Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

Anyone seen enough of him to say if he could play second row?

He is definitely fast and agile enough to become a very good edge forward, whether or not he’s smart enough to run good lines and hold up his end defensively is the million dollar question.
I believe our right edge will initially be a contest between Jack Bird and Alex Seyfarth, but would not be surprised if someone like Tim Johanssen is worked on to add further competition.
Tony Sukkar and Brandon Tumeth the others to provide further depth and it’s not impossible that either one of them have an extremely strong off season and throw their hat in the ring.

 

[jadtiger]

Chasing Gina Rinehart? That's an image I won't be able to shift outta my head!

Not pleasant is it?

 

[Demps]

Does he want the lock position? I was under the impression he was coming across as a centre.

He has openly said he wants to be lock.

I'm sure he's capable, skills wise.
Just I think he offers more value as the utility.

 

[Canadian Club]

All this premature Tim Johannssen hype reminds me of all the premature Alex Lobb hype last off-season.

 

[Savvy]

I liked @jrtiger suggestion of Bird at 17.
A really well rounded utility option for the bench, can almost play anywhere.

I know he wants the lock position but I think his value to the team is his ability to play anywhere when needed.

Tim Johannsen a smokey for forcing his way into the 17 and making a name for himself.

I agree with Bird and Johannsen but I also think TDS will improve again with a regular 20mins. The way API plays and his age, it’s essential that we don’t play him for 80.
I’m also super excited to see what Makasini can do when he pushes his way into the NRL side.
Good times

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

All this premature Tim Johannssen hype reminds me of all the premature Alex Lobb hype last off-season.

He is a park footballer for gods sake

 

[Go_You_Good_Things]

How many games were we in with Brooks and lacked the killer instinct to win those games. We now have that killer instinct. Buckle up fellas we are going on a run like the dogs and knights but all the way!!

I'm sure @Winston Churchill will agree with me haha

You just have to admire the enthusiasm of a plot hatched in the shed. Good times.

 

[Demps]

I agree with Bird and Johannsen but I also think TDS will improve again with a regular 20mins. The way API plays and his age, it’s essential that we don’t play him for 80.
I’m also super excited to see what Makasini can do when he pushes his way into the NRL side.
Good times

I'm a big fan of TDS.

He will have a very important role for us, moving forward.

Specialist hooker for the bench, giving Api a spell.

Latu is another option, if we wanted a utility to play 9 and other positions.

I'd be giving Tallyn the jersey though.

 

[Fish88]

Toa’s biggest problem (much like most of our squad) is fitness. For a centre the dude is gassed after 15 mins. This contributes to poor defence and errors. He has some ability but he’s way too unfit.

Bit of Tommy Talau about him. Get him super fit and we may see something from him

 

[Tito Santana]

Yeah, nah!
Toa has shown nothing but 2-3 half decent game and one great game in what 3 years.

Actually he is pretty shit isn’t he?

Fire him to.

Hopefully he’s not too fit and we can breach his contract.

 

[jadtiger]

All this premature Tim Johannssen hype reminds me of all the premature Alex Lobb hype last off-season.

Not the same at all because Johansen did show something when he played FG in his short spell and in reggies,Lobb showed nothing at the Dragons or in reserve grade here to get enthused about.Lobb is young and it may happen but he is slow and it is hard to see him being a success even in reggies

 

[Bula]

I rate Toa - he’s been unlucky in that he’s never had great halves, defending with bad wingers and been seriously unlucky with injury. Word is that he’s pretty much always had something niggling.

He’s my pick for next season to really come good on promise - at his best he’s better than Deouhi, Olam, Faatape etc Just needs to get come consistent football outside some decent players.

If you watch Toa live he is the most low energy disinterested player on the field. If he had pockets he would have his hands in them. Wanders around like an eight year old on scabbo duty.

 

[bbobb]

I reckon we will not enter the market again for a period. We already have some very good signings, and I am expecting that with the focus on higher standards and culture that the preseason will expose a some “gold nuggets” from within the current playing ranks will become NRL quality.
My picks are Timmy J, Tony Sukkar and maybe Matamua (based on brief comments from Richo’s podcast).

 

[Buttface]

People won't like it...but the best goal kicker at the club might be Doueihi,

He’s not.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Prince being the main one, just like Luai.

IMHO, the addition of LaFranchi, Prince, Hadgson, Whaitura, Richards, Payton and Farah/Marshall second-year, and especially Lafranchi/Payton at props and the new spine Hodgson/Marshall/Prince were brilliant moves by Sheens.

 

[user118245]

Not the same at all because Johansen did show something when he played FG in his short spell and in reggies,Lobb showed nothing at the Dragons or in reserve grade here to get enthused about.Lobb is young and it may happen but he is slow and it is hard to see him being a success even in reggies

Was Lobb not the dragons cup player of the year?

 

[Buttface]

I liked @jrtiger suggestion of Bird at 17.
A really well rounded utility option for the bench, can almost play anywhere.

I know he wants the lock position but I think his value to the team is his ability to play anywhere when needed.

Tim Johannsen a smokey for forcing his way into the 17 and making a name for himself.

Has bird played much hooker?
Yeah big Scarlett, I’m hoping has a break out year.

 

[jadtiger]

Was Lobb not the dragons cup player of the year?

To be honest i have no idea on that but a couple of dragon supporters i know said he was terrible and they were glad he was leaving.I also saw him play for the dragons in reggies and he was not good and unfortunately that form continues with us.He may improve but somehow i doubt it

 

[boonboon]

Toa for mine was our best outside back in 2023 and played well all year with a few absolute standout games, injury cursed him in 2024 but Benji had him back in FG every time he came back. Will be our starting centre and will have a great year.

 

[Kelce68]

I liked @jrtiger suggestion of Bird at 17.
A really well rounded utility option for the bench, can almost play anywhere.

I know he wants the lock position but I think his value to the team is his ability to play anywhere when needed.

Tim Johannsen a smokey for forcing his way into the 17 and making a name for himself.

The thing with Bird is, you can still access his utility value by playing him in the starting 13, allowing you to carry more options on the bench.

If he was to start at lock or edge and someone goes down, he can still cover centre/halves and have someone backfill his pack spot for the rest of the match.

That would still allow you a carry a TDS, Latu or the likes on the bench.

I think that makes us a bit more of a multiple-threat option than running Bird strictly as the utility on the bench. It also means we can run three forwards and a true 14, instead of two forwards, a 14 and another utility in Bird.

Probably semantics, but something to consider.