Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

jrtiger said:
I think they’re doing the Bulldogs thing.

creating a strong culture off the back of some experienced professionals that’ll pave the way for the youngsters to come thru.

they’ve got some good’uns. Halangahu, Finau Latu, Tonga Jr, Jesse Williams, Hayden Buchanan, Kade Reed. Flanno knows what he’s sitting on.
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Yes and with a good, experienced coach at the helm.
 
Kelce68 said:
No doubt they've got a few decent juniors. Halangahu being the pick of the bunch.

I see Flanno's approach as slightly different.

Where the Dogs bought workers to combine with stars with long-term viability (Burton, Kikau, Mahoney, Crighton), I see the Dragons as trying to front-load their squad with yesterday's heroes who still have a bit to offer, hoping to keep them functioning long enough to help the transition to their next crop.

Hunt, Holmes, Faitala-Mariner, possibly Gutho and Fox and the likes seem to be his target market.

I also think the Bulldogs formula is the exception rather than the rule and I don't expect to see them finish 6th again next year. Much like Canberra, Wahs and Parra over the last 4 years, I think they had their 'catch fire' year and it all clicked (which is still a wonderful effort), but I don't personally see the undeniable change in talent and consistency to continue to march up the ladder.

I can't see the Dragons breaking into the top four anytime soon with their current setup. They've still got to sort out their halfback situation, their hookers are serviceable at best. Their fullback is talented, but inconsistent and their back 5, in general, had career-best years, including the bloke who has now left in Lomax, who single-handedly won them several games this season, including against us.

They'll be fine. But I'm not buying anything close to a premiership push for them anytime soon. I think they're destined to linger between 7th and 15th for a while yet.

...and I say that knowing full well that we're firmly planted to the foot of the ladder, haha.

Great discussion to be had, but difficult to do properly in this type of format. If only there was a vocal-based medium that would be conducive to such a long-winded and detailed discussion, a 'pod- cast' as it where... haha.
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the Dogs are going to be a very interesting watch next season.

the Cowboys had a down year in 2023 after their incredible 2022. Newcastle were all the rage in 2023 and while they made the 8 this year, they had nowhere near the season they did the year previous. teams are typically able to plan for you a bit better the year after.

Canterbury's defensive system is built off effort and attitude, but teams will be able to find better ways to counteract their linespeed next year. they also fell off a lot of tackles because of having smaller men. that said, they've got some brilliant footballers and a strong football department which might mean they improve again in 2025.

agree on St George not pushing for top four anytime soon, especially if they replace Hunt with Schneider, which I think is the rumour. I think they'll be around 7-10 again, with a few of the youngsters beginning to show their worth.

as for where we can chat about it, it might be worth doing a crossover in the offseason... we'll discuss at a later time!
 
There’s literally zero point death riding Benji . It serves no purpose other than “gotcha”/ “I told you so” self serving nonsense .
He’s here for the next few years. I’m going to back him , not because of any loyalty or coolade drinking or whatever , but because it’s the best thing for my own mental health and ability to properly support this team .
Everyone knows there’s question marks , and I don’t think anyone is sticking thier head in the sand about this . But they’re not sacking him , and at the moment there’s no real candidates out there . And I’ve made my opinion on Madge clear .more importantly the playing group made thier opinion on Madge clear.
It doesn’t matter how good or bad Benji is anyway . If he doesn’t get the team fit , like Melbourne fit , then it’s a waste of time anyway . That has to be the focus this offseason . Bigger , Faster , Stronger . If we win more than our fair share of the collision than we go a long way to winning games no matter who is in the team and what strategies we run .
So really it’s over to Peter Moussa and his team . Because they more than anyone are the group that needs to lift . They’re behind the 8ball in regards to elite training methods . And that’s clear when the team ran out in the trial this year .
 
Lestronge said:
There’s literally zero point death riding Benji . It serves no purpose other than “gotcha”/ “I told you so” self serving nonsense .
He’s here for the next few years. I’m going to back him , not because of any loyalty or coolade drinking or whatever , but because it’s the best thing for my own mental health and ability to properly support this team .
Everyone knows there’s question marks , and I don’t think anyone is sticking thier head in the sand about this . But they’re not sacking him , and at the moment there’s no real candidates out there . And I’ve made my opinion on Madge clear .more importantly the playing group made thier opinion on Madge clear.
It doesn’t matter how good or bad Benji is anyway . If he doesn’t get the team fit , like Melbourne fit , then it’s a waste of time anyway . That has to be the focus this offseason . Bigger , Faster , Stronger . If we win more than our fair share of the collision than we go a long way to winning games no matter who is in the team and what strategies we run .
So really it’s over to Peter Moussa and his team . Because they more than anyone are the group that needs to lift . They’re behind the 8ball in regards to elite training methods . And that’s clear when the team ran out in the trial this year .
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if we can get this team as fit and as strong as they should be and have a solid run with injuries, we'll run top 10.

our biggest issue this year was the lack of depth and our conditioning, which the Football Department has been on record saying affected our discipline. it's clear that they're planning on fixing it.

an elite spine, plus a strong core that includes Turuva, Olam, Twal, Pole, Samuela, Da Silva, Sione, Bird, Seyfarth and Hunt should see us move up the ladder. the key is whether Richardson and Marshall can add to that core and build depth underneath in the coming months.
 
Telltails said:
The Broncos are the model for how the 'old boys club" influence/have power over a club. It would be fair to argue that the major part of their success has been largely on the back of a wealth of football talent - rather than effective leadership off the field.
The appointment of Maguire signals an attempt to take a different direction, but his window will be very small given the pushback from those not happy about the appt and the media that will be sweating on it.
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You make a good point about the old boy club influence.
Maybe the signing of Madge is a change of the guard.
The broncos are going to be interesting over the next few years.... Could win a premiership or two... Could miss the 8....
 
bptiger 0 said:
I think kev , had a hell of a lot of injuries and that was his major down fall
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I think they understood that aspect of his tenure and I think there was more to it.

I thought it was harsh, but it’s Queensland.

Seibs can give Madge some advice.
 
For me I'd be looking at moving those on who are contracted past 2025 as a priority if Benji feels their future is limited with us. That would be Bud Sullivan, John Bateman & Starford To'a.

Those who are contracted for one more season can be told they are free to look elsewhere but are welcome to stay and fight for their future at the WT. Those are Doueihi, Tumeth, Matamua, Feledy, Naden, Staines & Klemmer.

If anything it makes them hungry to either land an extension or put themselves in the shop window for another club.

Pole & Seyfarth are the two contracted for one more season I would try to extend asap. Whilst Faagutu & Sukkar also contracted for one more season are told they will have an extension tabled if their form warrants by mid-season.

So unless Benji has a man crush on him, I reckon To'a could be one that is easily moved on (i.e. attractive to another club at his full salary with us).
 
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