Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

But Holmes’ old Sharks teammate, Jack Bird, has spoken to Benji Marshall about a possible shift to the Tigers having been granted permission to test the market despite having a year left on his Dragons deal.

Bird has struggled to find a consistent spot in the Dragons’ line-up this season and recently chatted with Marshall about his future. The Tigers are yet to decide whether they will pursue the 29-year-old and haven’t tabled a formal offer

Redirect Notice

Regarding Bird .,,Down the list ..but maybe …

If they do acquire him ..should be 2025 and 2026 only and Drags paying some substantial freight next year…

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

Bird could work as a lock, but 2 year tops

 

[Needaname]

That's a fair statement, although I truly believe 2025 will be Guthos last year in the NRL.

No chance. He is 29!

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Lee and the old regime would welcome him with open arms but i would hope Richo very firmly says NO.Bird is the signing our dumb club used to make far too often

We can do better than Bird.

 

[Tom Shines]

Bird could work as a lock, but 2 year tops

Second row

 

[Lebanese_Coach_aspiration]

Second row

think he has the strike power for 2nd row?

 

[Demps]

No chance. He is 29!

Knees of a 70 year old though.

 

[Tucker]

I think Bula is lacking the “it” factor to be our long term fullback. Don’t get me wrong, Bula can be good. But the best teams have fullbacks that are consistently great.

Yeah, he is a hard one.
The talent is clearly there...he could well be our best player.
He appears to not pull his weight consistently or cruise a bit...however:

• He has defused 59 bombs this year - which has him ranked 2nd in the comp
• He has taken 377 runs this year - which has him ranked 3rd in the comp
• He is averaging 160m/game with over 3.3kms gained - which has him ranked 6th in the comp
• He is 8th in the comp for kick return meters...his average isnt elite but he is putting the work in
• Has played every minute this year bar a 10 minute spell in the bin - which has him ranked 2nd in the comp

That said, he is also error riddled (8th worst in comp) is outside the top 25 players for linebreak assists, top 60 players for try assists and seems often out of position to save tries.

A work in progress, but a slow one at that.

 

[Tom Shines]

think he has the strike power for 2nd row?

firstly ..I hope they do better and he is not at the top of my list …

But to answer your question… yes

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Gutho is a gronk no thanks

Gutherson is a great footballer. He has the never say die spirit and is a smart player. And is probably a gronk. I'd think we should sign him immediately!

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Ok- so is it Doueihi or Galvin at fault for Gagai's break last weekend? Because EVERYONE is blaming Doueihi, who jammed in on his guy, and Galvin who slid behind Doueihi as Gagai broke free doesn't seem to be guilty of anything.

Hardest / fittest worker in the off season by all report and playing with a bunch of defensive nuffies as a teen. Cmon. Put Olam (fit), Sam f second year, Laui and Turuva around him - and with some new forwards - I think he’ll mature like fitler and end up
putting on shots as he gets into his body frame

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

I commented at the beginning of the year that transitioning Galvin into first grade in the centres would be a good option. I think the time they have now devoted, in an awful year, to his development at 6 there is no chance of that happening now.

Im keen to see him bigger and stronger next year

I don’t think he a centre. Maybe a year or so

 

[Tucker]

That's a fair statement, although I truly believe 2025 will be Guthos last year in the NRL.

His body is busted. The bloke gives his all every week, over a dozen years now. It has worn him out.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

His body is busted. The bloke gives his all every week, over a dozen years now. It has worn him out.

Good post.

 

[Demps]

His body is busted. The bloke gives his all every week, over a dozen years now. It has worn him out.

I think he's close to done, seriously.
2025 will be the last.

Good career, remember him coming through at Manly. Tries his guts out no doubt but incredibly unlikeable.

Massive Tigers fan, believe it or not 😂

 

[gregjm87]

I think you sell Stimson short.

94% tackle efficiency in 1st grade suggests he's pretty solid defensively.

But, he hasn't played more than 6 games this year- so there's that. The Titans did win 3 of those 6 though.

But then, playing lock & prop in Hostplus Cup for Ipswich- 91% tackle efficiency coupled with 180m per game on average with 3 games well over 200m in a game, while playing entire matches, so fatigue factored in....I'd say that's some pretty dominant performances.

Don't get me wrong- he's not going to suddenly be Payne Haas. But he'll hold the middle together at a price that won't stop the club retaining it's stars. When Bellamy & Hasler are his coaches- chances are, he's fit & disciplined.

The 94% in first grade would be acceptable except that he only averages 20 minutes. He is not a big power forward nor should fatigue be a factor in that sample.

The 91% tackle efficiency is actually poor for a prop. Yes fatigue could be a factor and the accompanying running metres are very good but you'd be hard pressed finding a prop with lower tackle efficiency. As an example our own Jordan Miller, widely and rightly criticised for not yet being up to it in defence has a 91.5% tackle efficiency.

I see your point about having been a part of the Storm system and having played under some very good coaches. The reverse of that is also true. He has been considered surplus to requirements at each club he has played for. I'm not even sure he has ever even been offered an extension by any of his clubs since reaching first grade?, Rather always just told to look elsewhere.

 

[Sully]

How many does he not even attempt because he is being turned around in circles like a little kid?
The 5/8 runs our attack. End of story.

I will agree that he does not have the strength yet to knock them over but that will come , however he has held his own when they run at him. The running back is when the centres have let them through and he is the only one chasing.
In regards to who runs the attack 5/8 Brooks at Manly chimes in and the half runs the attack, Penrith the same, Broncos the same. I respectfully disagree.

 

[Tucker]

Galvin is not a centre

In your opinion. We havent seen him used there yet so that cant be substantiated.
I dont think he is a NRL level 5/8 based on 2024 form as described above.
That is also largely opinion but there is more substance to mine than yours so far.

 

[Needaname]

Yeah, he is a hard one.
The talent is clearly there...he could well be our best player.
He appears to not pull his weight consistently or cruise a bit...however:

• He has defused 59 bombs this year - which has him ranked 2nd in the comp
• He has taken 377 runs this year - which has him ranked 3rd in the comp
• He is averaging 160m/game with over 3.3kms gained - which has him ranked 6th in the comp
• He is 8th in the comp for kick return meters...his average isnt elite but he is putting the work in
• Has played every minute this year bar a 10 minute spell in the bin - which has him ranked 2nd in the comp

That said, he is also error riddled (8th worst in comp) is outside the top 25 players for linebreak assists, top 60 players for try assists and seems often out of position to save tries.

A work in progress, but a slow one at that.

And appears to quiet out the back.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

Outside, looking in...

From Batemans comments, the Galvin saga with parents and managers and comments from Benji and Galvin.... I think he's got it locked up. That jersey is his and if it isn't, he's leaving.

I think the arrival of Luai will see a few thing improve.

Alas, looking at the top 30... it's full.
That's without including Sione Fainu [off contract] and Faatape [development contract]

I think the ones we need to leave are quite obvious and there's 5 of them....

1] John Bateman
2] Jayden Sullivan
3] Justin Matamua
4] Brandon Tumeth
5] Brent Naden

What did Bateman say, ive seen a few people mention it but never actually heard the comments, i take it they were bridge burning?

Of the list to go i reckon thats pretty spot on id just have Tumeth and Naden up the order with Matamua dropping down. I'd also throw Kit into the conversation with Lobb.