Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The Chad]

Junior Topou ? What did he do in those two games? Just because they won them ..doesn’t mean it was due to him …

More run metres than the other wingers in those games, so there's that I guess...

 

[Tom Shines]

He was immense against the Sharks, every carry was strong and got us rolling out of our danger zone allowing the forwards to have rest, not constantly back tracking 60-70 metres and having to still do the bullicking work.

The Sharks were terrible in that game … they beat themselves …

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He was immense against the Sharks, every carry was strong and got us rolling out of our danger zone allowing the forwards to have rest, not constantly back tracking 60-70 metres and having to still do the bullicking work.

To'o is aksing for a release to join us isn't he, problem solved lol

 

[The Chad]

I think it’s important that Fketcher mentioned the back 3, we seem to only look at and scrutinise the wingers.

I get that. But of the three we trot out now, I'm going to say Bula isn't the problem. With 2 better return/run threats back there with him, I expect his impact improves too.

 

[Tom Shines]

More run metres than the other wingers in those games, so there's that I guess...

You value that stat a lot more than I do…

A lot of wingers meters come from returning kicks …. Because he has the proverbial “hands like feet “.. the opposition directs all the kicks his way hoping he will drop a couple…i think he did from memory ,,,Do you have the stats on how many handling errors he made ?

 

[rugbygoated]

I know hes a bit of a headcase and we've been burnt many times before by these types of players, but Hetherington anybody?
Up for grabs forwards cupboard is bare could do a job for a couple of seasons, be cheap i would imagine.

He has a lot of talent but his attitude issues is not something I think our club can fix. Penrith let him go

 

[rugbygoated]

They won’t need to. Dogs have what he’s looking for, staying in Sydney & winning culture. His next 2 seasons are crucial in his development, being a 24yo middle with size speed and strength.

If he wants to win a premiership wouldn't he go to Storm or Penrith? Bulldogs could win one in the next 5 years but no guarantee

 

[The Chad]

You value that stat a lot more than I do…

A lot of wingers meters come from returning kicks …. Because he has the proverbial “hands like feet “.. the opposition directs all the kicks his way hoping he will drop a couple…i think he did from memory ,,,Do you have the stats on how many handling errors he made ?

Do you really want to know?

 

[rugbygoated]

I feel the dogs pitch will be less money, but he has a chance to join a project, win and leave a legacy with more money potentially down the line

yep and if you look at dogs all they lack is a big prop and a dominant halfback

 

[The Chad]

yep and if you look at dogs all they lack is a big prop and a dominant halfback

That Sam Hughes is a pretty big human

 

[Tom Shines]

Do you really want to know?

Not really …

He has had one foot out the door all season … I’ll turn the page

 

[Vicious]

You value that stat a lot more than I do…

A lot of wingers meters come from returning kicks …. Because he has the proverbial “hands like feet “.. the opposition directs all the kicks his way hoping he will drop a couple…i think he did from memory ,,,Do you have the stats on how many handling errors he made ?

Tupou is a big unit who at least runs hard and is capable of scattering a defender or two when he runs the ball.
I think his ability catching the ball was steadily improving and at the satisfactory stage, not that it matters now as he’s another one departing.
I always see Charlie Staines willing and charging the ball back at top speed despite his lighter frame and since returning from injury Doueihi’s carry’s have all been strong.
We need more than 2 in our back 5 ripping in to help get out of the danger zone.
Hopefully Turuva will help, but watching him recently I’m not sure if he’s playing injured or what is the problem, but he has been dying in the tackle very easily on most occasions.

 

[WestsTigers4VR]

I don’t know where the Brian To’o chat is coming from that he wants out but it’s absolute BS. If any common sense was applied to the thought it would shut the speculation down.

For 1 who is the source? Is it your mothers brothers uncles cousins little nieces bestfriends cat owner? If so well then might as well be written in stone.
The second things is he is committed to Panthers for the next few seasons and I can’t think of the last time they let someone go early, especially someone of such high importance. And finally I’d trust the media to get a hold of a story this large relatively quickly.

 

[Tom Shines]

Tupou is a big unit who at least runs hard and is capable of scattering a defender or two when he runs the ball.
I think his ability catching the ball was steadily improving and at the satisfactory stage, not that it matters now as he’s another one departing.
I always see Charlie Staines willing and charging the ball back at top speed despite his lighter frame and since returning from injury Doueihi’s carry’s have all been strong.
We need more than 2 in our back 5 ripping in to help get out of the danger zone.
Hopefully Turuva will helo, but watching him recently I’m not sure if he’s playing injured or what is the problem, but he has been dying in the tackle very easily on most occasions.

yep they need another winger and Center ( if Olam is gone )…

I don’t think you can focus on it as a priority though for next year …. They are two weeks removed from the Sharks dominating them all over the park

 

[rugbygoated]

That Sam Hughes is a pretty big human

Replace big prop with dominant prop and that's what I meant to say

 

[coivtny]

The Sharks were terrible in that game … they beat themselves …

My brother used to do that. Sadly he's blind now.

 

[Tom Shines]

I don’t know where the Brian To’o chat is coming from that he wants out but it’s absolute BS. If any common sense was applied to the thought it would shut the speculation down.

For 1 who is the source? Is it your mothers brothers uncles cousins little nieces bestfriends cat owner? If so well then might as well be written in stone.
The second things is he is committed to Panthers for the next few seasons and I can’t think of the last time they let someone go early, especially someone of such high importance. And finally I’d trust the media to get a hold of a story this large relatively quickly.

yeah it’s BS … a few of us have been joking about it… probably time to move on

 

[Vicious]

yep they need another winger and Center ( if Olam is gone )…

I don’t think you can focus on it as a priority though for next year …. They are two weeks removed from the Sharks dominating them all over the park

Olam was ripping in for a few games, but I get the feeling he’s come to the conclusion he will just sit out every time he scratches a finger nail.

 

[Tom Shines]

A lot of real hard guys on this forum. Olam has played injured all year but has still torn in regardless. Belting people and charging headlong into defenders with no self preservation.

Still not as hard as the tough guys here.

Or alternatively.. you can respect the hell out of his career and recognise his achievements as an international and premiership winner… but still question the wisdom of our club signing a player that had clear injury concerns last year …to a three year deal …

How’s it working out so far ?

 

[jrtiger]

Suggestions?

Corey Horsbrough? Could be an option.
I'm looking at how we can improve our back, losing Paps, and likely Bateman and potentially Stef.

The market is bare and we like the waiting game to see what becomes available... so I'm wondering what else people think would be worth chasing.

first off we have to be realistic about where we’re at. not many players are going to come across so we’re going to have to try and offer medium term security to those off contract, or to try and attain players looking for first grade opportunities.

Cronulla have more middle forwards than god. Oregon Kaufusi has a mutual option for 2025 and is therefore worth having a chat to, and Toby Rudolf has links to the Richardson family. Royce won’t come here given Moses is his manager, but Jack Williams is off contract and would be a smart acquisition.

Mat Croker’s off contract at Newcastle and is a high workrate type that I think we need. Hetherington is a huge risk and while I’d prefer to stay away, we may have no choice. Bunty Afoa brings strike off the pine and is currently well down the pecking order at the Warriors. I’d be enquiring there.

I’d be looking at giving Porter a full time deal for next year as well given he does a job and has a stack of NSW Cup experience.

Horsburgh’s a good shout, but I’m fairly sure he wants to head back to QLD.

England really doesn’t have anyone right now that fits what we need. guys like Knowles, Dupree, Lees and George Delaney all get spoken about but there are question marks around all of them, mainly because they’re quite small in stature and we already have guys like Pole, Sione and Kit in and around the squad.

quite frankly none of this is glamourous but this is the nature of the game. Richardson will push for players to sign on for 2026 come November 1 and pursue early releases, but we still need to cover for 2025. unfortunately the names I mentioned above are probably the realistic expectations we can have.