Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigerman]

It’s just “the grass is greener” thought mentality. Combined with the dopamine hit provided when you buy something . Like a new player.
I will say this neither Jojo or star can possibly think they’re anything other than a caretaker for that centre position. They’re just keeping it warm for whichever of May or Makasini can make the jump from left to right.
And whichever side has Makasini that sides eventual winger will be Lualilii .
Even Skelton is 26 surprisingly .

I think both May and Makasini will play on the left. Benji indicated as much in the post game presser.

Turuva will definitely be one winger, and we still need a right side centre who at the moment will be To’a.

 

[Vicious]

Yes …and they are able to take their time compared with Galvin ..

But I still think he should be given the opportunity to win the position… he is at the age and we hope the talent level where a big improvement can happen in his game within a short time …

Until that happens though, then keep him at 14…. Moving Latu to starting 13 would be something I wouldn’t particularly favour though … he needs to concentrate on learning the halves role

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

 

[Vicious]

I assume you are talking 5th tackle clearing kicks … if Latu doesn’t improve this part of his game …cant AD still kick with 13 on his back ?

What 13’s in the NRL do you see regularly kick on the 5th tackle ?

 

[jrtiger]

He has signed with Newcastle.

Tip for those asking about players they are hopeful we sign. A Google search would have answered this question.

hasn’t been confirmed by the club and according to Zero Tackle, which is a shaky source at the best of times, it hinges on AOB still being at the club, which at this point is up in the air.

a Google search would’ve cleared this up for you.

 

[weststigers]

hasn’t been confirmed by the club and according to Zero Tackle, which is a shaky source at the best of times, it hinges on AOB still being at the club, which at this point is up in the air.

a Google search would’ve cleared this up for you.

Yes that's correct, but the Knights haven't said anything about AOB, so he has agreed to terms provided he is happy with the coach.

The poster is interested if we are in the mix and the news reports show we are not. I doubt he cares where he lands unless it's with us.

Love your sassiness and passion though.

 

[Tom Shines]

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

if Latu is the best option to play in the halves with Luai…he will be playing there .. he has barely been given game time there yet ( literally a couple of games ) so he at least deserves more opportunity… he may prove to be a quick learner

 

[Tom Shines]

What 13’s in the NRL do you see regularly kick on the 5th tackle ?

You didn’t appear to have answered my question…
at least you have moved on from your previous obsession with putting Sam F in the middle though

 

[Vicious]

You didn’t appear to have answered my question…
at least you have moved on from your previous obsession with putting Sam F in the middle though

13’s are generally too tired from their defensive workload in the middle to do any general play kicking.
We have 400 edge back rowers on our books for next season, no chance we are signing any more.
In saying that if we somehow managed to offload Jack Bird at full freight and replaced him with Talakai from the Sharks as our number 15, that would be good business and a good upgrade.

 

[Tom Shines]

We have 400 edge back rowers on our books for next season, no chance we are signing any more.
In saying that if we somehow managed to offload Jack Bird at full freight and replaced him with Talakai from the Sharks as our number 15, that would be good business and a good upgrade.

Which do you prefer - the team winning games or thinking up ways to churn the bottom of the squad ?

 

[king_sirro]

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

Ben Hunt progressed this way

 

[Vicious]

Which do you prefer - the team winning games or thinking up ways to churn the bottom of the squad ?

I’ve got no idea what you mean ?
Winning games is the aim of the game and I still believe we lack pace across our top 17 and lack a bit of grunt in the forwards.
There have been recent reports that the Sharks are willing to offload Talakai due to their own salary cap constraints. If that is true, surely we are trying to find a way to sign him as he would be a versatile, more mobile, aggressive, power ball running option on our bench.
Then add a good quality middle and a speedy outside back option to at least pressure for a starting spot and we would at least look to be a top 8, potential top 4 team on paper.

 

[innsaneink]

I think the offloading Bird story has been embellished by the media somewhat & the Hunt story (via one UK media platform that doesn't have the best strike-rate) is probably a journo putting 1 and 1 together and getting 3. This is how I see it, purely opinion ...

Bird has been informed he won't be extended beyond next season. The club has informed him he can explore his options and if he finds a longer deal, the club is willing to release him but I doubt the club will chip in much $$$ for this if any. However the club is also willing to retain him as per his contract.

I highly doubt Hunt is being shopped. For one, I believe Hunt has been playing injured which has had an impact on his output. If the club can get his body healthy ready for a full pre-season, I reckon Benji will back himself to get the output out of Royce they want. Secondly, no other club is likely to take Royce for 2 seasons on anywhere close to the $$$ he is on for us and I highly doubt Richo would chip in $150k-$200k each year for him to play elsewhere when we have a fair load to pay for Bud Sullivan.

Yep two weeks til off sesson for us...more than likely...anyway i would.hope Hunt and the club can get himself right over aummer...adress any injuries and come back better next year....
He was good for us early in the year...needs a fair go...hes got more to offer i reckon

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yep two weeks til off sesson for us...more than likely...anyway i would.hope Hunt and the club can get himself right over aummer...adress and injuries and come back better next year....
He was good for us early in the year...needs a fair go

This is the way we should go can't see the point of cutting loose the big body we need in our pack, if he's had a lot of niggles than give the benefit of the doubt.

But he needs to work hard over the off season and trim down to where he needs to be to provide impact plus improved minutes.

 

[Tom Shines]

.

Ben Hunt progressed this way

And Katoa has taken a different route being thrown into the position at 18… everyone takes a different path

 

[Nonotmeagain]

I’ve got no idea what you mean ?
Winning games is the aim of the game and I still believe we lack pace across our top 17 and lack a bit of grunt in the forwards.
There have been recent reports that the Sharks are willing to offload Talakai due to their own salary cap constraints. If that is true, surely we are trying to find a way to sign him as he would be a versatile, more mobile, aggressive, power ball running option on our bench.
Then add a good quality middle and a speedy outside back option to at least pressure for a starting spot and we would at least look to be a top 8, potential top 4 team on paper.

Why would Talaki be any different than Hunt - hoe doesn't appear to be a game changer for the Sharks.

 

[Tito Santana]

Why would Talaki be any different than Hunt - hoe doesn't appear to be a game changer for the Sharks.

Yeah he had one good season but it’s becoming clear the better performers in the comp are super fit - which he isn’t.

 

[Vicious]

Why would Talaki be any different than Hunt - hoe doesn't appear to be a game changer for the Sharks.

He dents the defence and makes good inroads with every high speed hit up, no half paced crap with him.
He’s a smaller nuggety totally different t body shape to Hunt, so he wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Hunt, more a replacement for Bird.

 

[weststigers]

Yes correct … there is an offseason to come though and Latu is still young and improving …

If AD is still the best option in 2026 than keep him there … however I think the sooner Latu is the best option at the position the better for the club ..

The good news is Latu isn't really being held back from NRL due to him being a pretty good defender and able to cover lock.

It's great that Adam has strung a couple of good games together, and as you say, if he shows week in week out consistency and we are winning games, then he should stay there in the short term. Long term, however, we need to accept Latu is going to play there.

I would say Galvin got most of the reps during pre-season above Latu, so that held him back a little along with injury. The off season should give him plenty of time to get up to speed and challenge for 7.

Above all, competition for spots is a good thing whether you are in the Latu or Adam camp.

 

[TheEnz]

if Latu is the best option to play in the halves with Luai…he will be playing there .. he has barely been given game time there yet ( literally a couple of games ) so he at least deserves more opportunity… he may prove to be a quick learner

AD has more experience so is currently a better fit to finish off the season, he can adjust better to the mess that was created when Galvin left and Luai jumped back to 6. Latu does not have the experience or confidence to be able to just drop in and figure it out (lucky we have a player like AD to do it). However, a full pre-season with Latu and Luai training in 6 and 7 will be a different proposition. I predict it will be Latu 7 Luai 6 and AD 13......there might be a chance that Luai jumps back to 7.

 

[upthetigers]

Turuva and Skelton have both been good. Both are sadly a bit limited in their ceiling, Turuva for his lack of size and Skelton for his lack of pace. However unlike in years gone by, wing isn't a position of weakness and they're a perfectly capable duo for a finals level team.

Pace ain't everything. As a winger I want a good finisher and defender, Skelton might not be as quick as Staines but he shits on him in every other aspect of the game.