Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[FrodoTBaggin]

I wouldn’t be dropping them from the squad … it would be great though if they aren’t automatic Top 17 selections every week ..: need a couple of new players so they get moved down the pecking order

Having 1 of them in the top 17 & 1 in reserves as a next man up is more ideal. Kaufusi from Sharks is one I can think of that helps

 

[Vicious]

Anyone could have told you Bennett was likely back to Souffs … is Bud a Bennett type player ?

Yes, he’s an expert at getting hold of naturally gifted players who lack effort and defensive commitment and makes them understand how good they can become if they rectify these weaknesses within their game.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Yes, he’s an expert at getting hold of naturally gifted players who lack effort and defensive commitment and makes them understand how good they can become if they rectify these weaknesses within their game.

Bennett has made Nikorima look outstanding twice in his career now. Sullivan likely a perfect 14 / fill in for Cody in his eyes.

 

[Vicious]

He said multiple times at the start of this year that the roster needs a fair bit of "Massaging" to fit Benji's vision.
Those statements were after parting ways with Nofa, and since then we have only signed Turuva for next year.

There is no way that signing 1 outside back is all he meant by that, anyone thinking we are done for next year isn't actually thinking.

Edit: We also have 2 - 3 (depending on Stef) roster spots open for next year with a very inexperienced 20 - 28 with less than 20 games between them. We aren't going to fill an already inexperienced roster with more inexperience.

Reserves:
20. Da Silva - Hooker
21. Matamua - Lock

Depth:
22. L.Lualilii - Wing
23. Feledy - Centre
24. Saukuru - Centre
25. Miller - Prop
26. Sukkar - Second Row
27. K. Laulilii - Lock
28. Faagutu - Lock

What is the point of having all 3 of Matamua, Kit and Faagatu ?
They all carry the ball reasonably well and have a little bit of ball playing in their game, but none of them have what you would call above average leg speed, none of them regularly hit hard when defending and none of them are big enough tn scatter defenders when they run the ball.
Surely there needs to be a choice in which one of the 3 to keep.
Unless more than one of them does enough between now and the end of the season to say keep me, then I’d be looking at recruiting Jack Williams from the Sharks to play 13 in tandem with Papali’i. Williams always comes off the bench demonstrating good leg speed and helping create up tempo style of play.

 

[Tom Shines]

Yes, he’s an expert at getting hold of naturally gifted players who lack effort and defensive commitment and makes them understand how good they can become if they rectify these weaknesses within their game.

For example ?

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Crichton won't play second fiddle to Fifita at Roosters

Angus Crichton has made clear he isn't prepared to sit behind David Fifita at the Sydney Roosters in 2025, with the second-rower weighing up leaving the club.

www.aapnews.com.au

Looks like he's looking at options, who could imagine the shiny new toy signing would upset one of the form players in the comp in that position.

He won't be at the Tigers "If I want to go to a different team, I’d be wanting to go to a good team where I test myself and get the best out of myself " SMH today.

 

[Vicious]

For example ?

GI, Latrell.

 

[Tom Shines]

GI, Latrell.

you mean internationals, Origin and premiership winners Gi and Latrell? …

 

[Vicious]

He won't be at the Tigers "If I want to go to a different team, I’d be wanting to go to a good team where I test myself and get the best out of myself " SMH today.

A possibility the Roosters could look at playing David Fifita as a left centre and having Crichton as the back rower alongside him. It would be a defensive nightmare trying on contain both of them.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

What is the point of having all 3 of Matamua, Kit and Faagatu ?
They all carry the ball reasonably well and have a little bit of ball playing in their game, but none of them have what you would call above average leg speed, none of them regularly hit hard when defending and none of them are big enough tn scatter defenders when they run the ball.
Surely there needs to be a choice in which one of the 3 to keep.
Unless more than one of them does enough between now and the end of the season to say keep me, then I’d be looking at recruiting Jack Williams from the Sharks to play 13 in tandem with Papali’i. Williams always comes off the bench demonstrating good leg speed and helping create up tempo style of play.

This is exactly why I said that Seyfarth and Twal aren't the main worries right now. We have 3 locks with less than 10 games between them.

Edit: And we aren't even using any of them, we've used 2 front rowers and 2 props there this year

 

[Vicious]

you mean internationals, Origin and premiership winners Gi and Latrell? …

Well Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford are 2 other examples of players who for whatever reason only really knuckle down and play their best under Bennett.
Someone such as Jayden Sullivan could easily become an elite attacking player in the right environment. His effort and defence sucks while playing with us, but someone such as Bennett could possibly fix that.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Well Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford are 2 other examples of players who for whatever reason only really knuckle down and play their best under Bennett.
Someone such as Jayden Sullivan could easily become an elite attacking player in the right environment. His effort and defence sucks while playing with us, but someone such as Bennett could possibly fix that.

Cody Walker too. Wasnt Dylan the better brother for a long time?

 

[Tom Shines]

Well Kidi Nikirima and Anthony Milford are 2 other examples of players who for whatever reason only really knuckle down and play their best under Bennett.
Someone such as Jayden Sullivan could easily become an elite attacking player in the right environment. His effort and defence sucks while playing with us, but someone such as Bennett could possibly fix that.

Bennett introduced Nikirima to first grade … and Milford was a sought after player at Canberra when Bennett signed him

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

He won't be at the Tigers "If I want to go to a different team, I’d be wanting to go to a good team where I test myself and get the best out of myself " SMH today.

I don't think he will come here. I am just saying everyone who thought he was no chance of leaving the Roosters after signing Fifita were living in dream land

 

[Tom Shines]

Cody Walker too. Wasnt Dylan the better brother for a long time?

Was Walker ever thought of as a dud player like Sullivan currently is ? Honestly can’t remember

 

[gregjm87]

Sorry but how much do you think we are spending next year? Do the math on every player. We are well under the cap... Spots 20-28 are all basically min wage too.

After this posy I Thought I'd do the math (based on reported/estimated salaries, let me know if there's anything you massively disagree with).

I'd say we can afford 1 more big signing and 2 minimum wage guys for next year unless someone can be moved on with minimal cost to the club.
*edit actually with the extra 300K allowance outside the cap maybe 1 big and 1 mid signing.


2025 - 27/30
1. Jahream Bula 675
2. Charlie Staines 250
3. Sunia Turuva 435
4. Justin Olam 600
5. Brent Naden 300
6. Lachlan Galvin 150
7. Jarome Luai 1200

8. Alex Twal 400
9. Apisai Koroisau (c) 700
10. David Klemmer 700
11. Samuela Fainu 500
12. John Bateman 670
13. Isaiah Papali'i 650

14. Latu Fainu 500
15. Justin Matamua 125
16. Alex Seyfarth 250
17. Fonua Pole 350

18. Starford To'a 350
19. Jayden Sullivan 500
20. Tallyn Da Silva 125
21. Josh Feledy 125
22. Luke Laulilii 125
23. Tony Sukkar 125
24. Kit Laulilii 125
25. Jordan Miller 125
26. Chris Faagutu 125
27. Solomone Saukuru 125

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Was Walker ever thought of as a dud player like Sullivan currently is ? Honestly can’t remember

You dont make your first grade debut at 25 if you're thought of as special.

 

[Vicious]

I don't think he will come here. I am just saying everyone who thought he was no chance of leaving the Roosters after signing Fifita were living in dream land

We are 100/1 of signing Angus Crichton, but he’s exactly what we need.
Soneone with plenty of size, speed, power, aggression and runs that hard line all day long neither make tackle busts and line busts himself, or suck in defenders that create space on his outside.

 

[The-moP]

Seyfarth is on thin ice .. its like he doesn't think whilst out on the field and is having too many brain snaps .. he's been told not to give away stupid penalties .. but over the last two weeks .. well let's say .. "the coach ain't happy with him" .. !! for a player on the edge on whether he'll be with us next season or not .. he isn't doing himself any favours.

 

[Tom Shines]

You dont make your first grade debut at 25 if you're thought of as special.

he is the the closest one named so far… but still a much better player than Bud … he was an established first grader by the time Bennett got to Souths