Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[hammertime]

Let's have both....play the power game!

With turava, lualihi and makasini adding to our options next year, alongside doueigh and olam. Toa still there for depth. Large on the way. I don't know where skeleton fits, unless we block the path of one of our kids.

We need an edge 2nd rower as the priority in my eyes.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

No disrespect TheChad I really like the fact you are always posting ideas and potential solutions, but if Liam Knight, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth, Fonua Pole and Sione Fainu are all on the open market, I’m near certain Liam Knight is at the bottom of the shopping list for every NRL club.
We desperately need Oregon Kaufusi or Royce Hunt, maybe consider Emre Guler but I’m not sold on what he offers either.
It is getting very noticeable that the forwards who hit top speed quickly are the ones making the most impact, the others that just plod such as Liam Knoght are getting left behind because of it.

Watched Oregon Kaufusi last night. Very overrated, Not on my wanted list from now on.
Rare front on tackles, mostly belly flops when opposition on ground. Runs hard about twice per stint on the paddock, then hides in the background for others to do the work. LAZY comes to mind.
Hunt much better........attack and defence.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

With turava, lualihi and makasini adding to our options next year, alongside doueigh and olam. Toa still there for depth. Large on the way. I don't know where skeleton fits, unless we block the path of one of our kids.

We need an edge 2nd rower as the priority in my eyes.

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

 

[hammertime]

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

Agree mate, but the issue when you sign more depth is what we saw with Galvin. I don't think we can handle a repeat of that. RIcho has come out strong about not blocking pathways.

Yeah, potential converts there for back row. I'm not sure what they are thinking. But we need alot more depth there. Only quality we have is fainu and lesser extent, bateman

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah I do see your point. But I still think he would be much better depth than we already have. Metres in yardage from our backs is letting us down big time this year. Makasini will be unlikely to play many NRL games next year. Laulili'i will probably have some ups and downs next year being so young. Comes down to roster spots too I guess.

I wonder if we try and turn an existing player into an edge backrower over the off season. I would think Solomone Saukuru is the best bet. Big body, destructive runner. Has played there a bit in juniors too. Otherwise, I dont know how much quality is available for edge backrowers in 2025.

Great option @Tigers_Wests

Saukuru could become a very destructive edge backrower. As you mentioned, played a bit there in junior reps & school. Has the size & also brings aerial ability.

Makes sense as we are better stocked for centre prospects than tackle-busting backrowers. If call from coaches was made at the end of this season, he could really focus his off & pre-season to building his tank & tackle/wrestle work. I like it!

 

[TigerSJ]

We had a great win against an average Raiders team last week that didn’t test our young inexperienced guys too much. People talking up our squad on here are forgetting that 2 weeks earlier they were bagging them out as the worst top 30 in the NRL.
I like all our players (well most of them) but, realistically, a lot of them are not anywhere near the top 15 in their relative positions and as for the young ones coming through- who knows where, if or when, they’ll end up good enough. Maybe I just don’t see it but counting on guys like Naden, Toa, Staines, Matamua, Sullivan, Feledy, Faataape, Klemmer, Sukkar, Saukuru, Tumeth, to get us even in the eight without bringing in some real talent, is simply dreaming.
As for all these young “NRL Stars of the future” whose pathway to the top grade we must never block - when they are playing and winning in KOE cup every week and our NRL team is consistently competing with the top clubs, then I’d be worrying about how to fit them all in. If a young player is good enough then his path won’t be blocked. Surely you look after the “Makasini’s” but let’s not get carried away with the hype.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

We had a great win against an average Raiders team last week that didn’t test our young inexperienced guys too much. People talking up our squad on here are forgetting that 2 weeks earlier they were bagging them out as the worst top 30 in the NRL.
I like all our players (well most of them) but, realistically, a lot of them are not anywhere near the top 15 in their relative positions and as for the young ones coming through- who knows where, if or when, they’ll end up good enough. Maybe I just don’t see it but counting on guys like Naden, Toa, Staines, Matamua, Sullivan, Feledy, Faataape, Klemmer, Sukkar, Saukuru, Tumeth, to get us even in the eight without bringing in some real talent, is simply dreaming.
As for all these young “NRL Stars of the future” whose pathway to the top grade we must never block - when they are playing and winning in KOE cup every week and our NRL team is consistently competing with the top clubs, then I’d be worrying about how to fit them all in. If a young player is good enough then his path won’t be blocked. Surely you look after the “Makasini’s” but let’s not get carried away with the hype.

There are some good players among the names you have mentioned, the types Bellamy would turn into polished NRL players. We need to do likewise. I think Matamua's best position is prop, allowing an up and comer like Faagutu to take over at lock. Faataape for a player signed late from the QRL has done exceedingly well in the NRL. Sukkar has always impressed when I have watched him. Staines is an NRL winger/fullback.

 

[crazycat]

Simple example. On the day a major signing joined our club when Farah was capt Robbie walked straight past him, head down, didn’t even greet or acknowledge him. Such a minor thing, but those naturally good with people just don’t do this.

Farah is a legend. He would die for the club. The above sounds slanderous, it’s not meant to be. People are who they are. Some are suited to some jobs some aren’t.

My impression from 1000 miles away Robbie should play to his strengths and pursue impact that is naturally suited to him

If it was Cherrington or that hooker from Manly.. Ballin, I would get it.

Taylor white-anted Farah and when you are brought in to basically supplant a SOO hooker (who gets picked from reserve grade), yea I would probably do the same. I mean Club captain, lifetime member and club hero and your basically taking their spot. Heck you may have been told some BS that Farah was being punted to England or something. ..

Oh wait, Farah did not make eye contact.
If it was Ballin, Yea I wouldn't be making eye contact... Jez lucky he dinnit make knuckle contact.

 

[crazycat]

There are some good players among the names you have mentioned, the types Bellamy would turn into polished NRL players. We need to do likewise. I think Matamua's best position is prop, allowing an up and comer like Faagutu to take over at lock. Faataape for a player signed late from the QRL has done exceedingly well in the NRL. Sukkar has always impressed when I have watched him. Staines is an NRL winger/fullback.

Faataape has had such a rough landing and done way better then expected.
A first year player should be given more then 1 chance. Yes that means improving on stuff and performing well in reserve grade...

For a first grade run, I actually see Faataape locking down either Center or reserve Center. A better option then Toa and others.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Faataape has had such a rough landing and done way better then expected.
A first year player should be given more then 1 chance. Yes that means improving on stuff and performing well in reserve grade...

For a first grade run, I actually see Faataape locking down either Center or reserve Center. A better option then Toa and others.

Far better value for money under the cap. That run in traffic he made towards the end of the Raiders' game where he stepped and demonstrated deceptive pace was great to watch. He has the ability and the rest is up to him.

 

[TigerSJ]

There are some good players among the names you have mentioned, the types Bellamy would turn into polished NRL players. We need to do likewise. I think Matamua's best position is prop, allowing an up and comer like Faagutu to take over at lock. Faataape for a player signed late from the QRL has done exceedingly well in the NRL. Sukkar has always impressed when I have watched him. Staines is an NRL winger/fullback.

Likely all true but my point is more that having players that are even average NRL level is not going to get us into the top 4 or winning a premiership.

 

[Vicious]

Watched Oregon Kaufusi last night. Very overrated, Not on my wanted list from now on.
Rare front on tackles, mostly belly flops when opposition on ground. Runs hard about twice per stint on the paddock, then hides in the background for others to do the work. LAZY comes to mind.
Hunt much better........attack and defence.

Yeah I tend to agree.
We have players in Twal, Pole and Seyfarth who have good work rates, we really need a point of difference with impact and Royce Hunt is that type of player.
Geez wouldn’t it be nice if a miracle happened and we retained Stef, added Angus Crichton and Royce Hunt.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

We had a great win against an average Raiders team last week that didn’t test our young inexperienced guys too much. People talking up our squad on here are forgetting that 2 weeks earlier they were bagging them out as the worst top 30 in the NRL.
I like all our players (well most of them) but, realistically, a lot of them are not anywhere near the top 15 in their relative positions and as for the young ones coming through- who knows where, if or when, they’ll end up good enough. Maybe I just don’t see it but counting on guys like Naden, Toa, Staines, Matamua, Sullivan, Feledy, Faataape, Klemmer, Sukkar, Saukuru, Tumeth, to get us even in the eight without bringing in some real talent, is simply dreaming.
As for all these young “NRL Stars of the future” whose pathway to the top grade we must never block - when they are playing and winning in KOE cup every week and our NRL team is consistently competing with the top clubs, then I’d be worrying about how to fit them all in. If a young player is good enough then his path won’t be blocked. Surely you look after the “Makasini’s” but let’s not get carried away with the hype.

If you call them average then hope one day we can reach that level...

 

[426Tlgerland]

Yeah I tend to agree.
We have players in Twal, Pole and Seyfarth who have good work rates, we really need a point of difference with impact and Royce Hunt is that type of player.
Geez wouldn’t it be nice if a miracle happened and we retained Stef, added Angus Crichton and Royce Hunt.

O gott a feeling we will try and keep Stef then promote our young guys , it will depend on who may move on Tumeth and Feledy are 2 but that don’t do much , we need 3 from top grade to go
Naden , Toa , Bud , this would give us some cash for maybe another signing on top of Stef but the rest will be promoted , a big off season could see these young guys come right into it , but I really have no idea what’s going to happen

 

[KCTiger2]

There are some good players among the names you have mentioned, the types Bellamy would turn into polished NRL players. We need to do likewise. I think Matamua's best position is prop, allowing an up and comer like Faagutu to take over at lock. Faataape for a player signed late from the QRL has done exceedingly well in the NRL. Sukkar has always impressed when I have watched him. Staines is an NRL winger/fullback.

How exactly is Matamuas best position prop?

He is the best ball playing forward currently at the club and his whole game is digging into the line and playing the link roll

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Likely all true but my point is more that having players that are even average NRL level is not going to get us into the top 4 or winning a premiership.

We've recruited Luai and Turuva. Add a young lock like Faagutu, Galvin a freshened Doueihi plus Faataape with a full pre-season the quality of our team improves greatly. We have many of the answers in our backyard which is important when there is a shortage of quality players on the market

 

[pawsandclaws1]

How exactly is Matamuas best position prop?

He is the best ball playing forward currently at the club and his whole game is digging into the line and playing the link roll

He played NSW U19s as a prop and performed well. If we lose Utoikamanu, all options need to be looked at by the club. Faagutu can also promote the ball, carries the ball well and is a strong defender. I wrote a day or so ago I believe him to be the best young lock at the club.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

How exactly is Matamuas best position prop?

He is the best ball playing forward currently at the club and his whole game is digging into the line and playing the link roll

I don't think I have seen Matamua individually make a single strong carry, how does anyone think he is a prop?

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I don't think I have seen Matamua individually make a single strong carry, how does anyone think he is a prop?

If that is the case, perhaps Matamua should be in NSW Cup working hard on his running.

 

[The Chad]

I can completely understand everyone's desire to keep Utoikamanu or to replicate him.

My point is- we can't. That player isn't on the market. Unless we keep Utoikamanu, we need to rethink how the forward pack is put together. Instead of a Warriors/Raiders/Broncos power play pack, a nullifying forward pack similar to the Dolphins would be an easier to achieve target.

Or strike will come from wider- Sam Fainu for example. Our middles would need to negate the effect of the power teams.

I've really suggested 2 names. Liam Knight's has been super popular... but what he is, is a 95% effective tackling forward. Same as Klemmer. Same as Twal. No, they will not put the fear of God into the opposition. But they will nullify a roll on.

Peter Hola is a very similar build & athlete to Utoikamanu. Just not as good. But, on a small contract, as a bench guy, until Jordan Miller becomes what the club hopes he can be- he fits that athlete/body mix. NAS also fits, but he would cost more than he is worth.

You do not have to replicate successful teams to win. The Dolphins should be our prime example. Jesse Bromwich, their #1 prop, averages less than 100m a game. ALL their forwards average less than Klemmer does. But they defend very strongly through the middle & strike you out wide through Lemulemu, the Hammer & Issako etc.

If our middles can hold the opposition & not let them march down field, Sam Fainu, Doueihi, Turuva, Bula etc could be our wider strike options. Someone questioned my idea of Pole playing wider. He might get shown up in defence. But his movement at the line could cause problems for weaker, wider defenders too.