Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Telltails]

100%.

He's so bad for culture.

If he isnt captain, the alpha dog, everyone praising him -- he just throws his toys out of the cot.

Exactly like Robbie was.

Staunch lebbos man -- they're either the best thing in the world when everything is going right for them OR the worst thing in the world when it isnt.

Now that AD is only on $350K for a year -- and with Luai and Galvin and May and others there now -- he's so far down the pecking order -- he could either try really hard to prove them wrong (which i think he will do) BUT as soon as things go wrong, he'll fold and be like "You wanted these other guys over me and look how bad it is with them".

Nothing like Robbie

 

[Shoes]

I am unable to read this but the headline would suggest that Canterbury are out of the Hunt race and that the Broncos are now favourites…. Implications for the Tigers?

 

[JB9918]

The only real implication is maybe just maybe the Roosters look at Douiehi or a stretch Sullivan.

Chooks are down Walker & Smith to mid year.

Watson can play 9 but they only have Chad Townsend & Sandon Smith as recognized halves. They have also lost Sualili & Manu in the centres.

Douiehi provides a fair bit of coverage for them.

Besides that Hunt doesn't really affect us.

 

[vlad]

I am unable to read this but the headline would suggest that Canterbury are out of the Hunt race and that the Broncos are now favourites…. Implications for the Tigers?

Yes Broncos now in the box seat for Hunt but they need to make room in their cap so may be forced to release Kobe Hetherington

 

[user118245]

Yes Broncos now in the box seat for Hunt but they need to make room in their cap so may be forced to release Kobe Hetherington

Or we land staggs or cobbo 2026. Always something that can happen, most the time it doesn’t tho

 

[hsvjones]

I am unable to read this but the headline would suggest that Canterbury are out of the Hunt race and that the Broncos are now favourites…. Implications for the Tigers?

and as expected the Dogs come out and say they are not interested anymore and withdrawing. Which actually means he has knocked them back and they are trying to save face.. 😆 😆

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Yes Broncos now in the box seat for Hunt but they need to make room in their cap so may be forced to release Kobe Hetherington

I get the feeling we have completely moved on. Richo's comments to me sounded like we were planning on signing one of Horsburgh or Hetherington and they both agreed at different points in time. But the clubs bailed and we got May instead. I think the chase was only ever after 1 middle and the media might have beat it up to think we were signing more. I would expect Sione Fainu is now the next priority for a Top 30 contract.

 

[Tim Sheens]

The part that really gets me is he will get beat but then won't even chase to make up for it. He just jogs in the background.

Yet Doueihi has shown the effort plus pace to run a speedster down and nail him. Only once from my memory, still, the fact that he can when he wants to makes his otherwise general lack of defensive effort even worse.

He is a versatile backup, so a keeper on less than the cap average, but not unhappy to see the back of him if a better candidate is available.

 

[cochise]

Yet Doueihi has shown the effort plus pace to run a speedster down and nail him. Only once from my memory, still, the fact that he can when he wants to makes his otherwise general lack of defensive effort even worse.

Exactly this.

 

[Tcat]

and as expected the Dogs come out and say they are not interested anymore and withdrawing. Which actually means he has knocked them back and they are trying to save face.. 😆 😆

Ciraldo maybe isn't the be all and end all of coaches that some people make him out to be.

 

[orange&black]

I think Bird’s time at centre may be past, however his years spent in that position on the field make him a good option for an edge back row. I see him as the replacement for Bateman if he doesn’t end up as a lock.
Our centre options are currently Olam, Toa, Faataape, AD, Turuva (although I can’t see it). Certainly our weakest position in the squad especially if Olam doesn’t improve greatly.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Richo’s next big play is for a quality centre down the track.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

if he finds the mongrel that we crave from him then he is the best option we have to play lock. his technical skill is elite.

problem is that can’t be coached. it has to come from within.

Matamua was an absolute standout nsw u/19s , and prodigy junior .. when he put weight on he seemed to struggle with the pace of the game in all areas.. if he can get his fitness right and find a bit of agggro he could be anything

 

[weststigerman]

I get the feeling we have completely moved on. Richo's comments to me sounded like we were planning on signing one of Horsburgh or Hetherington and they both agreed at different points in time. But the clubs bailed and we got May instead. I think the chase was only ever after 1 middle and the media might have beat it up to think we were signing more. I would expect Sione Fainu is now the next priority for a Top 30 contract.

I think the same. We’re obviously having trouble opening up roster spots so I don’t know how we fit Hetherington in.

 

[user118245]

I think Bird’s time at centre may be past, however his years spent in that position on the field make him a good option for an edge back row. I see him as the replacement for Bateman if he doesn’t end up as a lock.
Our centre options are currently Olam, Toa, Faataape, AD, Turuva (although I can’t see it). Certainly our weakest position in the squad especially if Olam doesn’t improve greatly.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Richo’s next big play is for a quality centre down the track.

Apparently 2/3 Sydney clubs have chatted to cobbo’s management 🫢👀

 

[jrtiger]

I think the same. We’re obviously having trouble opening up roster spots so I don’t know how we fit Hetherington in.

furthermore, we’ve got enough middle forwards on the roster.

it’s time to chase backrowers.

 

[The Chad]

Yet Doueihi has shown the effort plus pace to run a speedster down and nail him. Only once from my memory, still, the fact that he can when he wants to makes his otherwise general lack of defensive effort even worse.

He is a versatile backup, so a keeper on less than the cap average, but not unhappy to see the back of him if a better candidate is available.

Not just any speedster.

Tommy T.

I think there is a bias against Doueihi- not completely undeserved- on this forum, where his failings get exaggerated & his abilities overlooked.

Is he a poor defender? Yes. But, so was every member of the side he defended on. I don't remember the board going into meltdown over his defence 2-3 years ago.

His metres-per-game AFTER returning from his 3rd knee injury are superior to every other centre option we played.

Not sure what side Luai/Galvin will defend. But, if Doueihi plays on the side that has Luai, Bird & Turuva, I expect his defensive failings will not be as highlighted. If Bird is playing #13, then Seyfarth or Bateman are out that side- both are good defensive players as well.

Our poor 2024 defence wasn't due to 1 bad defender. It was a collective of terrible defensive reads & players feeling like they had to produce heroics to save the day.

Put it this way- Doueihi's WORST defensive plays were running between attacking players hoping for an intercept. When he stayed in line- he was an effective defender. The club needs to remove the hero-play in defence.

 

[orange&black]

Apparently 2/3 Sydney clubs have chatted to cobbo’s management 🫢👀

Would prefer Staggs personally. Cobbo seems to have some consistency issues, even though when he’s on he is elite.
Staggs is a beast pretty much all of the time and is a quality defender at centre.

 

[The Chad]

furthermore, we’ve got enough middle forwards on the roster.

it’s time to chase backrowers.

I would imagine our 2025 signings are pretty much done. The club will probably manufacture depth in the second row through Seyfarth, Bird & maybe Sione Fainu/Kit Lualili'i while having the likes of Tumeth, Sukkar etc in reserve.

2026, however, I would target a second rower for sure.

 

[user118245]

Would prefer Staggs personally. Cobbo seems to have some consistency issues, even though when he’s on he is elite.
Staggs is a beast pretty much all of the time and is a quality defender at centre.

I agree, either is an upgrade tho. Also would think staggs would be a bit cheaper

 

[The Chad]

Apparently 2/3 Sydney clubs have chatted to cobbo’s management 🫢👀

Reckon Richo would see a certain amount of young G.I. in Cobbo.

Cobbo & Makasini as the future centre combination....wow.