Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

He's a player who's been averaging 25 mins off the bench in cup for the Raiders. Another small nuggety prop. He should most definitely be on no more than a train and trial...

BB as you know I share your concerns that we have to be careful about having too many of these shorter nuggety forwards, but as someone else has mentioned Taateo is listed as 183cm and 108kgs, that’s decent size and bigger than the likes of Spencer Leniu and James Fisher-Harris for example.
I remember watching the highlights of Taateo scoring a hat trick and nearly 4 tries in one game for the Raiders NSW Cup team last season and based on his one game so far for us, he looks to be someone who runs the ball at high speed and is hard hitting in defence, the type of player we wanted and expected Royce Hunt to be, only he doesn’t appear to gas out after 5-10mins.
Time will tell, but he looks to be an astute signing and I’d go as far as saying I’d be happy to try and offload Royce Hunt ASAP to the UK or whoever wants him and replace his top 30 position with Taateo who I assume would be on a minimum wage contract which would save us money and salary cap space to spend on others.

 

[SwervinMervin]

Given the way he is currently being handled by Benji, I think there is a big cloud over TDS’ future with us.

Is he playing 80 mins or most of the game in Cup? Perhaps Benji thinks that’s far better development for TDS than 15-20 minutes off the bench in NRL.

 

[Tom Shines]

Still think we need a class centre, with madge seemingly had his curse on the bronks Selwyn Cobbo should be on richos list, we don't need fafita we just sent a lazy flog to Melbourne signed Hunt, we don't need another one

Cobbo has talent ,.. but looks overweight this year …

Starting to get some John Schuster vibes ,,,and not even Bennett can get him turned around …

 

[SwervinMervin]

But but but Galvin is the best player in the history of the game

Katoa is the best young half in the comp by a mile. No contest.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Is he playing 80 mins or most of the game in Cup? Perhaps Benji thinks that’s far better development for TDS than 15-20 minutes off the bench in NRL.

Yep, Benji said that 2 weeks ago, he needs more game time in cup. Not sure if he has been played or not?

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

So who is our left field recruitment that we don't see coming?

I assume our next target is a #13.

Hopgood is the one I'd like rather Hetherington. Seems to have fallen out at Parramatta to Walker. But with KPP now we have Twal, Seyfarth, Bird as middle rotations. Bird can be upgraded on though I feel. Hunt who knows what comes of his dropping but Sione locks down his bench spot.

Also are we gonna chase a half or go all in on Latu & Mason as options? If we land Taylan May - Doueihi also becomes 4th drop half. That's if he re-signs. I reckon Doueihi signs a 1 year extension & goes to Perth. Smart for both parties with his injury history but also allows him to cash in over there.

Personally I would be speaking to Souths to swap Gray for Sullivan then we have enjoy ball playing depth.

At fully fit. We are getting there across the park.

Will be interesting few weeks between now & June 30 plus who we re-sign that are off-contract and the obvious new signings....

Credit also for the dodged bullets of Klemmer, Papalili & Bateman.

Hopgood over Hetherington any day….He is much better at linking with the backs

 

[batboy]

Hopgood over Hetherington any day….He is much better at linking with the backs

Everyone is remembering Hopgood from a few years ago - there’s a reason Parra bought Walker (who’s been a big part of turning their form)
There’s not many Parra fans that wouldn’t drop Hopgood over here for us
- leave him where he is.

 

[Vicious]

Is he playing 80 mins or most of the game in Cup? Perhaps Benji thinks that’s far better development for TDS than 15-20 minutes off the bench in NRL.

I’d say it’s near certain that’s the theory and it does make a fair bit of sense, but we just have to hope Talyn is on board and happy with it.
I’m a big fan of Talyn and think he can become one of the elite 9’s in the NRL so of course we want and need to keep him, but I don’t think he is yet worth the proposed 600k per season contract coming from his manager.

 

[batboy]

Cobbo has talent ,.. but looks overweight this year …

Starting to get some John Schuster vibes ,,,and not even Bennett can get him turned around …

Potential - let’s buy some more potential…
We’ve already got a squad full of it - anyone care to think why Cobbo is in the position he’s in?
Again, leave him where he is - we need proven reliable talent… no more hopefuls

 

[Buttface]

Adele Hague is adamant Mason is the perfect 14 on the bench, was saying that's even what Mason wants. Can cover virtually any position in the backline, once he gets a year or two under his belt can cover hooker and lock aswell as a ballplayer. Reckons he's our Connor Watson.

I reckon Adele is correct, I’d love it if Mason turned out to be a quality NRL player. The little quiet achiever, chipping away, prepared to play anywhere for the team, local junior.
So as long as he is on a reasonable rate I’d be keeping him long term. Due to him being a bit smaller I’d be letting him develop slowly, he needs plenty of full 80 min games as much as on the bench for NRL exposure. Having him and TDS swapping the role and as some say Haywood is coming on to. So long term we should have a decent or a good junior we are developing as the 14.

Tyrone May is absolutely no way for me. We’ve got the best player in that family, and If we’re not prepared to sign the next best, why would we sign the worst player in the family?

We need a win bad at the moment, I hope the pack is ready for a big game.
Go Tigers!!!!

 

[Tony Taco]

Off contract player to watch tonight is #18 for Melbourne, Lisati.

How did he go mate?

 

[batboy]

Looks likely Api going to bears. His TV interview pretty much said it with Meninga confirming they close to signing.

‘Close to signing’ a player they can’t even talk to for 6 months…

Ok!!

 

[Zach]

I seriously don't know why we don't go for someone like Tyran Wishart, the guy is so much better then a Melbourne bench warmer.

He would bring so much class to this team.

 

[batboy]

Oh yeh? 😂

Desperate to get one of the best junior halves in the country off their books, with an aging DCE and potential Luke Brooks signing on the horizon, aye?

You been living under a rock?
Yeah they were - spewing to lose Sam but happy to see the back of Latus contract.
and gauging how much footy he played in his last year with them (and the 2 years since) maybe they had something better to do with a few hundred thousand every year than poke it into rehab?

Luckily for them, they found the ever accomodating Tigers.

**edit**
And - they’ve still got one of the best halves in the country…
He even plays footy most weeks.

 

[tigahhh]

I seriously don't know why we don't go for someone like Tyran Wishart, the guy is so much better then a Melbourne bench warmer.

He would bring so much class to this team.

i heard wants a starting spot if he’s to leave , can’t offer him that with luai Latu in halves

 

[Vicious]

I seriously don't know why we don't go for someone like Tyran Wishart, the guy is so much better then a Melbourne bench warmer.

He would bring so much class to this team.

Very good player, what’s his best position ?

 

[tigahhh]

You been living under a rock?
Yeah they were - spewing to lose Sam but happy to see the back of Latus contract.
and gauging how much footy he played in his last year with them (and the 2 years since) maybe they had something better to do with a few hundred thousand every year than poke it into rehab?

Luckily for them, they found the ever accomodating Tigers.

**edit**
And - they’ve still got one of the best halves in the country…
He even plays footy most weeks.

manly fans are still spewing that they lost the fainus , why does everyone in this forum write them off . they are generational talents and i never say that about kids give latu time . there’s a reason they lost latu , metcalf , weekes , it’s bad recruitment from them not from us. they knew what they had just didn’t have the cap space to get all 3 .

 

[Le Tiger]

Not sure why people are worried about Api to the Bears when his manager has already said he wants his future sorted asap.

Don't forget the NRL will be owning and operating the Bears so expect most player and journo comments around Perth to be extremely positive as per NRL's instructions.

 

[clontarfkid]

Looks likely Api going to bears. His TV interview pretty much said it with Meninga confirming they close to signing.

Think its the only way it will work to retain TDS...weve gotta take a gamble that one will fall away,and one wiill rise

 

[BBTF]

Just to go back to the Samuela debate. He did a good job

Maybe thats why hes a Blacktown coach and not anything more. Not to mention thats when he was 18 and had different body, frame and opposition.

I will start by saying, he's 21!
He is definitely one of our best players, even at his age hes our best forward after May (not including Api).

It doesnt even take much to see that Samuelas best position is second row. Look at his frame and his running style... Hes the closest thing to Haumole in the league and we want to move away from that?

We have May and Pole who are great props. Theres to much over thinking. I can tell you now, halves HATE going up against Samuela, hes one of the toughest assignments at backrow in the league due to his body type and aggression. There isnt much more to say than that.

Just think about what you are saying for a second... You want our team to win games, as we all do. But to do that, you want someone who was our player of the year in the second row to move to a position he hasnt played in first grade.

Samuela has the potential to be a top 5 backrower in the league in 3-5 years... Why is this even a discussion?

I am with the other poster. I think Samuela could play both 2RF or in the middle, but I think he looks far more comfortable when he comes in to take a run mid field.

He is good on the edge, and in our club, miles the best 2RF, but that also speaks volumes of our quality as we have the worst back row in the comp by a long way. I still don't think he is running great lines out there. But when he comes midfield and takes a carry he absolutely punches through and carries them with them. Many players can bounce between 2RF and prop. Have a look how much better Kolomotangi has been the last 3 weeks, in the middle taking carries compared to the edge in the first ten rounds where he really didn't do that much. If we actually had some edges coming through, he would be a terrific lock. Unfortunately, we don't so I think he will remain on the edge.