Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[magpies forever]

Hopefully some good news tonight at awards night.. Hope for a big list of thanking players.

Yes, we really need to move on a few of the remaining underperformers on the existing squad. To free up spots for newbies and players that want to try. Here's hoping, otherwise we are stuck.

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

What time does it start? And could someone provide some updates if they go (only if they want to, prioritise watching and enjoying)

Pretty sure @cochise is going.

 

[user118245]

Should we do a bingo or guessing comp for players leaving staying? Think that’d add even more excitement to it 😂

 

[Harvey]

Would sign him in a heartbeat.

I have never seen a player fall off a cliff so quickly performance wise as Gutho last year.

He looks busted. Whoever takes him on, particularly if the are not making parramatta cover freight are taking a huge risk.

 

[happy_tiger]

After reading about how Skelton was going to be the perfect signing because he's big, fast and aggressive- now it's the offseason & he's a timid Tarzan.

His numbers don't suggest a player that is afraid of contact. Watching him, I've not seen any aversion to contact. But maybe I've just not seen it where others have.

But again, his numbers suggest a guy that loves contact. There's a whole lot of PCM in his KOE season.

The one thing I did notice with Skelton in the semi final was he doesn't attack the offensive high balls at all

Something he needs to work on Benji

 

[happy_tiger]

Hopefully some good news tonight at awards night.. Hope for a big list of thanking players.

And announcement of major sponsor

 

[Kelce68]

I'm convinced we are right in the mix for To'o

Go to 36:55 minutes and listen to the way horo and mason react - they've heard more than they are letting on.

Thanks for sharing mate.

Good listen and bang on the money. This story has been far too persistent and is popping up far too frequently to be a complete fabrication.

Me? I'd offer Bateman and Staines to help cover their loss. I'm not sure if they'd take it, but I think they'd be happy with another winger in the squad to replace him and they'd back themselves to get the best out of Bateman, who's salary has been reduced, over a couple of years.

Interesting to see if anything comes of this once the dust has settled. Still highly unlikely, but nice to think about.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Montoya granted a release. Where will he end up?

Probably at the money Laundyers.

 

[watersider]

People getting hopes up about departing players shouldn't. Our club just isn't good at getting rid of players because our poor performance as a team and under performance from our players on bad contracts mean they just don't have perceived value to other clubs bar the role player squad members who aren't on big contracts anyway. I'm sorry to be pessimistic, it's just that optimism on here usually ends in huge outcry and panic after that optimism is found to be misplaced.

Hope I'm wrong, but there's little benefit in expecting better.

 

[balmain boy]

I wonder if it was us dragging our heels on signing Kobe , it’s seems like we took for ever , then Madge comes in and says he wants him to stay . So he s Richo going to stick with what we have , if that’s his plan GOD help us

Cmon, be real. He's a Broncos junior, loves the club, doesn't want to leave, but if there's no opportunities for him then he'll go. When told opportunities would be limited he explored options, new coach says there's a spot for you so now he will probably stay. Absolutely nothing we can control in this narrative, other than try getting him to ignore his passion for his club by offering massive overs. Which we shouldn't have done.

 

[balmain boy]

1. Bula
2.Turuva
3. Olam
4.Skelton
5.Staines
6.Galvin/L.Fainu
7.Luai
8,Klemmer
9.Api
10.Sukkar
11.S.Fainu
12.Seyfarth
13.Johannssen

14.L.Fainu
15.Pole
16.S.Fainu
17.Bird

What we've got ain't too bad.

Wow. Just, wow.

The mind truly boggles.

 

[The-moP]

Leo Thompson:

Knights enforcer Leo Thompson has informed the club that he will head to November 1 and test his value on the open market.

The Daily Telegraph reported Thompson wants to explore his options after turning down an upgraded extension offer from the Knights.

Newcastle have tabled an extension offer, but the New Zealand native is keen to gauge interest from NRL rivals before making a decision on his future.

Thompson’s current deal expires at the end of 2025 and is worth a reported $350,000 which is well below his market value.

Knights recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan only joined the club mid-season and has made re-signing Thompson one of his priorities to build a title contender in the coming seasons.

O’Sullivan has reportedly offered Thompson an upgrade for 2025 and an extension, but Thompson will wait to see what else is out there.

Thompson’s brother Tyrone joins the Knights next season from New Zealand rugby union and he still may opt to stay loyal to the club.

However, there are a number of clubs interested in Thompson’s services which could drive up his asking price if the Knights want to keep him.

The club is desperate to hold onto Thompson after letting Daniel Saifiti leave to join the Dolphins on a three-year deal to free up $800,000 on their salary cap annually.

Thompson is likely to wait until after his commitments with the New Zealand team in the Pacific Championships to make a call on his future after November 1.

Come on down to the Tiger's young fellow, we've got a starting spot for ya .. !! ;-)

 

[balmain boy]

Hopefully some good news tonight at awards night.. Hope for a big list of thanking players.

Is that tonight? There should be a public announcement this afternoon you'd think, members know first and all....

 

[balmain boy]

Neither, the left edge should be big mak & sunia outside

Makasini will play wing for at least the next couple of years.

He may eventually move to centre, but for now we need his size and pace on the wing and that's the easiest position for an outside back to transition. Playing in centres in defence against men while still in school? Not going to happen.

 

[The-moP]

After reading about how Skelton was going to be the perfect signing because he's big, fast and aggressive- now it's the offseason & he's a timid Tarzan.

His numbers don't suggest a player that is afraid of contact. Watching him, I've not seen any aversion to contact. But maybe I've just not seen it where others have.

But again, his numbers suggest a guy that loves contact. There's a whole lot of PCM in his KOE season.

Dont get me wrong here .. Skelton can play .. and i hope becomes a great player for us .. he just has to apply himself and be more confident .. he should before every run say to himself .. i can run through brickwalls .. i can run through brickwalls .. then hopefully no-one will stop him .. !!

 

[balmain boy]

Dont get me wrong here .. Skelton can play .. and i hope becomes a great player for us .. he just has to apply himself and be more confident .. he should before every run say to himself .. i can run through brickwalls .. i can run through brickwalls .. then hopefully no-one will stop him .. !!

The guy averages 200m+, double what our wingers have done for years. He runs so much harder than any back at our club, he's easily a starting winger for us now. He's also faster than most of our backs in the NRL squad too

 

[jrtiger]

After reading about how Skelton was going to be the perfect signing because he's big, fast and aggressive- now it's the offseason & he's a timid Tarzan.

His numbers don't suggest a player that is afraid of contact. Watching him, I've not seen any aversion to contact. But maybe I've just not seen it where others have.

But again, his numbers suggest a guy that loves contact. There's a whole lot of PCM in his KOE season.

he literally ran for 214 metres in a Qualifying Final, which doubled as his eighth game in first grade.

he revels in contact.

 

[Tiger_claws]

I don’t think anything changes regarding Hetherington. The release request was from Hetherington seeking a starting role. We would have a fair understanding of his needs. Not sure if Madge can give him what he wants. I am still hopeful of getting him.

 

[Juice]

Thanks for sharing mate.

Good listen and bang on the money. This story has been far too persistent and is popping up far too frequently to be a complete fabrication.

Me? I'd offer Bateman and Staines to help cover their loss. I'm not sure if they'd take it, but I think they'd be happy with another winger in the squad to replace him and they'd back themselves to get the best out of Bateman, who's salary has been reduced, over a couple of years.

Interesting to see if anything comes of this once the dust has settled. Still highly unlikely, but nice to think about.

So trade the best winger in the comp for 2 players the 3 time wooden spoon team doesn’t even want, yea I’m sure that’s a chance 😂

 

[Kelce68]

So trade the best winger in the comp for 2 players the 3 time wooden spoon team doesn’t even want, yea I’m sure that’s a chance 😂

We extended Staines not too long ago. He was good enough to get a first grade start with them as a teenager and is a local junior. He was moved on due to lack of opportunity.

Bateman was wanted by Warrington and revered by their fans (based on social media feedback) during his short stint there. He is an international who fell out with the coaching staff here.

There is legitimate reasoning as to why Penrith may be interested in both, particularly if they're looking to offset a large loss, such as To'o would be. I'm not saying they would be interested. I'm saying they may be.

Did you make the same jokes about Garner? Who they gladly picked up after the wooden spooners cast him off?

I did not state it would be likely, though those two players have legitimate, discussable appeal to a team like Penrith, particularly in the unlikely situation that To'o pushes for a release.

The 'wooden-spoon team doesn't want' angle is so simplistic as to border on stupid.