Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Demps]

Talakai had a very close relationship with John Morris at the Sharks when he was first coming into grade there. He'd be a very good impact bench player to cover backrow, centre, even middle.

Interesting.

He could be the bench hit man we're needing.

 

[tigahhh]

Hiroti is a career long reserve grader.
We've had one of those on our books for a while now in Naden.

Definitely think we need some depth for our outside backs though.

Assuming, Taylan & Makasini will eventually be our first choice centres.

Hopefully Tui'tupou and Mapapalangi get deals and can be our back ups, along with Luke Lualii.

I can also see Starford getting an early release and not being at the club next year.

really ? whys that

 

[tigahhh]

Talakai had a very close relationship with John Morris at the Sharks when he was first coming into grade there. He'd be a very good impact bench player to cover backrow, centre, even middle.

depends if roycey will put in a good word about the club 🤣

 

[Demps]

really ? whys that

Just a feeling...

 

[tigahhh]

Just a feeling...

does all seem weird doesn’t it

 

[Demps]

does all seem weird doesn’t it

Could be good for both parties.
Fresh start elsewhere.

 

[Tom Shines]

Hiroti is a career long reserve grader.
We've had one of those on our books for a while now in Naden.

Definitely think we need some depth for our outside backs though.

Assuming, Taylan & Makasini will eventually be our first choice centres.

Hopefully Tui'tupou and Mapapalangi get deals and can be our back ups, along with Luke Lualii.

I can also see Starford getting an early release and not being at the club next year.

Not much room for depth backs … they might have to go with what they got already

We got 4 spots left assuming they sign Taylan …

Three forwards please…

How do you feel about Hope as the second hooker next season ? Does that need an upgrade?

 

[Vicious]

Hiroti is a career long reserve grader.
We've had one of those on our books for a while now in Naden.

Definitely think we need some depth for our outside backs though.

Assuming, Taylan & Makasini will eventually be our first choice centres.

Hopefully Tui'tupou and Mapapalangi get deals and can be our back ups, along with Luke Lualii.

I can also see Starford getting an early release and not being at the club next year.

Although you are correct in saying Hiroti has already had a long career playing Reserve Grade and signing him could potentially be another Brent Naden type situation, he is still only 26y.o he has had a few injuries that have held him back.
He now appears to be on top of his game and it is quite hard to work out why he has not played more regular NRL when you consider has always played extremely well at NRL level.
I think he would be a good signing to add depth, competition for NRL positions and not simply allow our young up and comers such as Makasini and Laulilli an easy pathway to regular NRL unless they well and truly earn it.

 

[Tom Shines]

Although you are correct in saying Hiroti has already had a long career playing Reserve Grade and signing him could potentially be another Brent Naden type situation, he is still only 26y.o he has had a few injuries that have held him back, but he now appears tj be on top of and it is quite hard to wirk out why he has not phayed more regular NRL as he has always played extremely well in his NRL opportunities such as this season with the Sharks and quite a few years back when he was at the Rabbitohs.
I think he would be a good signing to add depth, competition for NRL positions and not simply allow our young up and comers such as Makasini and Laulilli an easy pathway to regular NRL unless they well and truly earn it.

I’ll ask the same question of you …

We got 4 more Top 30 spots left assuming Taylan is retained …

How do you want to use them ? Hope it’s not more depth because some in the Top 17 need improving still

 

[Vicious]

Sounds like the Sharks need to shed some players.

Talakai and Brandon Hanlin are the ones given the tap, but any others worth asking about?

Both of them would be good for us.
Hamlin-Uele is extremely aggressive, a damaging ball runner and although far from an 80min player, he has a much better engine and is able to play more minutes than his old mate Royce Hunt.

 

[user118245]

Talakai had a very close relationship with John Morris at the Sharks when he was first coming into grade there. He'd be a very good impact bench player to cover backrow, centre, even middle.

Close with Royce I think I saw in here as well

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Both of them would be good for us.
Hamlin-Uele is extremely aggressive, a damaging ball runner and although far from an 80min player, he has a much better engine and is able to play more minutes than his old mate Royce Hunt.

We already have one of them...Royce Hunt...big no to both

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Could be good for both parties.
Fresh start elsewhere.

It's an interesting one. To'a has a lot of friends at the club and is close to Benji from what I understand. Benji even elevated him to the leadership core this season.

I just think it's partly his agent at Wassermanns playing funny buggers about $$$ with Perth Bears a potential suitor come November 1. Not sure he would get a better deal anywehere else than what we (or Bears) can offer with his injury history.

 

[Tom Shines]

It's an interesting one. To'a has a lot of friends at the club and is close to Benji from what I understand. Benji even elevated him to the leadership core this season.

I just think it's partly his agent at Wassermanns playing funny buggers about $$$ with Perth Bears a potential suitor come November 1. Not sure he would get a better deal anywehere else than what we (or Bears) can offer with his injury history.

The difference in first half of the season Toa versus second half is $600k/ $300k … he is a tough one to value

 

[Demps]

It's an interesting one. To'a has a lot of friends at the club and is close to Benji from what I understand. Benji even elevated him to the leadership core this season.

I just think it's partly his agent at Wassermanns playing funny buggers about $$$ with Perth Bears a potential suitor come November 1. Not sure he would get a better deal anywehere else than what we (or Bears) can offer with his injury history.

Has friends everywhere.
NZ, Parra, Newcastle....
Probably a likeable guy.

He's keeping the seat warm until Makasini comes in... that guy has all the attributes you want from a modern outside back. Guys like Folau, Inglis, Yow Yeh and more recently Sualilii and Xavier Coates - Makasini has it.

 

[weststigers]

Sounds like the Sharks need to shed some players.

Talakai and Brandon Hanlin are the ones given the tap, but any others worth asking about?

You wouldn't take Talakai?

 

[Vicious]

The difference in first half of the season Toa versus second half is $600k/ $300k … he is a tough one to value

$450k then, $200k maximum now.

 

[weststigers]

Not much room for depth backs … they might have to go with what they got already

We got 4 spots left assuming they sign Taylan …

Three forwards please…

How do you feel about Hope as the second hooker next season ? Does that need an upgrade?

Hope needs an upgrade. Ultimately way too small and gets thrown around in attack and defence. Other than that he's a great hooker.

 

[Tom Shines]

Hope needs an upgrade. Ultimately way too small and gets thrown around in attack and defence. Other than that he's a great hooker.

Yeah I think you are right about the required upgrade …wouldn’t want to be relying on him if Api is out for more than a game

$450k then, $200k maximum now.

He was great at the start of the season …but he seems to never maintain good form for too long…that was probably the longest

 

[innsaneink]

You wouldn't take Talakai?

Yes please