Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Mate we all would like to bring in a gun right side 2nd rower have mentioned it in earlier posts do you think Bateman was the answer from outside who would you think is the answer.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Bateman was better than any other options we're left with.
We were short there already, have let go the 2 starters from last year and the blind faith in Seyfarth doing the job to NRL standard I'm not swallowing.
Blokes like Jack Williams went to Parra to play behind blokes - We've got no one....
A fella like Taane Milne played in 2nd row in the Internationals to a higher level I've ever seen Tumeth or Sukkar play to...
They'd be out there - Fataila-Mariner went to the Dragons on a dime last year and was one of their best Players.
From outside, I don't know what they're looking for - Don't care to be fair,
But they need something, And we're running out of time...
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Still months before the season Tyrell signing fell from nowhere luck on our side a 2nd rower comes on to the market Milne suggestion interesting if he can work on the brainfarts has enough aggression.
hank37w
Well-known member
Well the internationals weren't real good for us so I guess we just have to make do with what we currently have.
Over to you Richo to sort that one out.
Magpies1969
Well-known member
I wasn't suggesting Sione was a like for like replacement for ICE but he has left. I would have made him stay for the duration of his contact as WT have a better team in 2025.
Milnes gone to the SL Mate,
Could have come here and Probably been our Best Centre and 2nd Best Back Rower.
(Based on his games last year)
Replaces your Nadens, Toas' etc.
Bigger output - Less money....
Anyway, Not really an option
- But just a name that would certainly be an upgrade and better than the nothing we've signed...
Probably Zak Hosking. With Hudson Young locked in on one side and competing with the young Pom Nicholson for the other spot. Probably surplus to needs long term at Canberra with the 2 forementioned and Noah Martin coming through. Worth enquiring with Raiders but Hosking currently contracted for 2 more years there.
Players free to negotiate for 26 that perhaps could get an early release:
Shaun Lane. Experienced backrower who was one of the better performed backrowers in 2023. Underperformed in an injury ravaged season in 24 and moved to the middle. May be keen to be a starting backrower rather than a bench middle.
Tallis Duncan: Im not as high on him as the rest of the rugby league world is TBH but his progress has stalled the last couple years at Souths. Meanwhile they've recruited backrowers Aitken and Schuster whilst Murray has a mortgage on one spot (be it lock or edge) and Kaloamatangi and Arrow being possibilities on an edge (or middle).
Dylan Egan. Impeccable junior resume and a standout in NSW Cup but yet to play first grade. Doubtful he will leave Dragons at this point in his career and would suggest simply waiting to show his ability in firsts before negotiating his next contract.
Others id enquire about (but not permitted to negotiate):
Oryn Keeley. Arguably the best back rower in QCup last year. Dolphins have recruited over the top of him in Finefuiaki. Still likely to be behind Lemuelu and a fit again Gilbert for minutes. A central coast boy who may want to move back closer to home. May be harder to convince Dolphins to release given they've some ageing forwards due to come off the books in the near future.
Siua Wong. Was touted as a future superstar backrower. Was tried there in first grade but moved to the front row mid last season. May want a change of clubs if he believes he is better suited to the backrow. Again may be difficult to convince Roosters to release given they've already lost a couple of forwards.
Now i doubt we'd actually get any of these blokes to be perfectly honest. But, it's just my 'suggestions' list.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
The club has gotta go looking. Not every player is going to fall in their lap like May did. They have to manoeuvre, wheel and deal, be pro active.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
That list shows there's possibilities out there and probably more hidden gems just need to jag one.
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Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Shore Richo is doing so
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
There’s no evidence of that. Just blind faith.
clontarfkid
Well-known member
2nd row is a serious defiency ...BEDFORE we have injuriies
Its an unusually poor recruitment/retention dynamic from Richo et al
Can understand Batemens departure..serious .impasse with Benji and one had to go.....Gotta support the coach..I get it..sort of
Ice..I have no idea..wasnt at his very hbest for WTs,but u cld see his capability,particularly towards the end.Guessing again it was a Benji thing.,who just didt motivate him....and its just that,a guess...because he took less $$ to go to Panthers
Still a chance at the spoon unless we get more x factor upfront
Its an unusually poor recruitment/retention dynamic from Richo et al
Can understand Batemens departure..serious .impasse with Benji and one had to go.....Gotta support the coach..I get it..sort of
Ice..I have no idea..wasnt at his very hbest for WTs,but u cld see his capability,particularly towards the end.Guessing again it was a Benji thing.,who just didt motivate him....and its just that,a guess...because he took less $$ to go to Panthers
Still a chance at the spoon unless we get more x factor upfront
I think people are looking at the options we have and making suggestions based on that. No one has suggested any of those options have anything other than potential.
We’d all love to sign a top level 2nd rower, but unless you have one tied up in your closet that you can pull out for us there aren’t too many available.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
what evidence would satisfy you before someone actually signs?
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
You doubt he has the ability hard to make judgement outside looking in he has enough experience surely.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
You would think. I also would have hoped he wouldn’t have been so lax with our coaching staff this season as well.
We had 2 tied up under contract....
I don't disagree with letting them go,
I do disagree with letting them go with nothing in the Squad to replace them, and signing nothing
coming in on the back of them.
Been lots of 2nd Rower Options Since we lost Ice in May, And Bateman in July.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
I think he was pissed with the spoon bowl result and Benji will need to produce wins next season or pressure will be on.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Unless something happens to fall out of a tree ala T May, we will have to manufacture a second rower from what we have within or coming up.
Sam Fainu was bought to us as a middle irrc and we manufactured him on the edge out of necessity. People are merely bringing up names from within because thats what we have to work with at this stage. Our centre stocks are similar but not as critical imo
I don't believe anyone really thinks Seyfarth, Sione Tim Jo, Bird, Sukkar, Tumeth ect are the long term answers in the 2nd row, but thats where we are at this minute.
Sam Fainu was bought to us as a middle irrc and we manufactured him on the edge out of necessity. People are merely bringing up names from within because thats what we have to work with at this stage. Our centre stocks are similar but not as critical imo
I don't believe anyone really thinks Seyfarth, Sione Tim Jo, Bird, Sukkar, Tumeth ect are the long term answers in the 2nd row, but thats where we are at this minute.
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
I would keep a spot for Young May if his case is not guilty , he would be a gun back for us , second row is a drama , but Bird and I think Tim could cover it , Seyfarth again off the pine as he was very good last season
