs.

I also think, with investment through FA & our young players coming through that the forwards, halves & fullback positions are now comparable to all the other NRL sides.

Currently the quality of our wingers & centres is based MOSTLY on potential. But, in my opinion, any single one could either rise up & become a regular starter, or be removed with little impact. Staines, Nofa, To'a, Tupou...these guys were starters last year.

But if Olam, Doueihi, Lobb & the rugby guy were our starters by the season's end- would ANYONE be really shocked? Naden comes into consideration. Even Casey is a decent shot. Hell- Luke Lualili'i could ACTUALLY be the bolter.

Talent puts all the players in the mix. I believe you can find a suitable mix of starters from the group- even if it's not the ones we (the obvious experts) believe are the picks as of today.

Lastly- physical ability- size, speed, height, strength....very hard to teach that. And the club has invested in big bodies.

Just giving someone a jersey makes them a starter but not necessarily an NRL player.

How’d we go at scoring tries last year? No need to answer that.

We need genuine threats in the backs and hopefully some of that potential turns into actual output. It’s a tough environment to learn.

 

[BAGNF05]

He’s a million dollar player. I know we just got Luai, but I couldn’t see Joey happening.

Me either but one can dream. Instant top eight contenders if we added him in 25’

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I think there is a bunch of potential talent in our outside backs.

I also think, with investment through FA & our young players coming through that the forwards, halves & fullback positions are now comparable to all the other NRL sides.

Currently the quality of our wingers & centres is based MOSTLY on potential. But, in my opinion, any single one could either rise up & become a regular starter, or be removed with little impact. Staines, Nofa, To'a, Tupou...these guys were starters last year.

But if Olam, Doueihi, Lobb & the rugby guy were our starters by the season's end- would ANYONE be really shocked? Naden comes into consideration. Even Casey is a decent shot. Hell- Luke Lualili'i could ACTUALLY be the bolter.

Talent puts all the players in the mix. I believe you can find a suitable mix of starters from the group- even if it's not the ones we (the obvious experts) believe are the picks as of today.

Lastly- physical ability- size, speed, height, strength....very hard to teach that. And the club has invested in big bodies.

Your last point is mainly why I think Lomax or Saab would be amazing for us. Both tall and good in the air, fast strong and young. Lomax is a good goalkicker too.

That isn't even mentioning their actually ability with the ball. Lomax is very skillful and could make a good fullback. Saab is also pretty handy when the line has actually been broken, he is very good at deciding when to die with the ball and when to push for the try.

 

[BAGNF05]

Also the thing with Joey, he’d coming here to play centre. Are clubs prepared to fork out a million a year for a centre?

It would open up options as a coach. Call me crazy but I’d look at rotating Bula and Manu mid game sometimes to give the opponent different looks.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

It would open up options as a coach. Call me crazy but I’d look at rotating Bula and Manu mid game sometimes to give the opponent different looks.

Part of the reason I like the move for Turuva is he is a fullback that we would probably be playing at right centre. If Bula has a case of 2nd year syndrome we could probably swap their roles and give Turuva a shot at fullback and Bula a shot at centre.

Having options is the best thing possible. All of the successful clubs have options.

 

[jrtiger]

Assuming Turuva & Best have knocked us back for now, who do we see us targeting in the backline? Options are limited and I believe the best of what is available is:

* Isaiah Tass
* Nick Cotric
* Taylan May
* Tesi Niu

Maybe Kayal Iro? anyone else we might potentially look at?

centre might be sorted for now. Olam, To’a, Naden, Feledy + Saukuru all contracted until at least 2025, and I assume they’ll give Faataape every chance to earn an improved deal. there’s some good players in the market but I can’t see us moving quickly to sign anyone there.

wing is a little more intriguing, especially now Tupou has left. Luke Laulili’i comes into the 30 next year, and I think Alaimalo has a similar situation to Faataape. that said, I still think we’re likely a first grader short.

Taylan was incredible in 2022, but I can’t see him landing here. Cotric won’t come cheap. Iro and Niu I feel are centres.

my picks are a little inexperienced but I think have plenty of upside: Jeral Skelton, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are guys I’d be looking into. Bailey Simonsson can play across the backline as well. none of them would cost a bomb but are first grade quality and would be welcome additions.

 

[BAGNF05]

centre might be sorted for now. Olam, To’a, Naden, Feledy + Saukuru all contracted until at least 2025, and I assume they’ll give Faataape every chance to earn an improved deal. there’s some good players in the market but I can’t see us moving quickly to sign anyone there.

wing is a little more intriguing, especially now Tupou has left. Luke Laulili’i comes into the 30 next year, and I think Alaimalo has a similar situation to Faataape. that said, I still think we’re likely a first grader short.

Taylan was incredible in 2022, but I can’t see him landing here. Cotric won’t come cheap. Iro and Niu I feel are centres.

my picks are a little inexperienced but I think have plenty of upside: Jeral Skelton, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are guys I’d be looking into. Bailey Simonsson can play across the backline as well. none of them would cost a bomb but are first grade quality and would be welcome additions.

We need to stop stockpiling fringies. If Naden etc. don’t lift get them off our books and go hard for a rep player. New mentality under Richo and Benj.

 

[jrtiger]

We need to stop stockpiling fringies. If Naden etc. don’t lift get them off our books and go hard for a rep player. New mentality under Richo and Benj.

agreed. I do think that Olam locking down one side will bring out the best in Naden and To'a and hopefully take their games to higher, more consistent levels. both have talent but the issue is doing it often. you might see some movement towards the end of the year if Naden doesn't perform.

 

[Yossarian]

Feledy is the wildcard at centre. He was clearly out of his depth on debut but his body was nowhere near NRL ready and he was promoted ahead of schedule. If he bulks up and progresses he’s got talent. I’m interested to see how he comes back.

 

[BAGNF05]

agreed. I do think that Olam locking down one side will bring out the best in Naden and To'a and hopefully take their games to higher, more consistent levels. both have talent but the issue is doing it often. you might see some movement towards the end of the year if Naden doesn't perform.

Yes, Naden and To’a are occasionally good but I’m fairly confident as professionals they get paid (a lot) monthly. Their performances need to match their pay slips or good bye.

 

[innsaneink]

Also the thing with Joey, he’d coming here to play centre. Are clubs prepared to fork out a million a year for a centre?

So he's on over $1m now??
What's Crichton on... Must be close to it.
If JM is getting this now then that's his value... He's tough as too come back from that facial injury very well.... I remember when Benji did that reading an in depth article on it and realising just how tough these guys are... To run at someone 100% knowing fu well they're gunna test out yiur broken face... Kudos to them.

I won't say no to Campbell Graham or Kotoni Staggs... Dunno what they're signing status is

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

So he's on over $1m now??
What's Crichton on... Must be close to it.
If JM is getting this now then that's his value... He's tough as too come back from that facial injury very well.... I remember when Benji did that reading an in depth article on it and realising just how tough these guys are... To run at someone 100% knowing fu well they're gunna test out yiur broken face... Kudos to them.

I won't say no to Campbell Graham or Kotoni Staggs... Dunno what they're signing status is

I believe he is on 800k atm.

Graham isn't off contract until 2028 & Staggs 2026

 

[crazycat]

I saw he was off contract the other day and thought maybe we should give it a crack. I just really doubt it though, I feel like he would really only leave the roosters for rugby. I can't see us giving more than 850k to a centre anyway and I don't think he would leave Roosters for that either. I'm sure many other teams would outbid us at that price point too. If we have a chance though we should definitely be trying.

Dragons offered over 1 million and Flanagan has publicly hunted him.

Kinda makes 450k for Olam seem cheap.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Dragons offered over 1 million and Flanagan has publicly hunted him.

Kinda makes 450k for Olam seem cheap.

Flanagan's latest ploy to pry Manu from Roosters

'I just wanted his management to know'

wwos.nine.com.au

This article states 1.2 million a year & 5 million over 4 years (which would make it 1.25 mil). Shane Flanagan was also quoted saying "I'm really, really doubtful he'll leave the Roosters, but I just wanted his management to know that if he wanted, he could be captain, fullback, do whatever he wants"

My guess is that the club isn't even entertaining the thought of pursuing Manu when that is the kind of competition we face.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

This article states 1.2 million a year & 5 million over 4 years (which would make it 1.25 mil). Shane Flanagan was also quoted saying "I'm really, really doubtful he'll leave the Roosters, but I just wanted his management to know that if he wanted, he could be captain, fullback, do whatever he wants"

That’s the most public display of a coach simping that i have ever seen.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

That’s the most public display of a coach simping that i have ever seen.

I actually got second hand embarrassment reading it

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I actually got second hand embarrassment reading it

Not even Lee said anything that bad. That’s saying something.

 

[innsaneink]

I wonder how Sloane feels reading that

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I wonder how Sloane feels reading that

And Lomax.

 

[Tito Santana]

Your last point is mainly why I think Lomax or Saab would be amazing for us. Both tall and good in the air, fast strong and young. Lomax is a good goalkicker too.

That isn't even mentioning their actually ability with the ball. Lomax is very skillful and could make a good fullback. Saab is also pretty handy when the line has actually been broken, he is very good at deciding when to die with the ball and when to push for the try.

He’d be playing centre. We’re not shifting Bula