Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

The Chad said:
When we have been smashed this year, it's the bullying of our forwards that has been the most frustrating part. Weak in contact, meek in defence, no dominance.

The Dolphins prove you don't need forwards to play like Haas to win games. Nobody on their list regularly tops 100m in the middle. But they don't let you beat up on them either.

Add in The Hammer & Isaako etc out wide & they beat you with a little bit of skill mixed with hard work.

We just need our forwards to not get us beaten up to give Luia, Bula, Api etc enough field position to lay in a couple of blows of our own.
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I agree wholeheartedly. I think our biggest issue, beyond a very obvious lack of quality in the roster plus a lack of discipline, is the fact that our back five are terrible out of yardage and constantly put us on the back foot.

you’re right about the Dolphins, their back five is elite. tall, speedy and with size to bend the line. Hamiso, Isaako, Herbie, Bostock and now Tupou going to join them. they’ll be the envy of the league very soon.

we’re going to have to try and emulate that in some form in the short term, with not a whole lot on the market. thankfully Turuva has been locked up already.

Skelton is the quick fix. you can foreseeably throw him a 2-3 year deal on small dollars and he’ll instantly get our sets off to strong starts. ideally you start there. Vunivalu and Ravalawa are worth an enquiry, but there are worries with each. I can’t see Reimis Smith coming here unfortunately, his Dad has steered his clients away from us for decades. there’s a lot of love for Sam Stonestreet out there but I think that’s a tough deal to get done, as much as I’d love him.

if we were to hypothetically run a backline of

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Turuva
4. Olam
5. Laulili’i

there’s enough there in my view to remedy some (not all) of our issues in regards to working the ball out of our end. Laulili’i needs to bulk up a little and Bula needs to get out of third gear, but it is a place to start.
 
No way Stefano stays.

Why would he agree to those current contract terms unless he wanted to leave. He was never going to be picked for two SOO games geez how did even dumb dumb Freddy pick him for one?

…and how did he or his manager think we would make finals in such a short time?

Just another snowflake who doesn’t want to get into the trenches with his mates to turn things around.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Another option for a backrower with right side preference is Sione Mata'uita from St Helens (ex Newcastle Knights), off contract this season I understand, 28yo, wouldn't cost the earth, rated as one of the best backrowers in ESL.

Has a defence highlights reel on Youtube -
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Some great suggestions BlackWhiteGold, how do we get you on Wests Tigers recruitment and retention team.
 
Kayo Iro announced today as well.
What I don’t get is how the sharks can get away with going deep into a season with these guys able to negotiate with other clubs from well before the season starts ended up with both committing to 2 year extensions where as there is a feeling with us that anyone unsigned before Nov 1 is no chance of staying with the club?
 
Needaname said:
Kayo Iro announced today as well.
What I don’t get is how the sharks can get away with going deep into a season with these guys able to negotiate with other clubs from well before the season starts ended up with both committing to 2 year extensions where as there is a feeling with us that anyone unsigned before Nov 1 is no chance of staying with the club?
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That Teig Wilton story is from last year. Off contract come November 1 at this stage with Nikora & Talakai seemingly the 1st choice backrowers at the Sharks atm.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Your suggestion of Joe Chan may be realistic now with Bateman a chance of not being here. Richo will know Chan well from his efforts for Easts Tigers (Storm feeder) last season as he did with Faataape.

I've been all over getting Royce Hunt here for a while now but saw @jrtiger mention in another thread he is managed by Isaac Moses. My hopes are fading then 🙁
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Moses is the dodgiest manager since Mr Fuji.
 
jrtiger said:
I agree wholeheartedly. I think our biggest issue, beyond a very obvious lack of quality in the roster plus a lack of discipline, is the fact that our back five are terrible out of yardage and constantly put us on the back foot.

you’re right about the Dolphins, their back five is elite. tall, speedy and with size to bend the line. Hamiso, Isaako, Herbie, Bostock and now Tupou going to join them. they’ll be the envy of the league very soon.

we’re going to have to try and emulate that in some form in the short term, with not a whole lot on the market. thankfully Turuva has been locked up already.

Skelton is the quick fix. you can foreseeably throw him a 2-3 year deal on small dollars and he’ll instantly get our sets off to strong starts. ideally you start there. Vunivalu and Ravalawa are worth an enquiry, but there are worries with each. I can’t see Reimis Smith coming here unfortunately, his Dad has steered his clients away from us for decades. there’s a lot of love for Sam Stonestreet out there but I think that’s a tough deal to get done, as much as I’d love him.

if we were to hypothetically run a backline of

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Turuva
4. Olam
5. Laulili’i

there’s enough there in my view to remedy some (not all) of our issues in regards to working the ball out of our end. Laulili’i needs to bulk up a little and Bula needs to get out of third gear, but it is a place to start.
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Yes it looks good but laulili is as slow as a wet week
 
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