Tito Santana
Well-known member
And people want to keep signing these under the radar cup players to play for us in first grade.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Yeah well if it is so big, why do players such as Starord To’a look so ordinar when playing Reserve Grade?
Jaxon Edgar who is the heir apparent to Dylan Edwards and Billy Scott who is regarded as the best emerging hooker at the Panthers both didn’t do much to standout today either.
Last year’s 2 standouts in the State Cup Grand Final were Tanah Boyd and Taine Tuapiki, both have proven to be genuine NRL players.
Luron Patea will prove to be a very good NRL players, possibly better than very good NRL player for years to come and he is only 21y.o
We want an enforcer, he is that style of player.
Strange that the Panthers are supposedly letting him go, but it’s rumoured Moses Leota is staying with them as is Yeo, Cleary and Edwards, so it doesn’t leave much cap space left for them.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Gus Gould just said the same thing I did ( pretty much ..)
Yeah that’s where a high percentage of good to top class NRL players come from.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
I’d love to see some real stats on this … a lot of players move through NSW Cup level pretty quick …but given it’s still the closest level to NRL, every player is going to use it as a stepping stone to the big time …
What did you make of the game today ? Dolphins had about 400 NRL games of experience to 80 odd … result ? 60 point drubbing
clontarfkid
Well-known member
Thats the way I see it
Weve treated Latu poorly,and Samuela looked disinterested in recent months..maybe carrying injury,but wasnt a force
Meanwhile,as the future of our young blokes seemingly slips out of our grasp,we concurrently sign 3 x 35 yos
Benji buying himself a short term future with quick fixes
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A high percentage of good to top class NRL players come through Reserve Grade.
When you recruit some of the very best performing players in this grade, you end up with some players who become stars at NRL level.
What’s the better recruitment strategy alternative without constantly over spending on already proven NRL stars?
Remember there is a salary cap and we don’t have enough room to over spend on already established NRL stars.
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Tom Shines
Well-known member
So ? They pass through juniors too … NSW Cup is the closest level to NRL ..so it’s gunna be a stepping stone …
Do you have any actual stats on how many Cup games they play before they make their NRL debuts ? Would suggest this number has diminished over the decades
clontarfkid
Well-known member
We need to unwind the entire" brothers "thing...we will inevitably get compromised long term when the key brother has strings attached to his contract and holds us to ransom to overpay his siblings
Probably happening rite now
Messy
Trai Fuller has played some exceptionally good games at NRL level, but played many seasons at a high standard in Qld Cup before he ever got an NRL opportunity. Despite being ball in stature he is an excess player and is well and rruly good enough to be a regular NRL fullback and every bit as good as someone like Tuapiki at the Warriors. He is now getting on in age and may never get that opportunity.
Tavita Naufahu has been a big Wild Cup standout for 2 years, has already played sone very good games at NRL level and was a big part of the reason why the Dolphins were happy to offload Jamayne Isaako to fit him him in as a regular NRL player in 2027.
I have wanted to see Jake Averillo in Wests Tigers since it become known Gus the genius wanted to offload he and Paul Alamoti from the Bulldogs, so no surprise seeing him do what he done today and happy he will be in Wests Tigers colours in 2027.
The Dolphins halfback Josh James was a very good halfback in the Raiders lower grades, very Jock Madden like.
Brad Schneider still only in his mid twenties and has played plenty of good NRL games at the Raiders, Panthers and Dolphins. He is a halfback or hooker who is big enough and now become a very valuable distributing 13. We should have angered him too, but I think I heard he only recently re-signed with the Dolphins. Not sure why when they have Morgan Knowles, Max Plath and Kurt Donoghue all ahead of him for NRL positions.
Brian Pounia who is only 18 or 19y.o jas already shown glimpses of his class at NRL level, he is another genuine star in the making for the Dolphins at NRL level.
Felise Kaufusi back playing Qld Cuo has had a great NRL career and although now 34y.o has shown great professionalism tj keep giving his best back at this level.
Put all those factors together and it was a very good Reserve Grade Team put together by the Dolphins.
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Tom Shines
Well-known member
Fuller and Averillo are NRL players … that’s why they looked levels above today …
They would both walk into our NRL team …but are being kept out of their current team by elite players …
king_sirro
Well-known member
That would surprise me
As is Tavita Naufahu, he is twice the player Turuva is.
Brad Schneider is exactly the experienced, classy utility who can cover 13, 9, 7 or 6 that we need.
Our rrecruitment failed by not signing him and I assume he is only on a bare minimum top 30 contract at the Dolphins.Brian Pounia will be an NRL star with the Dolphins in 2027.
Luron Patea is ready to be a regular good quality NRL player in 2027 at whatever club he is at.
I sincerely hope it is with us.
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I don’t think Sam Burgess’ ego would allow him to be an assistant coach.
But if we could be sure he was not trying to undermine Benji and wanted to be an assistant coach for genuine reasons, he would be perfect with his highly aggressive, no nonsense approach.
I don’t think our forwards or any player would be game to play half hearted if Sam Burgess was overseeing them as an assistant coach.
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Tom Shines
Well-known member
Why don’t Penrith want him ? Has Moses extended yet ?
I’m not sure, but I’d guess it’s lack of NRL game time and being on a bare minimum wage.
He is all fire and brimstone, would be a great addition for us
king_sirro
Well-known member
I would like the authority type figure like him around, someone who commands respect. However i think its impossible to know if he would be a good defensive coach. Could Sam Butgess really analyse a defensive structure, identify the small subtleties we are doing wrong that lead to bigger damage out wide or a few tackles later? Can he articulate and deliver the messages required to have all palyers on the same page and in full understanding of what they are required to do in a number of different situations? Im not sure he has the brains and tactical nouse. I could be wrong, maybe Sam is super intelligent, who knows.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
He has played 20 NRL games and is behind better players …
They have lost Henry now , and possibly Leota as well in 12 months …
If I was a betting man I would be wagering he will stay there
I agree it’s unlikely he would be a good defensive coach.
I would ideally make an extra coaching position for him, forwards and contact coach.
