Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

batboy said:
Yeah - I'm hopeful, Not real optimistic though...
Our shape in attack is dogshit (As you've alluded to) - Parras' looks decent and they do it at speed...
We might find shape, Speed we won't find in a hurry...
Click to expand...
In 2025 when the Eels flogged us at ComBank Stadium, our forwards held their own but the Eels backs were too fast and classy for us.
What changes in 2026, we haven’t improved our backline ?
 
mtd#2 said:
Id argue that our signings pre-season were better; Luai, Terrell and Turuva - all starting players, where as walker is a #14.

And Taylan May midseason vs Da Silva.. Taylan wins hands down every day and they are almost on the same money
Click to expand...

We can have our opinions …. Next seasons results will tell the story
 
Vicious said:
Also Jack Williams who we should have signed.
They have developed the likes of Kitione Kautoga, Kelma Tuilagi and Matt Doorey and into very good NRL players.
They were smart enough to realise it’s a big advantage to have a 13 with ball playing ability and/or speed and moved J’maine Hopgood to prop which is proving to be very successful.
So they are now at the stage where they are a much more skillful team than us, a much faster team than us and a much more aggressive team than us.
We are no chance of finishing higher than them in 2026 and no chance of finishing higher than the Rabbitohs in 2026.
Click to expand...
Think you are overstating how well Tuilagi, Kautoga and Hopgood played this season...
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Yes, we have done OK in the forwards, now the next hole to be plugged is definitely more speed in the outside backs.

Two spots left, could the club have identified this and are on the lookout, you would like to think so.
Click to expand...
Finally someone with a bit of logic RHS.
I keep asking the question which forwards can we possibly buy that will dramatically improve our team and nobody can answer me ?
Yes it would be nice to have a stronger forward pack, but we have some very good young emerging forwards who could be in the top echelon of their positions within the next couple of years.
 
Current 2026 Sportsbet premiership odds …

Parramatta 19.00
Us 34.00

Now I would say that is refelctive in the difference in Joe Public’s optimism about the two teams and nothing more than that… won’t count for anything on the field come March
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Kautoga is only 23 and looks to be improving under Ryles.

To think we chose Tumeth over Kiti and he became impatient and left, I know who I would have kept.
Click to expand...
He looked good at times, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't describe him as a "very good first grader" yet.

Not sure who's choice is was to move him on (whether him or the club), but he probably would of played 15-20 NRL games with us this year and fair chunk last year if he had stuck it out.
 
jrtiger said:
plenty actually. Taylan May ring a bell?
Click to expand...
Yes he rings a bell and he’s now clearly our best and most dangerous outside back.
Are you confident in Starford to step up and be consistently good all season and not look like a speedbump when defending against anyone with a bit of ability ?
I know we say Makasini might take his spot, it’s easier said than done transitioning from a natural left sided player to be confident and competent when playing on the right,
Our backline matches up poorly and gets found out against most of our NRL rivals, yet we have many supporters who think our backs are great ?
 
Tom Shines said:
Current 2026 Sportsbet premiership odds …

Parramatta 19.00
Us 34.00

Now I would say that is refelctive in the difference in Joe Public’s optimism about the two teams and nothing more than that… won’t count for anything on the field come March
Click to expand...
For anyone who is confident we will make the top 8 in 2026 I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and have a good bet on it as the odds are much better than bank interest.
 
Vicious said:
Also Jack Williams who we should have signed.
They have developed the likes of Kitione Kautoga, Kelma Tuilagi and Matt Doorey and into very good NRL players.
They were smart enough to realise it’s a big advantage to have a 13 with ball playing ability and/or speed and moved J’maine Hopgood to prop which is proving to be very successful.
So they are now at the stage where they are a much more skillful team than us, a much faster team than us and a much more aggressive team than us.
We are no chance of finishing higher than them in 2026 and no chance of finishing higher than the Rabbitohs in 2026.
Click to expand...
Kautoga and Tuilagi are massive defensive liabilities.

Parra are not as far ahead as people think. An easy draw to end the season and big win against a lifeless Newcastle masked over a few of their issues. Their backrowers are poor defensively and don't have much go forward through the middle outside of Paulo and Williams.

They will finish around the same spot next season.
 
Vicious said:
Yes he rings a bell and he’s now clearly our best and most dangerous outside back.
Are you confident in Starford to step up and be consistently good all season and not look like a speedbump when defending against anyone with a bit of ability ?
I know we say Makasini might take his spot, it’s easier said than done transitioning from a natural left sided player to be confident and competent when playing on the right,
Our backline matches up poorly and gets found out against most of our NRL rivals, yet we have many supporters who think our backs are great ?
Click to expand...
I'm very confident in Starford providing he isn't playing busted like he was at the end of last year. beginning of the year he was phenomenal and I'm confident he lifts again.

you have to remember that by the end of the year the right edge was entirely different to what it was in preseason. no defensive cohesion, no trust, no understanding. we've now got four months to bed down combos with a settled right edge, which will include Star. I'm confident his defence will lift from there.

Heamasi will be gunning for Skelton's on the left sting and I'd say he's a fair chance of getting it. Turuva is brilliant despite the occasional defensive error, Taylan is Taylan and your man Jahream is going to level up again next year.
 
upthetigers said:
How can you get into a fight with a patron at a restaurant.

If you don't go looking for fights, you have no issues.

So many dikheads in the NRL.
Click to expand...
Totally Disagree Mate

The Idiots are usually the Fans who troll players. cowards

My Mate is a former FG captain and media personality. A real nice guy. He used to comments and be drawn into so much garbage.
 
Vicious said:
Finally someone with a bit of logic RHS.
I keep asking the question which forwards can we possibly buy that will dramatically improve our team and nobody can answer me ?
Yes it would be nice to have a stronger forward pack, but we have some very good young emerging forwards who could be in the top echelon of their positions within the next couple of years.
Click to expand...
The unknown for the team is do we need to recruit a lock or use someone within, do we need to find another hooker to give Api a rest or use someone within.

We definitely could use more speed but who loses their spot Jeral is probably the slowest so if we do recruit speed what happens to him, can he be used somewhere else in the side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 441 (members: 22, guests: 419)
Back
Top