Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

We really lack an enforcer and intimidator in our forward pack! NAS would be a perfect pick. Here’s why!

He’s the biggest bloke in the NRL, can play lock, prop and deadly in the backrow! Just imagine NAS in the backrow. You have Bula/Turuva sweeping out the back of shape and Skelton on the wing! As a defender you wouldn’t have a clue who to target. Short pass and NAS barrages over! Long pass and Skelton runs over the top of people. It would be a nightmare for a defender with such strike like NAS here and Fainu the other backrower! 🔥
 
Bird is 29. Plays multiple positions and has been doing well. Had injuries at the Broncos but been solid for the Dragqueens. The time he sat out at Brisbane due to injury has probably prolonged his career....although I wouldn't take him for more than 2 years and his arthritis should be a concern (although doesn't seem to be hampering him).
Please NO NO
 
We really lack an enforcer and intimidator in our forward pack! NAS would be a perfect pick. Here’s why!

He’s the biggest bloke in the NRL, can play lock, prop and deadly in the backrow! Just imagine NAS in the backrow. You have Bula/Turuva sweeping out the back of shape and Skelton on the wing! As a defender you wouldn’t have a clue who to target. Short pass and NAS barrages over! Long pass and Skelton runs over the top of people. It would be a nightmare for a defender with such strike like NAS here and Fainu the other backrower! 🔥
Sounds lovely in attack, but can't imagine that would work defensively.
 
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Gee that's very weird for a manager to be so open about actual things said from clubs. Very unprofessional.

In regards to the Tigers he says "we will probably give the them the courtesy of meeting up next week". That says to me they have zero interest in us.

With a manager quoting private conversations about negotiations I would be walking away immediately.
Yah it's wild aye, a sit down and tell all interview by an agent.
 
Richo would have to be at his Utmost Best to get To'o at an affordable price.
I think the money he would want should be spent on some muscle up front.
Our wingers don't see a lot of ball now and would see even less behind a dominated pack.
To’o literally gives you an elite winger and some grunt in the middle. You’d be silly to not chase him if you’re Richo.
 
Bird has positives and negatives, but you have to ask, if his so bad why are the broncos looking at him and they are in a far better position than the tigers
 
Richo was pretty firm earlier in the year when he talked about not wanting potential signings or their managers leaking Tigers interest. Pretty sure it's because he doesnt want Tigers being used to bump up a players price like they have been in the past. If Tigers have indeed reached out to Horsburgh and were interested ill be surprised if that doesnt get revoked now.
Seems to me the player is not interested in WTs and I'm really not that fussed about him.
 
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?

I honestly think if we had even NRL average disciple (penalties, sin bins, 6 agains) we have maybe 7-8 wins.

I’d also like to think the games and experience we’ve got into some of the youngsters is a case of short time pain for some accelerated improvement.

If we can secure reasonable replacements for Stef, Ice and possibly Bateman (and ideally a new experienced assistant coach) along with the already announced new recruits, we will start to be on the up.
 
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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 .. 😳
So we lose all those players and sign what, Jack Bird. Seriously man is this all a big joke. And what some people dont want NAS but want Bird. Im sure Flanagan wouldnt swap Bird for NAS.lol Smh. Like come on man we biuld a war chest and Bird is the names we are reading. No wonder were are joke to everyone else.
 
We really lack a 13 and there doesn't seem to be any quality available, nor do we have any juniors that will be ready. If the money is right, I don't think it's a terrible buy. He always has a crack. $400k and it's good business. $500k and over and we are probably overpaying.
Agree. Bird at the right money & length of contract could be a great pick up. Competitor with genuine footy nous. Something we lack.
 
Where’s the plenty, please name them
Players come off contract, get squeezed out. Would rather wait than be a pawn for driving up contract prices again.

Few little signs that he had a pretty shit attitude. Not what is needed at the moment. As Richo has put it, we need players up for the fight
 
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