Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[PJ_]

Jock Madden told us after training that Matty Johns is at the club to help mentor the halves, especially Brooksy. Awesome to see him at the club, looked very dedicated today. Great vibes around the joint at the moment. Future certainly looks promising!
 

They look a lot like my kids photos he sent you

Well OPSM for me tomorrow cos the bloke in the pic talking to the bucket head dude is not the same guy wearing sunnies and a beard . Plus if either of them are Matty Johns then he has lost a tonne of muscle from his popeye forearms.

Madden confirmed after training that it is Matty Johns

So Madden said Maddy Johns? That's Mad ET!

Was'nt Madden a Knights junior and one of the Johns boys thought he was something special , and was dirty on the club for losing him,?Hope he's not recruiting.

Correct he was. I've read a few times Andrew has massive wraps on him and was gutted when he left Newie.

Joey's not the best judge of future stars tho.
Wasn't Mullen going to be special, also tim Smith and don't forget brooksy??

Not to say Madden won't be.

All of those players had very good seasons , but couldn’t maintain it , so I’d say his football judgement is right , maybe his psychological profiling is a bit lacking .

Haha true bro

 

[Devon Head]

Jock Madden told us after training that Matty Johns is at the club to help mentor the halves, especially Brooksy. Awesome to see him at the club, looked very dedicated today. Great vibes around the joint at the moment. Future certainly looks promising!
 

They look a lot like my kids photos he sent you

Well OPSM for me tomorrow cos the bloke in the pic talking to the bucket head dude is not the same guy wearing sunnies and a beard . Plus if either of them are Matty Johns then he has lost a tonne of muscle from his popeye forearms.

Madden confirmed after training that it is Matty Johns

So Madden said Maddy Johns? That's Mad ET!

Was'nt Madden a Knights junior and one of the Johns boys thought he was something special , and was dirty on the club for losing him,?Hope he's not recruiting.

Correct he was. I've read a few times Andrew has massive wraps on him and was gutted when he left Newie.

Joey's not the best judge of future stars tho.
Wasn't Mullen going to be special, also tim Smith and don't forget brooksy??

Not to say Madden won't be.

All of those players had very good seasons , but couldn’t maintain it , so I’d say his football judgement is right , maybe his psychological profiling is a bit lacking .

Agreed. Mullen was pretty good in some pretty ordinary Knights teams over the years and eventually his injuries got the better of him. Tim Smith's debut year was outstanding but couldn't maintain it beyond that. I don't think Andrew was ever the one to say Brooksy was the next immortal, that was the media prematurely unloading.

I guess time will tell with Madden though. He's made rep level at every age group so far so no reason why he can't be special. This year may be his chance to show off his abilities.

 

[Needaname]

Jock Madden told us after training that Matty Johns is at the club to help mentor the halves, especially Brooksy. Awesome to see him at the club, looked very dedicated today. Great vibes around the joint at the moment. Future certainly looks promising!
 

They look a lot like my kids photos he sent you

Well OPSM for me tomorrow cos the bloke in the pic talking to the bucket head dude is not the same guy wearing sunnies and a beard . Plus if either of them are Matty Johns then he has lost a tonne of muscle from his popeye forearms.

Madden confirmed after training that it is Matty Johns

So Madden said Maddy Johns? That's Mad ET!

Was'nt Madden a Knights junior and one of the Johns boys thought he was something special , and was dirty on the club for losing him,?Hope he's not recruiting.

Correct he was. I've read a few times Andrew has massive wraps on him and was gutted when he left Newie.

Joey's not the best judge of future stars tho.
Wasn't Mullen going to be special, also tim Smith and don't forget brooksy??

Not to say Madden won't be.

All of those players had very good seasons , but couldn’t maintain it , so I’d say his football judgement is right , maybe his psychological profiling is a bit lacking .

Agreed. Mullen was pretty good in some pretty ordinary Knights teams over the years and eventually his injuries got the better of him. Tim Smith's debut year was outstanding but couldn't maintain it beyond that. I don't think Andrew was ever the one to say Brooksy was the next immortal, that was the media prematurely unloading.

I guess time will tell with Madden though. He's made rep level at every age group so far so no reason why he can't be special. This year may be his chance to show off his abilities.

Joey gave Brooksy a huge wrap on the day he debuted, I remember it quite distinctly.

Joey can pick a talented ‘skilled’ player. Tim Smith was an absolute freak but seemed to be a real fragile personality where his second year just crippled all confidence.
It’s interesting though he can pick their ability but just not their psychic.
In saying that though, not a lot is said about the Psycology of Joey ‘other than the Bipolar’ but he had a competitive nature that could probably only rival Michael Jordan. You learn a lot more about his mind in his book. His not a closed case, idiot that just was good at one thing. There’s a lot more intelligence in him and Matty that they let out as I guess it’s just easier to hide behind the larrikin persona.

 

[Harvey]

Forgot to mention that Zach Dockar-Clay is at the club too. Think he’s on train and trial. Plays 5/8, halfback and hooker. Very quick off the mark with a good step and passing game

Also worth noting the pom mentioned a couple weeks back that if Walters is to leave for Brisbane the club could look for a backup/depth half. ZDC could definitely fill in

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8BNhyyXZU

The 2021 version of Pita Godinet

 

[sleeve]

I doubt if Johns was training anyone,as the other post said he had thongs on.A great deal of the training of halves revolves around the kicking game.Just a friendly chat with a Newcastle junior i'd say.

 

[TigerLouis]

If we sign Laurie I would start him off the bench for the first game & leave Mbye at fullback with Jock Madden five eighth & goalkicker.
Round 1 Team
Mbye (c)
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Leilua
Talau
Madden
Brooks
Ofahengaue
Leilua
Garner
Twal
Liddle
Tamou
Bench
Laurie
Blore
Packer
Musgrove

 

[bptiger]

If we sign Laurie I would start him off the bench for the first game & leave Mbye at fullback with Jock Madden five eighth & goalkicker.
Round 1 Team
Mbye (c)
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Leilua
Talau
Madden
Brooks
Ofahengaue
Leilua
Garner
Twal
Liddle
Tamou
Bench
Laurie
Blore
Packer
Musgrove

 

[Shooter Mcgavin]

Can't see anywhere else but 7 News saying that Benji going to rabbits for a swansong...

 

[MarySt]

Can't see anywhere else but 7 News saying that Benji going to rabbits for a swansong...

cant see him getting much game time there unless theres injuries

 

[Deleted member 3518]

If we sign Laurie I would start him off the bench for the first game & leave Mbye at fullback with Jock Madden five eighth & goalkicker.
Round 1 Team
Mbye (c)
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Leilua
Talau
Madden
Brooks
Ofahengaue
Leilua
Garner
Twal
Liddle
Tamou
Bench
Laurie
Blore
Packer
Musgrove

I think Laurie starts the year in reserve grade mate . It’s 5 weeks till kickoff , there’s only 1 trial , and he will need to learn all the systems , which now with the coaching change to a more systematic approach , he should be able to learn that in reserve . It’s too much pressure for a rookie to learn that in first grade

 

[sleeve]

If we sign Laurie I would start him off the bench for the first game & leave Mbye at fullback with Jock Madden five eighth & goalkicker.
Round 1 Team
Mbye (c)
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Leilua
Talau
Madden
Brooks
Ofahengaue
Leilua
Garner
Twal
Liddle
Tamou
Bench
Laurie
Blore
Packer
Musgrove

I think Laurie starts the year in reserve grade mate . It’s 5 weeks till kickoff , there’s only 1 trial , and he will need to learn all the systems , which now with the coaching change to a more systematic approach , he should be able to learn that in reserve . It’s too much pressure for a rookie to learn that in first grade

I doubt they would wait 5 wks.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

looks like benji has signed a 1 year deal with Souths Sydney rabbitohs

 

[Speed2burn]

I doubt if Johns was training anyone,as the other post said he had thongs on.A great deal of the training of halves revolves around the kicking game.Just a friendly chat with a Newcastle junior i'd say.

I'd say he was just there being an observant, most likely giving pointers and / or tips. Agree didn't look like he was dressed enough for a proper session lol

 

[sleeve]

Lots of if's here.If Laurie comes FB fixed.If Madden and or Doehie combine with Brooks and both have improved their goalkicking,thats the halves and goalkicking fixed,If the centres don't perform , Kei and another can play mid year.Again if the ifs work we will have a very good side.

 

[Newtown]

Benji in talks to sign with Bunnies for Bennett reunion
Author
Dan Walsh
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 27 Jan 2021, 12:06 PM
Dan Walsh

Benji Marshall and Wayne Bennett are set to reunite once more at Redfern with the champion playmaker in negotiations with South Sydney for a 2021 swansong.

NRL.com understands Marshall has been floated a one-year contract by the Rabbitohs. The yet to make an official comment on potentially signing Marshall. With Marshall just one month shy of his 36th birthday, Bennett has flagged a second lifeline for the Kiwi star four years after revitalising his career at Brisbane on a cut-price deal.

His signing would be made from a depth perspective for the Rabbitohs, offering cover to gun halves Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds alongside top 30 squad members Troy Dargan and Dean Hawkins.

Marshall had been facing an unceremonious end to his glittering NRL career as he spent the summer without a 2021 contract. Wests Tigers informed Marshall last September that he would not be offered a deal for this coming season.

Talks were held with the Cowboys and Sharks only for both clubs to baulk at his asking price, while Marshall knocked back interest from Super League led by Hull FC, to stay in Sydney.

Linking with South Sydney would result in Marshall turning out for his fourth NRL club after two stints with the Tigers, St George Illawarra and Brisbane across 18 seasons.

 

[BAGNF05]

Just as an aside , has anyone noticed how poorly a lot of clubs have recruited . It’s the Titans at number 1 for me , and then honestly us at number 2 , followed by the dogs and warriors , then it’s crickets to anyone else . It’s surprised me how little some clubs did to improve , especially the ones at the bottom.
I think the sharks , dragons , cowboys , are in for long years . They have definitely gone backwards **. Also sneaky gone backwards ..... the panthers ! They’ve lost Tetevano and Tamou . Both big metre eaters for them , and they’re hoping Eiso picks up the slack apparently . I know they have stars , but that’s some holes to fill.**

Yes losing the front row that took them to the GF is a big blow, not to mention losing a good up and comer like Hetherington also! I know they still have the likes of Fisher-Harris, Yeo & Kikau in their pack, but it’s still a big loss for them up front, especially if they are relying on Eiso to fill that void! ?Despite what many people think, I believe they will miss Mansour also, he’s been the heart and soul of the club for a long time and he always put in.

The really weird one. Why did Souths pick up Mansour.
I took a look at their squad and realized they had a stack of depth including 4 wingers. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/teams/ If so then they either have a stack of Injuries or Mansour has played his last game.

Thought it was a strange pick up too.Hes gotta beat Burns and Paulo to get a run on the wing...and frankly we'd take either of those!!

Wayne doesn’t rate Paulo, bagged him publically for inconsistent play last year.

 

[Milky]

Even if Laurie did come this year, I don’t know if we are in a position to blood him. I would rather him stay at Penrith personally and hope he gets a solid stint at fullback there to give him that experience before he gets here.

Reason being we have a rookie at hooker and we need to decide what is happening with our halves.

Will it be Doueihi/Brooks or Madden/Doueihi? If its the latter then you have two inexperienced halves and an inexperienced hooker. The last thing you need is an inexperienced fullback.

We have serious problems this year in my opinion but i hope im proved wrong.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Can't see anywhere else but 7 News saying that Benji going to rabbits for a swansong...

On a Train & Complain Contract?

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

Can't see anywhere else but 7 News saying that Benji going to rabbits for a swansong...

On a Train & Complain Contract?

 

[BAGNF05]

Even if Laurie did come this year, I don’t know if we are in a position to blood him. I would rather him stay at Penrith personally and hope he gets a solid stint at fullback there to give him that experience before he gets here.

Reason being we have a rookie at hooker and we need to decide what is happening with our halves.

Will it be Doueihi/Brooks or Madden/Doueihi? If its the latter then you have two inexperienced halves and an inexperienced hooker. The last thing you need is an inexperienced fullback.

We have serious problems this year in my opinion but i hope im proved wrong.

I like our potential spine of Laurie/AD/Brooks/Lids. All have a lot to prove and all bar Laurie should be hitting their prime. There is pressure on them to perform or Madge will make changes. Not expecting to make the eight in 2021 but looking forward to seeing progress.