Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

How is Justin at 21 with 3 seasons where he has played nrl developing slower then Chris who is 21 and has played 4 games of nsw cup and no NRL.

My point was that we have 3 young lock type players who aren't nrl starters and all the same age. Kit isn't being released so then it's one of Matamua and Faagutu and one has 3 seasons of NRL at 21 and the other has been playing Flegg till 21. Also 2 are local juniors while Chris is from QLD

Now if Faagutu is considered a prop then mayby he is up against Miller, Sione Fainu and Joahnssen for a spot and again he prob isn't winning out.

As he has been playing mostly Flegg I've not see him play much but that's just my view based on the outside circumstances
IMO, Kit is the odd one out. Can not see him 1sts in any position if we want to get off the bottom.
We need to be more ruthless in how we keep players; like other clubs that are successful.
 
I think with the three options we've got,

Kitt should be picked and sticked as the NSW Cup #13 & developed as such. No rush. From the outside he looks as the most regarded of the three by the club.

Matamua, I'd be happy for him to go.
However there's a footballer in there somewhere.
Maybe he can play prop or off the bench for NSW cup. He's making up a top 30 position though so if we don't rate him, we should make a call sooner rather than later.

Faagutu is the dark horse because we haven't seen enough of him. His development has been slow but the reports are good coming from the lower grades. Another we should make a call on soon. I'd like to see him play more cup in 2025.
 
So we've got;

Chris Faagutu
Justin Matamua
Kit Lualilii

What's the best way forward with them?
Should we keep all three?
I don't think we can keep all 3. 1 will have to go.

I would say Matamua. I just don't know if he has or ever will have the physicality and presence in defence to be in the middle. Very classy ball playing abilities as a 13, but I haven't seen Benji put much faith in him when opportunities were available.

Fa'agutu has only 1 more year on his contract with us, but in my opinion has the most upside out of the lot. His offense is elite, he can hit and hit hard in defence. Still needs to develop into his body, work on some fitness and needs another big pre-season or 2, but he is one that is worth the gamble.

Kit is the youngest of the lot. Shouldn't have been put up to Cup last year. It was too early. Flegg should have been his goal in 2024 with a 2025 goal to start in Flegg and then move to Cup. Moved up due to his contract status. Should really be a Dev Contract next year too. I think he could still have a lot to offer moving forward but we might need to remain patient with him.
 
Unless the young up and coming player is naturally gifted in way of size and athleticism, they need to be highly aggressive and dedicated to get themselves very fit and as strong as possible.
When you look at our emerging players who are not yet NRL regulars, not many fit in either category.
Faagatu at least has the aggression part and if he can get himself fit and strong he is potentially a very good player.
 
This list is massive. Ruling out any recent resignings and key players at their club; there remains the following from teams.

Knights: Brailey, Elliot, Hetherington, KPP, Thompson.
Manly: Brown, Bullemor, Lawton.
Bulldogs: Hughes, Bailey, Morrin.
Cowboys: McIntrye, McLean, Taumalolo, Neame.
Sharks: Hazelton, Rudolph, Kaufusi, Wilton, Talikai.
Roosters: Butcher, Whyte.
Penrith: no one stands out.
Melbourne: Kamikimika, Welsh.
I wouldn’t call a lot of these players “experienced”
 
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That's a Tomorrow problem!
Exactly, other clubs seem to be able to sign excess players then move others on to fit them into the top 30. I might be mistaken but pretty sure the Bulldogs did that last year. Only problem is I imagine till you can fit the player into the top 30 the N.R.L won't register the contract. Someone here would know heaps more about it.
 
Exactly, other clubs seem to be able to sign excess players then move others on to fit them into the top 30. I might be mistaken but pretty sure the Bulldogs did that last year. Only problem is I imagine till you can fit the player into the top 30 the N.R.L won't register the contract. Someone here would know heaps more about it.
Where supposed to get a squad update next week let's see what things look like after that
 
Exactly, other clubs seem to be able to sign excess players then move others on to fit them into the top 30. I might be mistaken but pretty sure the Bulldogs did that last year. Only problem is I imagine till you can fit the player into the top 30 the N.R.L won't register the contract. Someone here would know heaps more about it.
It is a bit different, if you sign someone 6 months before their contract starts you've got a 6 months to clear space before it becomes an issue, preseason training starts in a couple of weeks, we don't have time to offload players, if we haven't been able to do so thus far
 
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