Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lestronge]

We do need another forward...
Sure we added Bunty/KPP. But we were down 3 forwards from 2024.

It's clear we need:
A forward, ideally a ball playing lock.
A halfback unless Luai/AD/Fainu really shape up.
A back... Someone who can step in for Taylan May when he does something stupid. Yes I hope Taylan keeps playing but man ... We know what he is capable of.
And
If we don't resign Bula a Fullback.

All that said, happy for Richo and Benji to wait just a little bit. I see a lot of movement at the moment, but lets snipe a truly good player for once.

What are you talking about man ?
Halves in KOE - Andrew’s , Matai, Madden and Lyle’s .
Forward depth not projected to be nrl - Geyer, Robert’s , Afoa , Hunt , Godinet, Tapau Moors, Murray, Sukkar , Lualiii. All bar Roberts, Godinet and Tapau -Moors with NRL experience . Roberts doesn’t have it because he signed with Us. Was supposed to debut last season .
Backs not projected to be nrl - Lualiii , Craig, Makasini , New Souths Signing , Thompson , Mitch and Max Tautoa . Makasini , Luke and Thompson as well as the new Souths signing , all with nrl experience . Although limited .
Fullback - Luke lualiii is a fullback . Played his whole juniors there . Attard is obviously a fullback. AD can do a job there ( you’d hope it wouldn’t come to that ) . Denniger/Brookes , Tavana - Bula clone .
Maybe you could say sign another back, who could cover fullback /wing/centre , because you value experience over talent . But generally the talent is very much there , and forwards wise with afoa being brought in along with maintain most of our middle depth from last year , I don’t see too many holes .
Hooker is the potential issue . With really only API and hope . I’m assuming Mason moves there more regularly , and the continued growth of Lanyon and Hayward happens linearly so they’re knocking on the door come the back end of this season , with hopefully Hayward either having debuted and taken that 14 jersey by 2027 , or looking like it’s about to happen .

 

[balmain boy]

Wonder if there's a chance Sanders returns to Parra in 27 when Pezet departs.

He's a good prospect, as is Black.
Seems more to come to this story.

We should be enquiring about both Sanders and Black.
Still only have one halfback across the top 3 grades.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Latu certainly gets in some weird positions defensively, with a technique verging on dangerous looking at times when he gets so low to the ground. Still, apart from a lone(?) penalty from recollection, that odd style has been nearly as effective as his pretty well front on just under the ball hits, that regularly put big forwards on their arse.

I note that @Merlot has previously referenced the Fainu's mother talking about him being the the most talented, but susceptible to injury when growing up. On that, he was tough enough to play with a shoulder needing reconstruction without showing it, so hopefully he can turn it around like say Benji and Tedesco did.

Our defence is so much better with Latu in our line. He's a very good player for WTs.

 

[1eyedmel]

ROUND 1 BYE ARE U KIDDING!!!!!!!

At least we get 2 points and will sit higher up the ladder, hopefully build om that in hame 2.

 

[tigahhh]

At least we get 2 points and will sit higher up the ladder, hopefully build om that in hame 2.

mate we’ll have to play a team with match fitness from the week before and is a wasted bye for when injures & fatigue come up later in the year. there is zero benefit to it

 

[upthetigers]

ROUND 1 BYE ARE U KIDDING!!!!!!!

It's a new season, we're not worthy of playing round 1

 

[crazycat]

im bored , so put you on the spot , what movement

Bulldogs Bolster Squad as Trio Sign On

Three key signings join the Club ahead of our 2026 season!

www.bulldogs.com.au

Sean O’Sullivan, Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Fletcher Baker

Interesting signings... We have seen the dogs sign a bunch of utilities in the past and it has worked out for them. If unders (and knowing gould, they won't be overs) it's a good deal.
Other clubs signing a bunch, when there is movement there is more movement.
I wonder who at the dogs is put out... Doubt we would get Kurt Mann or Bailey Haywood easily. Josh Curran has been spoken about and seems a possibility.

Wait I have it.
Lets sign Finau Latu and drive every commentator nuts for the next 3 years!
"Latu Fainu runs past Finau Latu.. who passes to Samuela Finau and passes back to Finau... "

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

mate we’ll have to play a team with match fitness from the week before and is a wasted bye for when injures & fatigue come up later in the year. there is zero benefit to it

Yeah, 2 byes 1st round over 3 years just stinks and I don't care how those D heads at the NRL can justify it.

There's a distinct disadvantage copping it the 1st game of the season that we all know is used by all teams to blow away the cobwebs, it's like the rest of the competition gets a head start.

Plus, what you guys have already said what happens if injuries hit and you are sweating on the bye for some recovery time.
For a team like us hopefully improving it could be the difference between making the top 8 or to the disappointment of the forum missing it again.

Chewy on your best shoes NRL.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

mate we’ll have to play a team with match fitness from the week before and is a wasted bye for when injures & fatigue come up later in the year. there is zero benefit to it

Always look on the bright side!
Benji can watch the replay and plan around their weaknesses. Win Win. Ha Ha

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Always look on the bright side!
Benji can watch the replay and plan around their weaknesses. Win Win. Ha Ha

And one less game for Latu to miss before he's back to full fitness.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

And one less game for Latu to miss before he's back to full fitness.

A very good point

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Should we have the final round as a wildcard round like the AFL is doing ??

 

[tiger_one]

Should we have the final round as a wildcard round like the AFL is doing ??

The NRL marketing machine, along with their media partners, will jump at anything to up the game profile.
And when there are 20 teams, we'll soon see 2 conferences of 10 each (just like the NFL model) with all that goes with that. (Actually, I don't mind a rotating conference system - teams benefit, fans do as well.)

 

[Wiz]

Should we have the final round as a wildcard round like the AFL is doing ??

Not imo. Teams have 24 matches to get themselves into the top 8. If they aren’t good enough to do it over 24 rounds why give them one more chance? I know the NRL will want it because it will be another money spinner.

 

[hsvjones]

Should we have the final round as a wildcard round like the AFL is doing ??

100% YES for me.
Just adds the normal "no meaning games" and creates more interest.

Some are saying it rewards nonperforming teams but it's not like top 4 playing in them it is teams 7 and 8.

It is a must especially when we get the new teams in

 

[Camel2281]

Broncos winning with the Pezet signing though.

The Broncos also signed Duffy from NQ too I think

 

[Demps]

The Broncos also signed Duffy from NQ too I think

Good recruitment
He has some wraps that kid hey

Had a few knocks though, I believe

 

[lathami]

Can we please recruit the raiders recruitment manager, or whoever is identifying their junior talent. Apparently they've added Coby Black

Why haven’t we gone for him, he’s exactly what we need a young half back coming through. Mind u they obviously don’t think much of the half they got from para last year!

 

[crazycat]

Should we have the final round as a wildcard round like the AFL is doing ??

So as I read it, top 6 goto the finals. 7th vs 10th and 8 vs 9th.

That would be:
Panthers vs Sea Eagles
Roosters vs Dolphins

Look I don't like it. Panthers were the only team above with a shot at the finals and an extra round would have knocked them out for sure. They were gassed. Dolphins could have been a dark horse, but I don't like it.

If this 7vs10 8 vs 9 could happen say round 26.. Brillant. Everyone plays their normal games and we sort the finals.

I would prefer a lottery place or something for the 8th spot. But ofcourse if we were coming 8th I wouldn't want that taken from us. ... Don't know what the solution is.

 

[lathami]

How can that be allowed to happen, surely the round 1 bye needs to be rotated through all of the clubs - we are t0ow in three years. A wasted recovery period yet again! The NRL management is such a joke at times.

They need to get stuck into the nrl in the press, it’s a joke. What we had that two years ago, how is that fair. NRL sucks big hairy ones. Not only this but supporting the broncos with their 4 first grade halves on low wages, then the rooters and dogs with their fake salary cap. Game is getting worse under this horse tool not better!