Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Especially when you look at the available players list that was recently posted on this forum. There was no one to really excite on that list.
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
No it's that bloody woke thing again.
We are not allowed to have 2 million dollars unspent in our Salary Cap for 2025, so it has to be spent on someone.
The Chad
Well-known member
The Bulldogs have shown that you need the mid range 'value' signings as much as the big name guys. Not including players that are under contract & not being moved on (Horsburgh..) there are a number of guys that add things to the squad we absolutely lack.
The importance of 'big names' is overblown- particularly when in the last 12 months we have added 'big names' like Bula, Galvin, Sam Fainu & Da Silva through our own ranks.
We cannot hold the middle of the field. We cannot get enough metres on early sets from our back 3.
If you drop the search for superstar names, there's a Max King to be found in the available players.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
I wasn’t even referring to big name players being available, I just don’t think there’s many forwards who really even fit the Max King category.
And,of course, the other underlying issue is who really wants to come and be part of our shit show.
We are officially the “ joke of the League” and going nowhere fast. Can’t win, can’t keep players and can’t offer good coaching. It’s a cluster [This word has been automatically removed] !
I’m all for finding those diamond in the rough type players as the Bulldogs have done and we could have a few in our own ranks with the likes of Tim Johanssen and Bailey Hodges, but to really install confidence in our emerging young players I think we need at least one more player who is considered elite.
Although he is approaching 30 years of age and it’s only media reports suggesting he could be available, I think the status of a player such as Valentine Holmes would be immense for us.
Sure it’s a bit of a risk that he could be another one who comes to pump up his retirement fund, but he’s a player that keeps himself in peak physical condition, has had no major injury concerns in recent years and is a proven winner, therefore I believe that significantly reduces the risk of him not giving his best or not performing to near his best.
The Chad
Well-known member
I don't think the Bulldogs found guys never heard of before. They just found VALUE in the Max King, Sam Hughes, Curren, Taafe, Hutchison, Salmon, Mann, Knight etc.
Don't overpay, getting guys that do 'a job'.
Not being a smart-ass, but if you can't get 'value' from a combination of Peter Hola, Liam Knight, Hayze Perham, Jeral Skelton, Billy Burns, Jack Williams, Tesi Niu, Kleese Haas, Joe Stimson, Raymond Vaega, Corey Waddell, Reimis Smith, Dean Ieremia, Jazz Tevaga, Mat Croker, Enari Tuala, Jordan Maclean, Semi Valemei, Daejarn Asi, Matt Eisenhuth, Michael Chee-Kam, Shaq Mitchell, Isaiah Tass, Izaac Thompson, Tom Eisenhuth, Jesse Marschke, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Alec Tuitavake & guys told they can look elsewhere like Holmes, Ravalawa, the Siafiti brothers, Jack Hetherington, Royce Hunt...
I reckon you can find 3-4 players in that lot that will improve the squad without blowing a budget. Each club will find different values in different players. But there's a couple of Max King's waiting for the right club.
For example- Mat Croker, Joe Stimson/Corey Waddell, Kleese Haas, Jeral Skelton/Ravalawa & Isiah Tass.
I would wager they perform no worse than Utoikamanu, Bateman, Staines, Klemmer, Faataape or Doueihi. In fact, I'd almost suggest our middle defence improves & we are safer out wide.
Tigersmurf
Well-known member
I don't really understand all this negativity. We currently have Ice, Bateman and Stefano and we are coming last. Paying the players that can't get us off the bottom of the ladder $800K doesn't really fill me with excitement, and I am one who really liked Stef before he decided not to try. I saw an earlier post saying Ice and Stef don't miss tackles..... in Stef's case that is correct given each game recently he has let players step past him without even laying a hand on them, so I guess that doesn't count if he doesn't even try.
As for how are we going to sign 4-5 players over the off season, I wouldn't think it would be hard considering they know they have a clear path to First Grade and we are cashed up.
The fact that there isn't anyone off contract that is worth signing. That might be true but a lot of players are becoming available that are currently under contract. Val Homes, Jack Bird, Saifiti's etc. We will be fine. We need to spend the money better this time around so we can sign some depth, First Grade depth, and upgrade the State Cup guys we want to keep.
It is no coincidence that the games we have won are the games we have started the younger players in. Benji called out the senior guys because most of them don't play to the level they are getting paid. Just because you are senior doesnt mean you cant get better. It is up to the coaching team to make the players want to get better for the club and themselves.
As for how are we going to sign 4-5 players over the off season, I wouldn't think it would be hard considering they know they have a clear path to First Grade and we are cashed up.
The fact that there isn't anyone off contract that is worth signing. That might be true but a lot of players are becoming available that are currently under contract. Val Homes, Jack Bird, Saifiti's etc. We will be fine. We need to spend the money better this time around so we can sign some depth, First Grade depth, and upgrade the State Cup guys we want to keep.
It is no coincidence that the games we have won are the games we have started the younger players in. Benji called out the senior guys because most of them don't play to the level they are getting paid. Just because you are senior doesnt mean you cant get better. It is up to the coaching team to make the players want to get better for the club and themselves.
A nice list of names you have put together 👍
The Chad
Well-known member
Jacob Alick from the Titans or Kleese Haas might be a smart addition. Very athletic big men. Alick is very natural with his movement. I could see them being a bit like Luciano out wide.
Stimson, Crocker & Corey Waddell as your middles with Pole, Klemmer & Siona Fainu..
I just think it's more important to lock up the defence in the middle & add your strike out wide. We have the spine.
teddy23
Well-known member
If we could pinch Klese Hass and Xavier Wilson from up north I’d be very happy with that.
Snidest 0
Well-known member
I agree with your point overall - but you over-cooked the potential shopping list with the former Tigers and Shaq Mitchell who is only in the NRL because of his younger brother...
Snidest 0
Well-known member
Samuela Fainu is evidence of this!
Plenty here didn't rate him or expect him to be ready for NRL when signed despite his junior rep credentials...
balmain boy
Well-known member
Why do you love failure so much?
jrtiger
Well-known member
life goes on. the objectives remain the same.
try and attain the best from free agency that are willing to fight to get us out of this mess, pursue NRL-calibre talent that are looking for opportunities and take advantage of tight caps and unrest elsewhere.
trust in Richo.
try and attain the best from free agency that are willing to fight to get us out of this mess, pursue NRL-calibre talent that are looking for opportunities and take advantage of tight caps and unrest elsewhere.
trust in Richo.
twentyforty
Well-known member
We need to target players like Stefano who are not getting enough opportunity at their existing club. Eels gave Stefano 11min over 3 games after we signed him. When we get these players we need to stop sacking coaches and changing 5 year plans.
BirchgroveTigers
Well-known member
I think there is merit in increasing our depth at the potential expense of top line players however to do that we need to move on players in our top 30 who are currently not providing ANYTHING to our NRL side, such as Tumeth, K Lauliii etc. if we can move 2 or 3 of them on + Bateman, papilii and Stef and replace with 5-6 solid nrl players, I’d hazard a guess it would make us a better side. Big if there though….
Nonotmeagain
Well-known member
Still going !!!
Nonotmeagain
Well-known member
So he grabbed him by the shirt right and then pulled him to ground - didn't punch or kick him etc ?
