Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[twentyforty]

Seems out of whack ….has players like Kikau and Bateman available ….

Like I stated, it’s not up to date, but you could try looking at the list in terms of players off contract at the end of 26.
If we win a few games and Luai and others stay on, we could have a red hot crack at Kikau at November 25.

 

[Kaito]

Like I stated, it’s not up to date, but you could try looking at the list in terms of players off contract at the end of 26.
If we win a few games and Luai and others stay on, we could have a red hot crack at Kikau at November 25.

Kai Pearce-Paul, mid-season signing for 2026 when
Newcastle Knight's season inevitably fades 2 shit 🤌🏼

Taylan May 2 sign the 30th spot 4 my bday in April 🙏🏼

 

[bptiger 0]

If players aren’t available for 2025 in Dec 2024 because they have all signed elsewhere …then what do you want them to do ?

Iam just saying , when the club releases papa and Bateman and has no ready replacement then we could be in big trouble , if I was running a club I would not be releasing players or pushing players out the door with a replacement

 

[balmain boy]

Both Laulilli’s need to have a couple of stand out games playing NSW Cup before they should be considered for NRL.
Sure Luke showed some promise amongst a few mistakes when playing NRL at a very young age in 2024.
He should be much improved with age and experience in 2025, but surely he needs to show he’s competent under the high ball, has minimised his mistakes and show he can dominate in NSW Cup before he gets another NRL call up.
Kit showed intent to hit top speed quickly and run the ball hard in his NRL debut against the Sea Eagles in the last round of 2023, but did not show this once in 2024.
He is limited in way of size, speed and athleticism, therefore running the ball hard is a must for him to succeed.
I think the microscope is well and truly on Kit and Sol Saukuru in 2025 as they have both now had a season under their belt playing against men in NSW Cup, both were very dominant in the junior ranks, but need to show a lot more than they did in 2024 to establish themselves as potential regular NRL players.
Saukuru did have some good moments throughout the 2024 season, but his lack of speed and lack of fitness is a big concern.

Saukuru is essentially like a younger, more talented version of Toa. He's also cheaper, i'd rather keep him and let Toa go

 

[balmain boy]

Plus the fact we don’t really need him, we have enough options for centre and wing. And unlike Lodge and some others who have atoned for their indiscretions and moved on, May is a serial douchebag who still seems to be lurching from one crime to another without remorse. Love his brother and his attitude, but no thanks to Taylan (I’m just misguided) May.

We actually don't really have any centres of note. If fit, he would be a walk up start. Olam is half broken, will Turuva adapt? No one else is there.

 

[balmain boy]

I think that Laulilii will be one of the guys to cement a spot this season and become a regular.

I believe he was our youngest ever debutant after Lawrence and made his debut a week after turning 18. Benji even mentioned he would have debuted him in round 1 last year if it wasn't for the NRL rules.

He will still be 18 for half of this season. He has so much growth in front of him both mentally and physically. Just look at To'o when he was 19-20 years old, physically he wasn't anywhere near what he is now... Reference below (some good highlights of Romey in there also!)

To'o is taller and faster than Luke, which makes a big difference physically. He was also given several years to hone his skills in the lower grades. Luke was just thrown to the wolves where his flaws were brutally exposed. He needs at least a good few months in Cup before he can be considered.

 

[balmain boy]

Why would we sign another centre with Makasini coming through next year.

Makasini will be playing wing for the next few years....

 

[Vicious]

Saukuru is essentially like a younger, more talented version of Toa. He's also cheaper, i'd rather keep him and let Toa go

A lot slower and lazier than To’a.

 

[hank37w]

Kai Pearce-Paul, mid-season signing for 2026 when
Newcastle Knight's season inevitably fades 2 shit 🤌🏼

Taylan May 2 sign the 30th spot 4 my bday in April 🙏🏼

What? On the 1st. 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Kelce68]

Saukuru is essentially like a younger, more talented version of Toa. He's also cheaper, i'd rather keep him and let Toa go

You forgot fatter and slower.

Though he has played everywhere from fullback to prop, so there is that.

 

[Speed2burn]

We actually don't really have any centres of note. If fit, he would be a walk up start. Olam is half broken, will Turuva adapt? No one else is there.

Exactly .. I think centre is our weakest position at the moment with 2nd row not far behind

Wing looks to have plenty of depth

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I reckon one very important spot we have to fill for next season if/when Bud departs is a NSW Cup halfback. I am serious that it's important.

Thinking that Latu Fainu will play his natural 5/8 position but probably given scope to be the main field kicker to develop this part of his game. Plus some posters have mentioned that Doeuihi likely to focus on centre.

The only options from within that Aaron Payne could look at James Valevatu or if he's ready to step up from Flegg Max Liles who is training with Cup this pre-season as part of his development.

Valevatu provides effort & leadership and likely to miss his favoured hooker position with Tristan Hope, Kobie Wilson, Bailey Hodges (and TDS at times) in the mix.

Liles is a smokey and was very good for Flegg at the back-end of last season, brings a bit of game management & kicking game but lacks in experience.

I wonder if we would go down the path of bringing back Brandon Wakeham just on a Cup deal to be our full-time halfback in Cup for his game management, kicking game & experience. Managed by Tartak too.

Thoughts?

Update: Brandon Wakeham now on a pre-season T&T deal at Manly.

So our options for NSW Cup halves look to be Latu Fainu with one of Eiden Ackland, Adam Doeuihi, Max Liles, Heath Mason, Brent Naden or James Valevatu.

 

[Shaggytiger1]

Thoughts on Latu Fainu playing in the centres. Good on his feet and has great ball skills and seams to have a crack in defence.

 

[Tiger Tarl]

Thoughts on Latu Fainu playing in the centres. Good on his feet and has great ball skills and seams to have a crack in defence.

Would be interested to see how he went there...

But ultimately, I think he will be playing 80 mins at half in reserves so he is ready to step in as soon as Luai or Galvin are injured/suspended/on rep duty. He's our next choice in both half positions and transitioning him to centre (a specialist position) may affect his progression.

 

[Buttface]

Plus the fact we don’t really need him, we have enough options for centre and wing. And unlike Lodge and some others who have atoned for their indiscretions and moved on, May is a serial douchebag who still seems to be lurching from one crime to another without remorse. Love his brother and his attitude, but no thanks to Taylan (I’m just misguided) May.

Ask his victims whether Lodge has atoned and I think you will get a vastly different answer.
I’m not keen on either.

 

[Vicious]

Thoughts on Latu Fainu playing in the centres. Good on his feet and has great ball skills and seams to have a crack in defence.

I think it could work, particularly if playing alongside his brother.
He has a sharp left foot step so really needs to play on the left for that not to be wasted.
Olam is our left centre for now, let’s see how his body holds up in 2025.

 

[BAGNF05]

Thoughts on Latu Fainu playing in the centres. Good on his feet and has great ball skills and seams to have a crack in defence.

Defense in the centres is highly specialised and having a crack is not enough. Any weaknesses will get found out quick smart.

 

[Peter_B]

Ask his victims whether Lodge has atoned and I think you will get a vastly different answer.
I’m not keen on either.

Lodge took out a bank loan of $1.6m to compensate his victims. They received the funds in 1 bulk payment back in 2015. Now, let's compare that outcome to say... Mam's.
PS; I still think Lodge is a douche as well 🙂

 

[rihannafan1]

Both Laulilli’s need to have a couple of stand out games playing NSW Cup before they should be considered for NRL.
Sure Luke showed some promise amongst a few mistakes when playing NRL at a very young age in 2024.
He should be much improved with age and experience in 2025, but surely he needs to show he’s competent under the high ball, has minimised his mistakes and show he can dominate in NSW Cup before he gets another NRL call up.
Kit showed intent to hit top speed quickly and run the ball hard in his NRL debut against the Sea Eagles in the last round of 2023, but did not show this once in 2024.
He is limited in way of size, speed and athleticism, therefore running the ball hard is a must for him to succeed.
I think the microscope is well and truly on Kit and Sol Saukuru in 2025 as they have both now had a season under their belt playing against men in NSW Cup, both were very dominant in the junior ranks, but need to show a lot more than they did in 2024 to establish themselves as potential regular NRL players.
Saukuru did have some good moments throughout the 2024 season, but his lack of speed and lack of fitness is a big concern.

Kit needs a bit of time to develop. Dunno if he is physically up to it yet.

If we are depending on Luke to regularly play this year then we are in trouble. He's clearly got the athleticism and an x-factor that all NRL level players need but he's still really young. I'd expect him to push for a regular spot once he's 20.

 

[Odessa]

Lodge took out a bank loan of $1.6m to compensate his victims. They received the funds in 1 bulk payment back in 2015. Now, let's compare that outcome to say... Mam's.
PS; I still think Lodge is a douche as well 🙂

I have always wondered what he took a mate years ago took acid and went wild totally out of character did Lodge understand what was happening?