Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jrtiger]

Looks like he’s signed, sealed and delivered to Parra. This was already lined up before he asked for a release. Don’t think it was ever a race.

I think you're on the money. looking at the Parramatta forum Arthur has been chasing him for years and have always been keen to have him on board. a couple of their ITK posters have said that he's agreed to terms.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I was critical of olam thought we bought a busted storm reject, deadset wrong his defence is sensational compared to last year he wqs ordinary in that storm semi final

Olam's defence is good; But i think Benji/Morris have stressed to the centres to slide with your opposite and the winger stay on the winger and not run in. Trust your centres to do their job with the help of the forwards also drifting in cover. We haven't done that in years.
Centres/wingers have had a field day for a long time getting the overlap with our undisciplined defence.

 

[Kaito]

Surely my next year Douehi will be a fit center
Trying to imagine the team gives some selection headaches of the kind we haven't had for a while

Let's see how Doueihi goes on the comeback trail,
I still think he has something to offer the club 4 sure.

Lomax is a flop, he belongs in Parramatta smh. This signing might be the 1 to finally undo BA haha

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Richo states we are looking for 2-3 players.

I would suggest a 1 x back, 1 x front rower & 1 x lock.

That's we currently need IMO.

2025 kinda looks like this.

Who knows if we keep Sullivan?

Below names are currently confirmed for 2025.

1. J Bula/ H Mason
2. C Staines/A Lobb
3. S Faataape/S Toa/* New Signing
4. J Olam/J Feledy/S Saukuru
5. B Naden/L Laulili
6. L Galvin/L Fainu
7. J Luai/A Sezer
8. S Utoiukamanu
9. A Korosaui/T Da Silva
10. D Klemmer
11. I Papailli
12. J Bateman
13. C Faagutu/F Pole/*New Signing
14. J Sullivan???
15. S Fainu/K Laulili/T Sukkar
16. A Twal/J Miller/*New Signing
17. A Seyfarth/J Matamua

Back - Who knows, will be interesting one for me.

Multiple front row/middle/lock options I think we could consider.

Good analysis. He also said we need some 'cream' in the outside backs whilst need a couple more worker types (I forget how he put it) in the forwards.

I agree with positions you outlined except I think in the forwards we need a hooker utility as I doubt Jake Simpkin will be re-signed (think a Jazz Tevaga, Bayley Sironen or John Asiata type on the bench who can also play lock or backrow).

I reckon the prop will depend how Sione Fainu develops by season's end. May not need one except a good backup on a T&T contract (maybe Lui Toso keeps improving). Hopefully Faagutu, Jordan Miller, Aho, Herman progress & impress over the next 4 months.

 

[balmain boy]

That is some strategising deep thought. And you are right. Which begs the question "Who did Souths spend their Cap on?" Latrell must be taking up some decent coin (remember he reportedly took less than the Roosters deal and of course our offer. But who apart from an ageing Cody Walker would demand Marque coin at the Bunnies? Cook is old, Burgess is old, Arrow is always injured, Graham is injured, Murray is OK but will crash and burn like Crichton through his workload. Taane Milne - thank you very much - the mystery Souffs star on mega McMuffin dollars!

They have Latrell and Murray both on a million, then walker, Cook, and Wighton on big money too, and then the likes of Graham, Arrow, KK and Johnston also on decent coin. That's where it all goes... On rep players

 

[balmain boy]

Let's see how Doueihi goes on the comeback trail,
I still think he has something to offer the club 4 sure.

Lomax is a flop, he belongs in Parramatta smh. This signing might be the 1 to finally undo BA haha

I could settle for Doueihi on a train and trial next season if he recovers fully from his injury. If he earns a minimum wage contract in the office season then fine, but our squad is already almost full and still needs a lot more quality

 

[Bula]

Would fit right in with Gutho, Moses, Brown and Matterson. Their team list resembles a roll call list at arseholes anonymous.

Yes their team photo looks like the pics where everyone flashes their clacker as the train goes past.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

Surely my next year Douehi will be a fit center
Trying to imagine the team gives some selection headaches of the kind we haven't had for a while !
My team
1.Bula
2.Staines
3.Douehi
4.Olam
5.Naden
6.Luai
7.Galvin
8.Utoikimano
9.Korisau
10.Klemmer
11.Bateman
12.Papalii
13.Pole
14.Sezer
15.Sam Fainu
16.Latu Fainu
17.Seyfarth
18.Twal
So basically I'm having trouble fitting all who deserve in !
Like Sezer -much needed experience
Like Sullivan - supposed great attacking half
Like Latu - the star of the future
Like Twal - a long term defensive rock
Like Feledy Lobb Saukuru Mason Laulili and any other lower grade star who truly deserves to graduate in 2025

Main problem is the halves have to fit
Jerome Luai - Lachlan Galvin -Aiden Sezer - Bud Sullivan and Latu Fainu into 2 spots
5 into 2 won't go ? What's our main pair next year ?

The forgotten man in all this is Da Silva, no one seems to have him in their thoughts of the team going forward on here i mean not within the club.
Everyone is having Bud and or Latu on the bench, the only time Da silva gets a look in is when and if Api is injured/origin duty.
Imo what i've seen of Bud so far i'd be having Da Silva on the bench, granted this year might be all about toughening him up against men in cup. But Da Silva must be in the convesation he's probably not waiting 3 yrs until Api retires.

 

[supercoach]

The forgotten man in all this is Da Silva, no one seems to have him in their thoughts of the team going forward on here i mean not within the club.
Everyone is having Bud and or Latu on the bench, the only time Da silva gets a look in is when and if Api is injured/origin duty.
Imo what i've seen of Bud so far i'd be having Da Silva on the bench, granted this year might be all about toughening him up against men in cup. But Da Silva must be in the convesation he's probably not waiting 3 yrs until Api retires.

Sure is, at some stage we are going to have to give him a run on the bench to keep him happy and up to pace with the NRL. Then if he is on the bench what happens to Bud and Latu. Interesting times ahead

 

[851]

They have Latrell and Murray both on a million, then walker, Cook, and Wighton on big money too, and then the likes of Graham, Arrow, KK and Johnston also on decent coin. That's where it all goes... On rep players

Exactly, Arrow is on $800k, Graham got upgraded and extended last year, they have a heap of high priced players

 

[2041]

The forgotten man in all this is Da Silva, no one seems to have him in their thoughts of the team going forward on here i mean not within the club.
Everyone is having Bud and or Latu on the bench, the only time Da silva gets a look in is when and if Api is injured/origin duty.
Imo what i've seen of Bud so far i'd be having Da Silva on the bench, granted this year might be all about toughening him up against men in cup. But Da Silva must be in the convesation he's probably not waiting 3 yrs until Api retires.

I suspect the TDS situation will more or less take care of itself. What he mainly needs at the moment is minutes, which he'll get in reggies. He'll get some game time - split with Simpkin, I guess - during origin unless Maguire is as brain dead as Fittler was. Then when he's ready to play regular minutes in first grade Koroisau will be at least a year older and may not be (best used as) an 80 minute player anymore.

 

[The-moP]

Surely my next year Douehi will be a fit center
Trying to imagine the team gives some selection headaches of the kind we haven't had for a while !
My team
1.Bula
2.Staines
3.Douehi
4.Olam
5.Naden
6.Luai
7.Galvin
8.Utoikimano
9.Korisau
10.Klemmer
11.Bateman
12.Papalii
13.Pole
14.Sezer
15.Sam Fainu
16.Latu Fainu
17.Seyfarth
18.Twal

Can't wait to put the names of Large and Makasini into the Tigers side .. !!

 

[The Chad]

I think if Doueihi can show some stability in his knee, he is an upgrade in the centres. His ability isn't in question. A big frame with ball skills. He actually WOULD be the right guy inside someone like Staines as he can draw the defender & set Staines free.

There are not too many spots available. If we are chasing 3 new players, I think only wing is obvious as a target, and only because Tupou is leaving & Staines is upgradable.

The progression of players like Makasini (who is projected as playing 1st grade within 18 months), Fa'agutu, Lualili'i, Fataape, Pole & Sam Fainu limit the amount of available Top 30 spots imo.

Sukkar looks like he is built for NRL football, but I guess the club could look to add a second row type player for at least competition.

I know we will try & play the excitement down, but we are getting very close to having a side that needs development, not upgrading.

 

[upthetigers]

Looks like he’s signed, sealed and delivered to Parra. This was already lined up before he asked for a release. Don’t think it was ever a race.

Not a huge loss. I don't want players that kick up a stink when they're not playing in their preferred position. Either you're fighting for the cause or you're not.

 

[jrtiger]

The forgotten man in all this is Da Silva, no one seems to have him in their thoughts of the team going forward on here i mean not within the club.
Everyone is having Bud and or Latu on the bench, the only time Da silva gets a look in is when and if Api is injured/origin duty.
Imo what i've seen of Bud so far i'd be having Da Silva on the bench, granted this year might be all about toughening him up against men in cup. But Da Silva must be in the convesation he's probably not waiting 3 yrs until Api retires.

I think the best thing for him right now is 80 mins+ in Cup and coming up in the Origin period. hookers take a lot of time to come good. look at Harry Grant. he was 22 when he came to us. Tallyn is 19. these next couple years I'd just be trying to get him to dominate Cup.

 

[Tucker]

I think if Doueihi can show some stability in his knee, he is an upgrade in the centres. His ability isn't in question. A big frame with ball skills. He actually WOULD be the right guy inside someone like Staines as he can draw the defender & set Staines free.

There are not too many spots available. If we are chasing 3 new players, I think only wing is obvious as a target, and only because Tupou is leaving & Staines is upgradable.

The progression of players like Makasini (who is projected as playing 1st grade within 18 months), Fa'agutu, Lualili'i, Fataape, Pole & Sam Fainu limit the amount of available Top 30 spots imo.

Sukkar looks like he is built for NRL football, but I guess the club could look to add a second row type player for at least competition.

I know we will try & play the excitement down, but we are getting very close to having a side that needs development, not upgrading.

Doueihi needs to improve his lateral defence and that was before his two knee ops. He is long odds to remain here Id say.
You are correct regarding top 30 positions however I’d still want to bring in some more established middles.

 

[Tucker]

I think the best thing for him right now is 80 mins+ in Cup and coming up in the Origin period. hookers take a lot of time to come good. look at Harry Grant. he was 22 when he came to us. Tallyn is 19. these next couple years I'd just be trying to get him to dominate Cup.

100%
Tallyn is a 10 year + first grader for us once Api retires.
He needs as much footy as is possible between now and then.

 

[JB9918]

I don't think we will be bringing in a front rower or lock based on Richo's previous comments. When pulling out of the AFB race he indicated that we were well stocked in the middle forwards and did not want to block the path of the young guys coming through.

Prop - Klemmer, Stefano, Pole, Seyfarth, Samuela Fainu, Sione Fainu (if re-signed), Twal and Jordan Miller would take up 8 of the top 30 spots with Faagutu also able to play front row.

Lock - Kit Lauilii, Matamua and Faagutu are all top 30 next season with Pole and Seyfarth also able to play there. I believe Pole and Seyfarth are being used as make shift locks until one of the three kids emerges.

Based on the current squad, you would have to assume that we are looking at 2 wingers/centres and 1 backrower. Outside of Papalii and Bateman we lack depth and experience in the second row. Tupou will need to be replaced and To'a and Staines are probably the least convincing first grades in our first 13.

Happy to go with Sione Fainu. Looks like a versatile middle & hopefully with his brothers around him he will stay. Keep Latu happy as well if behind Galvin & Luai for the starting halves spot. As many say Galvin may development into an Isaiah Yeo type of 13.

Backs of note - Isaiah Tass, Zac Lomax, Corey Oates, Dane Gagai, Remis Smith, James Schiller , Tesi Niu... Doubt we land Turuva after his comments the other day.

Maybe there's a swap with the Doggies for a Tracey, Wilson or Kiraz for Bud Sullivan? I'd take any of them. They can't fit all the backs into one backline each week.

Backrow - Jazz Tevaga, Jack Williams, Jaydn Sua... Elliot Whitehead? Could Bateman sway him or would people be happy with Luke Garner back. I would after his Penrith experience.

 

[batboy]

Doueihi needs to improve his lateral defence and that was before his two knee ops. He is long odds to remain here Id say.
You are correct regarding top 30 positions however I’d still want to bring in some more established middles.

Heard Robbo talking about Drew Hutchinson the other day, And how much the Roosters missed him
And thought, Doueihi would be a good fit to replace a player like that....

Then there was a photo of them talking at the game...
Who knows.

I think he's a bit battered and bruised to stay the path here, Also think he's got enough Ego about him to think he'll get a better spot elsewhere.

 

[Betterdays22]

I dont think anyone was suggesting a fully fit and firing Olam doesnt improve our backline by a long distance. I think people (me included) were worried by his form last year and potential injuries he might be carrying, especially with his style of play. So far so good, he has been awesome. Long may it continue