Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Kelce68 said:
Interesting thing about that list, whether we agree with it or not, is that some halves pairings are relatively stable in terms of what they offer and set chemistry, whereas others, like ours, could move up or down that list pretty erratically as the year plays out.

Will be interesting to see that list in Round 27.

The DCE/Brooks ranking for mine is a bit of a laugh. There also appears to be a few average pairings on there heading into next year. More than any other year in recent memory.
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Brooks was serviceable as usual but still made some rushed mistakes as he's always done.

Cherry Evans has lost a step. No way they should be that high next year
 
The way teams play now, you have to incorporate the #9 & the #1 in the conversation. 6 & 7 on their own isn't a true indication of the direction had on the football field.

It's why the Storm are SO good- they have top 5 players in each spine role. Also makes teams like the Rabbits a truer reflection of their quality.

On 6 & 7 alone, no way the Sharks pair should be Top 4.

Raiders 6 & 7 are potentially a great combination.
 
upthetigers said:
We should be #2 on the list, Hynes goes missing in big games, and Moses/Brooks above us? Lol
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Wow we are ranked far higher than I imagined we would be, especially as they haven’t even played a game together yet. Brooks snd DCE in second place is a bit of a laugh though and I would’ve ranked Dearden & Clifford higher.
 
Tucker said:
2025 is a year of redemption. Nothing else should be tolerated.
We are not rebuilding. We need to win games of football using the large amount of imported players we have brought here in the way we expected them to perform when signing them.
As I said last week, enough is enough. Enough of the bloated puff pieces from club administration, players and members waxing lyrical about cultutre shifts and progression and green shoots and all that stuff. Weve been hearing that shit ever since Brooksy tore St George to pieces back in August 2013. Enough of the hero talk during the pre season only to then play like softcocks in round 1. Enough of the media setting us up to fail with editorials about how weve turned the corner only to resume kicking us in the head once the true colours of our football are revealed. Enough of missing simple tackles, having abysmal discipline and failing to convert gifted field position. Enough of fking losing all the damned time.

Anything from 12th position and under will be an utter failure.
Anything between 11th and 8th should be treated on its merits...i.e. serious injury to stars preventing finals berths can be seen favourably. Having a go for most of the year but clocking off half a dozen times during the year and losing games we shouldnt...is a failure.
We need to make the 8. We need to be competitive for the title in 2026 and be a favourite to win it in 2027.
2025 is a year of restitution and there's no excuses this time.
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The club is certainly talking a big game.
 
upthetigers said:
In my humble opinion, Luai is proven in the NRL we're not paying on potential
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Sure agree there, but on that metric any pairing with Cleary should be first.

Galvin did great for a rookie in a bad team and his age, but isn't top shelf yet. And as a pairing we have to see how they go. Not being a downer, think we've got a lot to look forward to and hope you are proven 100% correct by years end.
 
Oldman said:
What would be everyone’s take if we finished equal on points for 8th but finished 9th on for & against,
Success or failure ?
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Objectively that would be about where this squad should finish, anywhere from 6th-12th.

As others have said though, so much of an assessment of a season is subjective - played strong and aggressive and were unlucky in a couple of very close games or had some outstanding wins but got lazy, blew games because of poor defense and attitude, lost to teams they should beat etc. can look very similar on the table but subjectively be very different when assessing success.

It is still a squad with problems, but a 9th place finish with a clear "corner turned" in regards to the general attitude and stupidity of the team, improvements from the young players and leadership from Luai is a pass mark for me. That is a blueprint for more sustained success. 2026 its finals or fail
 
Tucker said:
2025 is a year of redemption. Nothing else should be tolerated.
We are not rebuilding.
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While I agree we have reached the turning point and 2025 should be a redemption year I also think that we are still in the rebuild.

As it stands I don't think we have the depth in our forward pack to guarantee success.

Perhaps there are a couple of more dominos to fall that will sort us out.

At the moment Bateman, Bird, Matamua, Seyfarth , Sione F, Johannssen, Sukkar and Tumeth have me concerned about our edge/lock depth. We are relying on a couple of guys to step out of the shadows and have a great year. Even then we are probably a bit light on for depth.

As I stated I am cautiously optimistic, if we have a good run with injuries we may get away with it, but at the moment there is a fair bit pinned on potential that has yet to be proven in battle.
 
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Jolls said:
While I agree we have reached the turning point and 2025 should be a redemption year I also think that we are still in the rebuild.

As it stands I don't think we have the depth in our forward pack to guarantee success.

Perhaps there are a couple of more dominos to fall that will sort us out.

At the moment Bateman, Bird, Matamua, Seyfarth , Sione F, Johannssen, Sukkar and Tumeth have me concerned about our edge/lock depth. At the moment we are relying on a couple of guys to step out of the shadows and have a great year. Even then we are probably a bit light on for depth.

As I stated I am cautiously optimistic, if we have a good run with injuries we may get away with it, but at the moment there is a fair bit pinned on potential that has yet to be proven in battle.
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100%. Reading through our top 30 list there’s too many guys who either we want to move on from or they aren’t first graders at this point. That’s depth.

The bookmakers have us third or fourth favourites for the spoon. Only a charmed run with injuries or some vast improvement from depth players will result in a top eight finish.

Edit: and nobody associates luck with WT.
 
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upthetigers said:
A message is being sent to fans. Results matter now lets backup the talk. Its undeniable, though, there is alot to be excited about!
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Love your enthusiasm utt .Hope the players have their ears on, its 99% in their hands ,not the fans.Personaly keeping my powder dry before i shoot from the hip(controlled enthusiasm and joy)I've been shot down to many times ,Onwards n Up
 
BAGNF05 said:
100%. Reading through our top 30 list there’s too many guys who either we want to move on from or they aren’t first graders at this point. That’s depth.

The bookmakers have us third or fourth favourites for the spoon. Only a charmed run with injuries or some vast improvement from depth players will result in a top eight finish.

Edit: and nobody associates luck with WT.
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Too right; luck and WT go together like a fish and a bicycle.

If we make the eight, with the depth we have in the forwards, the bookies will probably have to redefine what a 'charmed run' looks like. 🤣 🤣 🤣
 
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BAGNF05 said:
Defense is an attitude. When you replace more than half your starting side, you hope the attitude improves.

Not saying it will happen but that’s the hope.
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I reckon Losing Gibbs and Ellis from the side around the same time killed our attitude in D,
We've never had a bloke that lead it since.
We've never had a hard man in D, But those blokes where about as good as we've ever had.
 
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