Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I didn't ignore your point - And I saw his NRL games this year....
And he was just OK.

All I see you talking about Is what he 'Could Be'...
My counter (not really an argument) that you seem to be ignoring
- Is we have a Squad more than half full potential would be's or could be's....
We need more NRL Players.
in the top 30 alone in middle forwards, We have Matamua, Miller, Fa'agutu, Laulili'i, Fainu,
About 20 games total on 5 Spots in the same (Or similar) position.
(Not even mentioning what we're not getting out of the Senior Players)

Having the potential to be an NRL Player, Isn't going to teach you how to be one.
I'm wanting more Names, More Games - Not more unproven kids.

As I said, There are at least 2 spots in next years top 30 he could be taking
- That were of no worth to us this year...
If he's the best of them, Give him a spot
- But one of the other kids has to move, And Miller wouldn't be my first pick.

Yes "what he could be" is of course my point. It's about identifying what you have on your doorstep and making the rough diamond shiny. He does little things that many can't do. That's basically my entire point.

When you say "I don't get the love for him", it's being pointed out very clearly. It is far from over the top in praise.

I haven't said he is a gun, far from it. I've been clear in pointing out what he does that excites me and that if he works very hard he will be good. His attributes are very encouraging.

You said you need to see him carve up reggies. Why? He showed his ability in the NRL. Did you see Galvin carve up reggies? Did Pole carve up reggies? Bula? How did he go in reggies? Maybe we should send Galvin and Bula back to reserve grade to see if they carve up. If they don't we cut them.
 
Surely Sione has already been signed long term. They must just be waiting on the roster spot to open up as there would be plenty of teams who have roster spots who would have signed him for next season.

He is a late bloomer but he is easily the most versatile front rower we have. Exceptional footwork at the line, can ball play, off loading ability, find the try line and make important post contact metres.

We are extremely lucky his brothers are here otherwise he would have signed for one of the top clubs months ago.
 
Surely Sione has already been signed long term. They must just be waiting on the roster spot to open up as there would be plenty of teams who have roster spots who would have signed him for next season.

He is a late bloomer but he is easily the most versatile front rower we have. Exceptional footwork at the line, can ball play, off loading ability, find the try line and make important post contact metres.

We are extremely lucky his brothers are here otherwise he would have signed for one of the top clubs months ago.
While I don't rate him quite as highly as that, you raise some good points. He's got plenty of potential particularly if he can improve his motor.

We absolutely should retain him and your last point is spot on.
 
If we pay 200/300 k to manly to let them have Bateman it’s a poor decision.
Bateman is a player who never gives up in a game .
Bateman is a solid defender .
Benji could be the problem being suck a rookie coach old Johnny who has been round the block may have just blurted out the truth , they need a sit down as we are already in need of 2 props and a back rower , why pay up to 300 to get rid of one
But Bateman did give up by cracking and having ill discipline time after time
 
Totally agree, the senior players should be setting the standard. Bateman is a cry baby pommie whinger who can piss off to Manly and get a tan.
So u seen what happened to brooks when he left , most on here said he was hopeless boy did he kick sand in peoples face , if Bateman goes too and had a brilliant season , would it not make sense that something is wrong with our coaches
 
If we pay 200/300 k to manly to let them have Bateman it’s a poor decision.
Bateman is a player who never gives up in a game .
Bateman is a solid defender .
Benji could be the problem being suck a rookie coach old Johnny who has been round the block may have just blurted out the truth , they need a sit down as we are already in need of 2 props and a back rower , why pay up to 300 to get rid of one
Aside from the attitudinal/relationship issues which I’m not sure can be addressed, I think we need a strike edge forward. He just didn’t seem to have any tackle busting ability. I am not sure how much is fair to stump up for him to play elsewhere however I think we need more than he offers.
 
So u seen what happened to brooks when he left , most on here said he was hopeless boy did he kick sand in peoples face , if Bateman goes too and had a brilliant season , would it not make sense that something is wrong with our coaches
Personally don't think he kicked sand in peoples' faces. Just had better cattle around him to help him better than our plodders could.
Garner is another to benefit at Panthers; Garlic Sauce at Manly: Blore at Melbourne.
All average players - something our club has consisted of entirely for a few years now since the fickle 4 debacle.
Hopefully, Luai and a few others will change that.
 
Two things can be true at the same time.
Brooksy played like he did when Benji was running the show at the back end here . The same level . Throw in someone like Turbo who just attracts defenders by being there , and there was plenty of space for brooksy to play well .
I wonder how we would have done with lattrell if we landed him . Such is the difference between him in the team at Souths and not .
 
According to this MSN article, JAC has been unable to secure a contract with a rival club. Flanagan is obviously interested but not at $500,000 pa. JAC may have to cut the budget on luxury items to cater for his new contract.

 
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No to both
For those who cry out there are no attractive forwards on the market I have listed some that would be worth a chat;
Market Place for 2025 and 2026
Xavier Willison – Bronco’s - Prop - off contract 2025, 22yrs, 199cm, 114kg
Nelson Asofa-Solomona – Storm, 28yrs
Oregon Kaufusi – Sharks – Prop, similar to Stef. – option 2025
Tuku Hau Tapuha – Sharks - off contract 2025, 196cm, 22yrs, 114 kg
Davvy Moale – Souths, 22yrs, is similar to Stef, 48 games, 186cm, 112kg
Leo Thompson – Knights, Prop, 24yrs, 186cm, 107kg until 2025
Pasami Saulo - Raider’s interchange prop 26 yrs, 190cm, 103kg (KOE player of year 2023)
Tristan Powell offered contract [Kade 7] – Storm prop. 102kg
Peter Hola – Raider’s prop, 25yrs, 192cm, 110kg
Alec Tuitivake – 2025
Chris Patolo – Bulldog - prop/2nd row, 23yrs, 185cm, 110kg
Backrowers
Charlie Guymer – Eels 2nd row/lock, syndesmosis injury 2024 [ankle] asked permission to talk to rival clubs. Was looking good until injury! On dev. contract
Ethan Bullemor – Manly, 24 yrs. 2nd row, signed till 2025
J'maine Hopgood – Eels lock till 2027, 25 yrs, 185cm, 102 kg

Trent Loiero – Storm, till 2025, 2nd row, 23yrs, 192cm, 104kg [played in 2024 GF]

Tallis Duncan – Souths - lock forward - 188cm, 98 kg
Sione Mauta'uatia – 2nd row
Harrison Hassett – Penrith, Aust Schoolboy rep. 2nd row
Harry Hayes – Bulldog 2nd row/prop, off contract 2025, made team of the week RD 25
This should get the keyboard warriors raring to go!
 
So u seen what happened to brooks when he left , most on here said he was hopeless boy did he kick sand in peoples face , if Bateman goes too and had a brilliant season , would it not make sense that something is wrong with our coaches

Brooks played pretty much the same at Manly that he did here. Maybe slightly better due to 2 things. More arsenal around him to draw defenders away giving him space, and also the fact he was the "2nd half" rather than the main man. He struggled big time when DCE was out.
 
not opposed to us sending off batemen

penrith had 1 million of their cap in 2019 taken up by players who were at other clubs

Pretty sure that may have been off the back of quite a few years winning the comp
every other year in NSW Cup and 20's...

Very different to where we're at.
 
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