Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[cktiger]

As for AD making 13 his own. Can anyone tell me who would seriously sign him as a 13? Lucky to punch out 50mins in the forwards, average defender. Lucky he can kick goals. Now a manager that we dont want to deal with. No thanks

Of course no one would … he’s played one bloody game there!
Why not give him a chance before you crucify him?

 

[Vicious]

As for AD making 13 his own. Can anyone tell me who would seriously sign him as a 13? Lucky to punch out 50mins in the forwards, average defender. Lucky he can kick goals. Now a manager that we dont want to deal with. No thanks

I also have extreme doubt Doueihi will handle the extra defensive workload when we are under the pump, but from an attacking book of view it’s very clear Luai functions better with a 13 as functional 1st receiver and it’s looking like that might also be the case for Latu.
It seems easy, but there is not too many players who can play this role well, particularly for 80mins and probably the reason why the Bulldogs have chosen to have players share their number 13 role.

 

[HabboTiger]

We have had our best seasons in a long time and pretty confident we will finish the year strongly, have some signing success and more to come.

Yet

The same voices are on the constant negativity trip. It makes this place tiring.

Yea it’s not all great and would have been nice to keep Lachlan (don’t care about tal) but he made his bed and I think long term we will be better off without the LG show.

Benji is a new coach learning on the go, still needs time. He is growing with the squad. Hopefully it pays off.

Think we will win today in a very close game again. 😬

 

[Tom Shines]

I also have extreme doubt Doueihi will handle the extra defensive workload when we are under the pump, but from an attacking book of view it’s very clear Luai functions better with a 13 as functional 1st receiver and it’s looking like that might also be the case for Latu.
It seems easy, but there is

I agree with this …but you know who else is gunna make Luai look better running on that left side ? Taylan May being a threat and making the opposition on that side nervous…. I don’t think they had many concerns when AD was there ..

 

[Tim Sheens]

Not sure if he’s a better fullback or has the same upside potential as Bula, but Will Kennedy may end up being squeezed out of Cronulla. He’s a good player. Not in the same class as Teddy, Edwards, Walsh, Ponga, etc. but more than a solid first grade fullback.

Yeah, you fit both in your 13 if you can.

 

[Vicious]

I agree with this …but you know who else is gunna make Luai look better running on that left side ? Taylan May being a threat and making the opposition on that side nervous…. I don’t think they had many concerns when AD was there ..

Makes tonight’s game exciting viewing with 2 genuine bulls in Taylan May and his cousin Isaac Tago going head to head.

 

[bomberbrown]

Who do you have in our team ahead of him Bomber for 13 ?He is also the goal and field kicker so probably best to find a spot for him somewhere if he is playing here …can kick

Of course no one would … he’s played one bloody game there!
Why not give him a chance before you crucify him?

 

[bomberbrown]

Happy to give him time just to know I'm right. Think outside the square. Put him to 14 and start with 2 hookers that can defend for the first 25mins and then bring him on

 

[Tim Sheens]

Giving Benji what he wants doesn't necessarily mean he gets who he wants. You can only get who is available to you and Benji is at a club that in a competitive market is still not seen as desirable if players have options.

And everything other than Galvin or massive overs points to Benji being the main reason why the club is even seen as somewhat desirable.

 

[cktiger]

Happy to give him time just to know I'm right. Think outside the square. Put him to 14 and start with 2 hookers that can defend for the first 25mins and then bring him on

A shame we haven't got 2 hookers who can defend or your plan might be worth a try.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Samuela is a big talent, there is no question asked that we need to keep him long term and keep him happy, so if that means he stays on the left edge rather than move to the middle than so be it.
What I have stated and I still stand by is we lack a touch of explosive speed across the park, including in our forwards.
KPP seems similar to Samuela that he has good size, looks a good athlete and is not slow, but they both seems to take a few strides to wind up, rather than having the explosive speed that some of the best back rowers in the NRL possess.
I reckon there is a good solution to this problem by looking to sign someone like Simi Sasagi or someone with similar attributes who can capably play back row or centre and give us the versatility as a number 15 to not only cover the forwards and backs, but also give us that explosive speed to come into games and make a real impact.
That would essentially mean that either Samuela or KPP may not play the full 80mins each week, although the versatility of Samuela in particular means he can effectively switch between the edge and the middle if required.
Someone like Sasagi would effectively be a very good upgrade on Jack Bird.
As you say our starting 13 is also a problem, if Douehi makes it his own and we retain him that could solve that problem.
As for To’a, I assume he is already on a contract of around 400k and all indications is he’s looking for an upgrade to re-sign with us from 2027 onwards. With all due respect you need to be much more consistently good than what he has demonstrated to be given an upgrade.

My view on Samuela is pretty well the same, in that I want someone to force him to the middle, or finding similarly aggressive type middle that allows him to stay on the left edge.

He remains an important cog either way and we may see him really shine there again shortly, simply because of Taylan's presence somewhat changing our oppositions defensive priorities.

 

[Tom Shines]

My view on Samuela is pretty well the same, in that I want someone to force him to the middle, or finding similarly aggressive type middle that allows him to stay on the left edge.

He remains an important cog either way and we may see him really shine there again shortly, simply because of Taylan's presence somewhat changing our oppositions defensive priorities.

I hope he stays on the edge …he really impressed me at the position last season and his ceiling at the position was rep level in my opinion …althoigh that’s still 3-4 years away at best …

He can be a competent middle but I don’t see the same high ceiling

 

[bomberbrown]

A shame we haven't got 2 hookers who can defend or your plan might be worth a try.

Yes true but hopefully you get what I am trying to say.
Royce Hunt has been a fail, Jack Bird disappointing.
The season started well till the Galvin saga followed by Tallyn but still an improvement.
AD has an offer but still hasn't accepted and with his new manager I doubt he will. Then 2026 i have the feeling we will go through it all again with Bula.

 

[Bellend]

I also have extreme doubt Doueihi will handle the extra defensive workload when we are under the pump, but from an attacking book of view it’s very clear Luai functions better with a 13 as functional 1st receiver and it’s looking like that might also be the case for Latu.
It seems easy, but there is not too many players who can play this role well, particularly for 80mins and probably the reason why the Bulldogs have chosen to have players share their number 13 role.

And we pay Laui what a season to be the Marquee Player??

 

[HabboTiger]

He can also kick, we are desperate for a better kicking game. Part of parras success is Mitches boot, without that they would suck.

 

[tigahhh]

at $350k at least for a guy that played here for a couple of years and was pretty ordinary…

That’s my opinion …your entitled to have a different one

where in the world have you got we are paying him $350k from ? Thats what the broncos were paying him not us

 

[weststigers]

He can also kick, we are desperate for a better kicking game. Part of parras success is Mitches boot, without that they would suck.

Parra's success?

 

[Tom Shines]

This is what you said.

"And the Kool aid drinkers are here every week applauding every reserve grade signing , and at the same time telling us how can we expect to beat a Top 4 team with our roster ?"

No one applauded the signing, let alone applauding every reserve grade signing.

And you're right. I know nothing about you other than what you write here in black and white for all to see and you seem unhappy and negative. It emanates off every post you make. If I'm wrong about that, you'll need to forgive me because I can only go off your musings.

Plenty of people here have said they liked the signing … applause does not mean “shouting from the rooftops”…you have used more poetic license then I have

Plenty of people also said that they had zero expectations of beating the Warriors as they were Top 4 side and our roster was much weaker

If you think I only make negative comments then you are concentrating on the ones you want to … I have made positive comments today about the likes of Sam F and Tiny who I think can have a big future at this club….

“Every post “ my arse in other words

 

[Kelce68]

at $350k at least for a guy that played here for a couple of years and was pretty ordinary…

That’s my opinion …your entitled to have a different one

Citations please.

 

[weststigers]

Plenty of people here have said they liked the signing … applause does not mean “shouting from the rooftops”…you have used more poetic license then I have

Plenty of people also said that they had zero expectations of beating the Warriors as they were Top 4 side and our roster was much weaker

If you think I only make negative comments then you are concentrating on the ones you want to … I have made positive comments about the likes of Sam F and Tiny who I think can have a big future at this club.

"Every reserve grade signing"

I'll leave it there.