Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[cqtiger]

If we aren’t signing a front rower or two, we desperately need Kit Luuali to step up and have a massive off-season , so we can lift his motor to first grade standard particularly in defence . He clearly has the ability.

I believe he is training with a top trainer to get better fitness/cardio for next year.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I believe he is training with a top trainer to get better fitness/cardio for next year.

Yeah he & Luke are training with Michael Fualalo who conditions a lot of NRL boys in the off-season.

 

[Flippedy]

No he isnt at all. As a 20 year old islander his voice is above and beyond most. I see him talking and ordering constantly out there

Yeah he definitely talks more than Brooks ever did. Brooks was Marcel Marceau!

 

[upthetigers]

And the Elephant in the room for me is his Voice - he is Brooks-like when it comes to being the guy who can call the plays - too quiet!

That's my concern too, and that comes down to personality it can't really be coached or maybe I am wrong about that?

 

[Tim Sheens]

Moving bird yes , hunt no , we are still needing a big middle who can play longer , get hunt fit , I feel he was injured this season as he started off great

Noticed that he was wearing chest padding in one dressing room shot and looked to be in the sternum region, which are supposedly very painful and take time to heal, but can be played with little risk of worsening it.

 

[TheEnz]

Watched some clips of Hunt and I also think Kit was involved doing some specialised training in the off season...looked like speed and lateral movement...all I can say is Geez hunt has some toe for a big lad...there is something there. I also think Kit could be a spencer Leniu type, can get to top speed in only a few steps and has zero self-preservation in contact.

 

[innsaneink]

Im loving hearing all these reports of a few of our blokes back early and working on speed and fitness...great stuff

 

[mtd#2]

Bird had one year left, To think the Dragons are paying anything for him next year is Deluded.

I dont recall saying that the dragons were paying any of his 2026 wage. I said that they paid a portion of his contract - you're assuming that the tigers just gave him the same amount in 2026 as they did in 2025.

Royce Hunt was going to retire, I don't need to remember that - or that I though he would be a bust here (Which he has been)
To think he's going to turn out again for a touch over a minimum wage
When he could get more than that working in the mines and playing park Footy without the stress of NRL is fanciful.

He also said he was thinking he'd see his contract out and then retire, that doesn't mean he would
- or that no one else would offer him half decent money.
I saw 600 written more than once, I choose not to believe it.

So what's your position on this?
On one hand, you've floated a figure of 600k.

On the other hand, you think Royce isn't motivated to play for "just above minimum wage".

So what is it? Is he on 600k or 150k?

Make up your mind.

And on what planet does anyone earn 150k playing park footy? Or prefer fly in fly out leaving their family behind to make 150k in the mines? You say it like working in the mines is easy.. Royce plays Max 30 mins a a game for 23 rounds of a season and gets to see his family straight after. Lay off the cones bruv.

Happy to see the source of your info?
Very easy to find more than one reference of Birds contract being around 400k.

Even if your numbers WERE correct,
It's still far too much money to be paying Blokes to play Ressies and hold tackling bags.
and a waste of spots on the roster for NRL Players.

If you can cite me 2x reliable sources that suggest we are paying them a combined 900k, I'll take the time to share my sources.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Watched some clips of Hunt and I also think Kit was involved doing some specialised training in the off season...looked like speed and lateral movement...all I can say is Geez hunt has some toe for a big lad...there is something there. I also think Kit could be a spencer Leniu type, can get to top speed in only a few steps and has zero self-preservation in contact.

It is positive. I just hope Royce is working on repeat effort sprints forward, back & lateral in the off-season, especially backwards running. He struggles when our forwards are on the backfoot in defence & the opposition has the roll-on through the ruck. If he can improve this deficiency, hopefully he can be up to doing full 15 min stints before & after halftime (30 mins per game).

 

[batboy]

I dont recall saying that the dragons were paying any of his 2026 wage. I said that they paid a portion of his contract - you're assuming that the tigers just gave him the same amount in 2026 as they did in 2025.

No you didn't - You said "A large Chunk of his contract"
His contract is 2 years, no? What's a large chunk - Surely more than Half?
Otherwise, It would just be a bit and not a large chunk - Maybe you need better (or more) words?

So what's your position on this?
On one hand, you've floated a figure of 600k.

On the other hand, you think Royce isn't motivated to play for "just above minimum wage".

He's not motivated to play on the wage he's on, Or was on - That's what he's talking retirement
(at 28-29 and not even 100 games in)

So what is it? Is he on 600k or 150k?

Make up your mind.

And on what planet does anyone earn 150k playing park footy? Or prefer fly in fly out leaving their family behind to make 150k in the mines? You say it like working in the mines is easy.. Royce plays Max 30 mins a a game for 23 rounds of a season and gets to see his family straight after. Lay off the cones bruv.

This Planet.... Spend much time here?
Blokes playing in the Wollongong and Illawarra comps
(Do you want some names and phone numbers?)
The Mines was one job I listed for an example, Plenty of Clubs in both those areas with connections to offer old NRL players cushy jobs to get them to run out for them.
Check some team lists, Plenty of them doing it.

If you can cite me 2x reliable sources that suggest we are paying them a combined 900k, I'll take the time to share my sources.

Bird is reportedly on 400 - Daily Telegraph, SMH and anywhere else you care to look...
I'll bet Hunts Wage get them both closer to 900k than it does your speculated 500k.

It's been fun.

 

[Lestronge]

No you didn't - You said "A large Chunk of his contract"
His contract is 2 years, no? What's a large chunk - Surely more than Half?
Otherwise, It would just be a bit and not a large chunk - Maybe you need better (or more) words?

He's not motivated to play on the wage he's on, Or was on - That's what he's talking retirement
(at 28-29 and not even 100 games in)



This Planet.... Spend much time here?
Blokes playing in the Wollongong and Illawarra comps
(Do you want some names and phone numbers?)
The Mines was one job I listed for an example, Plenty of Clubs in both those areas with connections to offer old NRL players cushy jobs to get them to run out for them.
Check some team lists, Plenty of them doing it.

Bird is reportedly on 400 - Daily Telegraph, SMH and anywhere else you care to look...
I'll bet Hunts Wage get them both closer to 900k than it does your speculated 500k.

It's been fun.

I’m a nobody , and was offered 500 a game 12 years ago. I can only imagine what the ex nrl guys are on .
Plenty of teams with leagues club backing liking Wests , Helensburgh and Collegians .
Then you have teams like Thirroul, Warilla and Corrimal who have a lot of ex nrl players wanting to give back to thier junior club. Then there’s clubs like Ulladulla-Milton who have some names running around because they want to keep fit , and live down the coast .
It’s a very strong comp .

 

[88]

Bird had one year left, To think the Dragons are paying anything for him next year is Deluded.
Royce Hunt was going to retire, I don't need to remember that - or that I though he would be a bust here (Which he has been)
To think he's going to turn out again for a touch over a minimum wage,
When he could get more than that working in the mines and playing park Footy without the stress of NRL is fanciful.

He also said he was thinking he'd see his contract out and then retire, that doesn't mean he would
- or that no one else would offer him half decent money.
I saw 600 written more than once, I choose not to believe it.

Happy to see the source of your info?
Very easy to find more than one reference of Birds contract being around 400k.

Even if your numbers WERE correct,
It's still far too much money to be paying Blokes to play Ressies and hold tackling bags.
and a waste of spots on the roster for NRL Players.

I don’t think he’s been a bust. He started the season very well and his last month or so after returning to the side he was solid as well. His worst period came when he was used as a starter (not his role) and when he was probably carrying an injury.

With high minute props like Twal and May he is a good point of difference. His metres per minute were the best in our team and his post contact metres were really high. When he was on the field we were points positive. We knew what we were buying - a 20min impact player, and I think he fits that bill. We certainly won most of our games when he was in form, so the key is to get him playing like that consistently.

Whether $600K is too much, it is a valid debate. But I think he offers a point of difference and he was targeted to provide exactly that. I’ll take the glass half full approach and back him in for next season.

 

[TheEnz]

I don’t think he’s been a bust. He started the season very well and his last month or so after returning to the side he was solid as well. His worst period came when he was used as a starter (not his role) and when he was probably carrying an injury.

With high minute props like Twal and May he is a good point of difference. His metres per minute were the best in our team and his post contact metres were really high. When he was on the field we were points positive. We knew what we were buying - a 20min impact player, and I think he fits that bill. We certainly won most of our games when he was in form, so the key is to get him playing like that consistently.

Whether $600K is too much, it is a valid debate. But I think he offers a point of difference and he was targeted to provide exactly that. I’ll take the glass half full approach and back him in for next season.

if he plays that impact role he did at sharks and the beginning and end of 2025 than yes, he is worth the $600k price tag (assuming that's correct) I don't doubt he was carrying an injury as his performances were all over the place in the middle of the season. Big lads struggle more with injuries than the lighter guys...it usually impacts their ability to keep the weight off as they reduce load to nurse it and invariably continue to eat like they would at full load. So, stack the kg's on and impacts their speed and endurance.

 

[clontarfkid]

I don’t think he’s been a bust. He started the season very well and his last month or so after returning to the side he was solid as well. His worst period came when he was used as a starter (not his role) and when he was probably carrying an injury.

With high minute props like Twal and May he is a good point of difference. His metres per minute were the best in our team and his post contact metres were really high. When he was on the field we were points positive. We knew what we were buying - a 20min impact player, and I think he fits that bill. We certainly won most of our games when he was in form, so the key is to get him playing like that consistently.

Whether $600K is too much, it is a valid debate. But I think he offers a point of difference and he was targeted to provide exactly that. I’ll take the glass half full approach and back him in for next season.

Still dont think Royce plays enuf minutes,and it costs May who plays too many
Need to get the balance

 

[innsaneink]

As we know Sean O'Sullivan from Dolphins to Dogs....Dolphins have now signed ex Raiders half George Williams from ESL.
Who got the better deal?

 

[Demps]

As we know Sean O'Sullivan from Dolphins to Dogs....Dolphins have now signed ex Raiders half George Williams from ESL.
Who got the better deal?

Probably the dogs

 

[tigahhh]

As we know Sean O'Sullivan from Dolphins to Dogs....Dolphins have now signed ex Raiders half George Williams from ESL.
Who got the better deal?

it’s a really bizarre signing from the dolphins, always thought katoa and nikorima paired really well together.

 

[Needaname]

As we know Sean O'Sullivan from Dolphins to Dogs....Dolphins have now signed ex Raiders half George Williams from ESL.
Who got the better deal?

Wernt the phins signing the current backup Penrith half?

 

[Odessa]

As we know Sean O'Sullivan from Dolphins to Dogs....Dolphins have now signed ex Raiders half George Williams from ESL.
Who got the better deal?

I wonder if Katoa is off to Souths now

 

[Vicious]

Canterbury moving on Burton and apparently looking to sign Brimson or Kini…. Two guys I like a lot …

They are always looking to work that squad to improve… you simply cannot rest on your laurels …

Unfortunately our unwanted guys are hard to move on …

When I stated we should be looking to sign AJ Brimson instead of Bula you insinuated I was crazy ?
Plenty of rival clubs searching far and wide to try and upgrade their rosters, we will likely just pay whatever our players ask for and hope they get to a level where they provide value for money,