Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

it took Richardson years to land a marquee at Souths. he got there in 2004, and Asotasi was the first one thru the door three years later. Inglis didn't arrive until 2010.

Richo likens Luai to our Greg Inglis. he tied up that deal a week into the job. there's adequate financial backing, an elite facility and strong pathways to draw upon. he had none of that at Souths when he started.

what I will say though despite all that is the upcoming free agency window is the most important in the club's history. I hear Richo's on leave this week to prepare himself for what is to come.

if we sign the four players this squad needs, I think we'll be set up for sustained success. fail, and well, you know what comes after.
Who are the four players?
Does this include retentions?
 
Definitely similarities. I think there’s always been goodwill around the bunnies. There seems to be game wide perception that we are ultimately a failing club.
That is my thought as well.
We were universally loved when Benji was playing in the backyard on the footy field.
Now he is behind a clipboard I don’t see the same draw.
The feeling is more of sympathy for Benji and the Tigers but not excitement.
Luai and Co may change that. But that isn’t going to help with this offseason and this is the point of this conversation.
 
I think people are really grasping the reality of the damage that Pascoe/Sheens really did to the club. I mean who would've thought that handing a bunch of unproven rookies NRL contracts would come back & bite the club in the ass.
I actually think Pascoe’s last two years were maybe his best. Sheens & Benji brought some credibility and we can see some green shoots stemming from that.

The 7-8 years prior were the problem.
 
That is my thought as well.
We were universally loved when Benji was playing in the backyard on the footy field.
Now he is behind a clipboard I don’t see the same draw.
The feeling is more of sympathy for Benji and the Tigers but not excitement.
Luai and Co may change that. But that isn’t going to help with this offseason and this is the point of this conversation.
We’ll have to see it play out but Benji appears to be able to recruit which is big, whether he can coach is up for debate.
 
Who are the four players?
Does this include retentions?
I think we need a front rower, lock, a backrower/forward utility, and an experienced outside back that we can call upon for depth, as opposed to having to play guys like Feledy and Faataape.

if Doueihi and Sullivan leave we'll need a guy that can cover halfback and hooker as well, but that's not as high a priority.
 
All anyone seems to talk about is buying our way out of trouble when if we are a development club we need to trust our development and the young players coming through - we all (including me) see a player last year and assume they will be the same player next year and the year after. Well when we are looking for a prop we need to look at how young players like Sione Fainu, Fonua Pole, Jordan Miller, Johansson, etc, etc become the players we need and not signing a bunch of players just to fill gaps
 
All anyone seems to talk about is buying our way out of trouble when if we are a development club we need to trust our development and the young players coming through - we all (including me) see a player last year and assume they will be the same player next year and the year after. Well when we are looking for a prop we need to look at how young players like Sione Fainu, Fonua Pole, Jordan Miller, Johansson, etc, etc become the players we need and not signing a bunch of players just to fill gaps
All well and good if we want to wait 3-4 years and risk losing the best talent.

The only way to win sooner is to get the balance right between recruitment and development.
 
What a load of waffle. He's currently with the NZ squad & isn't free to talk to other clubs until November 1 so no club can approach his manager until then.
If it was ‘a load of waffle’ why is it also being reported Dogs are favourites to sign him by the actual media? This already proves your point that no one has spoken to him/his manager as wrong. everyone knows player managers break the rules & clubs just have to accept it until the nrl imposes stricter rules on them. There is no reason to say the info from Mop is incorrect
 
  • Like
Reactions: 851
Wow, goes to show how far we have fallen as a destination club. A bit shocked given Leo and Benji are both New Zealanders. Thought that may have been a pulling card for us.
Winning games would be a better pulling card. Probably watched Api’s fall from the penthouse to the cellar for the last 2 years and thought…Nah!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 851
Shane Flanagan and the Dragons are reportedly interested in Tigers gun Adam Doueihi’s services, with veteran playmaker Ben Hunt’s future up in the air.

Red V powerbrokers reportedly granted Hunt permission to talk to rival clubs, effective immediately for the 2026 season.

However, the SMH is reporting it’s looming likely the 34-year-old has played his last game for the Dragons, despite conversations beginning regarding a contract extension earlier this year.


Doueihi, 26, has reportedly been discussed as a potential target, with the Lebanese international a free agent from November 1.

Should the Tigers be willing to release him from the final year of his contract, Flanagan would reportedly be interested in recruiting him for the 2025 season.


Kangaroos gear up for Tonga clash | 02:44
The versatile star, who can play five-eighth and in the centres, is reportedly earning around $350,000 next year, signing a one-year extension in June.

He’s been plagued by injuries across his 94-game career, with an ACL rupture his most recent long-term sideline stint.

Doueihi looms unlikely to win a spot in the halves under Benji Marshall, with Jarome Luai, Lachlan Galvin, Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu all contracted in 2025.

Meanwhile, for Hunt the Dragons’ move marks a significant U-turn from the club, who previously declined their marquee man’s requests to be released from his contract.

An internal end-of-season review reportedly informed Hunt that his performances weren’t up to standard, and should the club get something in return, they’d reportedly be willing to allow him to depart before the 2025 season.

MORE NRL NEWS

SHOP WINDOW: Former $1m star in fight for NRL lifeline; Broncos beast’s payday

WHISPERS: Bulldogs favourites to poach Kiwis enforcer as Knights fight rival bids

‘CAN’T KEEP BOTH’: Cobbo linked with $1m Cowboys switch amid Broncos squeeze

‘TWICE OUR SIZE’: Fiji men take on Tonga women in ‘weird’ opposed training session


Cleary's idea for World Club challenge | 00:38
RABBITOHS AND KNIGHTS SWAP OFF

The Rabbitohs and Knights’ potential player swap between Lachlan Ilias and Jackson Hastings have reportedly been called off after talks between the clubs.

Ilias reportedly made contact with incoming coach Wayne Bennett, who gave him positive news regarding his future at the South Sydney club, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The master coach reportedly informed him there’s still a place for him with the Rabbitohs if he is willing to see out his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2025 season.

Bennett, meanwhile, has previously worked with Hastings in the Great Britain side in 2019, but he reportedly had no desire to move Ilias on.

The 24-year-old endured a tumultuous 2024 season, suffering a nasty leg injury in reserve grade after being dropped by the NRL side.

Hastings reportedly had one year left on a contract worth around $800,000, having also been dumped by coach Adam O’Brien.
Gun 😂
 
Interesting that Richardson has issued Bateman an ultimatum, to get fully onboard or leave, I have been saying it for over a year, a very poor signing and his days were over after Canberra. Ricky Stuart is a smart operator, hence they were not keen to keep him. Get rid of him and open a spot for Fainu
Sione or Latu champion?
 
If it was ‘a load of waffle’ why is it also being reported Dogs are favourites to sign him by the actual media? This already proves your point that no one has spoken to him/his manager as wrong. everyone knows player managers break the rules & clubs just have to accept it until the nrl imposes stricter rules on them. There is no reason to say the info from Mop is incorrect
You’re allowed to talk to players before Nov 1 right? Just can’t officially sign (announce) them?
 
When were we ever a destination club?

Hardly surprising given we’re coming off a wooden spoon 3peat. We are rightly the 17th choice for any NRL player.

Only way out of it is to win more games.
Wasn’t it a Pascoe quote? Us being a destination club.

It was tongue in cheek but goes to show the challenges we face recruiting top tier.

Winning games would definitely help.
 

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Back
Top