Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

I thought Latu’s kicking game was adequate last night …and a lot better than what you have been saying recently… he is 20 yrs old and can still improve

I’m convinced we can become a top 4 team with Fainu and Luai as our starting halves, but only if we put better players around them than what we currently have.
We desperately need an injection of attacking x-factor and there are players who offer that available if we want them.
Otherwise we can just continue what we are doing.

 

[Tom Shines]

Every time AJ plays fullback his teams scores plenty of tries and he is heavily involved in most of them.
He cannot do the tackling for the other 12 bozos in the front line.
Don’t compare Bulla ti Keano Kini please,

Bula had a poor game yesterday …. But his form has been good this year… you haven’t criticised him much this season ..unlike last year

 

[Tom Shines]

I’m convinced we can become a top 4 team with Fainu and Luai as our starting halves, but only if we put better players around them than what we currently have.

The club seems to think that when a good player signs …you let another good player go …hard to improve the quality of the squad that way

 

[colinbh]

Correct …it Would be a win/ win for me and him

And the club.

 

[tigahhh]

Galvin definitely won’t be a factor by the time Latu’s contract is up. It won’t matter that he’s starting, he’s still no certainty to stick around. This club’s record at retaining key players is atrocious.

no i agree i’m just optimistic that the situation is a little different because all 3 brothers are all together and that’s what they’ve always wanted

 

[Tom Shines]

And the club

Thanks Col… glad I could provide the club a win… it’s been a while for them

 

[Vicious]

Bula had a poor game yesterday …. But his form has been good this year… you haven’t criticised him much this season ..unlike last year

It’s not a criticism, he got his stats up and made over 200m, so many of our supporters will be very happy with that.
He simply hasn’t made the progression from a good player to a great player like many were expecting after he reached his 50 plus NRL games, however his pay cheque is increasing to the elite player status.

 

[Tucker]

Who said that? It's his choice to make and he doesnt see it with us - I can think of plenty of reasons why - but not buying that Api was blocking the pathway.

He has indicated that Api is blocking the pathway from 27 onwards, if resigned.
Obviously this about earning potential from then on.

 

[Tom Shines]

however his pay cheque is increasing to the elite player status.

For one year it seems … I guess they will then negotiate a new contract which the market will dictate the terms

 

[gallagher]

Ray Stone can negotiate from Nov 1. He's one I'd be going after, one real mad tough bugger.

 

[TheKhan]

Ray Stone can negotiate from Nov 1. He's one I'd be going after, one real mad tough bugger.

I'd take Ray Stone here for sure

 

[jadtiger]

I don’t believe too many 20 year olds are signing up for another 3-4 years in reserve grade when they have first grade options available in the next few months

If you are a reasonably good young player (19-22) who believes that they are probable first graders they would be absolutely crazy to sign anything longer than a 2 year contact for 2026 & 2027 with 2 new clubs shortly to enter and inflate the market.This would apply even more if you are a spine player.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

BWG I don’t mean to throw you under a bus here, but asking your opinion as I respect your knowledge and opinion.
Likewise if anyone else has an opinion on this, please answer.
It’s rumoured Jahream’s contract value goes up to 900k from 2027 or is it next year ?
As I’ve previously stated I can see some suttle improvements in his game this season, but I honestly cannot see 900k of value in him.
When you consider a player such as AJ Brimson signed a long term contact with the Titans supposedly at 800k per season, however they have since re-signed and made Keano Kini their priority fullback, which means AJ Brimson could be surplus to their requirements once they sign a genuine halfback for 2026 and beyond.
So my question is would AJ Brimson at 800k be more valuable to us than Jahream Bula at 900k ?
I could see a player like AJ Brimson combining beautifully with a halves combo of Fainu & Luai.

Hey @Vicious imo Bula is not a $900k player yet but the question is, does the club see his development trajectory taking him to a $900k player in 27. He seems to be very popular & deeply part of the culture being developed. But atm he’s lacking in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball and he’s yet to dominate / tear a game apart like the elite fullbacks do.

Personally and it’s a coaching thing but I’d love to see him become a ‘backing up’ fullback i.e hover behind the ruck for an Api scoot or Terrell, Sione offload & cut up teams down the middle. Rather than the manufactured predictable sweeps all the time. That’s on Benji & Hodgo.

It’ll be intetesting what Richo does with the option, atm I reckon it reverts to the player option & Bula accepting $800k.

 

[Tom Shines]

Hey @Vicious

Personally and it’s a coaching thing but I’d love to see him become a ‘backing up’ fullback i.e hover behind the ruck for an Api scoot or Terrell, Sione offload & cut up teams down the middle. Rather than the manufac

This is something I have noticed as well that seems lacking from his play … Hodgo was a great example himself of this play so I would be gobsmacked if he wasn’t coaching him up on it.,

 

[GNR4LIFE]

This is something I have noticed as well that seems lacking from his play … Hodgo was a great proponent of this play so I would be gobsmacked if he wasn’t coaching him up on it.,

It should be a fullbacks bread and butter.

 

[tigahhh]

that gap to the bottom of the ladder is getting closer and closer . i can’t handle another spoon . if we don’t win against manly we are screwed .

 

[Mccarry]

It should be a fullbacks bread and butter.

I find it a little perplexing as well. He is so light on his feet that getting an offload and accelerating into broken play would be obvious. He also seems to have a good motor.
Anyone know anything here about if players do develop this way over time or is it just some players can naturally read the play and others can’t

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Cameron Smith was one of the greatest hooker forwards to have played first grade. Smith was hardly noticed on the field but he had that ability to change the momentum of a game better than most. He understood when it was required to slow momentum or change it up for attack. One of his methods was to kick long from dummy half early in the tackle count He put the onus back on his opponents to wrestle the momentum back. He also had a brilliant footballing brain and schemed from dummy half to pick apart an opponent's game. In effect, the best footballing brain had his hands on the ball first at dummy half and that is why he had so much success. I am not sure if we will ever see a player like him again but the importance of having a very good footballing mind at dummy half is important.

 

[getagrip]

Hey @Vicious imo Bula is not a $900k player yet but the question is, does the club see his development trajectory taking him to a $900k player in 27. He seems to be very popular & deeply part of the culture being developed. But atm he’s lacking in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball and he’s yet to dominate / tear a game apart like the elite fullbacks do.

Personally and it’s a coaching thing but I’d love to see him become a ‘backing up’ fullback i.e hover behind the ruck for an Api scoot or Terrell, Sione offload & cut up teams down the middle. Rather than the manufactured predictable sweeps all the time. That’s on Benji & Hodgo.

It’ll be intetesting what Richo does with the option, atm I reckon it reverts to the player option & Bula accepting $800k.

Maybe the future inclusion of Latu in the team will create opportunities for Bula (and others).

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Maybe the future inclusion of Latu in the team will create opportunities for Bula (and others).

A lot of Latu's teammates need to look at his intensity in defence as well. He wants to tackle the ball carrier and he wants to hit him hard. I'm not sure some of our players are at that level but need to be and understand being the first man in to halt an attacker is so important.