Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

jrtiger said:
agree with you on ability, but Faagutu has also played Cup a few times this year and struggled for a couple of reasons, mainly because he was underdone and had some issues with his lateral movement, which can be worked on.

again just looking at current pecking order and the need for roster spots, and with three rookie lock forwards someone’s going to be shown the door before November.

based on what I’ve seen I think Siotame Havea is still the long term pick, but he’s still probably five years away. I really hope someone takes the 13 jersey with both hands this preseason, but I can’t see it being Chris, Juz or Kit if I’m honest.
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All 3 of them have talent, but none of them appear to be near fit enough to play with high intensity as someone such as Jack Williams always does.
Anyone can get extremely fit if they really want to, let’s hope one of those 3 realise what an opportunity they have been given and transform themselves into a player that plays the game with high intensity.
 
The Chad said:
I see Kit as more the (to use a current example) Jack Williams type player. A nuggety, strong worker. It wouldn't surprise me to see him eventually fit in at prop if required. Fa'agutu for mine is the best of the 3, and I wonder if he's been held back longer on purpose- not throwing him to the wolves too early. Matamua needs to show something soon. Not because he isn't talented. Far from it. But that "young lock forward role" position is going to be congested way too soon
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When next season starts Matamua will be 21, Kit will be 20 and Faagutu will be 21.

To me it's clear that Matamua has shown the most out of those 3 at this stage given he has played test and a decent amount of nrl.

Faagutu is the one to drop but obviously it depends on a lot of factors that none of us know
 
The Chad said:
Agreed. I was going to reply to another thread you talked about Galvin's kicking vs Sezar's kicking.

Galvin finds the ground more often but seems to struggle with hang time in relation to his chasers. Then, he strikes gold like the Bula try. Sezar's kicks might find hands, but they tend to have better chase results, giving the returner less room.

Marzhew was catching the ball with zero Wests Tigers players on the TV frame. We gifted him 200m in kick returns & the Knights started nearly all their sets on their 30+

EVERY kick to a Tigers ball catcher had a Knights player closer than a Tigers team mate to the catcher.

I think Galvin has the ability to be a good kicker, but his kicks right now look mechanical & not thought out. He's definitely more an individual player at this point. I think Latu is better (from what I see) at bringing other players into the game. This, I think, is where I question what Galvin's best role actually is.
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You'll enjoy this article about which teams are good & poor at defending kick returns:

https://www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com/2024/07/22/the-best-nrl-teams-at-defending-kick-returns/

A couple of excerpts ...

At the bottom end of this scale, there are five teams who average fewer than 30 net metres per kick this season when chasing yardage. They are the Titans, Raiders, Tigers, Dragons and Sharks. Distance isn’t the issue here, with all five averaging at least 39 metres per kick and three of them averaging 40 metres per kick. It’s the chase that lets them down, with four teams allowing at least 10 metres per kick return, with the Sharks allowing an NRL worst at 11.3 per attempt.

Isaiya Katoa’s kicks are only returned 7.6 metres, with Jarome Luai’s 7.8 the only other mark below eight metres per return. For Katoa to be this good at pinpointing his kicks and giving his defense the best chance to contain a return at just 20 years old should make Dolphins fans very excited to see how he progresses from here. Tigers fans should be similarly pumped about Luai’s long kicking game for next season after watching their yardage kicks this year.
 
jrtiger said:
agree with you on ability, but Faagutu has also played Cup a few times this year and struggled for a couple of reasons, mainly because he was underdone and had some issues with his lateral movement, which can be worked on.

again just looking at current pecking order and the need for roster spots, and with three rookie lock forwards someone’s going to be shown the door before November.

based on what I’ve seen I think Siotame Havea is still the long term pick, but he’s still probably five years away. I really hope someone takes the 13 jersey with both hands this preseason, but I can’t see it being Chris, Juz or Kit if I’m honest.
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Don't disagree with that. It's for that reason I think Matamua might be in some trouble. Additionally- he'd be a really easy player to move as I'm sure other clubs would have a low Top 30 position for a promising player to fit.

That said- he's also just as likely to be that additional attacking weapon we don't have.

If one of the three does not stand up to be the starting #13 next season, they might need to investigate other roles (backrow/prop) or their importance on the roster is going to diminish.

At this stage- one needs to grab #13 or the club needs to add a #13, making the chances of all 3 sticking even worse.

For whatever happens- with so many talented players coming through- we will lose some. That's just how it goes.
 
Vicious said:
All 3 of them have talent, but none of them appear to be near fit enough to play with high intensity as someone such as Jack Williams always does.
Anyone can get extremely fit if they really want to, let’s hope one of those 3 realise what an opportunity they have been given and transform themselves into a player that plays the game with high intensity.
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I just hope whoever we recruit for prop, lock & edge have elite line speed in defence, elite effort on kick chases & quick leg speed/power in attack ... be quite refreshing!
 
boonboon said:
When next season starts Matamua will be 21, Kit will be 20 and Faagutu will be 21.

To me it's clear that Matamua has shown the most out of those 3 at this stage given he has played test and a decent amount of nrl.

Faagutu is the one to drop but obviously it depends on a lot of factors that none of us know
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I won't disagree.

Given the topic- one or all NEEDS to play some #13 for the rest of the season or we go into next year with just as many questions. If Matamua is fit- surely he has to play so we at least know.
 
The Chad said:
I won't disagree.

Given the topic- one or all NEEDS to play some #13 for the rest of the season or we go into next year with just as many questions. If Matamua is fit- surely he has to play so we at least know.
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If I'm Matamua, I'm getting super-fit in the off season and really working on my line speed & effort in defence for '25. Just too passive atm (like most of our pack).
 
Tito Santana said:
Sam is way more explosive than Lane. Imagine if Manly held on to Sam. Him on one side, Hamoule on the other - wow!

Lane is lame in my opinion.

Size is good in league in the air - nothing more.

Hence why the Choad (before he came to us) was good.
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Rubbish , Sam is learning his trade , lane can be a really danger with his offloads , have them on either side would be fantastic
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
If I'm Matamua, I'm getting super-fit in the off season and really working on my line speed & effort in defence for '25. Just too passive atm (like most of our pack).
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If he's not thinking this himself, he deserves the tap on the shoulder.

Kick chase & line speed are 'addable' skills for any player. You do not have to be ultra talented to have good line speed, and chase a kick. But you do need to have the desire to do it.

If Matamua can make this part of his game- his defence is surprisingly decent as it stands- but if he can be a tone setter for the 1% efforts, he IS the starting #13.

In his favour- in the 4 games he STARTED at Lock, we won 2.
 
Would anyone consider Ryan Matterson again for an edge spot? (potentially 13)

I personally would find it hard to support him thanks to his past exit, but would there be any value in exploring it if Parra chip in and we get him at a decent price? Hes a flog but was solid when here.
 
jrtiger said:
Sezer might be another actually. I’m hoping Faataape and Alaimalo aren’t retained.

I’m hoping we get some clarity on Makasini, O. Large, Taupau-Moors and Godinet as well, but that may be pie in the sky.
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Given how Faataape has had the inside running for most of the year and is apparently undroppable, hard to see him not being around in some capacity. Benji seems to love him.

Sezer I understand for the backup ability, but given how poor he has been, again on the weekend, surely that only happens if Bud does indeed get moved on.
 
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