Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Klemmer has a mutual option for 2026. So is surely told in the offseason it will not be activated. Hence he may go early. More cash & another spot.

Tumeth will be paid out. He will activate but it would be minimum. We have saved that just from Bateman going to the UK. But also saving forms Simpkin & Kepaoa.

So that's 3 spots.

Seems like 1 is sorted with a new back.

2 spots.

I agree about Sullivan & Naden.

Then hopefully we get the 4 spots.

But would not be surprised about Bateman as well then 5 spots.

Outs - Stef, Ice, Bateman*, Naden*, Sullivan*, Simpkin, Kepaoa, Nofoaluma...

Ins - Luai, Turuva, New back*

Surely Faataape & Johansen gets a development deal for 2025. We have 4 spots I think with Mason & Lobb only taking up 2 of the 6.

A lot to play out.
Will Craig has a development deal for 2025, one of the previous regime's deals. He has gone missing of late, maybe injured but has shown little promise in junior reps this season after a big season last year.
 
Last night was actually a good game to give an insight of what we need & what are losing in Stef, Ice & possibly Bateman. Plus the outside backs.

Stef - We just need a solid middle who can bend the line at times but more importantly works hard in D. Pole does that role really. If we go with the Bulldogs model of a lighter more mobile middle that works hard I think we do go with a Jazz Tevunga & Royce Hunt for bench impact. We have Klemmer, Twal & Seyfarth as a rotation.

Ice - Simple Dylan Walker & Latu Fainu for the 13 role & ability to play multiple positions. Sione Fainu needs to be resigned as well.

Bateman - Rueben Porter but if we land Bryce Cartwright from the Eels I would be happy.

Backs - From Richo's BTR podcast the other day it would seem he is onto it. I would like to see Alaimalo resigned as well for depth & experience.

The spine for next year is very exciting of Bula, Galvin, Luai & Api.

Just need effort in the other positions.

Obvious issue is roster spots... Richo seems to know where we need to go.

But if you look the current contracts a bit of work to do. Naden & Sullivan the obvious big money ones.

FB: Bula/Turuva/Staines/Mason

Wing: Turuva/Staines/L Lualilii/Alaimalo*

Centres: Doueihi/Olam/To'a/Faataape*/New signing*/Feledy

Halves: Luai/Galvin/Latu Fainu/Sullivan/Sezer

Front Row: Pole/Klemmer/Twal/Seyfarth/Johannsen*/Hunt*/Tevunga*/Sione Fainu

Back Row: Samuela Fainu/Porter*/Seyfarth/Cartwright*

Lock: Matamua/Sione Fainu*/Latu Fainu/Walker*

Hooker: Korosaui/Da Silva

4 players makes us very competitive team IMO.
Generally agree with most of this but I think we desperately need to get someone to fill the hole Papali'i will leave. Alaimalo shows glimpses and he may improve next year but at this stage I'm hesitant to say he's a first grade player. Good to have when stocks get thin, but that's it.
 
Generally agree with most of this but I think we desperately need to get someone to fill the hole Papali'i will leave. Alaimalo shows glimpses and he may improve next year but at this stage I'm hesitant to say he's a first grade player. Good to have when stocks get thin, but that's it.
Thought papali showed good physical presence in defence last night
If I had a choice to replace him it’d be walker out of all the names spoken about on here
Alimo has developed since his first game. Noticed that he’s positioning better in tackles for a quicker play the ball. One thing I do like is he seems to have safe hands. I would keep him over faataape
 
So, with a $2m War Chest, you want us to sign Liam Knight, Corey Horsburgh and Josh Addo Carr?
Not quite.

Horsburgh, Knight, Hetherington, Kleese Haas & if possible Joe Ofehangue.

In the backs, now that To'o isn't a possibility, Addo-Carr or Ravalawa along with Isiah Tass

I'd let Starford To'a, Naden, Tumeth, Lobb, Sezar go. Already lost Papali'i, Bateman & Utoikamanu.

It's more important that our 'war chest' get used on long term deals on Pole, Sione Fainu, Makasini, Large, Da Silva etc. Those are the skill players we need. The guys I'm suggesting add muscle, experience & culture.

Everyone fixates on names. The big name players for the Tigers don't need to come from other clubs- Luia & Api are stars. Bula, Galvin, Sam Fainu, Latu Fainu etc- these are the big name players that will improve the club.

Signing 'names' is what got Madge lumped with Cleary's leftovers.
 
If our next signing announcement is Liam Knight that will do me. He should be nothing more than a NSW Cup deal, not even worthy of announcement.

Re Corey H, the raiders know tough forwards and if he isn’t up to it at the Raiders I have low doubts he can solve any of our problems here & hope if he did sign on that it’s low rate deal for us.
 
Not quite.

Horsburgh, Knight, Hetherington, Kleese Haas & if possible Joe Ofehangue.

In the backs, now that To'o isn't a possibility, Addo-Carr or Ravalawa along with Isiah Tass

I'd let Starford To'a, Naden, Tumeth, Lobb, Sezar go. Already lost Papali'i, Bateman & Utoikamanu.

It's more important that our 'war chest' get used on long term deals on Pole, Sione Fainu, Makasini, Large, Da Silva etc. Those are the skill players we need. The guys I'm suggesting add muscle, experience & culture.

Everyone fixates on names. The big name players for the Tigers don't need to come from other clubs- Luia & Api are stars. Bula, Galvin, Sam Fainu, Latu Fainu etc- these are the big name players that will improve the club.

Signing 'names' is what got Madge lumped with Cleary's leftovers.

OMG if we swapped Stefano, Papa and Bateman out for Corey/Knight & Hetherington we go backwards in a major way. We think the refs are against us this season….

Joe O is the pick of those names but would basically be a like for like prop to Stefano. Doubt after how he left he would even look at us.

Haas is a bench depth option has some upside but not a dial mover for us.
 
OMG if we swapped Stefano, Papa and Bateman out for Corey/Knight & Hetherington we go backwards in a major way. We think the refs are against us this season….

Joe O is the pick of those names but would basically be a like for like prop to Stefano. Doubt after how he left he would even look at us.

Haas is a bench depth option has some upside but not a dial mover for us.
Fair enough, but I disagree.

In my opinion it is far more important right now for this team to match sides for physical strength in defence than bust metres through the middle (that's why our back 3 need to be better).

We have to hold teams in the middle. The amount of times Utoikamanu, Pole & Sione Fainu in particular arm grab or just get run around through the middle is alarming. Their runs with the ball are exciting, but masks the defensive failings.

Then, when we do tackle, it's 3-4 guys unable to bring a man to the ground & slowly disentangle before moping around the back of the ruck. We need to win the point of attack, when in defence. Stop the momentum. And belting people hard, does that.

Ask the Roosters- the MOST penalised team in the NRL.
 
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If our next signing announcement is Liam Knight that will do me. He should be nothing more than a NSW Cup deal, not even worthy of announcement.

Re Corey H, the raiders know tough forwards and if he isn’t up to it at the Raiders I have low doubts he can solve any of our problems here & hope if he did sign on that it’s low rate deal for us.
I doubt the club will call a press conference to announce Knight. But he gives greater depth to the squad.
 
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