Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[batboy]

They both have high quality players already, plodders fill gaps. We have little quality, so the plodders are more prominent.
Pretty simple stuff

It’s like they don’t recognise those clubs also have more than 0.5 origin players and some top tier internationals making up half their starting 17.

The players discussed are a very small portion of the overall talent at the good teams - being a much larger percentage of the talent here, won’t make them better players.

It’s also like they’ve not been paying attention the last decade or so - with our Naiqamas, Rankins, Mbyes and Klemmers.

My tip is neither will be at the club in 2027

I also don’t think Luke will make it in the NRL, he doesn’t have enough about him to compete with the modern day wingers. And he won’t be protected, like he could be in 1-2 of the top clubs.
He’s basically a smaller version of a Nofoaluma type player… I like the kid, just don’t see a world where he’s an NRL Winger.
Might make it as a back up fullback and finish his career with 20-30 games?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

So he’s never been fit and motivated until just now?
That’s A concern in itself.

Trying to keep Bunty off the bench. That's his motivation.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Only seen Tavana a few times as well, but he didn't catch my attention as a standout to me. Gets raves on here but I must have missed these top performances.
I thought with his height and physicality he would have been a better fullback, but Logan Brookes had a few blinders in the first few games, so Tavana was put on the wing. And they were the last "blinders" from Brookes that I got to see? Tavana was our fullback in last year's trial.

Have learnt not to get to excited in the past of young players coming through the grades until they stand and deliver in 1st grade.

Been so many talked up and don't make it, not being negative it's nice to here about them coming through but won't get my hopes up

That said Makasini looks promising, let's hope this is the start of many more so that we can be independent and not have to go to market, it's a pain.

 

[Halbrowne61]

.....

Only an opinion L, that’s partially what forums are for - respect your colleagues, even if they have a different opinion.

 

[Vicious]

A guy who wasn’t offered an nrl contract and a backup , who failed at his first club , and whilst I agree has improved immensely , he is definitely benefitting from the storm push ..

A genuine 7 with a competent kicking game and a 6 who is a genuine running line break and try scoring threat.

 

[Vicious]

Shut up man … why peddle that shit ! Seriously wtf ….

Because it’s true.
We have an unbalanced over rated and over paid roster thst will take another 3 years to fix.
The 2026 season will reveal exactly where we are at and I hope I’m wrong, but most rugby league analysts and the bookmakers all agree we will struggle to improve on our 2025 result.

 

[Leica_Tiger]

Ata Mariota hasn't confirmed as signed from 2026 onwards with the Raiders.

Richo get on the phone. Samoan background. Could be the final piece to the puzzle.

They get Coby Black. Happy days!

Good shout Mariota would be great for us, could he play lock?
Regarding Royce’s slimmed down physique a certain Souths forward rolled out of preseason after dropping KG’s and had the season of his career, some guys make an impact doing this (KK) and some guys play better with more weight to throw around (Klemmer / Kasiano).
I’m backing Royce in for a big year

 

[GCfan]

probably going to get shot down in flames, but if he buys into their system 100%, he will be in Origin conversations. he is a genuine genetic freak. his testing numbers are off the charts. he's quicker than a lot of outside backs.

By “buy into their system 100%” does that mean turn off the nutcase?

 

[Demps]

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Patrick Herbert getting lots of love.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Mate nothing like 6 long necks after a 72 hour fast don't worry about the tea leaves

Mate 6 of those and I'd be howling at the moon, not much of a drinker, to give you some idea I bought a bottle of turkey 6 months ago and still have half the bottle left.

More of a fitness dude would rather go on a 8km hike and drink over a litre of water.
But each to their own, will have a few drinks at chrissy though.

 

[Moh]

We need a second hooker urgently.

Yup - we're in trouble when Api is out injured or suspended.

Levi would have been a good, realistic option.

 

[Odessa]

Mate 6 of those and I'd be howling at the moon, not much of a drinker, to give you some idea I bought a bottle of turkey 6 months ago and still have half the bottle left.

More of a fitness dude would rather go on a 8km hike and drink over a litre of water.
But each to their own, will have a few drinks at chrissy though.

Been fasting since 2016 I did a couple of 44 hour fast I could not break it the headache was horrendous

Finally got to a 6 day fast in 2016 but my best is 10 days I fast ever week

But I drink only water black coffee and alcohol. No juice or soft drink


I eat Mostly meat eat cake on birthdays now after grandaughter got upset I didn't eat birthday on her birthday

Lost 20kg doing strict carnivore I use to be vegan many years ago was also vegetarian


Basically my diet is meat alcohol water black coffee

I love the alcohol I use it as a social lubricant maybe because I get lonely sometimes old age is not the best been to to many funerals

I am happy you run stay away from the alcohol it kills to many brain cells

 

[innsaneink]

Because it’s true.
We have an unbalanced over rated and over paid roster thst will take another 3 years to fix.
The 2026 season will reveal exactly where we are at and I hope I’m wrong, but most rugby league analysts and the bookmakers all agree we will struggle to improve on our 2025 result.

Strawman BS
Youre not impressing anyone

 

[Wezt]

Yup - we're in trouble when Api is out injured or suspended.

Levi would have been a good, realistic option.

Don’t think the club are in the market for one

Or else they would’ve signed one of Luke, Levi or Sommerton

 

[Vicious]

Strawman BS
Youre not impressing anyone

It’s called realism, not living in a fantasy world.
If you know better put your money where your mouth is.
Plenty of money to be won if the bookmakers are wrong and you are right.

 

[Tom Shines]

If you know better put your money where your mouth is.
Plenty of money to be won if the bookmakers are wrong and you are right.

The Bookmakers had Canberra last season at the odds we are now… they are no authority

 

[Vicious]

The Bookmakers had Canberra last season at the odds we are now… they are no authority

Correct they can be wrong.
Based on your recent posts I assume you also believe it’s unlikely we will improve in 2026 based on not being more active in player recruitment ?

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The Bookmakers had Canberra last season at the odds we are now… they are no authority

Bookmakers at this time of year know Jack shit, every season the team markets get flipped by teams over/under achieving.

Bookmakers aren't the messiahs they are just guessing this time of year just like everyone else.

 

[The Chad]

It’s like they don’t recognise those clubs also have more than 0.5 origin players and some top tier internationals making up half their starting 17.

The players discussed are a very small portion of the overall talent at the good teams - being a much larger percentage of the talent here, won’t make them better players.

It’s also like they’ve not been paying attention the last decade or so - with our Naiqamas, Rankins, Mbyes and Klemmers.

I also don’t think Luke will make it in the NRL, he doesn’t have enough about him to compete with the modern day wingers. And he won’t be protected, like he could be in 1-2 of the top clubs.
He’s basically a smaller version of a Nofoaluma type player… I like the kid, just don’t see a world where he’s an NRL Winger.
Might make it as a back up fullback and finish his career with 20-30 games?

I see your point.

Thing is, I disagree about the amount of high quality players difference between Penrith/Storm & the Tigers.

Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying the Tigers are 'better' than those clubs. However, just looking at last season as an example- Terrell & Taylan May, Luai, Bula, Turuva, Sam Fainu & Koroisau. I would say these are the 'star' players in the club stables.

Let's compare that to a team like Cronulla, who regularly play finals football. Hynes, Mulitalo, Katoa, Fonua-Blake, McInnes, Nikora, Trindall, Kennedy.

Or maybe the Bulldogs? Galvin, Xerri, Kiraz, Burton, Crichton, Preston, King, Kikau.

Is there THAT big a difference? Enough difference for 1 club to be finals contenders & the other wooden spoon contenders?

The Storm are gold standard in overall quality with Munster, Hughes, Utoikamanu, Blore, Grant, Faalogo, Coates, Warbrick. They just added Hetherington.

As a collective though- the board here wants to pick up Kamikamica from the Storm. Hetherington essentially replaces his spot on the bench. If the Storm prefer Hetherington, why are we slobbering all over Kamikamica?

My point has always been we are THIN on quality depth. I think across the board, our top 15-17 players are comparable to most of the top squads in the NRL. But as soon as injury, form or suspension kicks in, we are playing untested players compared to clubs like the Panthers & Storm who replace front liners with guys like....Hetherington...Lussick...

Know who we bring up next season if injury hits? Tristan Hope, Charlie Murray...

There's the difference in good clubs to bottom feeders.

 

[Tom Shines]

Correct they can be wrong.
Based on your recent posts I assume you also believe it’s unlikely we will improve in 2026 based on not being more active in player recruitment ?

They will improve … it’s a nine win team from last season …. Could see them around 11-12 wins in 2026..

The idea is to finish Top 4 and compete for premierships …. I think that is still a ways off