Kaito
Well-known member
Nah, watched him since Newcastle.
Can play, whether he wants to is the
question, same goes for Matamua
Can play, whether he wants to is the
question, same goes for Matamua
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
tigerbenji
Well-known member
I don't think the Kobe signing is as dead as we think, especially if the Broncs sign Hunt, Hunt doesn't come cheap.
Kaito
Well-known member
We need his speed on the right too...
Tiger_claws
Well-known member
What the hell is happening at our club? The recruitment, retention, even breaching players for not upholding standards. I can’t take much more positivity. I am so used to us missing players and not retaining our good ones. What a great recruitment/retention drive we have had. Hats off to all for slowly patching up the Titanic.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
It's called management, the previous lot had no idea what it was.
Tbh It's unreasonable in my opinion as well. My opinion is like everyone elses. These guys get paid well and shouldn't need a week off in the middle of the season when they get 2 months off at the end of it.
But what I don't agree with is that Bateman has been given any special treatment as all the team was given a week off. I think the argument that he is holds even less weight when the coach also decides to go overseas during a bye week (yes I get the travel time and time zone differences).
As an aside I don't think it destroyed his season at all. His performance didn't decline after his trip in my opinion. His performances weren't up to scratch this year, though I think that probably has more to do with clashing with Marshall than anything to do with travelling/preseason length or anything else.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
The recruits have been great and I am excited, but I remember the same feeling when we recruited Api, Ice and Bateman in a short period of time. I know this is apples and oranges, mainly due to Luai and our young guys, but we are still a squad with some big areas of weakness that are unlikely to be addressed next year (wing, centre, lock, 2nd row, bench prop).Give me competing around the 8 next year, 2026 however...
Im not a fan of Bateman not at all, but come on man Porter. He is what you call a solid KOE forward at best. If Benji can sort this shit out by the time we pay money for Bateman as painful as it is to admit it would be best for the club that we keep hin, If hes willing to put in and i think with Luai driving the standards i expect everyone to be accountable. Lets not compare Porter to Bateman lets be real. I think most would agree Bateman at his best is a much better footballer than Porter. Its Benjis job to get the best out of him. Plus i dont want to pay money for a player to play for manly.
Buttface
Well-known member
Someone has hijacked our club, and I like it.
Uncle Nick is ringing the police union now to ask how much more does he need to donate to get rid of Richo.
yeahcaz
Well-known member
He’s absolute dogwater 😂 let’s in 3 times as many tries as he scores and cant stay fit. Should be nowhere near our best 17 if we’re serious
Kaito
Well-known member
Injured all of last year, his preferred side. I see the merit
upthetigers
Well-known member
It wasn't that long ago that we were chasing Horsbra hard we did alot better timing and luck is everything we bloody deserve it
yeahcaz
Well-known member
I don’t. In a poor defensive side he is absolutely horrific. A wrestle session between him and Faatape would go on for days
Bula
Well-known member
Like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles playing tennis.
Api is fantastic but can't do it on his own.
Ice never really wanted to come & to be honest played his best footy once he had signed elsewhere.
Bateman no comment required.
This is different we have a actual 7, first time in 11 years to guide us around the park.
Wing - I don't think is an issue this year at all.
Centre - Yes hopefully we have someone stand up otherwise it will be Makasini. So problem solved there.
Lock - I think we will be okay. May can play huge minutes. Based on today's BTR, Matamua looking the goods. We will be able to cover with the middles we have on the books & Latu as smoky 14 ball playing middle if the game permits.
2nd Row - Yes, similar to the centre spot hopefully someone stands up. I do find it odd the Bateman talk has stopped. Maybe he pulls his head in... Doubt it. I would say this is our main target for 2026 & I believe Teig Wilton is the obvious choice. Off contract at the Sharks, John Morris's nephew & behind Niokora & Talaki as starting back row.
Bench Prop - Move than covered now.
weststigerman
Well-known member
I’d love to know why everyone is so convinced Turuva is going to be any better than To’a in defence.
I think he’ll end up back on the wing after a few rounds leaving that right centre spot up for grabs.
I think he’ll end up back on the wing after a few rounds leaving that right centre spot up for grabs.
upthetigers
Well-known member
That wouldn't be the worst thing if it happened he is a good finisher and we are light on genuine first grade wingers.
weststigerman
Well-known member
I agree. I think he’s a winger. We’re also light on first grade centres though.
cochise
Well-known member
He started 2023 really well, went to England and was terrible when he came back.
