Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tom Shines said:
I like the 17 … would probably tweak a couple of things … Klemmer to the bench …Pole to starter ..Klemmer is really just expensive depth now ..Latu needs to be in the 13 each week somewhere …
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I think Klemmer is underrated because he's not flashy. We need defenders. He's as good as we have. It's not scoring points that is the problem. Pole is an impact player, but his effort areas are in need of work.
 
Furious1 said:
Maybe we should have went harder for a backrower. Sam Fainu wanted to play middle when he got here and I'm sure still would. What is he 20? He will have plenty of bulk to come.
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he can transition there down the track … off the back of this year I wouldn’t be changing things up with him
 
Tom Shines said:
Pole is 22 and on the way up … Klemmer is about to turn 31 and is on the way down
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100% agree.

But I still think Klemmer needs to start. WE already have a lazy middle forward (well, easily gassed) in Hunt. Horsbugh hopefully helps tidy things up. But this is why Twal & Klemmer, I think, are important. Pole, Hunt, Sione Fainu offer all your impact.

Rotate them so we always offer someone on the field to require additional tacklers. But if we score 20 & watch the opposition run through the middle for 40...we need those guys in the middle, not missing tackles.
 
We need to basically turn over the entire squad like the Bulldogs did. The losing culture is ingrained in the place and it makes players worse at WT.

Keep a few of the youngsters and move the rest on. According to zero tackle we have 10 players off contract next year. I’d keep Pole and maybe Seyfarth, unload the rest.

Controversial opinion but I’d also tap API on the shoulder and tell him 2025 should be his last year.
 
I keep reading our forwards are going backwards next year and on paper I also saw it that way a while ago.

Stef is very entertaining when he sits opposition players on their backside, but has it actually helped? There is no extra points for a big fend, and clearly no one really fears him. You can play him as your impact forward for 50 minutes on 900 k, or hunt with the same defensive issues for 20 minutes less and a few hundred k cheaper - no loss.

Isaiah is a loss. But the role he has looked good in for us is not the dynamic player he was for parra. We are losing a hard working and keen 13, something I think we can cover with one more signing. Hetherington or Horsebra leave us not further behind.

12 weeks of bird will be an upgrade on 12 weeks of Johnneh, or however many games we got out of him.

So while our pack had bigger names, look at the actual roles they played and results they got and I think we will be ok. I think paps and Stef will look great at times next year in better systems, but they aren't the players who will transform us so we have to live with that. Could Luai had done much with the field position we had this year? Probably not. In that sense Skelton could be our best signing as 10 metres to start sets will be better than taking 2 or 3 hit ups to achieve that like we do now.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing all the Fainus and Pole much more than the guys who are leaving based on consistent effort in any role asked of them through the year.

In a perfect world we finish next year with Pole, one of Twal or Klemmer, Hunt, Sione and one more new guy locking down the middle with the other of Twal or Klemmer and Seyfarth for depth. In reality 2 or possibly 3 of those guys will probably be there, but that is the only thing I don't like so far about next years pack. I'd like to see Johannsen on an edge for a little bit in NSW Cup as we will need to cover Bird at some point.
 
The Chad said:
There is zero chance there will be that many changes.

Faataape, Mason, Sukkar, Feledy- shouldn't see 1st grade next year without improvements in their game & form demanding it.

Tupou & Utoikamanu are already gone. Papali'i is easily the one going to be missed most of the departing players, Bateman isn't coming back.

With Bird, Hunt, Skelton, Luia, Turuva & possibly/likely Horsburgh coming in, what I would HOPE is that:

Staines & Doueihi are considered depth players

Sione Fainu, Twal fight for a bench position with Johannssen

Latu Fainu, Da Silva, Galvin all play in the squad in some way all season.

A first team that looks like:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Latu Fainu
4. Olam
5. Skelton
6. Galvin
7. Luai
13. Horsburgh
12. Seyfarth
11. Sam Fainu
10. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
8. Hunt

14. Da Silva
15. Pole
16. Bird
17. Twal

And allows Doueihi, Staines, Faataape, Sione Fainu, Johannssen, Porter to be KOE back-up depth is already stronger & more skilled.

I'd like 2 more KOE/1st grade fringe forwards added to give balance. I'd like more depth than Porter, Sione Fainu & Johannssen. Although- that could be where Fa'agutu, Kit Lualili'i etc fit.
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Pretty good selections IMO. A good bench although not great for props.
1. Covers rest time for Api. Experience for Da Silva
2. Bird to cover lock or backline injuries, rest time for Horsburgh.
3. Front row middle rotation---Pole, Twal. But could be better!
4. Gets Latu somewhere on the paddock. Backline reshuffle with injuries, HIA etc.
5. Leaves openings for the young ones (Makasini, Large, Faagutu, Johannsson) to strive for selection.
 
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Tiger Stripes said:
Pretty good selections IMO. A good bench although not great for props.
1. Covers rest time for Api. Experience for Da Silva
2. Bird to cover lock or backline injuries, rest time for Horsburgh.
3. Front row middle rotation---Pole, Twal. But could be better!
4. Gets Latu somewhere on the paddock. Backline reshuffle with injuries, HIA etc.
5. Leaves openings for the young ones (Makasini, Large, Faagutu, Johannsson) to strive for selection.
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Yep, TDS as 14 is now an imperative and Latu needs to be on the field.
 
Apparently Horsbugh was going to inform the club Friday of his decision ??

Anyone have any updates as the Bird one slipped out to media and the media knew about the decision day.
Hope this is done as Richo seems to be great at making deals that go in our favour.
 
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