Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Needaname]

I'd prefer we chase another backrower too, but the club can't afford to upset the Fainus by bringing in someone else in on top of Sione again. naturally therefore the next available place in the 30 goes to him.

wouldn't surprise me if it's Saukuru that's on the block. copped a breach notice early in preseason and is still struggling for fitness. his dad's also left the club.

That’s fair, we seem to be keeping all the boys from that 22 HM that stood out due to attitude not ability.
Not to say the ones whom remain aren’t a talented bunch in their own right.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.

Yep I have a feeling Tim Johannssen would be a revelation in the backrow. I know @jrtiger strongly believes middle is his future but I just have one of those gut feels that this guy is a winner & would adapt like a duck to water with his attributes physically, in fitness & effort, and voice. Just a feel I have lol

 

[Tom Shines]

I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.

Yeah - im leaning that the most likely scenario is someone already on the team has been earmarked for the spot …. Hopefully whoever it is can pull it off … probably the biggest question mark in the starting 13…

 

[batboy]

Touch above? He be.paying 300k at least..wed pay 350k most likely

Considering the likes of Tumeth are costing us 150k+
And you won't get anything that you'd consider playing in NRL for under 200k
So yeah.... A Touch.

 

[bptiger 0]

John Bateman released from Wests Tigers to join Cowboys on two-year deal | Market Watch

David Riccio - December 18, 2024 - 10:50AM

John Bateman has played his last game for the Wests Tigers with the English International set to be released with two years remaining on his contract to join the Cowboys.

North Queensland management are poised to sign Bateman on a two-year deal for 2025 and 2026 that will be offset by the Wests Tigers paying a large portion of the deal.

Bateman’s exit from the Wests Tigers after two seasons and 32 first grade appearances has emerged in the wake of head coach Benji Marshall’s staunch denial of a reported rift between him and the English International.

Bateman had intended to resume training with the Wests Tigers at the conclusion of his annual leave in January.

However, the Cowboys are eager for Bateman to commence pre-season training as soon as possible in a bid to both acclimatise to the Townsville weather conditions, but also build a winning connection with his new teammates.

The Cowboys are firm believers the 31-year-old will add a much-needed toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, those talks fell over, when the Cowboys showed serious interest.

Although contributing heavily to Bateman’s new contract at the Cowboys, his exit will allow the Wests Tigers to create an extra spot in their 2025 roster to promote one of several talented players into their top-30.

I like ur write up , but please name the several talented players , because on this years efforts I think ur blowing wind

 

[Tom Shines]

Yep I have a feeling Tim Johannssen would be a revelation in the backrow. I know @jrtiger strongly believes middle is his future but I just have one of those gut feels that this guy is a winner & would adapt like a duck to water with his attributes physically, in fitness & effort, and voice. Just a feel I have lol

this would be a dream result! Unfortunately I think he is another 12 months of hard work away

 

[Spartan117]

Loving the Richo era.

 

[Spartan117]

John Bateman released from Wests Tigers to join Cowboys on two-year deal | Market Watch

David Riccio - December 18, 2024 - 10:50AM

John Bateman has played his last game for the Wests Tigers with the English International set to be released with two years remaining on his contract to join the Cowboys.

North Queensland management are poised to sign Bateman on a two-year deal for 2025 and 2026 that will be offset by the Wests Tigers paying a large portion of the deal.

Bateman’s exit from the Wests Tigers after two seasons and 32 first grade appearances has emerged in the wake of head coach Benji Marshall’s staunch denial of a reported rift between him and the English International.

Bateman had intended to resume training with the Wests Tigers at the conclusion of his annual leave in January.

However, the Cowboys are eager for Bateman to commence pre-season training as soon as possible in a bid to both acclimatise to the Townsville weather conditions, but also build a winning connection with his new teammates.

The Cowboys are firm believers the 31-year-old will add a much-needed toughness to their forward pack, while also proving a valuable mentor to the club’s talented batch of younger forwards including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame.

South Sydney had been considering signing Bateman on the basis of his elite-level experience, hard-nosed mentality and likelihood that the Wests Tigers would contribute to a large portion of his salary.

However, those talks fell over, when the Cowboys showed serious interest.

Although contributing heavily to Bateman’s new contract at the Cowboys, his exit will allow the Wests Tigers to create an extra spot in their 2025 roster to promote one of several talented players into their top-30.

As a courtesy to the original creator.

Please include the source and Link.

 

[batboy]

I just have one of those gut feels that this guy is a winner

Played 21 games and they came a long last....
Far too early for anyone to say he's much of anything for mine,
But - We hold out hope, as we do with most of our options.

 

[jrtiger]

I think it would depend who falls from the trees. If it was a Teig Wilton type or another experienced effort type then definitely. I don't think we'd recruit young & risk blocking the pathway for the likes of Godinet, Duncombe, Broederlow, Taotua, even Sukkar.

I'm sure the club wouldn't stand in the way if Saukuru, Tumeth, Naden found another club but that's been the issue hey - no club seems to want them for top 30 and they are not going to leave for anything less unless it was through multiple breaches.

a two year deal for a first grade-ready backrower is the logical move for all parties. Ethan Bullemor is probably the ideal candidate. I'm also pretty keen on Simi Sasagi.

means we aren't blooding any of the above too early. Sukkar's the furthest down the development path of those you mentioned and even he hasn't done a full year on an edge in Cup. that's what he needs in 2025.

in regards to the lower-end players you mentioned leaving, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a few teams that come knocking in January. the club seemed fairly confident that would happen. Staines and Naden would probably field a few offers.

 

[Tito Santana]

a two year deal for a first grade-ready backrower is the logical move for all parties. Ethan Bullemor is probably the ideal candidate. I'm also pretty keen on Simi Sasagi.

means we aren't blooding any of the above too early. Sukkar's the furthest down the development path of those you mentioned and even he hasn't done a full year on an edge in Cup. that's what he needs in 2025.

in regards to the lower-end players you mentioned leaving, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a few teams that come knocking in January. the club seemed fairly confident that would happen. Staines and Naden would probably field a few offers.

Is Bullemor available? I’d take him.

 

[Kaito]

I guess we'll see how good the coaching staff actually is... We can't sign every player to be superstars sometimes you need a bit of coaching to develop a player internally & actually get something out of them. Who it could be I'm not sure but hopefully someone can step up to the challenge.

Indeed bro, and now with Bateman off the books
that is probably our last chance to blame Sheens
for a bunch of shit. Be a good coach please Benji

 

[jrtiger]

Is Bullemor available? I’d take him.

not sure about 2025 mate, but he's a free agent for the year after.

 

[Tom Shines]

a two year deal for a first grade-ready backrower is the logical move for all parties. Ethan Bullemor is probably the ideal candidate. I'm also pretty keen on Simi Sasagi.

means we aren't blooding any of the above too early. Sukkar's the furthest down the development path of those you mentioned and even he hasn't done a full year on an edge in Cup. that's what he needs in 2025.

in regards to the lower-end players you mentioned leaving, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a few teams that come knocking iStaines and Naden would probably field a few offers.

Someone will take on Naden ….im pretty confident ..might not be until March/April though when he only has about $200- 250k left on his contract… I think the WT might hang onto Staines one more year …I don’t mind him as depth for wing/ fullback considering other guys like Mason and Luke are very young still

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

As a courtesy to the original creator.

Please include the source and Link.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/john-bateman-released-from-wests-tigers-to-join-cowboys-on-twoyear-deal-market-watch/news-story/8d29265debf60209105d9cfe74edef2c

 

[Roar_Power]

I’m sure the Bateman move hasn’t blindsided anybody right ? It’s been on the cards since the moment he got on the plane to go back to the UK…


what are you suggesting for 2025?

I would assume at this late stage that they are going to hope that one shakes loose somewhere ..a similar “strategy” that got them May …

I wouldn’t suggest though that this is a foolproof plan so if this doesn’t happen expect a dose of Seyfarth and perhaps someone else already on the roster …

Yeah, I'm not keen on wasting the spot just simply to acquire this position of need but there is always movement in the background....and without any intel, I reckon Richo already has his eye on/ spoken to potential candidates. Those teams with a salary cap squeeze - maybe Broncos or Knights might do us a favour (and vice versa).

 

[Roar_Power]

Someone will take on Naden ….im pretty confident ..might not be until March/April though when he only has about $200- 250k left on his contract… I think the WT might hang onto Staines one more year …I don’t mind him as depth for wing/ fullback considering other guys like Mason and Luke are very young still

I am not sure that Staines sees himself as a back-up. Reckon he will look for greener pastures at the end of his contract.

 

[weststigers]

For what? For who? (Please don't tell me a reserve grade middle forward who's got brothers in the squad)
Everyone else has squads full of good Back Rowers - We have 1 now....

I'm not against it in principle.....
But the squad was short good backrowers, and we gave up 2 of our better ones.
I hope / assume there's a plan....

But Seyfarth and Sione better not be it.

The same argument was being thrown around when Stefano left. Weeks later we had May.

Hold tight. More to come.

 

[2041]

He's getting an International Back Rower for a touch above minimum contract....
there's a bone involved, But it's being given - not thrown.

"International back rower". Dear god the semantic lengths people will go to to make it sound like Bateman is anything other than dead weight on a roster are hilarious.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Bud Sullivan instagram deactivated, think announcement must be imminent

I reckon one very important spot we have to fill for next season if/when Bud departs is a NSW Cup halfback. I am serious that it's important.

Thinking that Latu Fainu will play his natural 5/8 position but probably given scope to be the main field kicker to develop this part of his game. Plus some posters have mentioned that Doeuihi likely to focus on centre.

The only options from within that Aaron Payne could look at James Valevatu or if he's ready to step up from Flegg Max Liles who is training with Cup this pre-season as part of his development.

Valevatu provides effort & leadership and likely to miss his favoured hooker position with Tristan Hope, Kobie Wilson, Bailey Hodges (and TDS at times) in the mix.

Liles is a smokey and was very good for Flegg at the back-end of last season, brings a bit of game management & kicking game but lacks in experience.

I wonder if we would go down the path of bringing back Brandon Wakeham just on a Cup deal to be our full-time halfback in Cup for his game management, kicking game & experience. Managed by Tartak too.

Thoughts?