Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lestronge]

agree on your spine assessment, it’s the best we’ve had since 2016, possibly 2010.

our current pack isn’t good enough. Klemmer and Twal are effectively the same player, Pole’s hopeless in defence and Royce has got to build the motor. we currently don’t have a lock and without Hetherington or a player of a similar calibre we’re starting behind the 8 ball.

it’s why the acquisition of May and Hetherington is so crucial to our season. sign them both and we could very well push for the playoffs. without them I don’t see us any higher than 13th.

Maybe , about the pack . I think they’re looking at Hetho , because they want to piss off bateman , move Bird into edge back rower to replace him . But if we keep Bateman , and somehow fix that relationship , then that at least provides us with something . What that is I dunno , but something . I actually thought Sione looked good at times as a 13 , soo I guess I’m surprised by the everyone but him recruitment strategy this offseason .
You’re right about Twal though . I hope Johannson , seyfarth , Fainu (when we resign him) go past him and he spends the rest of his contract as depth. Soo may times he gets his arms free never lets the ball go . His cautious approach to footy , is frustrating at times. But if we jag may , then I think that will answer that anyway . I have real high hopes for Johannson . I really like his game .

 

[innsaneink]

Id wager we have a better roster than the Knights, Titans and Dragons at the very least. Sure, that is heavily due to Luai. I think he‘s good enough to steer us clear of it.

He need a good pack to give him time & space... Let's hope he gets it

 

[Lestronge]

I love Bula. Think he has everything to be elite. Will be interesting to see how he handles having some competition with Turuva and possibly Luke L because he has some things to work on (positional play, support play, passing). I think he will go to another level.

In saying that, if he doesn't kick on at fullback in the first half of this year, a move to centre should be on the cards. I think he could be one of the be centres in the game. Theres a bit of Hammer about him

I think the David peachey comp I read a long time ago , was the most apt . Except peaches really was that laid back with training etc. from all accounts , although Bula is humble , he’s a hard worker . I think with that attitude towards anything , you’re far more likely to succeed than not .

 

[Lestronge]

He need a good pack to give him time & space... Let's hope he gets it

Man a lot of these guys have at some point in thier career had huge raps on them . Potentially they really should be a lot better than they are . Nearly all of our pack were Aus/ NSW/Nz schoolboys , or have played first grade rep footy . At the very least there’s a shit tonne of pedigree there . When you look at some of these other packs , it doesn’t have nearly the amount of honours / potential . Just blokes who rip , tare , bust.

 

[jrtiger]

Maybe , about the pack . I think they’re looking at Hetho , because they want to piss off bateman , move Bird into edge back rower to replace him . But if we keep Bateman , and somehow fix that relationship , then that at least provides us with something . What that is I dunno , but something . I actually thought Sione looked good at times as a 13 , soo I guess I’m surprised by the everyone but him recruitment strategy this offseason .
You’re right about Twal though . I hope Johannson , seyfarth , Fainu (when we resign him) go past him and he spends the rest of his contract as depth. Soo may times he gets his arms free never lets the ball go . His cautious approach to footy , is frustrating at times. But if we jag may , then I think that will answer that anyway . I have real high hopes for Johannson . I really like his game .

I think that Seyfarth will probably hold his spot on the right edge with Bird sitting on the bench at this point. I don't think he's up for 80 minutes week to week in grade, but would be delighted if I was wrong.

great call on Sione, but we also have to be mindful that it was his debut season and he's going to have a lot of ups and downs and as opposed to relying on him constantly in what is probably the toughest position on the park, it's better to have a proven first grader that's ready for the 25-week washing machine. that explains the Hetherington pursuit.

Twal probably keeps the workhorse role long term but you're right, he's got some work to do otherwise he'll be overtaken.

Johannssen as you say is a diamond in the rough. I think he's going to be too good for Cup by Round 10.

 

[Betterdays22]

I think the David peachey comp I read a long time ago , was the most apt . Except peaches really was that laid back with training etc. from all accounts , although Bula is humble , he’s a hard worker . I think with that attitude towards anything , you’re far more likely to succeed than not .

Hadn't heard that comparison before but I can definitely see it. Effortless

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Maybe , about the pack . I think they’re looking at Hetho , because they want to piss off bateman , move Bird into edge back rower to replace him . But if we keep Bateman , and somehow fix that relationship , then that at least provides us with something . What that is I dunno , but something . I actually thought Sione looked good at times as a 13 , soo I guess I’m surprised by the everyone but him recruitment strategy this offseason .
You’re right about Twal though . I hope Johannson , seyfarth , Fainu (when we resign him) go past him and he spends the rest of his contract as depth. Soo may times he gets his arms free never lets the ball go . His cautious approach to footy , is frustrating at times. But if we jag may , then I think that will answer that anyway . I have real high hopes for Johannson . I really like his game .

The lock position is one of our most intriguing moving forward.

Right now, I think our lock contenders are Bird, Matamua, Kit Laulilii, Sione Fainu (once re-signed hopefully) & potentially Twal (although he does not possess the linkman qualities the others do). Then if Kobe Hetherington is added to the mix, he goes straight into 13.

In future, maybe Benji has thoughts of Galvin or Latu moving there with both possessing qualities to become elite lock forwards if they want to become one.

Then if they are staying with us on T&T or NSW Cup contracts, Bailey Hodges & Cayne Nicholas have very good ability on both sides of the ball and I wouldn't write either off being future NRL players.

And further down the track, we have some 16/17yo kids named Siotame Havea Jr and Peter Ta'ai who could be anything.

Makes me think that Matamua is really under the gun to be offered an extension unless he kills it in pre-season & early next season.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The Paps talk has died down.

 

[Droppy05]

The Paps talk has died down.

He's not going anywhere. Why would you leave the storm unless ridiculous money was offered.At his age and medical history, that kind of money will be unavailable.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

Im one of them.
I also think Benji is a pathetic coach.
Why is it ok with you if I say Brooks was useless here but it’s not ok to say Benji has earnt us 2 spoons so far and I’m sick of his shit as well?

Let's see how Benji's coaching goes with a reasonable team next year then I may agree he is a problem, until then, I am at least prepared to give him a go with some talented players.

And the Brooks part of your rebuttal is not this equal,
As I had been giving him a chance for at least
9 years He was with us.

The least I can do is give Benji One more year.

 

[JB9918]

The lock position is one of our most intriguing moving forward.

Right now, I think our lock contenders are Bird, Matamua, Kit Laulilii, Sione Fainu (once re-signed hopefully) & potentially Twal (although he does not possess the linkman qualities the others do). Then if Kobe Hetherington is added to the mix, he goes straight into 13.

In future, maybe Benji has thoughts of Galvin or Latu moving there with both possessing qualities to become elite lock forwards if they want to become one.

Then if they are staying with us on T&T or NSW Cup contracts, Bailey Hodges & Cayne Nicholas have very good ability on both sides of the ball and I wouldn't write either off being future NRL players.

And further down the track, we have some 16/17yo kids named Siotame Havea Jr and Peter Ta'ai who could be anything.

Makes me think that Matamua is really under the gun to be offered an extension unless he kills it in pre-season & early next season.

I think of who we have currently Bird or Latu offer a ball playing option but do we need it desperately with Api, Luai & Galvin as the spine I am not sure, obviously it wouldn't hurt.

What we need is solid D in the middle. Twal provides that.

As you have said it's intriguing.

I hope we sign Hetherington regardless for 2026. Teig Wilton as right edge. Then all we need is 1 or 2 middles depending if Pole extends. I am assuming Sione gets 2 years starting this year.

May will be a big deal breaker.

Fingers crossed 🤞

 

[jrtiger]

The lock position is one of our most intriguing moving forward.

Right now, I think our lock contenders are Bird, Matamua, Kit Laulilii, Sione Fainu (once re-signed hopefully) & potentially Twal (although he does not possess the linkman qualities the others do). Then if Kobe Hetherington is added to the mix, he goes straight into 13.

In future, maybe Benji has thoughts of Galvin or Latu moving there with both possessing qualities to become elite lock forwards if they want to become one.

Then if they are staying with us on T&T or NSW Cup contracts, Bailey Hodges & Cayne Nicholas have very good ability on both sides of the ball and I wouldn't write either off being future NRL players.

And further down the track, we have some 16/17yo kids named Siotame Havea Jr and Peter Ta'ai who could be anything.

Makes me think that Matamua is really under the gun to be offered an extension unless he kills it in pre-season & early next season.

I think we're gonna have to go to market for something in the short term at the very least. I don't think anyone in that current crop is up to it, and I love Sione.

Hetherington looks to be our priority target, and I'm very curious to see if we push to sign him for 2026 if we can't get him immediately. guys like Tallis Duncan and Egan Butcher serve as solid plan B's. you could even have a look at Brandon Smith.

I think the Galvin edge conversation is probably still 18 months away, and Latu's miles off. Hodges is classy, but he's still three years away...

Havea though, he's the guy long term. I'm hopeful we can sign Hetherington to lock the scrum for the next five years before we begin to integrate Tame. he's legit.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

The Paps talk has died down.

No thanks....injury prone and expensive

 

[GNR4LIFE]

No thanks....injury prone and expensive

I wasn’t suggesting him. Any club willing to pay him big money needs their head examined.

 

[The Chad]

Galvin on the edge in time. Wade Graham style. Playing support for his centre & winger outside him, running gaps off Luai & Fainu.

Just because he's a ball player & Yeo is a ball player doesn't mean you have to copycat. I don't think Galvin is a tackle machine. Same as Bird. They are better, wider. Think Liam Fulton.

 

[poopy_diaper]

I think we're gonna have to go to market for something in the short term at the very least. I don't think anyone in that current crop is up to it, and I love Sione.

Hetherington looks to be our priority target, and I'm very curious to see if we push to sign him for 2026 if we can't get him immediately. guys like Tallis Duncan and Egan Butcher serve as solid plan B's. you could even have a look at Brandon Smith.

I think the Galvin edge conversation is probably still 18 months away, and Latu's miles off. Hodges is classy, but he's still three years away...

Havea though, he's the guy long term. I'm hopeful we can sign Hetherington to lock the scrum for the next five years before we begin to integrate Tame. he's legit.

Havea is still in primary school. He might end up 155kg and built like the Vegas Dome by the time he's 20.

 

[Needaname]

Have we all cooled on Bullemor? Isn’t he off contract as of now? Could be a good alternative to Hetherington as a Manly Bateman swap?

 

[Kelce68]

Have we all cooled on Bullemor? Isn’t he off contract as of now? Could be a good alternative to Hetherington as a Manly Bateman swap?

I'm still bullish on Bullemor, pardon the pun.

High leg speed, high workrate player who is quite versatile. Depending on how we want to play lock, he could be a defensive barometer in the middle, or, with our edges looking sparse, could provide a decent one-two punch with Seyfarth on an edge until we solve that issue more permanently on the right.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Have we all cooled on Bullemor? Isn’t he off contract as of now? Could be a good alternative to Hetherington as a Manly Bateman swap?

Would be great except he's managed by Isaac Moses. Would Moses swap his own players?

 

[tigermate]

Galvin on the edge in time. Wade Graham style. Playing support for his centre & winger outside him, running gaps off Luai & Fainu.

Just because he's a ball player & Yeo is a ball player doesn't mean you have to copycat. I don't think Galvin is a tackle machine. Same as Bird. They are better, wider. Think Liam Fulton.

Lol - Galvin is going to be one of the greatest of all time.

He will be wasted on an edge. Wade Graham and Fulton won't even come close to tying one of his shoes.

My guess is -- he will re-invent the 5/8th role.

And he will become the first, athletically dominant, ball playing 5/8.

He will be like if you combined Munster with Yeoh with Cleary.

He wants the ball in his hand every tackle.

If he's on an edge he wont see the ball that much.

And if he's a lock and plays in the middle like Yeoh he will do too much tackling and wont play two wide of the ruck like a 5/8.

I know that's a huge prediction -- but that's what I think.

He will be the Tom Brady of the NRL.

The guy who was told he was too small, has a chip on his shoulder, was given up by Parra for $5K, wants to win every game, is humble and smart, loves watching the game, loves playing the game, and wants to win more than anything in the world, and wants to be the man calling the shots.

FUTURE GOAT. (and he cant do that from second row or lock)