Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[FrodoTBaggin]

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.

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

I'd say you're pretty close to the mark on those. Only ones that aren't close I think are the Fainus. I'm pretty sure they only go up to 500k at the end of the contract through meeting incentives.

Edit: pretty sure it's 500k combined not each for the first couple of seasons.

 

[Vicious]

Do you think you make your first grade debut at 25 if you're thought of as special?

Cody Walker was contracted to Melbourne Storm and can’t considered good enough to play NRL.
Similar story with Jerome Hughes who was contracted to the Gold Coast.
Plenty of examples like this, more recently Trae Fulker at the Dolphins making his NRL debut at age 27 despite dominating at Q Cup level for many years.
I’m led to believe Bennett very rarely if ever gets involved in ball work or anything tactical in regards to his teams attack, he simply identifies naturally gifted attacking players that are lacking effort and defensive commitment and drills down on these areas which allows the player to stop being a defensive liability and therefore be one the total package required to excel at NRL level.
I’m sure Benji is trying exactly the sane theory with Sullivan, but whether or not he has the same effect remains to be seen.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Twal and Seyfarth aren't the ones to replace at this point in time and I'm not sure why people don't see that. We have 2 roster spots left, ideally we can bring them help.. not replace them

Fair call didn’t realise 2 spots left , if that’s the case dump Bud and couple from reserves and let’s go shopping

 

[Tom Shines]

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.

we actually need Fanua Blake and Yeo

 

[tigerbenji]

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

Thought Olam was on $400,000 - $45t0,000 but could be wrong.

 

[Vicious]

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

The glaring standouts are like him or not, we are not getting value for money with the Bateman contract and obviously it’s no point paying anyone 500k that is unlikely to be part of the top 17.
I’ve got a feeling we are paying Naden more than 300k and unless he starts playing well on a regular basis, it would be time to replace him.
Galvin will need an upgrade to keep him happy.
We either need to cough up the cash to retain Stef, or we need tn find an square replacement.

 

[Vicious]

we actually need Fanua Blake and Yeo

That would be nice, add Reece Walsh and we are a top 4 team.

 

[AceofSpades]

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.

Out of the three Faagutu is off contract at the end of next year and he's open to negotiating at the end of this year I think. So do we try and retain him or do we move him on in order to try and get someone else?

Just thinking of how our forumers are saying we need to move a few in order to sign a few

 

[Tim Sheens]

Cody Walker was contracted to Melbourne Storm and can’t considered good enough to play NRL.
Similar story with Jerome Hughes who was contracted to the Gold Coast.
Plenty of examples like this, more recently Trae Fulker at the Dolphins making his NRL debut at age 27 despite dominating at Q Cup level for many years.
I’m led to believe Bennett very rarely if ever gets involved in ball work or anything tactical in regards to his teams attack, he simply identifies naturally gifted attacking players that are lacking effort and defensive commitment and drills down on these areas which allows the player to stop being a defensive liability and therefore be one the total package required to excel at NRL level.
I’m sure Benji is trying exactly the sane theory with Sullivan, but whether or not he has the same effect remains to be seen.

Who knows what would have happened if Walker had not torn his hammy during the warm up for his supposed debut for Melbourne.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Fair call didn’t realise 2 spots left , if that’s the case dump Bud and couple from reserves and let’s go shopping

Here's probably the ideal list for me:

1. Oregon Kaufusi - Prop to add another dimension to our pack, can become a partner to Stefano over time. Played 60 in the victory against Melbourne & scored a try too.

2. Kayal Iro - If we can ship off one of Naden or Toa then this is the ideal replacement. We should of tried to get him 2 - 3 years ago.

3. One of the Butcher brothers - Perfect bench second rowers who can take Batemans first grade spot over time.

4. Shop one of our locks (Matamua / Lauali'i / Faagutu) and bring in Tallis Duncan.

5. Shop one of our younger centres (Feledy / Saukuru) and bring in a better depth outside back, Bailey Simonsson is underrated I feel.

Edit: on point 2 I mention Iro, but Talagi is also another that would work. Parramatta have to already fit Penisi / Gutho / Lomax into centres / fullback due to the $ they are on. They won't be able to give him big $ to play any of those spots. Sivo & Harper are in the squad too on decent $ so will probably end up the wingers.

 

[Vicious]

Out of the three Faagutu is off contract at the end of next year and he's open to negotiating at the end of this year I think. So do we try and retain him or do we move him on in order to try and get someone else?

Just thinking of how our forumers are saying we need to move a few in order to sign a few

It’s a hard one as they are all still young for forwards and there is the possibility any one of them could take another couple of seasons before reaching their potential and become a dominant NRL forward, but as it stands we trying to climb the ladder and need players who are NRL ready now.

 

[Tom Shines]

That would be nice, add Reece Walsh and we are a top 4 team.

just as likely as Crighton … thought we were sharing pipe dreams

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

It’s a hard one as they are all still young for forwards and there is the possibility any one of them could take another couple of seasons before reaching their potential and become a dominant NRL forward, but as it stands we trying to climb the ladder and need players who are NRL ready now.

By end of August, we'll probably have a better idea which 2 of these 3 have the potential to make it.

 

[AceofSpades]

It’s a hard one as they are all still young for forwards and there is the possibility any one of them could take another couple of seasons before reaching their potential and become a dominant NRL forward, but as it stands we trying to climb the ladder and need players who are NRL ready now.

Well whoever we decide to keep I hope we make the right choice with our young players. Be a shame if we lose a junior and they tear it up somewhere else. I know for Faagutu couple years ago he was touted best lock in Qld alongside Damon Marshall from the doggies and has a resume to back it up so hope we make the right choice

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Well whoever we decide to keep I hope we make the right choice with our young players. Be a shame if we lose a junior and they tear it up somewhere else. I know for Faagutu couple years ago he was touted best lock in Qld alongside Damon Marshall from the doggies and has a resume to back it up so hope we make the right choice

Matamua is the one that goes for me. He just looks completely overwhelmed every time we give him a shot.

 

[Vicious]

Here's probably the ideal list for me:

1. Oregon Kaufusi - Prop to add another dimension to our pack, can become a partner to Stefano over time. Played 60 in the victory against Melbourne & scored a try too.

2. Kayal Iro - If we can ship off one of Naden or Toa then this is the ideal replacement. We should of tried to get him 2 - 3 years ago.

3. One of the Butcher brothers - Perfect bench second rowers who can take Batemans first grade spot over time.

4. Shop one of our locks (Matamua / Lauali'i / Faagutu) and bring in Tallis Duncan.

5. Shop one of our younger centres (Feledy / Saukuru) and bring in a better depth outside back, Bailey Simonsson is underrated I feel.

Kaufusi definitely seems a prop on the rise and I recall his older brother Antonio Kaufusi didn’t peak until his mid to late twenties.
I’d take him in a heartbeat if we could get him, but I’d say the Sharks will find a way to keep him. If they have to lose a prop or two they will offload the ageing injury proned Toby Rudolf and Royce Hunt.
Kayal Iro can certainly play, but he’s another one who’s only ever played left centre, we need a right centre unless we are getting rid of Olam.
Either of the Butcher brothers would add more than what Bateman does, but as you say they are two of the rare genuine Roosters juniors, the Rojsters will offload the ageing injury proned Tupinua before them.
I believe Tallis Duncan is a star of the future and a genuine 13 he would be a great acquisition.
I also like Simonsson he’s big, tall, fast, athletic and pretty good under the high ball. It appears the Eels are not real keen on keeping him, but he is another that heavily favours playing on the left, so left wing would be the only real option for us. I have read comments he sees himself as a centre.

 

[rex2ce]

Might find player to do same job for far less outlay. Every Newcastle forward showed same or better effort than Steph but none of them get anywhere near the money Steph gets.

Leo Thompson is the one to get

 

[Vicious]

Well whoever we decide to keep I hope we make the right choice with our young players. Be a shame if we lose a junior and they tear it up somewhere else. I know for Faagutu couple years ago he was touted best lock in Qld alongside Damon Marshall from the doggies and has a resume to back it up so hope we make the right choice

Marshall is much bigger, he’d be a great pick if we could poach him from the Bulldogs.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

If Sullivan had the talent to be great, we already would have been watching him show it.

 

[Vicious]

If Sullivan had the talent to be great, we already would have been watching him show it.

He was clearly our best attacking threat on Saturday wasn’t he ?
He still missed some basic one on one tackles, that is the big issue with him.