Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[liltiger]

Manly look like signing DCE for another year. Crazy how the game is evolving so much that halves are playing till their mid to late 30’s. DCE reminds me a lot of Cam Smith where he could play in a dinner suit. Makes it look so easy.

Not knocking DCE, he is a fantastic player, I guess the N.R.L protecting halves is working in helping them prolong their careers.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

For the club last year he had the:

• The most tries
• The most line break assists
• The most meters ran
• The most kick return meters (13th in the comp)
• The most player in support runs (equal 9th in the comp)
• The most kicks defused (equal 3rd in comp)
• Second most tackle breaks
• Third most line breaks

....plus he saved more than a few tries. This was all from 21 games.
He wasnt excellent, Id love to see more receipts, more passing, more try assists and less errors, but he earned his money IMO.

Stats are good Tuck but he's just missing something in attack for mine be it backline injection or reads, just can't put my finger on it.

 

[Tucker]

Stats are good Tuck but he's just missing something in attack for mine be it backline injection or reads, just can't put my finger on it.

I think its his receipts. He doesnt touch the ball enough. you look at all the top modern fullbacks...very busy, always looking to create an advantage. He sits back a bit too much for mine. If he had Galvin's attitude...my god.

 

[Vicious]

Stats are good Tuck but he's just missing something in attack for mine be it backline injection or reads, just can't put my finger on it.

I’ve been a big critic of his, but his game against the Cowboys at Leichhardt was of the elite standard we are looking for, so I’m hopeful he can repeat that on a more consistent basis in 2025.

 

[Tony Taco]

Not knocking DCE, he is a fantastic player, I guess the N.R.L protecting halves is working in helping them prolong their careers.

I know DCE pretty well, our kids are good mates at school. Great fella, incredibly fit and def keen to go another year.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

For the club last year he had the:

• The most tries
• The most line break assists
• The most meters ran
• The most kick return meters (13th in the comp)
• The most player in support runs (equal 9th in the comp)
• The most kicks defused (equal 3rd in comp)
• Second most tackle breaks
• Third most line breaks

....plus he saved more than a few tries. This was all from 21 games.
He wasnt excellent, Id love to

see more receipts, more passing, more try assists and less errors, but he earned his money IMO.

I think its his receipts. He doesnt touch the ball enough. you look at all the top modern fullbacks...very busy, always looking to create an advantage. He sits back a bit too much for mine. If he had Galvin's attitude...my god.

Yep, watching Ponga last night, forever up in the line looking for the ball, and only goes back on 5th when he feels the need, his wingers & centre's alternate on the 5th tackle cover as to whatever side of the field the kick happens to go to.

Tonga pleases himself And does such a good job of it.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Stats are good Tuck but he's just missing something in attack for mine be it backline injection or reads, just can't put my finger on it.

Experience

 

[Tucker]

I know DCE pretty well, our kids are good mates at school. Great fella, incredibly fit and def keen to go another year.

I like him. Very articulate, yet seems jovial and down to earth. Extreme competitor. Still playing Origin at a high level at 35 is badarse.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

There was some chat a few weeks ago that Gus wants TDS at the Dogs, along with Galvin

I’m sure Gus said last year the Dogs are a “development club”….

 

[gregjm87]

Yeah two years I believe. That's why the deal wasn't bad at all. Averaged put to 650k for the 4 years. Something like that anyway

Herald reported his salary this year at 675k and given next year was an option triggered by a clause you can pretty much guarantee it would have been significantly lower.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Experience

Yes or gelling with a constantly changing backline would not be helping either.

 

[Tucker]

I’m sure Gus said last year the Dogs are a “development club”….

Well they claim we are one as well and yet all our best are imported.

 

[liltiger]

Stats are good Tuck but he's just missing something in attack for mine be it backline injection or reads, just can't put my finger on it.

Imo he needs to learn to read the game abit better, if he was just like turbo hanging around the dummy half waiting for a chance to run he would be lethal. He seems to work at trying to create space and make numbers which isn't his strength, his strength is his running game, with his size, athleticism and speed esp in 2 or so years as his body develops further he would be devastating. I'd be telling him I'd you want to do the sweep plays and try the ball playing if u think it's on go for it but please base everything you do on your first thought being run with it. If he develops his running game, watch out.

 

[liltiger]

Well they claim we are one as well and yet all our best are imported.

Atm it's a necessity Tucker only cause the past admins neglected our pathways, after Moses, Tedesco and Woods left it seems like they just gave up on the pathways and fielded junior teams because they were obligated to. I can't remember a big name junior we brought through between Tedesco and Galvin, mind you though Galvin we brought in front the Parra system cause they didn't think he had it in him.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Imo he needs to learn to read the game abit better, if he was just like turbo hanging around the dummy half waiting for a chance to run he would be lethal. He seems to work at trying to create space and make numbers which isn't his strength, his strength is his running game, with his size, athleticism and speed esp in 2 or so years as his body develops further he would be devastating. I'd be telling him I'd you want to do the sweep plays and try the ball playing if u think it's on go for it but please base everything you do on your first thought being run with it. If he develops his running game, watch out.

If he could develop Turbos instinct we would have an absolute gun at the back.

 

[clontarfkid]

I’m sure Gus said last year the Dogs are a “development club”….

Always believe the diametric opposite to what Gus says..driven entirely by his own agenda\
Hes hyped up Galvin to the point where we cant keep him

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Always believe the diametric opposite to what Gus says..driven entirely by his own agenda\
Hes hyped up Galvin to the point where we cant keep him

Man that guys annoying wish someone would drain his goldfish pond.

 

[SeanT]

Jahream Bula 2024

21 Games
10 Tries
7 Try Assists
7 LBs
2nd (to Dylan Edwards) for Fullbacks in support plays, despite only playing 21 games.
Ave Running Metres of 161m
I don't have some other stats on this just yet, but I'd argue he would be considered relatively 'safe' as well. Defusing kicks, general positional play, cover D, etc.

Seems pretty 700k ish for me. Especially considering the average wage for a fullback these days.

Didn't realise his stats were that good. Yep 700ish is fine

 

[SeanT]

Yep, watching Ponga last night, forever up in the line looking for the ball, and only goes back on 5th when he feels the need, his wingers & centre's alternate on the 5th tackle cover as to whatever side of the field the kick happens to go to.

Tonga pleases himself And does such a good job of it.

Ponga was so involved because the Knights halves arnt good enough.

If you had two rep halves he would hardly kick it and be more of a runner/final pass player

 

[shankspony]

Who was over paid?

For the output we were getting, all of them.