Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Jolls]

For me it’s one more NRL run on prop. We have one in our squad, we need at least one more so all the other bench props we have can fulfill their roles as bench props.
I’m going back to check ya dive again I been speed reading them, I’m trying to finish a build before I start another diploma. But I reckon a high quality no.10 to complete the book end will free up Benji and the pack and allow everyone to play the role they are good at. And I have to say again Sione Fainu just keeps impressing me. He really changed last year when his Bros arrived, and has improved again this year. He’s turning into a good reliable member of the pack who is adaptable and can play any position in it to an acceptable NRL level. I’m not sure where his best spot is long term, but he is my second forward picked every week and then I’d find a spot for him that suits team. He looks like he’s loving life and footy right now, that’s gotta be a lot to do with Benji too.

Spot on

 

[Betterdays22]

Any regular watchers of the ESL know if there are any English props coming into their prime who could step up to the NRL?

Wouldn't a James Graham or Sam Burgess type be exactly what we need? If looking for a hard edge look to the North of England.

 

[TheEnz]

In the current setup definitely agree. I think the transition will happen over the offseason. I share jrtigers concerns about AFs ability to absorb the defensive requirements so it may need to be a role.shared with Twal until he is capable.of.handling the grind.

Perhaps this is the model, you have AD who is a weaker defender, however, surround him with middles that have a high work rate and tackle percentage like Twal & May, this could be why Royce is not really working for us and perhaps why we seem to be selective about the middle we could be targeting. Problem is you have Api as a weak link (ordinary effective tackle %), would probably work better with a Reece Robson style 9.

 

[Tom Shines]

Thoughts on Terrell May as a 13 TS? He gets through a lot of work and can ball play a little bit but what the team is lacking is a real physical presence in the middle. Give me an aggressive 50-60 minute pack leader at prop and I think we can cover lock.

Yes… a possibility I think …maybe not top of the list for me but one they can work with if they find the big name prop instead .,,ultimately it might depend on who they can sign .

.

While I agree with you I think the 13 decision has been made. AD is most likely to transition to 13 with Latu into half. Have a look at the Deep Dive [

Not that I support it , but I’m starting to think there is a strong possibility that AD is the half next year and Latu will be the 14 utility

think you could run with May or Doueihi at 13 and it would be fine, the issue is we need a pig that can scatter defenders on play one. we don't have that currently.

not totally against us finding a 13 but I think we might have a suitable one in-house. prop is the issue.

If a good 13 becomes available… I hope they try to sign him …let’s see what shakes out… the prop you want might not eventuate

 

[Buttface]

In the current setup definitely agree. I think the transition will happen over the offseason. I share jrtigers concerns about AFs ability to absorb the defensive requirements so it may need to be a role.shared with Twal until he is capable.of.handling the grind.

AF ?
You got me I went back half a doz posts?

 

[Jolls]

AF ?
You got me I went back half a doz posts?

Sorry AD's, - Fat Fingers. I was typing on my phone while standing in the rain waiting for my grandkids to do their book week parade.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Sorry AD's, - Fat Fingers. I was typing on my phone while standing in the rain waiting for my grandkids to do their book week parade.

Lol fat finger, we won't let you invest in any financial instruments you might add too many zeros to the end of the layout, the horror of the impending margin call.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Sorry AD's, - Fat Fingers. I was typing on my phone while standing in the rain waiting for my grandkids to do their book week parade.

I got you, though any mistyped letter other than F would not have muddied things so much.

Mind you, having long criticised Doueihi for lacking effort, I still believed that he could make the transition to be our ball-player style lock, even though pre 2025 Doueihi would have struggled a hell of a lot more with the defensive workload. Severe doubt that he can demand the halves spot full time remains, but good luck to him and others fighting for it.

 

[Vicious]

If AD continues he current form at 7, would we really want to move him to 13 ?
I understand also need to accommodate Latu, but surely he has to earn it and that would mean taking his chances at 7 when they come, but in the meantime continuing his role as our 14.
In regards to potentially moving on Jack Bird and Royce Hunt, surely we would need to replace them with potentially better players if we are going to offload them.
In addition to that we would need to ensure whatever club takes them pays full freight as we surely cannot afford to contribute wages to any more players being offloaded.
The only similarly versatile player I see that could be an upgrade on Bird would be Takakai from the Sharks as his power running off the bench or maybe even starting at 13 would certainly assist our go forward.
As for a similarly big and aggressive power running forward with a bigger engine than Royce, it’s only really another Shark in Branden Hamlin-Uele that stands out.

 

[tigertragic]

We are fine now at second row for 2026 …Sione showed last week he is a solid option as well…

13 is the question mark for me …

I think Sione ‘could’ be a quality 13 as well

 

[Tom Shines]

If AD continues he current form at 7, would we really want to move him to 13 ?
I understand also need to accommodate Latu, but surely he has to earn it and that would mean taking his chances at 7 when they come, but in the meantime continuing his role as our 14.

They both should be given an equal opportunity in the offseason at 7 ..

It also depends on who else is signed …maybe if 13 is still open , they move AD there

 

[Vicious]

They both should be given an equal opportunity in the offseason at 7 ..

It also depends on who else is signed …maybe if 13 is still open , they move AD there

The point is if AD continues to excel and be an important part of our team at 7, it would make no sense moving him to 13.
Latu doesn’t appear to be unhappy and is certainly not kicking stones while being our number 13.
A lot can happen in a pre season, but at this stage I don’t hunk it hurts us at all to continue playing Latu as our number 14 in 2026.
He will likely get plenty of opportunities throughout the season to start on the halves through injuries etc.

 

[Tom Shines]

The point is if AD continues to excel and be an important part of our team at 7, it would make no sense moving him to 13.

If he is the best option at the club… Latu has had limited opportunities at the position so far and may overtake him with more time and experience… I think his ceiling is much higher

 

[Vicious]

If he is the best option at the club… Latu has had limited opportunities at the position so far and may overtake him with more time and experience… I think his ceiling is much higher

Do you not have any concerns that our kicking game will suffer and not be up to standard with a Latu/Luai halves pairing ?

 

[Tom Shines]

Do you not have any concerns that our kicking game will suffer and not be up to standard with a Latu/Luai halves pairing ?

I assume you are talking 5th tackle clearing kicks … if Latu doesn’t improve this part of his game …cant AD still kick with 13 on his back ?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

If AD continues he current form at 7, would we really want to move him to 13 ?
I understand also need to accommodate Latu, but surely he has to earn it and that would mean taking his chances at 7 when they come, but in the meantime continuing his role as our 14.
In regards to potentially moving on Jack Bird and Royce Hunt, surely we would need to replace them with potentially better players if we are going to offload them.
In addition to that we would need to ensure whatever club takes them pays full freight as we surely cannot afford to contribute wages to any more players being offloaded.
The only similarly versatile player I see that could be an upgrade on Bird would be Takakai from the Sharks as his power running off the bench or maybe even starting at 13 would certainly assist our go forward.
As for a similarly big and aggressive power running forward with a bigger engine than Royce, it’s only really another Shark in Branden Hamlin-Uele that stands out.

I think the offloading Bird story has been embellished by the media somewhat & the Hunt story (via one UK media platform that doesn't have the best strike-rate) is probably a journo putting 1 and 1 together and getting 3. This is how I see it, purely opinion ...

Bird has been informed he won't be extended beyond next season. The club has informed him he can explore his options and if he finds a longer deal, the club is willing to release him but I doubt the club will chip in much $$$ for this if any. However the club is also willing to retain him as per his contract.

I highly doubt Hunt is being shopped. For one, I believe Hunt has been playing injured which has had an impact on his output. If the club can get his body healthy ready for a full pre-season, I reckon Benji will back himself to get the output out of Royce they want. Secondly, no other club is likely to take Royce for 2 seasons on anywhere close to the $$$ he is on for us and I highly doubt Richo would chip in $150k-$200k each year for him to play elsewhere when we have a fair load to pay for Bud Sullivan.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The point is if AD continues to excel and be an important part of our team at 7, it would make no sense moving him to 13.
Latu doesn’t appear to be unhappy and is certainly not kicking stones while being our number 13.
A lot can happen in a pre season, but at this stage I don’t hunk it hurts us at all to continue playing Latu as our number 14 in 2026.
He will likely get plenty of opportunities throughout the season to start on the halves through injuries etc.

Theres no way you would move AD out of the 7 in the short term until Latu can prove he can take over we are winning games with Adam at 7 he is making some good decisions on running, kicking and passing.

But can see a possible move to 13 say late 26 or sometime in 27, it will happen eventually you would think.

 

[Tom Shines]

Theres no way you would move AD out of the 7 in the short term until Latu can prove he can take over we are winning games with Adam at 7 he is making some good decisions on running, kicking and passing.

But can see a possible move to 13 say late 26 or sometime in 27, it will happen eventually you would think.

Yes correct … there is an offseason to come though and Latu is still young and improving …

If AD is still the best option in 2026 than keep him there … however I think the sooner Latu is the best option at the position the better for the club ..

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yes correct … there is an offseason to come though and Latu is still young and improving …

If AD is still the best option in 2026 than keep him there … however I think the sooner Latu is the best option at the position the better for the club ..

Another thing is Latu seems a respectful young lad unlike the impatient wonder boy that left us.

Don't think he will have a problem of taking time and learning the 7 craft, the kind of young player you want at the club.

 

[Tom Shines]

Another thing is Latu seems a respectful young lad unlike the impatient wonder boy that left us.

Don't think he will have a problem of taking time and learning the 7 craft, the kind of young player you want at the club.

Yes …and they are able to take their time compared with Galvin ..

But I still think he should be given the opportunity to win the position… he is at the age and we hope the talent level where a big improvement can happen in his game within a short time …

Until that happens though, then keep him at 14…. Moving Latu to starting 13 would be something I wouldn’t particularly favour though … he needs to concentrate on learning the halves role