Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[PabloX]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

Let’s do it, we need Laurie now and Mansour would be handy at a cheap rate. Ivan can take his love child Packer in return, Penrith are short of a forward or two ?

No. Let's hold out and try and get Crichton instead

Could be the reason for the hold up.

But the tough decision is will he just be using us to bring up panthers price like everyone else.

Either way I'm happy

 

[Speed2burn]

Everything Wests Tigers
@EverythingWests
Zac Cini and Daine Laurie have been both training with the Penrith Panthers. Very interesting. Hope we haven’t released Cini regardless, would be a complete waste

He posts on the forum here.. probably not a Tigers supporter.. 15 year old wanting to get a Instagram following and supports players not coming to the Wests Tigers.

What a stupid thing to say hahahaha

Probably is, wont speak the mind next time.

other then that, can anyone provide any information on the camp that the team went to over the last 3 days? Wonder if they smashed it while doing so.. personally i'd be putting them into another camp during Jan-Feb.

Camp????

Boys went on a 3 day intensive army camp and just got back today. Seems most clubs do it these days tbh

Would be cool if they show exclusive content of the camp. I know penrith did it last pre season

They definitely got smashed, was watching them

Where abouts was it exactly?

 

[TheDaBoss]

Two Bulldogs pups are chasing their NRL dreams — but only one of them in Canterbury colours.

Cooper Talau has joined Trent Barrett‘s Belmore revolution, looking to cement a roster spot at the club where his father, Willie, played 101 games.

Riley Price, the son of Bulldogs legend Steve, is aiming to unleash his own rugby league career in Townsville with the Cowboys.

The pair are among a host of NRL hopefuls slogging it out this summer on train-and-trial contracts — a list that includes former NRL players Albert Kelly, Jayden Nikorima and Ata Hingano.

The latest in the Talau production line, Cooper, 19, is one of eight train-and-trial players at the Bulldogs hoping to impress new coach Trent Barrett.

Unlike his father and older brothers — Wests Tigers centre Tommy and former Canterbury under-20s utility Lachlan — Cooper Talau is a skilful front-rower with developing ball skills. “He’s different to his brothers, he’s a big body. If you look at Lachlan and Tommy they are more slight. Whereas Cooper is a big boy. He has a very good motor,” Troy Weeden, head of rugby league at Westfields Sports High, said of the former Australian Schoolboys captain. “He’s also a very intelligent footballer and intelligent kid all-round. He’s studying engineering and commerce at The University of Sydney.” Meanwhile in Townsville, 19-year-old Price is already showing signs of his father, stacking on 10 kilograms of muscle over the COVID break, as he aims to become a powerful front-rower.

He has been living with his uncle and Test and Maroons centre Brent Tate since he was snapped up by the Cowboys in 2019 following his performance for the Sunshine Coast Falcons under-18s. Tate has already spotted the similarities between father and son, with Riley showing signs of NRL potential.

“He’s going to be a big boy like his dad,” Tate said. “He’s not overly big just yet but his dad was just like that before he hit a certain stage and his dad is a huge man. “He’s definitely got more skill and speed than his father, that’s for sure. “I genuinely think he’s going to be a really good player going forward and the Cowboys have got themselves a really good kid. “He’s been champing at the bit just to spend a few weeks with the Cowboys and you can’t wipe the smile off his face which is what it’s about.” Another forward making his mark this pre-season is rugged Queenslander Jaiyden Hunt, who has been training in Wollongong with St George Illawarra. Hunt spent time with the Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup and has made an impression on new Dragons coach Anthony Griffin.

Griffin told The Daily Telegraph that Hunt was doing all the right things to earn a more permanent spot in his squad. “He is one of those guys who frustratingly didn’t get to play too much footy when they called off the Queensland Cup. I got a tip on him from some people I respect up there. He’s also been in the Melbourne system,” Griffin said. “He’s a big boy, he is about 111 kilograms and is still only young. He’s doing everything right at the moment.

“Jaiyden is on a train and trial until the end of February so we’ll wait and see how he plays in February.”

Elsewhere, the New Zealand Warriors have handed Jayden Nikorima a lifeline and possible path to a NRL comeback. The Junior Kangaroo and Queensland under-20s representative hasn’t played in the NRL since 2016, when he featured in seven games for the Sydney Roosters. His Roosters contract was torn up after failing a second drug test.

But the likes of Talau, Hunt and Nikorima aren’t the only train-and-trial players to keep an eye on:

Also at the Dragons, Connor Muhleisen is a sharp dummy half who captained Illawarra’s SG Ball side in 2019 and helped steer them to the premiership alongside young gun Jayden Sullivan and the highly rated Feagai twins;

Josh Coric is a tough prop who is signed to St George Illawarra for the next four years;

Issac Luke is keeping alive his dreams of an NRL lifeline with the Broncos. Luke, who played 12 games for Brisbane in 2020 after switching from the Dragons mid-season, is hoping to win over new coach Kevin Walters.

In Canberra there is one spot vacant in Ricky Stuart‘s top squad with likes of Sebastian Kris and Elijah Anderson looking to show their wares’

At the Tigers, there is excitement about Brandon Tumeth and Henry O’Kane. The duo will train with the top squad but are likely to play Jersey Flegg in season 2021.

STORM SWOOP OFF THE MARK

Wild speculation went through rugby league land this week that South Sydney’s Corey Allan could be headed for the Melbourne Storm.

Souths have given Allan, 22, permission to find a long term deal elsewhere if he could land one, as they manage their salary cap.

But talk the Storm had entered the fray is wide of the mark, despite the fact they’ll be losing Josh Addo-Carr to Canterbury at the end of next season.

At this rate, Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs will be happy to keep the Queensland State of Origin representative on their books for the 2021 season after he provided more than adequate back-up when fullback Latrell Mitchell went down with a season-ending hamstring injury.

LOCKED and LOADED

Bulldogs: Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr will be a Bulldog in season 2022 after agreeing to join the Belmore club on a four-year deal worth around $2 million dollars.

Raiders: Winger Jordan Rapana has agreed to a one-year extension in the nation’s capital which will keep him in the lime green until the end of season 2021.

Roosters: Drew Hutchison has signed a one-year extension until the end of season 2021. Rising forwards Tuku Hau Tapuha and Naufahu Whyte have both signed on until the end of season 2022 at the Bondi club.

Broncos: After 128 games as a Cowboy, versatile forward John Asiata has linked with the Brisbane Broncos on a one-year deal for season 2021.

Dragons: Parramatta forward Daniel Alvaro was released from the final year of his deal with the Eels to join the Dragons effective immediately on a two-year deal until the end of season 2022.

TRAIN AND TRIAL CONTRACTS

BRONCOS

Albert Kelly

Logan Bayliss-Brow

Brendan Frei

Calum Gahan

Ben Nakubuwai

Leivaha Pulu

Issac Luke

BULLDOGS

Bailey Biondi-Odo

Kane Jackson

Javvier Pitovao

Mosese Pope

Aaron Schoupp

Cooper Talau

Penisimani Teaupa

Kane Kalache

Reubenn Rennie

COWBOYS

Riley Price

Kyle Laybutt

Ata Hingano

Josh Stuckey

Javid Bowen

Jack Bowyer

DRAGONS

Jaiyden Hunt

Josh Coric

Connor Muhleisen

EELS

No train-and-trial players.

“We use those spots for bringing through players in our elite junior programs,” a spokesman said.

KNIGHTS

Brayden Musgrove

PANTHERS

Given their late finish to the season, Penrith don’t return to training until December 14th and roster is yet to be finalised.

RABBITOHS

The Rabbitohs had no train and trial players at the time of writing.

RAIDERS

Sebastian Kris

Elijah Anderson

ROOSTERS

Joshua Bevan

Ronald Volkman

Tom Deakin

Tuku Hau Tapuha

Zac Montgomery

Brad Abbey

SEA EAGLES

Yet to finalise their pre-season squad

SHARKS

Jack A. Williams

Monty Raper

Josh Carr

Kayleb Milne

Tom Hazelton

STORM

Daniel Atkinson

WARRIORS

Jayden Nikorima

Nathan Watts

Lachlan Timm

Pride Peterson-Robati

Taniela Otukolo

Valingi Kepu

Otukinekina Kepu

Leyton Finau

Jeremiah Asi

William Fakatoumafi

WESTS TIGERS

Brandon Tumeth

Henry O’Kane

Allan Fitzgibbon

Ky Rodwell

Edene Gebbie

 

[tony soprano]

O’kane looks good

 

[hsvjones]

I assume the players will be off now until the new year ?
I thought this week would of been a big week for player signings across the league before the Xmas break. As a Player I would assume it would be great to settle your future and have a relaxing break before the real training begins..
I am very happy with what we have done so far and looking forward to filling the last few spots..

 

[pawsandclaws1]

O’kane looks good

Turneth signed a contract with the club quite a while ago. It was on this forum.

 

[tony soprano]

O’kane looks good

Turneth signed a contract with the club quite a while ago. It was on this forum.

Is he a lock?


Okane looks like second row?

 

[diedpretty]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

Interesting. They need Mansour gone to make a competitive offer to re-sign Crichton?

No way - should show Ivan our intentions and go hard for Crichton.

 

[diedpretty]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

Let’s do it, we need Laurie now and Mansour would be handy at a cheap rate. Ivan can take his love child Packer in return, Penrith are short of a forward or two ?

No. Let's hold out and try and get Crichton instead

Could be the reason for the hold up.

But the tough decision is will he just be using us to bring up panthers price like everyone else.

Thats ok

 

[pawsandclaws1]

O’kane looks good

Turneth signed a contract with the club quite a while ago. It was on this forum.

Is he a lock?


Okane looks like second row?

Tumeth is a NSW Under Age second row forward who has the gift of being a try scorer. He is a Holy Cross Ryde product.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

Interesting. They need Mansour gone to make a competitive offer to re-sign Crichton?

No way - should show Ivan our intentions and go hard for Crichton.

Don't need to bring Crichton into the picture for mine, as I just want to see the traitor suffer a little from his cap decisions for a couple of years, even if it pales in significance to what he left us at WT to deal, with it continuing into a third year to come.

 

[mafia1]

Stuff Cleary he stuffed our cap so why should we help the grub we can wait for Laurie for a year no big deal we have coverage in the 1 jersey

 

[bathursttiger1]

Just reading in the local rag that Jack Buchanan has signed with the Cowra Magpies.

 

[JC99]

Stuff Cleary he stuffed our cap so why should we help the grub we can wait for Laurie for a year no big deal we have coverage in the 1 jersey

I agree, but we don’t really have cover in the 1 jersey. We don’t have any specialist fullbacks at all really, but no way I want Mansour even if we get Laurie too

 

[weststigerman]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

 

[gallagher]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

Only a scumbag would use mental health as a tool.

 

[weststigerman]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

Only a scumbag would use mental health as a tool.

Player welfare is not the same as mental health.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

Only a scumbag would use mental health as a tool.

Player welfare is not the same as mental health.

How is spending another year in a team that won the minor premiership bad for his welfare? The guys 21, another year in the Penrith system isn’t going to cause him any harm. Might do him some good.

 

[weststigerman]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

Only a scumbag would use mental health as a tool.

Player welfare is not the same as mental health.

How is spending another year in a team that won the minor premiership bad for his welfare? The guys 21, another year in the Penrith system isn’t going to cause him any harm. Might do him some good.

How did that help Stefano? If you heard his recent interview, it was clear he was unhappy staying there.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Ivan shut down burton 2021 release and said Laurie still on the table if we take mansour

If those reports are true, the club should play the player welfare card. If he stays, he can't play first grade until at least round 16. He's obviously leaving for a first grade opportunity.

If he eventually does join, every week he's not training with WT is an opportunity lost to build combinations.

Only a scumbag would use mental health as a tool.

Player welfare is not the same as mental health.

How is spending another year in a team that won the minor premiership bad for his welfare? The guys 21, another year in the Penrith system isn’t going to cause him any harm. Might do him some good.

How did that help Stefano? If you heard his recent interview, it was clear he was unhappy staying there.

I don’t think that was clear at all. Laurie signed a contract, nothing wrong with making him fulfil it.