Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

BAGNF05 said:
When I judge forward packs I kind of look at three different aspects.

Intimidation / fear factor
Yardage
Defense

I think our yardage improves next year with better wingmen but the other two areas are still cause for concern.
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It's almost like you are screaming out for Corey Horsburgh & Jack Hetherington.... 😀
 
The Chad said:
If Turuva is indeed playing centre, but the club has also told Charlie Staines he is free to go if he can secure a contract elsewhere- who plays wing other than Skelton?

Luke Lualili'i? Naden?
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Pretty sure Laulilli was picked one week when Staines played NSW Cup so that is a good indicator of who Benji rates higher.

I think Makasini will be there as soon as he’s old enough. Naden will continue to play NSW Cup if he stays.
 
The Chad said:
If Turuva is indeed playing centre, but the club has also told Charlie Staines he is free to go if he can secure a contract elsewhere- who plays wing other than Skelton?

Luke Lualili'i? Naden?
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Big Preseason for Lualilii. If we don’t by some miracle sign an unhappy To’o; Luke will be our starting winger. I reckon he’ll bulk up a bit this offseason.
 
weststigerman said:
Pretty sure Laulilli was picked one week when Staines played NSW Cup so that is a good indicator of who Benji rates higher.

I think Makasini will be there as soon as he’s old enough. Naden will continue to play NSW Cup if he stays.
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Faataape at centre & Turuva on the wing makes more sense. I mean, Faataape played significantly more often.
 
My only real concern with Lualili'i getting the nod is that it is almost gift wrapped to him. That has been my one issue with the juniors starting- they didn't earn their way in- they got in on natural ability.

It's his position eventually. No doubt. But there is no consequence to not pushing himself harder, to improve etc. He's not 100% up to NRL standard, but he's likely given a walk-up start.

For mine, Benji would be better off using aging veterans & having the kids beat them out through work.

That is why I suggest Liam Knight, Joe Stimson etc. I expect they'll get beaten out over the course of their contract. But at least the junior player worked hard & won the spot. To'a & Naden, to some degree, have earned first shot at the outside backs.
 
88 said:
Does anyone think Toa could be an option on the wing? I’m necessarily saying he is but maybe a bit like Lomax the shift could bring out something?? Reasonably strong runner so could focus on yardage, and defending at wing maybe a bit easier than centre. Not sure what he’s like under a high ball?

Either way I think we have too many centres in our top 30 and ideally need to shift 1-2 for squad balance.
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No. To’a is rubbish under the high ball. Lomax has made a career of being an airbourne ball retriever. Nothing like To’a.
 
The Chad said:
My only real concern with Lualili'i getting the nod is that it is almost gift wrapped to him. That has been my one issue with the juniors starting- they didn't earn their way in- they got in on natural ability.

It's his position eventually. No doubt. But there is no consequence to not pushing himself harder, to improve etc. He's not 100% up to NRL standard, but he's likely given a walk-up start.

For mine, Benji would be better off using aging veterans & having the kids beat them out through work.

That is why I suggest Liam Knight, Joe Stimson etc. I expect they'll get beaten out over the course of their contract. But at least the junior player worked hard & won the spot. To'a & Naden, to some degree, have earned first shot at the outside backs.
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I like what you’re staying. Oh and also just noticed you edited: was unsure why you mentioned Martin initially but Knight makes more sense.
But with Luke I don’t think he didn’t earn his spot. He would have showed plenty in training up against the first grade squad. I see him as more of the hard work type over the natural talent type.
 
If the Toby Rudolph rumour/suggestion has any legs- I think there is a world where he helps out in the immediate future, potentially even at #13.

The other Sharks player that might be worth a think is Billy Burns, particularly if Bateman is moving on. Not a spectacular player- but not a liability either. Fit & a good defender- at worst improves the depth.
 
Needaname said:
I like what you’re staying. Oh and also just noticed you edited: was unsure why you mentioned Martin initially but Knight makes more sense.
But with Luke I don’t think he didn’t earn his spot. He would have showed plenty in training up against the first grade squad. I see him as more of the hard work type over the natural talent type.
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Yeah- had brain fade for a minute. Liam Martin would definitely assist though.

I don't doubt that both the Lualili'i's are hard workers in training- and that has to play it's part too.

But on-field performances should nearly always outweigh training paddock effort (although both is obviously a win)
 
The Chad said:
I don't disagree.

Pole isn't a downgrade. I actually think we will miss Bateman more, unless Seyfarth can continue to grow in the 2nd row.

I'm not sold on Bird at #13. But, I get why the club would put him there if it then becomes a position to be 'won' by Matamua, Sione Fainu, Fa'agutu or Kit Lualili'i through performance.

Bird can then shift to the centres, where I think he is better served. Then Turuva to the wing- where again, I think he is better served.

What happens at #13 can affect a number of positions.

Or, the club could just take my suggestion & play Latu Fainu in the centres.
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Latu will never play centre. Can we stop this suggestion..
 
Demps said:
We've added:
Jarome Luai
Sunia Turuva
Jack Bird
Jeral Skelton
Royce Hunt
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Good additions but we need big hard running props who can play big minutes!! We need the go forward, it’s our biggest weakness going forward. Only reason I’d let Bateman go is if we are getting one of those, ideally an experienced prop!
 
TigerBlood93 said:
I can see him coming of the bench and playing that link player but won’t be a starting 13
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I just think it's weird that he can be considered closer to the action but not further away.

As I've said before- Fittler, Daley & Matt Burton were all 5/8's that started in the centres to get their feet wet. And Latu is too good a player in a weak squad to be playing KOE in 2025.
 
The Chad said:
If Turuva is indeed playing centre, but the club has also told Charlie Staines he is free to go if he can secure a contract elsewhere- who plays wing other than Skelton?

Luke Lualili'i? Naden?
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To’o, I read on here, in this very thread, so it must be true
 
The Chad said:
Yeah- had brain fade for a minute. Liam Martin would definitely assist though.

I don't doubt that both the Lualili'i's are hard workers in training- and that has to play it's part too.

But on-field performances should nearly always outweigh training paddock effort (although both is obviously a win)
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Agree, Luke showed something in his debut. Even Kit’s debut was decent in different circumstances showing some strong leg drive in a game completely dominated by the opposing forward pack.
 
The one thing that needs to be restated is Turuva signed with us to play centre. The reason the panthers didn't entertain him staying was that reason. He will get first shot at centre without a doubt. You don't buy someone on from a top club with the promise of a position then withdraw the position.
 
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