Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[AmericanHistoryX]

There was no money in it back in those days. There were no bicycle lanes

 

[Tigerdazz2]

I don't think we ever played parra in a semi??

I must correct myself there. You are right, we just missed the finals, I think we came 9th.

It was probably because of the atmosphere, a packed SFS. I think if I remember correctly, if WT had beaten Parra they would have scraped into 8th position & this played in the Semi finals.

 

[BAGNF05]

I must correct myself there. You are right, we just missed the finals, I think we came 9th.

It was probably because of the atmosphere, a packed SFS. I think if I remember correctly, if WT had beaten Parra they would have scraped into 8th position & this played in the Semi finals.

Those days when August footy mattered. 🥹

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Exactky. Felt like a semi. Better than a semi. Like who remembers a semi that year.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

looking to move away from Newcastle. Apparently he is taking too much cap there if I am not wrong

We helped them out once by taking on Klemmer's enormous contract...

 

[Tom Shines]

I was at that game as well …

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

He is better than Klemmer. But I respect David Klemmer

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

After Tuaki went down. We lost our Spirit. We lost our way....

 

[Tigerdazz2]

I don't think we ever played parra in a semi??

I think because that game was at the SFS and so late in the season I was recalling it as a Semi Final, totally forgetting WT at the time controversially were playing some "home" games there along with another team or two (besides the Chooks).

 

[Tigerdazz2]

After Tuaki went down. We lost our Spirit. We lost our way....

Compounded by Gibbs getting marched!! 😩

 

[Tom Shines]

I think because that game was at the SFS and so late in the season I was recalling it as a Semi Final, totally forgetting WT at the time controversially were playing some "home" games there along with another team or two (besides the Chooks).

unfortunately i remember all too well that the WT only made the semis three times 😑

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Yet the refs make it every year...

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

So the deadline is here and no announcement about player signing / Upgraded to top 30.

Am I wrong about this date

As someone mentioned a few days ago, players we have recently released (Kepaoa, Simpkin) can be included apparently.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Deadline? Roosters have no deadline. Nor Canterbury. How did a deadline or does a deadline affect a bank roll??.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Exactky. Felt like a semi. Better than a semi. Like who remembers a semi that year.

Of all the games I've ever gone to that Rd 24 game v Parra in 2009 comes in second only to the 2005 Major Semi v St George.

Me & the Missus won tickets to that Semi & were seated smack bang in the middle of a huge bunch of Saints fans who had this huge "Red V" banner that covered about 20 people when they unfurled it. They were so cocky and gave us plenty of light hearted stick. So sure they were going to win, they offered us tissues just before kick off.

I think it was more fun for us seeing these Dragons supporters going from supremely confident to confident to worried to devastated 😆😂 than it would have been sitting with fellow Tigers supporters.

Unfortunately I couldn't get tickets to the 2005 GF but watching it on telly the atmosphere must have been mind blowing!

 

[Tcat]

Deadline? Roosters have no deadline. Nor Canterbury. How did a deadline or does a deadline affect a bank roll??.

Or a game of golf. The course is wet atm and its been windy too.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

The crowd was crazy big for a regular season game, well over 30,000, this why it felt like a Semi.

You can understand why I incorrectly remembered it as a Semi it had that finals feeling to it.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Fortunately. TD2 - you were with us. In spirit and heart. I mean. Look.at you today and some of the supporters who were there that day that drivel today...what's the difference. No.Gratitude whatsoever.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Based on Richos comments, we have around 1 million in the cap for next season with the departure of Papalii and 30 players signed (assuming all club and mutal options are taken up). Our current top 30 and depth currently looks like the following:

1. Bula / Staines
2. L. Laulilii / Solo Saukuru
3. Douiehi / To'a
4. Olam / Feledy
5. Turuva / Naden
6. Galvin / Sullivan
7. Luai / Sezer
8. Utoikamanu / Miller
9. Koroisau / Da Silva
10. Klemmer / Faagutu
11. Bateman / Tumeth
12. Fainu / Sukkar
13. Matamua / K.Laulilii

14. Latu Fainu
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Seyfarth

Dev Contracts:
Alex Lobb
Heath Mason

Based on the above squad, the obvious move here would to be move on Tumeth and re-sign Sione Fainu.

Other than that, the biggest glaring need is to upgrade the backrow position with the money available. Bateman has been underwhelming and Sukkar is unproved. We should be looking at going after a good quality backrower whos path is blocked at their current squad like Suia Wong or Egan Butcher.

Staines, To'a and Naden are fine for outside back depth and Sezer and Sullivan provide good halves depth with Latu Fainu. Mason will also provide depth at fullback.

Long term getting rid of Sullivans contract would be ideal however we need to spend 95% cap under the current rules and getting rid of Sullivan will prove challenging. The number 1 priority should be investing the $1 million we currently have into our backrow and forward depth as that is where we look lightest.

Agree with this.

Tumeth out would create a spot for Sione Fainu who I can see being a valuable low cost squad player moving forward.

Yes re outside back. The likely player we’d offload is Naden & if no suitors then Staines (we’d only have to chip in for a portion of one year for either).

We need another experienced back who offers strong carries, good in air & strong defensively. Ideally left wing outside Olam. I’ll no doubt get shot down for these targets but I’d go for one of DANIEL TUPOU or COREY OATES if we can get them for 1 year with 1 year MO.

Won’t block pathway & I reckon a Luke Laulilii (left centre) with Makasini (left wing) could be dominant in 2+ seasons.

The benefit of Oates is he has proven to be able to pinch hit in the backrow too.

 

[Vicious]

Can someone tell me what Laulilli does better than Staines at the moment ?
I have stated he has certainly been ripping in and giving his best, but he’s short and not confident under the high ball, he does not have enough speed to score long range tries and despite his best efforts his defence is shaky at best.
Certainly not the attributes for the prototype modern day winger such as Dominic Young, Xavier Coates, Zac Lonax etc.
I also agree the way he fearlessly runs the ball makes you think he could become a genuine metre eating winger similar to what Brian To’o provides, but he’s currently very raw and still growing, it could take a year or two before he becomes someone that genuinely strikes fear into the opposition at NRL level.
Another player that no doubt has talent, but thrown into play NRL long before consistently standing out at NSW Cup level.