Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tigahhh]

re hughes - alright player that could help our bench, but the petty in me doesn’t want to help the dogs free up roster spots/salary cap space 😂

 

[Vicious]

re hughes - alright player that could help our bench, but the petty in me doesn’t want to help the dogs free up roster spots/salary cap space 😂

Some club will take him off their hands, there is a noticeable shortage in decent quality props across nearly all NRL clubs.
Sam Hughes is nothing exceptional, but has good NRL experience, plenty of size, good mobility and a decent motor for a big man and at age 24 he should be approaching his prime.
If you could sign him for 400k you would have to at least strongly consider it.

 

[Needaname]

From my understanding and it’s probably not smart to go against someone like Michael Chammas’s info, however for what it’s worth I’ve heard that the Bula deal should and will get done, maybe somethings changed but I doubt it.

I don’t see why we’d let him go tbh… he unlocks our attack significantly and polishes our sets off nicely with his improved ball playing skills. He seems on an upward trajectory that isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Would be a massive loss if he leaves.

That would be the mutual option at 900k then? Needs both parties to agree to. Or are you indicating an extension is in the works?

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

24yrs, 193cm, 113kg prop. 24 NRL games 2024, 10 games 2025
Sounds OK to me.
Probably doesn't suit Ciraldo's smaller mobile pack. That fades at the end of the season, or was that, Lachie?

What’s his stats like please ? Minutes/ meters/ tackles?

re hughes - alright player that could help our bench, but the petty in me doesn’t want to help the dogs free up roster spots/salary cap space 😂

isn’t he Twall number 2. We already have a player in his style

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Sam Hughes type signings have paid off for us in the past.

I could see him going to Melb and being a no nonsense worker though and doing well.

If we could, we should.

Some nit pickers on here.
He played 25 NRL games for the Bulldogs in 2024, and they got to the finals. We got the spoon.
He played 10 NRL games 2025 [some injuries] and they get to the finals. We come 13th.
But he's still not good enough for some of you guys. Talk about rose coloured glasses.
The tree is shaking. But we have Bunty now so maybe we look for a lock or a backline spare?
In Richo and Benji we trust.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Agreed.

When we could have brought Sullivan back at around 250k, compared with Madden at 350k (over valued) and AD at 350k (under valued) you see that Sullivan would have been the better player.

That said, Benji was around when Sullivan was here. Benji saw both Sullivan and Madden play and played alongside both.

While i think the better judgement would be to get Sullivan back, I trust that Benji knows both and can make a better assessment then I can.

My opinion, Sullivan has speed. Full stop!
Madden has management, kicking skills. Full stop.
IMO Benji took the best option so Madden can show the next halves hopefuls what's required.
The succession plan.

 

[Vicious]

My opinion, Sullivan has speed. Full stop!
Madden has management, kicking skills. Full stop.
IMO Benji took the best option so Madden can show the next halves hopefuls what's required.
The succession plan.

Jayden Sullivan is a more dangerous ball runner, but doesn’t seem to use his voice, has very limited game management skills and a very limited kicking game.
Jock Madden is without doubt a better fit for us being a much more natural halfback with a much more rounded game including a decent kicking game and being a decent t goal kicker.

 

[Odessa]

Yes. He would be a starting front rower for us. He is (or more I believe he will become) an A runner that we do not have.
Odd that Dogs don't want to keep him but I guess Thompson is a better version of what Hughes offers.

We see him totally different I see him as a poor man's version of Keith Galloway and you see him a starting prop

I think some said he could go to Melbourne and be a good player most likely

But he interviews well and nicely spoken young man I wish him well and hopefully over his injuries

 

[clontarfkid]

That would be the mutual option at 900k then? Needs both parties to agree to. Or are you indicating an extension is in the works?

3 year extension at $750 wld make sense for all parties..except Moses!
Bonus if he triggers SOO/top 8 or whatever

 

[Vicious]

3 year extension at $750 wld make sense for all parties..except Moses!
Bonus if he triggers SOO/top 8 or whatever

I would add a clause where we increase his contract to 1.5 million if he plays 3 or more SOO games as it is never going to happen.

 

[innsaneink]

Some nit pickers on here.
He played 25 NRL games for the Bulldogs in 2024, and they got to the finals. We got the spoon.
He played 10 NRL games 2025 [some injuries] and they get to the finals. We come 13th.
But he's still not good enough for some of you guys. Talk about rose coloured glasses.
The tree is shaking. But we have Bunty now so maybe we look for a lock or a backline spare?
In Richo and Benji we trust.

Some.would.prefer exceptional over average
Dont.settle for.2nd.best

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Hughes could have been a good signing, except we just signed Bunty. How many props is too many? If it’s for 27, different story.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Hughes could have been a good signing, except we just signed Bunty. How many props is too many? If it’s for 27, different story.

Does the old saying when you have too many props add one more have any logic.

I guess it does when you consider they cop most of the brutal impact playing through the middle.
Exceptions to the rule but when sides get decimated with injuries most of the time it's the forward packs that suffer.

 

[Vicious]

Does the old saying when you have too many props add one more have any logic.

I guess it does when you consider they cop most of the brutal impact playing through the middle.
Exceptions to the rule but when sides get decimated with injuries most of the time it's the forward packs that suffer.

We have some big decisions to make in regards to our middles over the next 12 months.
We currently to have Terrell May on a contract of around 660k until the end of 2027. I assume we would ideally like to extend him until the end of 2028 or 2029 which would most likely require an upgraded contract of somewhere close to 800k
Sione Fainu currently off contract at the end of 2026. I think most of us fans agree he has plenty of upside and is a must keep along with his brothers.
Assuming we extend him for 2 or 3 more years he too will be looking at a decent upgrade and I don’t think we will get away with anything less than 500k.
I believe Fonua Pole has the potential to be in the top tier of props within the next couple of years, so ideally I would also like to keep him long term.
Will the lure of returning home to Melbourne be tempting to him and I believe he is very close with Jahream, their partners/wives sisters ? So could our decision on whether or not we re-sign Jahream play a part in whether or not Pole also stays with us long term ?
If he indicates he will likely depart at the end of his current contract, we could potentially use him as leverage to release him early and get a good player in return. Papenhuyzen maybe ?
Our 4th middle is Alex Twal. I appreciate the work ethic and consistency that he brings, but he is soon to be 30y.o and his lack of impact could get worse as he gets older. Do we cut him loose at the end of his current contract that ends at the end of 2027 or maybe even give him an early release at the end of 2026 if we can find a good replacement ?
Our 5th middle is Royce Hunt who is currently contracted until the end of 2027. Based on his struggles with his fitness levels there would be no chance we even consider extending him and I assume we would ideally like to offload him early if possible.

 

[crazycat]

My opinion, Sullivan has speed. Full stop!
Madden has management, kicking skills. Full stop.
IMO Benji took the best option so Madden can show the next halves hopefuls what's required.
The succession plan.

Then I think we picked the wrong Bronco..

Look, Jayden may have improved a bit under Bennett. Ofcourse though Bennett doesn't seem too willing to keep him.

Madden has management, but Billy Walters has it as well and seems to have a better handle. I think if we could bring Billy back we could get Kevie to add input and his input would be valuable IMHO...

Madden isn't a first grade manager and I don't think he can teach what is required. Unless Adam Reynolds has been teaching him a lot, and I doubt that has been happening... I don't see a reserve grade halfback showing anyone.

The options people won't like:
Chad Townsend
Jackson Hastings
Neither of which I would pay over 300k for.

Another possibility is newly retired halfback James Maloney or Scott Prince... Doubt though we would get them.


The Elephant in the room. Why does Benji need a top tier Halfback? He spent most of his career playing 5/8 and secondmost as 7, occasionally as 9. If he can't coach a halfback and I think he can't, then what can he do?

 

[426Tlgerland]

We have some big decisions to make in regards to our middles over the next 12 months.
We currently to have Terrell May on a contract of around 660k until the end of 2027. I assume we would ideally like to extend him until the end of 2028 or 2029 which would most likely require an upgraded contract of somewhere close to 800k
Sione Fainu currently off contract at the end of 2026. I think most of us fans agree he has plenty of upside and is a must keep along with his brothers.
Assuming we extend him for 2 or 3 more years he too will be looking at a decent upgrade and I don’t think we will get away with anything less than 500k.
I believe Fonua Pole has the potential to be in the top tier of props within the next couple of years, so ideally I would also like to keep him long term.
Will the lure of returning home to Melbourne be tempting to him and I believe he is very close with Jahream, their partners/wives sisters ? So could our decision on whether or not we re-sign Jahream play a part in whether or not Pole also stays with us long term ?
If he indicates he will likely depart at the end of his current contract, we could potentially use him as leverage to release him early and get a good player in return. Papenhuyzen maybe ?
Our 4th middle is Alex Twal. I appreciate the work ethic and consistency that he brings, but he is soon to be 30y.o and his lack of impact could get worse as he gets older, so do we cut him loose at the end of his current contract that ends at the end of 2027 or maybe even give him an early release at the end of 2026 if we can find a good replacement ?
Our 5th middle is Royce Hunt who is currently contracted until the end of 2027. Based on his struggles with his fitness levels there would be no chance we even consider extending him and I assume we would ideally like to offload him early if possible.

Pole heads to Melbourne end of this contract I feel , he said he is repaying tigers before he leaves .
May needs to be extended and upgraded now .
Hunt Needs to get fit , if not move on .
prop from dogs would be great addition if cheap

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Then I think we picked the wrong Bronco..

Look, Jayden may have improved a bit under Bennett. Ofcourse though Bennett doesn't seem too willing to keep him.

Madden has management, but Billy Walters has it as well and seems to have a better handle. I think if we could bring Billy back we could get Kevie to add input and his input would be valuable IMHO...

Madden isn't a first grade manager and I don't think he can teach what is required. Unless Adam Reynolds has been teaching him a lot, and I doubt that has been happening... I don't see a reserve grade halfback showing anyone.

The options people won't like:
Chad Townsend
Jackson Hastings
Neither of which I would pay over 300k for.

Another possibility is newly retired halfback James Maloney or Scott Prince... Doubt though we would get them.


The Elephant in the room. Why does Benji need a top tier Halfback? He spent most of his career playing 5/8 and secondmost as 7, occasionally as 9. If he can't coach a halfback and I think he can't, then what can he do?

What - Another possibility is newly retired halfback James Maloney or Scott Prince...Maloney is 39 and Prince is 45. That comment destroyed your whole argument.

 

[Vicious]

Pole heads to Melbourne end of this contract I feel , he said he is repaying tigers before he leaves .
May needs to be extended and upgraded now .
Hunt Needs to get fit , if not move on .
prop from dogs would be great addition if cheap

I agree if we could acquire Sam Hughes and not break the bank in doing so, he could be someone that fills a position adequately and not prevent us from hunting some bigger names.

 

[hugh1954]

Aloi retiring medically, any mowing jobs available at Leichardt

 

[innsaneink]

Then I think we picked the wrong Bronco..

Look, Jayden may have improved a bit under Bennett. Ofcourse though Bennett doesn't seem too willing to keep him.

Madden has management, but Billy Walters has it as well and seems to have a better handle. I think if we could bring Billy back we could get Kevie to add input and his input would be valuable IMHO...

Madden isn't a first grade manager and I don't think he can teach what is required. Unless Adam Reynolds has been teaching him a lot, and I doubt that has been happening... I don't see a reserve grade halfback showing anyone.

The options people won't like:
Chad Townsend
Jackson Hastings
Neither of which I would pay over 300k for.

Another possibility is newly retired halfback James Maloney or Scott Prince... Doubt though we would get them.


The Elephant in the room. Why does Benji need a top tier Halfback? He spent most of his career playing 5/8 and secondmost as 7, occasionally as 9. If he can't coach a halfback and I think he can't, then what can he do?

Weve already got Benji so why bother with Prince?
Capt/Coach