Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

There are at least 3 Sydney based teams showing interest in Cobb .. ?? who wants to play with fullback or centres .. ?? U have gotta reckon 2 of those clubs are the Rorters and the Dogs .. would we be the 3rd club .. anyone want him here to play in the centres .. ??
 
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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.
My 2026 targets: KPP/Wilton, Staggs, ty munroe or taylan may

Internally Seyfarth and dependant on this year, matamua while working on a trade for feledy
 
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.
I just can't agree with this, he has extremely poor defensive reads and for a big guy gets bumped off one on one far too easily. When he does get beaten he flatly refuses to turn around and chase and just jogs along slowly in the background, there is zero urgency from him.

There are many times tries are scored after a break due to his lack of effort getting back into the defensive line.

This has been an issue for a long time, he talks a good game but just doesn't have the commitment and desire for NRL level.
 

TIGERS SET TO POACH YOUNG GUN

The Tigers have plenty of good young halves in their ranks and are set to poach another one from the Dragons' junior ranks.

Levi Valesini is only 18 but has already played first grade against grown men for Albion Park in the Illawarra league.

The teenager had a ground-breaking year in 2024 - he was named Group 7 under 18 player of the year and also Illawarra South Coast Laurie Daley Cup MVP.

He's in talks with the joint venture and is likely to start next season playing for Wests Magpies in the SG Ball Cup.

"Levi is a real prospect and there has been plenty of interest in him," his manager Pierre Tannous told Wide World of Sports.
Any news on?
 
I just can't agree with this, he has extremely poor defensive reads and for a big guy gets bumped off one on one far too easily. When he does get beaten he flatly refuses to turn around and chase and just jogs along slowly in the background, there is zero urgency from him.

There are many times tries are scored after a break due to his lack of effort getting back into the defensive line.

This has been an issue for a long time, he talks a good game but just doesn't have the commitment and desire for NRL level.
That's a fair assessment too.

I don't remember this being an issue prior to 2024, at least not at the level we have now.

I still believe better players around poor defenders, with an emphasis of removing the hero-ball mentality, would disguise the issue.

It's not as if every club has 17 great defenders on the field at any one time. You just can't have 5 guys manning one side of the field all playing different defensive reads, as it often feels like.
 
That's a fair assessment too.

I don't remember this being an issue prior to 2024, at least not at the level we have now.

I still believe better players around poor defenders, with an emphasis of removing the hero-ball mentality, would disguise the issue.

It's not as if every club has 17 great defenders on the field at any one time. You just can't have 5 guys manning one side of the field all playing different defensive reads, as it often feels like.
It's been a pet peeve of mine for a while lol. We played Canberra a couple of years ago and was beaten on about the 20 as Canberra did a shift from their own half. He really good have chased hard and possibly helped save a try but just didn't put in the effort.

I can cop guys missing tackle or getting a read wrong, I don't like when they don't chase to fix that error.
 
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.
Wouldn’t it be funny if we have moved on, now Madge needs the cap space for Hunt and we say no too late. Hetherington will be one unhappy camper, and that isn’t good for team morale. I hope the Broncos crash and burn
 
It’s up to Doueihi to change people’s opinion of him.

His lateral defence was not good enough in the centres this year. Was that to do with his injury? No idea, maybe he’ll be better next year, maybe he never will.

If he’s doing medicals with the Dragons you’d think he’s on the way out eventually.
 
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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 defdefence
My biggest issue with AD are his injuries, which are just bad luck. The bloke just can't stay on the field and it's a terrible return on investment.
 
AD may benefit from having competition for FG. Any delusions he had about being our main man are well and truly gone, and there will be no place for him without significant improvement in his attitude to addressing his weaknesses.
 
There are at least 3 Sydney based teams showing interest in Cobb .. ?? who wants to play with fullback or centres .. ?? U have gotta reckon 2 of those clubs are the Rorters and the Dogs .. would we be the 3rd club .. anyone want him here to play in the centres .. ??
Nope. He makes a good winger. Where’s he gunna go mud crabbing in Campbelltown? Same reason I won’t live there.
Staggs is their centre I want.
 
AD may benefit from having competition for FG. Any delusions he had about being our main man are well and truly gone, and there will be no place for him without significant improvement in his attitude to addressing his weaknesses.

That is the best case scenario,however is he prepared to attempt to do so or just take the easy way out and sign elsewhere?
 
I just can't agree with this, he has extremely poor defensive reads and for a big guy gets bumped off one on one far too easily. When he does get beaten he flatly refuses to turn around and chase and just jogs along slowly in the background, there is zero urgency from him.

There are many times tries are scored after a break due to his lack of effort getting back into the defensive line.

This has been an issue for a long time, he talks a good game but just doesn't have the commitment and desire for NRL level.

Then follows it up with mutilple press conferences stating how much he hates defending.
EVERY opposition player knows he hates getting in front, And only turns up when we're on the front foot.
Could be one of the best Lock / Backrowers in the game - Just doesn't want it enough...
 
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There are at least 3 Sydney based teams showing interest in Cobb .. ?? who wants to play with fullback or centres .. ?? U have gotta reckon 2 of those clubs are the Rorters and the Dogs .. would we be the 3rd club .. anyone want him here to play in the centres .. ??
Sharks maybe.
 
It's been a pet peeve of mine for a while lol. We played Canberra a couple of years ago and was beaten on about the 20 as Canberra did a shift from their own half. He really good have chased hard and possibly helped save a try but just didn't put in the effort.

I can cop guys missing tackle or getting a read wrong, I don't like when they don't chase to fix that error.
Likewise. It used to annoy me to no end when commentators and half this forum would bang on about him being our best player back in 2021. Even then his defensive commitment/effort just wasn't there. In attack, which he got all his praise for, his highlight reel was good but he was selfish with the ball.
 
It’s up to Doueihi to change people’s opinion of him.

His lateral defence was not good enough in the centres this year. Was that to do with his injury? No idea, maybe he’ll be better next year, maybe he never will.

If he’s doing medicals with the Dragons you’d think he’s on the way out eventually.
I didn’t realise Douehi was doing medivals with the Dragons. I’d only heard of Ilias
 

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