Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

The Chad said:
Letting Bird go could simply be an effort to balance the cap. The Dragons are linked to numerous players- I expect a few changes to that roster- not all will be performance based. Bird hasn't been bad this season, in a team playing above themselves.

I've never been a huge fan of Bird- but if he solidifies a side in defence, and can pass to his winger, without costing us games- that's a step forward.
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Bird has been a reasonably good player but at 30 and being let go we don't need to solve another club's issue.
 
WestsTigers4VR said:
Just had a look back to our previous wooden spoon years and wanted to offer a little in sight to where we have headed as a club over the past 2 an a bit years. The real question I looked for is have we improved and by how much? Cause in all honesty we are still last.

Points Scored
22’: 352 (24 Rds) or 14.7 per game; Came Last
23’: 385 (24 Rds) or 16 per game; Came Last
24’: 403 (22 Rds) or 17.7 per game; Currently 2nd last on total points but 13th on per game average.

Conclusion: Overall Improvement

Possession
22’: 48% Per Game; Came Last
23’: 50% Per Game; Came 6th
24’: 49% Per Game; Currently 15th

Conclusion: Hard to dictate as 1% can change you from 15th to 7th but for sake of the argument: Overall Decline.

Set Completion
22’: 77% Rate; Came 7th
23’: 76% Rate; Came 12th
24’: 80% Rate; Coming 6th

Conclusion: Overall significant improvement currently being equal 4th on completion ladder.

Missed Tackles (The lower on ladder the better)
22’: 844 Missed Tackles or 35 per game; Came 4th.
23’: 792 Missed Tackles or 33 per game; came 14th
24’: 844 Missed Tackles or 30 per game currently; coming 1st.

Conclusion: Optics say a clear decline in defensive standards. Though will say Bulldogs are coming second on the ladder and would say they have been one of the best defensive teams, also note in 2022 Penrith came 3rd even though they were one of the better defensive teams.

Errors (Lower on ladder the better)
22’: 250 errors or 10.4 per game; Came Last
23’: 274 errors or 11.4 per game; Came 6th
24’: 225 errors or 9 per game; Currently 10th

Conclusion: Overall improvement.

Penalties Conceded
22’: 139 conceded or 5.8 per game; Came 9th
23’: 133 conceded or 5.5 per game; Came 12th
24’: 135 conceded or 8 per game; Currently 2nd.

Conclusion: Clear decline in discipline, has been the story of our season.

Overall I’d say it’s been one step forward and another back. I will say we are a MUCH better team than previous years but still have a lot of work to do. Thoughts?
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Looking at these stats really proves to me we need to have a few more hard nose experienced guys to help Api, Laui etc..
We will have the skill there but lower the discipline and we get more ball and start building confidence

Nice work
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
Bird has been a reasonably good player but at 30 and being let go we don't need to solve another club's issue.
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2 year deal on not outrageous money though- not the worst thing that could happen. The club is clearly looking to add experience to the mix. Bird has played in both successful & struggling clubs & to the highest pinnacles. Not too many guys in the squad offer that.

Plus- you never hear that Bird doesn't train hard or put in. Attitude over ability for mine, is the most important type of addition this off season. We have plenty of talented players in the squad.
 
The Chad said:
2 year deal on not outrageous money though- not the worst thing that could happen. The club is clearly looking to add experience to the mix. Bird has played in both successful & struggling clubs & to the highest pinnacles. Not too many guys in the squad offer that.

Plus- you never hear that Bird doesn't train hard or put in. Attitude over ability for mine, is the most important type of addition this off season. We have plenty of talented players in the squad.
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Richardson will be in the best position to determine if the club is interested. I hope we are not because I believe there will be better players on the market as they are forced out of their clubs.
 
king_sirro said:
Multi year deal is utterly absurd.

1 year with club option only.

He looked very good in the halves last week and can definitely play. He would be a decent 13 with his aggression, mobility and skill. Latu coming off the bench interchanging with him give Latu time to develop. Also gives us cover for injuries during the game as Bird can play centre. This of course is after a thorough medical.
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I'd say no deal at all.

Benji has worked with him at Broncos, hasn't he ? Probably knows he has something to offer, in some way.

Interesting times ahead.
 
What is the point of removing deadwood if all you are going to do is buy even more deadwood and give them a longer contract.Bird is deadwood and i pray nothing comes of this,he will not help us at all imho
 
KCTiger2 said:
Turuva ain’t being dropped for form

He came off one of his best games of the year against the eels then missed the storm game

My best guess as to why is that Ivan is testing things for next year

And if you watched the storm game Laurie was absolute shit
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Turuva was definitely dropped IMO. If anyone has watched many Penrith games this year they will be able to see how awful his defence has been this year. 56% of tries they concede have been through his side while the left wing where To’o is has only conceded 28%. He isn’t all to blame, Tago makes a lot of bad reads as well but of course the guy leaving will get dropped first
 
I’m not sure we will sign him unless he has been told that your experience to help our young guys is what you are hear for and just back up for our nrl team , what I have seen of him this year has been ok and dragons have done well from last year , if it’s 2 years and last year club option I’m ok with it but price would need to be a deal that favours our club , we still need 2 props and a back rower , Bird can be back up for 5/8 , Centre , maybe lock , has he ever played fullback ? Just asking not saying he is good there
 
What’s wrong with our club SERIOUSLY! Honestly, do we not watch footy or something. We already have AD who’s come back from his 3rd ACL and want another injury prone player! Benji apparently want experience but that experience ain’t helping if your spending the whole time on the sidelines. Just because you were friends with him the Dragons doesn’t mean he needs to be here! Just when you think we are moving forward we take 2 steps back 🤦🏾‍♂️

This club never learns. Why can’t he go after actually good players.
Why can’t we go after Ty Wishart, Grant Anderson, Lehi Hopoate, Keano Kini etc.
 
jadtiger said:
What is the point of removing deadwood if all you are going to do is buy even more deadwood and give them a longer contract.Bird is deadwood and i pray nothing comes of this,he will not help us at all imho
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A perfect replacement for Bateman .. young forwards need a senior forward to help their development ..

Next season no Utoikamanu, no Papalii, no Bateman, and potentially no Klemmer .. 😳
 
Maybe Richo is not as good as we think he is , with all the half decent players available , we go chasing bird ( really ) , I said it before and I will say it again unless we sign 3 good quality forwards are backs will be like this year useless , AND if he doesn’t sign those players we need he needs to resign and take benji with him , there so called pathway kids seems to be falling apart , either want out or not up to 1st grade
 
chiranth said:
What’s wrong with our club SERIOUSLY! Honestly, do we not watch footy or something. We already have AD who’s come back from his 3rd ACL and want another injury prone player! Benji apparently want experience but that experience ain’t helping if your spending the whole time on the sidelines. Just because you were friends with him the Dragons doesn’t mean he needs to be here! Just when you think we are moving forward we take 2 steps back 🤦🏾‍♂️
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I dunno about Bird … has a bad injury history… and they are already dealing with Olam..but at this stage of the season anyone they sign for next year will have some warts … unless it’s a player looking to get moved on for for cap reasons..
 
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