Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Canadian Club said:
If we are moving on players on big money and signing guys like Skelton and Hassett on modest deals, surely that means the war chest is growing?

With very limited roster spots, not sure how we are going to spend 2mil+ and comply with NRL spending rules (95% of the cap must be spent) unless we sign a couple of big names.
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I think the 'war chest' is probably overstated and guess that a significant portion will be spent on paying out players of the final year of their deal
 
Tom Shines said:
Bula yes … Turuva I’m not so sure ?

Galvin, Olam and Skelton are slow …

I would like the other Center to have a bit more pace …im hoping this player isn’t at the club yet …

If they decide to move on from Galvin at 6 ( I’m not sure they will BTW) then try him at 13 first … I have said repeatedly that he needs to put some weight on this offseason regardless of where they play him…

I also think there is little doubt that Luai will be the 7 next season
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I saw highlights of Skelton scoring a 90 meter try down one flank against the roosters. He’s no Jason Saab or Fox, but he’s not pedestrian either. Held his pace for the full 90. A lot of big backs look like they’re in quicksand after 40m. Maybe only Staines would have him covered for speed in the current back line, but he wouldn’t have broken the first tackle that put him away in the first place.
 
king_sirro said:
The following line gives less excitement though
"As the club continues to strengthen its depth".

Suggests that they may be depth players.
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I figure Hassett is definitely one of them and probably a middle like a Peter Hola or Mat Croker.

depth has been our biggest issue so happy to strengthen it, but we will need replacements for Bateman and Utoikamanu.
 
SwervinMervin said:
I saw highlights of Skelton scoring a 90 meter try down one flank against the roosters. He’s no Jason Saab or Fox, but he’s not pedestrian either. Held his pace for the full 90. A lot of big backs look like they’re in quicksand after 40m. Maybe only Staines would have him covered for speed in the current back line, but he wouldn’t have broken the first tackle that put him away in the first place.
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I think there is no substitute for speed … look at The Hammer and Fox,,,. They get a gap and they are gone …4 points…thank you ma’am ….

We haven’t had a regular player with real elite level speed in years that I can recall …
 
king_sirro said:
Mate there have been plenty of soft players that record good stats every game. I'm not a stats man, I rarely take notice of them. I'm much more interested in hearing from people who have been watching him. If some reasonable judges say he has turned things around from earlier on in the year then I'd go with that. No way I'm going with stats on paper. Mighty Tiger who seems a good judge said he has watched him and he is terrible. So I'm more inclined to go with that. Happy to hear from others who have watched him recently and certainly happy to be proven wrong on Liam. However I just don't see how all of a sudden he is a good player. He was always average with terrible hands, went downhill badly early this year, so at 30, it's hard to imagine him suddenly becoming a good NRL regular. It's just doesn't happen like that, ever.

That's just me though.
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All good- but stats do suggest that the narrative is wrong. Bulldogs are 5th in KOE, 4th best For & Against- so the team is performing, & he's performing in it.

Like my argument for Joe Stimson- not suggesting he's the second coming of Payne Haas. But look at the coaches he's played for- he's professional, fit & knows what is needed to win games. Plus, he won't bust the salary cap. If at worst he's the guy that makes Sione Fainu play at a 1st grade level each week to retain his spot, I say he's a decent addition to the squad.
 
We need guys with experience given Stef, Paps and potentially Bateman is leaving.

I'd expect our forward signings to have more than a few games under their belt.
 
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Tucker said:
I dont think Id bring anymore backs to the club for 2025.
Weve signed three good ones and we do have choices already here. One of the possible lineups could be as follows:
  • 1. Bula
  • 2. Turuva
  • 3. Galvin
  • 4. Olam
  • 5. Skelton
  • 6. Luai
  • 7. Sezer
This list has lots of points in it. Backups include Staines, Laulilii, Fainu, To'a, Faataape, Saukuru, Doueihi, Feledy, Sullivan, Alaimalo.

Get them a specialised backs coach who will re-familiarise them with what it takes to form a cohesive unit.

Now get them some hard working pigs to join Api, Pole, Seyfarth and Sam
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Like you- I think Galvin can be moved to centre, lock or the second row & be effective. He's that kind of player. If it puts our best players on the field- what is to lose? Numbers on their back doesn't stop what they can produce & how they play.

Sezar would be there until Latu earns the spot- & then we are likely stronger still. That's a pretty dangerous backline with guys like Staines, To'a, Doueihi, Fainu, Faataape & youngsters like Lualili'i & Makasini in the wings.

Again- I'll say- we are not THAT far away. Not as far as some might believe.
 
jrtiger said:
definitely agree that right edge, 13 and at least one prop has to be the focus. the issue is there really isn’t much out there.

Jack Williams is a must sign at this point, but he’s pretty ingrained at the Sharks.
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Such a shame none of our high potential locks have worked out so far. Looks like they will be giving Seyfarth a shot on the edge for the remainder of the season. Hope he takes his shot. I would be stoked with Horsburgh but with Val leaving Dragons I reckon he will go to the Cowboys. RCG would be my next pick as he offers a different profile to our current rotation.
 
Tom Shines said:
I think there is no substitute for speed … look at The Hammer and Fox,,,. They get a gap and they are gone …4 points…thank you ma’am ….

We haven’t had a regular player with real elite level speed in years that I can recall …
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The Fox was probably the last one. Prior to that Darren Clarke 😆. Prior to that Larry Corowa 😆😆
 
Tom Shines said:
Bula yes … Turuva I’m not so sure ?

Galvin, Olam and Skelton are slow …

I would like the other Center to have a bit more pace …im hoping this player isn’t at the club yet …

If they decide to move on from Galvin at 6 ( I’m not sure they will BTW) then try him at 13 first … I have said repeatedly that he needs to put some weight on this offseason regardless of where they play him…

I also think there is little doubt that Luai will be the 7 next season
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You are right Luai is coming here to play with the 7 on his back and that is fact no matter how many arm chair generals want otherwise
 
Puts end of the hopes for young winger Luke Laulili making the top grade .. and possibly the end of Solomon Alaimalo with signing of Jeral Skelton.

Our wingers next year would be:
Turuva
Skelton
Staines
Lobb
Alaimalo
Laulili
Naden

How our side will look next season with the cattle we currently have .. and who are coming to us currently:
1. Bulla
2. Turuva
3. Olam
4. Doueihi
5. Skelton
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Johannssen
11. S. Fainu
12. Porter
13. Pole

Twal
Seyfarth
Da Silva
S. Fainu (Sione)
 
The-moP said:
Puts end of the hopes for young winger Luke Laulili making the top grade .. and possibly the end of Solomon Alaimalo with signing of Jeral Skelton.

Our wingers next year would be:
Turuva
Skelton
Staines
Lobb
Alaimalo
Laulili
Naden

How our side will look next season with the cattle we currently have .. and who are coming to us currently:
1. Bulla
2. Turuva
3. Olam
4. Doueihi
5. Skelton
6. Galvin
7. Luai
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Johannssen
11. S. Fainu
12. Porter
13. Pole

Twal
Seyfarth
Da Silva
S. Fainu (Sione)
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if we’re serious about climbing the table then Doueihi is nowhere near the starting side. can’t see Porter there either. he doesn’t possess the lateral movement required to defend on an edge in the NRL.

I genuinely think Laulili’i will line up on the left wing next year with Skelly on the right and Turuva at right centre, pending any further signings. still a lot of work to be done.
 
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