Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Horsburgh not looking likely going off Ricky’s statements and is apparently knowing possibly by yesterday. Maybe we move onto Hetherington or someone not even spoken about yet. I’m guessing @kade7 would have mentioned something had it been in the works.
 
There is zero chance there will be that many changes.

Faataape, Mason, Sukkar, Feledy- shouldn't see 1st grade next year without improvements in their game & form demanding it.

Tupou & Utoikamanu are already gone. Papali'i is easily the one going to be missed most of the departing players, Bateman isn't coming back.

With Bird, Hunt, Skelton, Luia, Turuva & possibly/likely Horsburgh coming in, what I would HOPE is that:

Staines & Doueihi are considered depth players

Sione Fainu, Twal fight for a bench position with Johannssen

Latu Fainu, Da Silva, Galvin all play in the squad in some way all season.

A first team that looks like:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Latu Fainu
4. Olam
5. Skelton
6. Galvin
7. Luai
13. Horsburgh
12. Seyfarth
11. Sam Fainu
10. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
8. Hunt

14. Da Silva
15. Pole
16. Bird
17. Twal

And allows Doueihi, Staines, Faataape, Sione Fainu, Johannssen, Porter to be KOE back-up depth is already stronger & more skilled.

I'd like 2 more KOE/1st grade fringe forwards added to give balance. I'd like more depth than Porter, Sione Fainu & Johannssen. Although- that could be where Fa'agutu, Kit Lualili'i etc fit.
That's just a horrible 17. Absolutely no chance of being anywhere near reality
 
I would think To'a would gather interest at other clubs pretty easily. And Doueihi on minimum would be easy to move to another club. I can't see how Staines gets in the side without injury at this point. I'd almost be tempted to keep Naden & Faataape as our centre depth.
The only point which is accurate is that Staines is a back-up. Which is obvious. Toa and Doueihi will struggle to get any interest whatsoever, Naden and Faatape likewise are utterly useless. All 4 should go
 
All on less than Bud.
Yeah I don’t mind Latu getting full games as the reggies 7 but I would prefer to fit him in the NRL team.

Hey I like Marcelo Montoya’s name, saying it quickly with a Mex accent sounds like a Mex Drug Lord. 😎
Hahaha one of my old schoolmates was another MM with a similar twist to his name...Mario Mendez....probably doing time he was a wee bit loose
 
There is zero chance there will be that many changes.

Faataape, Mason, Sukkar, Feledy- shouldn't see 1st grade next year without improvements in their game & form demanding it.

Tupou & Utoikamanu are already gone. Papali'i is easily the one going to be missed most of the departing players, Bateman isn't coming back.

With Bird, Hunt, Skelton, Luia, Turuva & possibly/likely Horsburgh coming in, what I would HOPE is that:

Staines & Doueihi are considered depth players

Sione Fainu, Twal fight for a bench position with Johannssen

Latu Fainu, Da Silva, Galvin all play in the squad in some way all season.

A first team that looks like:

1. Bula
2. Turuva
3. Latu Fainu
4. Olam
5. Skelton
6. Galvin
7. Luai
13. Horsburgh
12. Seyfarth
11. Sam Fainu
10. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
8. Hunt

14. Da Silva
15. Pole
16. Bird
17. Twal

And allows Doueihi, Staines, Faataape, Sione Fainu, Johannssen, Porter to be KOE back-up depth is already stronger & more skilled.

I'd like 2 more KOE/1st grade fringe forwards added to give balance. I'd like more depth than Porter, Sione Fainu & Johannssen. Although- that could be where Fa'agutu, Kit Lualili'i etc fit.
I predict we won't see much of Olam next year, he is broken, chronic knee issues. Look at Douehi, even after his knee reconstructions the guy is playing below par, won't move laterally in defence (when he actually rarely does read the attack).

It'll be the same with Olam, though he'd be lucky to string 2 or 3 games together.
 
Why did we sign Skelton and Surava and this guy plus young luuali and others . Surely Montoya is extra to our needs . We need a big boppa intimidating forward
Such as NAS
Depth. When we lost Tupou in an early round to Penrith, we had no size and were playing guys like Faatape on the wing. Richo I am sure is still looking for an additional forward aswell.
 
Eiden Ackland
Adam Douihei
Iverson Matai
Bailey Hodges
James Valevatu

Possible options, although none are outright halfbacks.

Perhaps if Latu doesn't make the 17, he plays 7 in cup. Unless we land a different option.
Yeah probably Douiehi is the 6 for sure. He likes being the dominant half.

I would be interested what the do with Mason given Staines not likely in the 17.

Mason maybe 6 or 7 with Douiehi.

Staines NSW CUP fullback.

Bula is signed for multiple years & Mason just looks like a footy player who could play anywhere.

1. Bula/Staines
2. Skelton/L Laulilii
3. Turuva/To'a
4. Olam/Feledy/Faataape*
5. Montoya/Lobb
6. Galvin/Douiehi
7. Luai/Mason
8. Hunt/Johansen
9. Korosaui/Da Silva/QLD Cup Hooker
10. Pole/Klemmer
11. Bird/Porter*
12. Sam Fainu/Sukkar
13. New Signing*/K Laulilii/Faagutu
14. Latu Fainu/Da Silva
15. Twal
16. Sione Fainu
17. Seyfarth

No Naden, Sullivan, Matamua, Saukuru or Tumeth listed.

Unsure about Faataape or Porter's future. You assume development for Faataape again & T&T for Porter.

Also missing some of the older "depth" signings announced recently.

Plus Alaimalo, maybe T&T?

Obviously need to lock down Horsburgh or Hethrington (ideally both) & another back rower.

Upgrade Makasini & Large.
 
Apparently Horsbugh was going to inform the club Friday of his decision ??

Anyone have any updates as the Bird one slipped out to media and the media knew about the decision day.
Hope this is done as Richo seems to be great at making deals that go in our favour.
Hopefully before the game that was enough to put anyone off
 
Departing Dragons star Jack Bird has revealed why he signed with the Wests Tigers, while a Warriors star could join him at the club next season. SEE THE LATEST NRL PLAYER MOVES
David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

4 min read
September 7, 2024 - 5:18PM
11 comments
f19ba85641da032906bbc2277af6050a


00:47
Burgess hilariously gatecrashes presser!

NRL: Tom Burgess has hilariously walked in with a beer during the South Sydney Rabbitohs... more
View more related videos

Jack Bird has dispelled any notion that he is heading to the Wests Tigers for a swansong contract by declaring he wants to play until he’s 34.

The premiership-winner has also revealed that his decision to sign with the wooden spoon club was to help lead Benji Marshall’s side back to the finals for the first time in 13-years.

The St George-Illawarra utility has broken his silence on departing the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old was unable to farewell Dragons fans against the Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday after withdrawing due to back spasms in the lead-up to the match.
Jack Bird is leaving the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Bird is leaving the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

The two-year deal with the Wests Tigers will take Bird’s career to an 11th season in the NRL, an extraordinary feat given his well-publicised injury battles that have included three knee reconstructions and rheumatoid arthritis.

“The way that I’ve bounced back from my injuries I’ve been pretty resilient, most people would’ve given up,’’ Bird told this masthead.

“I had three ACL surgeries over my career, rheumatoid arthritis, so to think back when my career started that I would still be playing, I’d say no way.

“But the way I’m going now, I feel like my body is holding up well and I can get through until I’m 32, even 34 hopefully.

“I actually feel great, so I don’t see this as my final contract.

“Obviously the road is getting shorter, but I feel like I’ve still got a bit to go.

“I’m only 29 and by the time the Tigers contract is over, I’ll be turning 32 and I still think I can keep going if not in the NRL, then overseas.’’

The Wests Tigers will be Bird’s fourth club after previous stints at the Sharks, Broncos and Dragons, spanning 157 NRL games.

Bird was unable to play in the Dragons final game of the season, after battling with a back injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

Bird was unable to play in the Dragons final game of the season, after battling with a back injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

The former NSW Origin representative and 2016 premiership-winning centre said he was excited to be part of the Wests Tigers rebuild.

“I still think that I’ve got some good footy left in me and I like the way the Tigers are heading,’’ Bird said.

“I’m looking forward to going there and helping change their culture a bit and get them back into the finals.

“I want to challenge myself. I’m probably going to have a bigger role than any previous role I’ve had at a club.

“They’ve signed some great players and they’ve bought me for a reason to show the younger guys how to train and how to win.
“I’m excited.

“The only way is up for the Tigers. They’ve won three consecutive wooden spoons and that doesn’t bother me because I look at the squad they’ve got and they’ve got some great young players. The way I see it, if you’re not in the top eight, you may as well come last anyway.

“If we screw our heads on right at training we can go a long way.’’

Bird added that he held no animosity towards the Dragons after originally wanting to extend his future with the Red-V.

“I spoke to Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and he understands. He said he just wouldn’t have known until next year if there was a contract for me and I understand that,’’ Bird said.

“I love the club, I love the boys, I’m going to miss everyone for sure. There’s no bad blood whatsoever and I’m leaving on good terms.
"an extraordinary feat given his well-publicised injury battles that have included three knee reconstructions and rheumatoid arthritis."

Sounds promising
 
couple of things with jack bird
  1. the club required multiple independent doctors as well as the club doctor, before moving ahead with the offer
  2. the reported 400k is closer to 375k over the 2 years
  3. bateman has confirmed to his manager that he does not want to return to the club
50 plus likes to this post so far.

Would this be some sort of a record for a post, which makes me wonder which of the points that were made evoked the greatest response? :unsure:

I'd put my money on point number 3 which has nothing to do with Jack Bird and gives people the hope that Bateman is not coming back. 🤞
 
50 plus likes to this post so far.

Would this be some sort of a record for a post, which makes me wonder which of the points that were made evoked the greatest response? :unsure:

I'd put my money on point number 3 which has nothing to do with Jack Bird and gives people the hope that Bateman is not coming back. 🤞
I would put it down to how desperate people are to hear something positive about this club.

The Storm forum would be boring.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Back
Top