Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[mtd#2]

I wonder how local junior Luke Lauilii feels if we sign another depth winger to force him down the depth chart …

He's only forced down the depth chart if he isn't as good as someone we sign... So who's problem is that? Is that not then on Luke to improve? Or do we keep trying to hand everything on a platter to players just because they come through our system?

 

[Tom Shines]

He's only forced down the depth chart if he isn't as good as someone we sign... So who's problem is that? Is that not then on Luke to improve? Or do we keep trying to hand everything on a platter to players just because they come through our system?

Questions…lots of questions with our 4 remaining spots..

Is it better to upgrade our reserve grade wingers , or sign a couple of starting middles? Try to upgrade Hope as well..or is he the man next season of Api is out?

 

[Westoz]

Wouldn’t even care if Toa goes he’s so inconsistent

 

[Tito Santana]

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.

I think he’s hit his ceiling anyway

 

[Tito Santana]

Questions…lots of questions with our 4 remaining spots..

Is it better to upgrade our reserve grade wingers , or sign a couple of starting middles? Try to upgrade Hope as well..or is he the man next season of Api is out?

Can we please sign some forwards who will hurt people? That would be nice.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Wouldn’t even care if Toa goes he’s so inconsistent

I don’t think I’ve come across a player who people fluctuate on as much as the Star man. One week there’s anxiety about his contract, the next he’s a reserve grader.

 

[Vicious]

He's only forced down the depth chart if he isn't as good as someone we sign... So who's problem is that? Is that not then on Luke to improve? Or do we keep trying to hand everything on a platter to players just because they come through our system?

Exactly right.
I’ve been highly impressed with Luke lately and there is no guarantee Makasini will be the better player of the 2.
But as you say, we can’t just hand NRL spots to them on a platter, they need to earn it.

 

[Tom Shines]

I don’t think I’ve come across a player who people fluctuate on as much as the Star man. One week there’s anxiety about his contract, the next he’s a reserve grader.

He himself has shown extremes of above average NRL player down to reserve grader over the course of 10 games

 

[liltiger]

It doesn’t matter how good your local talent is, you still need to scout far and wide.
The Panthers success over the past 5 or so years is testament to that with the likes of Yeo, Edwards and Martin all scouted and recruited from country areas at a young age.
When I hear that we don’t have the same scouting and player recruitment resources that other clubs do due to our lack of finances, sure it’s a slight hindrance, but that just means we need to and should have connections that are looking out for us and giving recommendations far and wide rather than having our own people on the ground.
Anyway that’s the past, we have recently made some changes in that space, so let’s hope they are changes for the better.

Vicious we have our scout looking for talent all around, problem is we are competing with clubs who run multiple junior academies all around Australia and overseas. Panthers, Bulldogs and Parra all have multiple junior academies scattered around, the Bulldogs have one in N.Z. we can't keep hanging our hat on the Macarthur region with our juniors, we need to expand as the clubs we are in direct competition in the West are or we are constantly behind the 8 ball.

 

[Tom Shines]

Vicious we have our scout looking for talent all around, problem is we are competing with clubs who run multiple junior academies all around Australia and overseas. Panthers, Bulldogs and Parra all have multiple junior academies scattered around, the Bulldogs have one in N.Z. we can't keep hanging our hat on the Macarthur region with our juniors, we need to expand as the clubs we are in direct competition in the West are or we are constantly behind the 8 ball.

We might have to pass the hat around mate…cause it likes like the owners arent going to match the three clubs you mention

 

[bptiger 0]

Talakai yes. Hamlin-Uele, not as sure. It would depend on the dollars he was asking.

Them two would improve our pack big time

 

[hank37w]

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

The way Starford seems to be playing continually injured, it looks like he's had an early release from the hospital.

 

[JB9918]

AJ Kepoa... However you spell it to the Knights

 

[hank37w]

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

I was thinking more along the lines of Talaki being the replacement for Roycey. 🤣

 

[Lukic]

Talakai is a near perfect bench 2nd rower. Definitely yes if it's a 2 year deal at most.

 

[Tom Shines]

AJ Kepoa... However you spell it to the Knights

People here wanted him back ..lol

 

[hank37w]

I think we made Toa an offer...based on his hot/cold/injured performances that was probably fair and he is not satisfied so probably wants to test the market. He probably wants peak Toa money. Hopefully we don't fold and offer it. Having said that he is not doing himself any favours with his most recent performances.

Benji supposedly likes him, but personally I want consistent peak To'a performance and fitness before offering him anything.

 

[hank37w]

Based on his early form this season he is far from the worst in the squad … he is probably smart enough to get himself through reserve grade for two years if they want to play hard ball

Still can't believe Benji selected Royce as a starter.

 

[user118245]

People here wanted him back ..lol

Was spotted at concord which kicked off those rumours I believe

 

[Tom Shines]

Was spotted at concord which kicked off those rumours I believe

Allegedly “spotted”…