Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[The Chad]

What is your obsession with us signing fringe first graders?

We need top quality to dig us out of this hole. And we have the cash to splash and very few spots to work with

Reality.

Who are Manly realistically going to swap to take Bateman off our books for us?

I believe Sipley is undervalued as well.

 

[jadtiger]

Fast, smart and cheap, can’t say the same about Bates?

Bateman plodder,dumb and expensive and you can also add disruptive to the list

 

[Moh]

It doesn't matter how often this is pointed out. People will still insist Bird will play centre and Turuva wing. The actual word of these players mean nothing to some, they know better.

I watched whatever podcast he mentioned this on (might've been a couple, think he was on the JAC/Mansour one too) - it was very much a that was his goal/intention and even what was discussed, but it definitely didn't come across locked in.

It will very much depend on who does enough to get a centre spot. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Taruva ends up on the wing, even if its after an unsuccessful transition to centre.

 

[weststigerman]

Faataape at centre & Turuva on the wing makes more sense. I mean, Faataape played significantly more often.

IMO Faatape is a very good NSW Cup player. Much like Porter.

Neither of them should be first choice or even top 30.

 

[Kelce68]

People forget our only capable second rower is a 22yo kid whose played less than 25 games.

Samuela is 20 years old.

People are making a lot of these mistakes lately.

 

[Kelce68]

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.

Laulili'i unequivocally earned his way into the first grade side. You do not debut an 18 year old who hasn't earned it.

Naden has tremendous natural ability. Ditto for Sullivan.

2024 Tigers showed plenty of examples of those earning spots through either performance in lower grades, 'coachability', effort areas or training professionalism.

Laulili'i, Johannssen, Faataape, Seyfarth

Conversely, there are many examples of talented or gifted footballers who were held back because they hadn't earned it.

Naden, Sullivan, Matamua

'Earning it' can and does mean more than simply doing time in Cup.

 

[boonboon]

Laulili'i unequivocally earned his way into the first grade side. You do not debut an 18 year old who hasn't earned it.

Naden has tremendous natural ability. Ditto for Sullivan.

2024 Tigers showed plenty of examples of those earning spots through either performance in lower grades, 'coachability', effort areas or training professionalism.

Laulili'i, Johannssen, Faataape, Seyfarth

Conversely, there are many examples of talented or gifted footballers who were held back because they hadn't earned it.

Naden, Sullivan, Matamua

'Earning it' can and does mean more than simply doing time in Cup.

Why is Matamua in the 2nd group - he is 21 and has played 15 games on NRL , the only forwards his age or younger who have played significant NRL are Davy Moale, Jeremiah Nanai, Finefuikaki and our own Sam Fainu.

Matamua came through playing in the halves which was always going to mean some time to adjust but most forwards his age either havent played NRL at all or mayby 1 or 2 games - guys at similar games as him are the Couchmans, Suia Wong but almost all the others have played 1 or 2 if any.

He is also significantly younger then Seyfarth who only just developed into NRL standard this year at 25 and Johannssen who is already older then him despite playing less NRL.

Our NSW cup team won 6 matches out of 24 - When Matamua was playing we won 5 from 11 and 1 of those losses was a 1 point loss to the team that won the comp.

 

[king_sirro]

I watched whatever podcast he mentioned this on (might've been a couple, think he was on the JAC/Mansour one too) - it was very much a that was his goal/intention and even what was discussed, but it definitely didn't come across locked in.

It will very much depend on who does enough to get a centre spot. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Taruva ends up on the wing, even if its after an unsuccessful transition to centre.

I wouldn't be surprised either. I haven't once said its locked in. Just that he will get first crack.

 

[innsaneink]

Bateman plodder,dumb and expensive and you can also add disruptive to the list

Certainly not the leader we need our young blokes looking to follow

 

[bptiger 0]

It's not players walking out the door that's the problem.
It's we can't get players to walk out the door that's the problem.

Ur right but ur also wrong ,
I will explain , the bad ones won’t go but the good ones just leave and we just let them walk

 

[Kelce68]

Why is Matamua in the 2nd group - he is 21 and has played 15 games on NRL , the only forwards his age or younger who have played significant NRL are Davy Moale, Jeremiah Nanai, Finefuikaki and our own Sam Fainu.

Matamua came through playing in the halves which was always going to mean some time to adjust but most forwards his age either havent played NRL at all or mayby 1 or 2 games - guys at similar games as him are the Couchmans, Suia Wong but almost all the others have played 1 or 2 if any.

He is also significantly younger then Seyfarth who only just developed into NRL standard this year at 25 and Johannssen who is already older then him despite playing less NRL.

Our NSW cup team won 6 matches out of 24 - When Matamua was playing we won 5 from 11 and 1 of those losses was a 1 point loss to the team that won the comp.

Simple.

Because he made his debut two years ago. Was earmarked as starting lock to begin 2023 and then wound up in 2024 barely getting consideration.

Clearly there are issues that are affecting his ability to be selected.

He is in that group because he has always been a gifted player, but clearly hasn't done enough to earn a spot. Especially considering he has already tasted first grade.

 

[Tito Santana]

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!

Bateman runs sideways more than Noffa.

Pathetic.

 

[Tito Santana]

I laughed when i saw this because i read it as "Bateman swap for a Kelpie".A kelpie would be much better than Bateman as they are very loyal

Generally don’t bite their owners too.

Mmmmm Bateman is slowly becoming my new Brooksy. True story.

 

[Tito Santana]

Simple.

Because he made his debut two years ago. Was earmarked as starting lock to begin 2023 and then wound up in 2024 barely getting consideration.

Clearly there are issues that are affecting his ability to be selected.

He is in that group because he has always been a gifted player, but clearly hasn't done enough to earn a spot. Especially considering he has already tasted first grade.

Matamua reminds me of Blobby from Hotel Transylvania.

 

[2041]

How many of those teams are coming off a long last - 3 years in a row?
I'd bet those teams are laughing at the suggestion here that the likes of
Royce Hunt is seen to be replacing Stefano at any stretch.
- I did say, Outside Luai.

I look forward to seeing what the Canterbury Reserve Grade Union 7's player can bring to 27 Weeks of NRL, and Royce Hunts' 20 minute contribution should make quite an addition to our well beaten pack that's just lost 3 of it's better forwards.

Do you know what mate? You need to take the L on this one instead of constantly moving the goalposts. I was responding to your claim that our recruitment is already the worst in the comp, which is demonstrably nonsense. I am entirely happy to acknowledge:
1) That some of the players we have recruited may not end up as superstars. Have a look at the list I posted and tell me how many teams won't say the same thing. I bet those Roosters fans are delighted they got Chad Townsend instead of Jarome Luai. How they must be rejoicing in Auckland at the thought of shoring up their pack/spine/back line/reserves with an in-demand superstar such as, er, Kahu Capper. On the other hand, signing Luai ALONE gives us about the best haul of the off season. Add Turuva to that and we've probably done best. Get anything much out of Skelton and Hunt and we've aced the pack.
2) That we have also lost some players. This is not "recruitment", which is what we were discussing. But since you want to play with the goalposts all the way over there: I wholeheartedly agree that whoever gave Utoikamanu that ridiculous contract ought to be fired and if you'd like to discuss further I'm here for it. I'd note, though, that since those people were in fact fired a year ago it might not be a massively enlightening discussion. What the hell it has to do with who we've signed I have no idea.
3) That we came last. Ain't no changing that now, chum. Fortunately we've recruited at least as well as anyone in the comp, which is one of the many, many things we needed to change in order to get out of this mess.

You wanna discuss how terrible the parking is at Leichhardt or how the logo on the training shorts peels off after a few washes? Or can you stay still for a minute and admit that you maybe slightly overstated the point on RECRUITMENT?

 

[batboy]

Do you know what mate? You need to take the L on this one instead of constantly moving the goalposts. I was responding to your claim that our recruitment is already the worst in the comp, which is demonstrably nonsense. I am entirely happy to acknowledge:
1) That some of the players we have recruited may not end up as superstars. Have a look at the list I posted and tell me how many teams won't say the same thing. I bet those Roosters fans are delighted they got Chad Townsend instead of Jarome Luai. How they must be rejoicing in Auckland at the thought of shoring up their pack/spine/back line/reserves with an in-demand superstar such as, er, Kahu Capper. On the other hand, signing Luai ALONE gives us about the best haul of the off season. Add Turuva to that and we've probably done best. Get anything much out of Skelton and Hunt and we've aced the pack.
2) That we have also lost some players. This is not "recruitment", which is what we were discussing. But since you want to play with the goalposts all the way over there: I wholeheartedly agree that whoever gave Utoikamanu that ridiculous contract ought to be fired and if you'd like to discuss further I'm here for it. I'd note, though, that since those people were in fact fired a year ago it might not be a massively enlightening discussion. What the hell it has to do with who we've signed I have no idea.
3) That we came last. Ain't no changing that now, chum. Fortunately we've recruited at least as well as anyone in the comp, which is one of the many, many things we needed to change in order to get out of this mess.

You wanna discuss how terrible the parking is at Leichhardt or how the logo on the training shorts peels off after a few washes? Or can you stay still for a minute and admit that you maybe slightly overstated the point on RECRUITMENT?

Again - You missed the bit, where I said Outside Luai...
But you do you.

When another club recruits your Players (some while still under contract) - It's recruitment,
Goes both ways.
Are re-signings considered recruitment?
- Because you've (Conveniently) overlooked those in your list.
Like the Titans re-signing Brimson, Foran, Haas and Fifita....

Like I said, You do you....
Come back and tell me hoe fantastic the recruitment is / was after next year.

 

[king_sirro]

Bateman swap for Keppie

Keppie is at Souths and is a terrible player

 

[Buttface]

IMO Faatape is a very good NSW Cup player. Much like Porter.

Neither of them should be first choice or even top 30.

Yep, as reggies pushing for NRL and coverage for injuries etc I like them. They look like they always try their best. But we need better in the top 30.

 

[Vicious]

How many of those teams are coming off a long last - 3 years in a row?
I'd bet those teams are laughing at the suggestion here that the likes of
Royce Hunt is seen to be replacing Stefano at any stretch.
- I did say, Outside Luai.

I look forward to seeing what the Canterbury Reserve Grade Union 7's player can bring to 27 Weeks of NRL, and Royce Hunts' 20 minute contribution should make quite an addition to our well beaten pack that's just lost 3 of it's better forwards.

You raise some good points and I share your concern that we have not recruited well enough to improve much, if at all.
On the optimistic side of things all our young players should ideally be older, wiser and much better for the experience they have gained in previous seasons.
How much talented young players can improve from one season to the next is like asking how long is a piece of string,
The ones that are highly driven and dedicated can improve immensely and potentially go from being a decent to good quality player into a player that is verging on superstar status.
I still have question marks on Bula’s ceiling, but if he’s even close to as good as many believe he can be, he should be ready to really step up and become the superstar we need in 2025 and if he does that, it will make a huge positive difference to our teams success.

 

[Vicious]

Why is Matamua in the 2nd group - he is 21 and has played 15 games on NRL , the only forwards his age or younger who have played significant NRL are Davy Moale, Jeremiah Nanai, Finefuikaki and our own Sam Fainu.

Matamua came through playing in the halves which was always going to mean some time to adjust but most forwards his age either havent played NRL at all or mayby 1 or 2 games - guys at similar games as him are the Couchmans, Suia Wong but almost all the others have played 1 or 2 if any.

He is also significantly younger then Seyfarth who only just developed into NRL standard this year at 25 and Johannssen who is already older then him despite playing less NRL.

Our NSW cup team won 6 matches out of 24 - When Matamua was playing we won 5 from 11 and 1 of those losses was a 1 point loss to the team that won the comp.

Although different body shapes and different styles of players, Matamua has gone through a similar development path to what Shawn Blore went through with us.
Once young players, particularly forwards go through 2-3 seasons of battle hardening playing NSW Cup, they are then physically and emotionally ready to be the best version of themselves and potentially ready to make their mark at NRL level.
I will say I believe Blore was more of a standout for us while playing NSW Cuo than what Matamua has been, but the point is we are far too often doing all the groundwork in allowing our young emerging players turn into men, but then letting them go and other teams reap the rewards once they are more mature and complete players.
A fitter and more aggressive Matamua can be an exceptionally good NRL player. Whether or not he’s driven enough to quickly get fitter and more aggressive remains to be seen.