Forwards depth

[Demps]

Ok, easy fix…

Abraham Papali (off contract, Roosters) - 1 year deal.
Sione Lousi (off contract, NZ) - 1 year deal.
Tupou Sopoaga (off contract, Penrith) - 1 year deal.
Tony Satini (off contract, Manly) - 1 year deal.

Sign above, would come cheap.
Satini is a centre but could easily move into second row.

 

[fergiefurr]

Ok, easy fix…

Abraham Papali (off contract, Roosters) - 1 year deal.
Sione Lousi (off contract, NZ) - 1 year deal.
Tupou Sopoaga (off contract, Penrith) - 1 year deal.
Tony Satini (off contract, Manly) - 1 year deal.

Sign above, would come cheap.
Satini is a centre but could easily move into second row.

Papali nearly came here for 2017 however at the last minute got a more lucrative offer from England and has packed his bags. Would have been a great get, IMO is a first grader playing behind a very strong back rower at the Roosters so has struggled for opportunities.

 

[jirskyr]

I agree with most here - backrow is the weakness.

It would only take one quality signing to address, if we were in the market for next season. Assuming Idris goes ok, that sures up the centres, then we just need one dangerous backrower.

One avenue is the tackle-machine type backrower to add some starch to our fringes esp with the known defensive weaknesses of Brooks and Moses.

The other avenue is the dynamic backrower, really strong ball-running and trampling the opposition halves. I am reminded how in the back-end of 2016, Jesse Sue had some real success running off Woods passes two-wide of the ruck. He's not the answer, he just doesn't run good enough holes and isn't quite fast enough, definitely a prop for mine.

Rowdy you can keep where he is - true professional, runs great lines, defends pretty well 1:1 and really still finding his feet at second row. He doesn't have mad 1-1 tackle-busting impact, but no team fields 2 x Josh Papaliis without introducing a deficit somewhere else.

My dream signing would be Boyd Cordner, I think he is the class backrower in the game as of 2016\. James Fisher-H is a rapidly emerging talent as well. Papalii of course, but he is a cornerstone of the Raiders pack.

I absolutely do not think a guy like Proctor is worth big bucks… he's a pro but I think he supplements an already good pack. Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I think much like Chris McQueen, he goes really well in good packs, but less so when the bulk of the impact falls to him. It's not so hard to run lines off Cooper Cronk when Bromwich, McLean and Asofa-Solo are making huge dents in the hit-up department.

We had the guy of course - Dwyer was going to be that right-edge threat with Ellis, then the spearhead once Ellis left. You don't get quality, mobile, tall, impactful, strong backrowers growing on trees.

Haven't seen enough of Paseka or Marsters, just maybe in 2-3 seasons they could be the guys we need. My gut says Marsters will maybe like a more talented BMM, a bit too flashy to be continually reliable, but great when the team is on the up. Paseka maybe can be a real threat slightly wide, depending if he loses any mobility as he grows / ages, which puts him more into prop rotation.

Anyway that is my disorganised thought stream.

 

[Nelson]

I agree with most here - backrow is the weakness.

It would only take one quality signing to address, if we were in the market for next season. Assuming Idris goes ok, that sures up the centres, then we just need one dangerous backrower.

One avenue is the tackle-machine type backrower to add some starch to our fringes esp with the known defensive weaknesses of Brooks and Moses.

The other avenue is the dynamic backrower, really strong ball-running and trampling the opposition halves. I am reminded how in the back-end of 2016, Jesse Sue had some real success running off Woods passes two-wide of the ruck. He's not the answer, he just doesn't run good enough holes and isn't quite fast enough, definitely a prop for mine.

Rowdy you can keep where he is - true professional, runs great lines, defends pretty well 1:1 and really still finding his feet at second row. He doesn't have mad 1-1 tackle-busting impact, but no team fields 2 x Josh Papaliis without introducing a deficit somewhere else.

My dream signing would be Boyd Cordner, I think he is the class backrower in the game as of 2016\. James Fisher-H is a rapidly emerging talent as well. Papalii of course, but he is a cornerstone of the Raiders pack.

I absolutely do not think a guy like Proctor is worth big bucks… he's a pro but I think he supplements an already good pack. Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I think much like Chris McQueen, he goes really well in good packs, but less so when the bulk of the impact falls to him. It's not so hard to run lines off Cooper Cronk when Bromwich, McLean and Asofa-Solo are making huge dents in the hit-up department.

We had the guy of course - Dwyer was going to be that right-edge threat with Ellis, then the spearhead once Ellis left. You don't get quality, mobile, tall, impactful, strong backrowers growing on trees.

Haven't seen enough of Paseka or Marsters, just maybe in 2-3 seasons they could be the guys we need. My gut says Marsters will maybe like a more talented BMM, a bit too flashy to be continually reliable, but great when the team is on the up. Paseka maybe can be a real threat slightly wide, depending if he loses any mobility as he grows / ages, which puts him more into prop rotation.

Anyway that is my disorganised thought stream.

Tapine, Pangai Jnr or Hess would be great in that role but unfortunately their current clubs are well aware of that…which is why I keep saying we should target one of the England 2nd rowers.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Im a huge fan of Cordner and think Coen Hess is also going to be something special, but not too sure if they would fit into our structure with the width our tight forwards play in.

Hopefully Ballin/Liddle can have us playing tighter in the middle, allowing the use of edge runners like Cordner/Lowe etc do at there clubs. Might even open up our centres?

 

[tigger2010]

Disagree about rowdy,has been better in the 2nd row then he was in the centres,but struggles to make much impact in attack,wouldnt get a start in any other nrl team,Aloai is a star in the making and in 2017 will show this,really needed a signing here,but doesnt look like it will happen

 

[andrew 474]

Hope the club is doing something
With word Sirro to Manly , Ava to Parra , ET not Resigned yet , and pre season starts Monday

 

[NT_Tiger]

Hope the club is doing something
With word Sirro to Manly , Ava to Parra , ET not Resigned yet , and pre season starts Monday

Ava to Parra? Where have I been? I haven't heard that one.

 

[TopTiger]

Hope the club is doing something
With word Sirro to Manly , Ava to Parra , ET not Resigned yet , and pre season starts Monday

Ava to Parra? Where have I been? I haven't heard that one.

Me too, that's news to me??

 

[Kavi]

Hope the club is doing something
With word Sirro to Manly , Ava to Parra , ET not Resigned yet , and pre season starts Monday

Ava to Parra? Where have I been? I haven't heard that one.

i haven't heard it either

 

[Geo]

Hope the club is doing something
With word Sirro to Manly , Ava to Parra , ET not Resigned yet , and pre season starts Monday

Ava to Parra? Where have I been? I haven't heard that one.

i haven't heard it either

Well it will be in the telegraph tomorrow followed by the Lurker Ali and finally the Mole shortly after…

 

[Nelson]

I think someone has misread (or written) Auva'a…

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Ava came from Parra

 

[851]

Based on the majority of 2016..starting pack and bench

Props Woods Grant Seumanufagai Sue Felise
Backrow Lawrence Aloiai
Lock Taylor

Depth Edwards Lovett Griffin J Grant Marsters Paseka B Sironen

On paper Hughes has a point ..the starting pack is solid they can put it together but have shown backing it up game after game with the weekly grind that is NRL has been difficult…

The depth especially in the backrpw is a concern considering we are relying on journeymen who have played little regular NRL and kids while talented in NYC haven't played any...as backup

I'm hopeful they can step up as it will relieve some pressure as well as the old adage ...Games aren;t won on paper...

2 more experienced back row signings would be great but can't see that happening at this late stage..

Yeh, I think he has a point too…why I created this thread
Our depth effectively is potential & junior development still...bar Edwards
Hopefully the injury gods shine once again.....three years in a row isnt asking too much no?
I think our depth is lacking as well...we need more experience

We had Griffin this year who deserved a shot, but he never got one, he is handy and could be good if given a go.

 

[softlaw]

Maybe with Idris arriving the coaches could try to put 5kgs on Chee Kam and move him into the backrow?

 

[king_sirro]

A better off season should see a better Edwards. I have said it beforw but im convinced Taylor wanted him to bulk up to play front row last off season, and combined with some niggling injuries, we saw him play some very ordinary footy carrying extra weight. The more the season went on the fitter he got the better he got. Still needs to lose 5kg from his end of 2016 season.

 

[happy_tiger]

our 2nd row would be one of the weakest in the comp, if not the weakest

Weakest I'd say…The opposition in no particular order:

Broncos: Gillett, Glenn, Thaiday, Pangai Jnr
Cowboys: Cooper, Lowe, Hess
Titans: Proctor, McQueen, Taia
Knights: Buhrer, S Mata'utia, Barnett
Dragons: J Thompson, T Sims, L Leilua
Panthers: Peachey, Cartwright, Grevsmuhl, Fisher-Harris, Yeo (crazy depth)
Raiders: Papalii, Whitehead, Soliola, Tapine
Warriors: B Thompson, R Hoffman, Mannering
Roosters: Cordner, Guerra, Aubusson, P Carter
Souths: Sutton, R Rochow, K Turner
Eels: B Scott, M Ma'u, K Edwards, Moeroa
Manly: M Taupau, L Brown, S Lane
Storm: T Harris, Asofa-Solomona, ? Kaufusi
Dogs: Jackson, Eastwood, Faitala-Mariner
Sharks: Graham, Lewis, L Capewell, T Williams

...The Storm and Manly are weak in the second row as well, although they at least have one strike player each (Taupau for Manly and Harris for the Storm).

We probably have similar money tied up in our second row to some of the above teams it's just being wasted on Sironen and, to a lesser degree, Lawrence who is getting paid more than he delivers as a second rower.

And add that to arguably the weakest centre pairing as well and people wonder why we have defensive issues

 

[TCL]

Disagree about rowdy,has been better in the 2nd row then he was in the centres,but struggles to make much impact in attack,wouldnt get a start in any other nrl team,Aloai is a star in the making and in 2017 will show this,really needed a signing here,but doesnt look like it will happen

He certainly has and i am a big fan of his but thats my point, if I'm not wrong he is one of the smallest in that pack and is one of the best in the pack.

I always thought he would make a good lock.

 

[innsaneink]

Based on the majority of 2016..starting pack and bench

Props Woods Grant Seumanufagai Sue Felise
Backrow Lawrence Aloiai
Lock Taylor

Depth Edwards Lovett Griffin J Grant Marsters Paseka B Sironen

On paper Hughes has a point ..the starting pack is solid they can put it together but have shown backing it up game after game with the weekly grind that is NRL has been difficult…

The depth especially in the backrpw is a concern considering we are relying on journeymen who have played little regular NRL and kids while talented in NYC haven't played any...as backup

I'm hopeful they can step up as it will relieve some pressure as well as the old adage ...Games aren;t won on paper...

2 more experienced back row signings would be great but can't see that happening at this late stage..

Yeh, I think he has a point too…why I created this thread
Our depth effectively is potential & junior development still...bar Edwards
Hopefully the injury gods shine once again.....three years in a row isnt asking too much no?
I think our depth is lacking as well...we need more experience

We had Griffin this year who deserved a shot, but he never got one, he is handy and could be good if given a go.

We had Griffin before he headed north, couldnt crack it then, couldnt crack it up there… nor last year...I dont think he is depth. I reckon injuries wont be good if hes used

 

[851]

Based on the majority of 2016..starting pack and bench

Props Woods Grant Seumanufagai Sue Felise
Backrow Lawrence Aloiai
Lock Taylor

Depth Edwards Lovett Griffin J Grant Marsters Paseka B Sironen

On paper Hughes has a point ..the starting pack is solid they can put it together but have shown backing it up game after game with the weekly grind that is NRL has been difficult…

The depth especially in the backrpw is a concern considering we are relying on journeymen who have played little regular NRL and kids while talented in NYC haven't played any...as backup

I'm hopeful they can step up as it will relieve some pressure as well as the old adage ...Games aren;t won on paper...

2 more experienced back row signings would be great but can't see that happening at this late stage..

Yeh, I think he has a point too…why I created this thread
Our depth effectively is potential & junior development still...bar Edwards
Hopefully the injury gods shine once again.....three years in a row isnt asking too much no?
I think our depth is lacking as well...we need more experience

We had Griffin this year who deserved a shot, but he never got one, he is handy and could be good if given a go.

We had Griffin before he headed north, couldnt crack it then, couldnt crack it up there… nor last year...I dont think he is depth. I reckon injuries wont be good if hes used

You really don't rate him, I seen him play some pretty good games in reserve grade this year, and he has an offload, something we could really exploit.