Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Masterton]

I saw it on FOX, it was **printed as a quote in the paper**

No offence intended, but I don't think that's true.

 

[nuggetron]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

 

[PabloX]

Don't you love it, we win back to back games and all of a sudden our pack is the best in the comp. Finucane is exactly what we need and gave needed for years.

I wouldn't be throwing $800k at him, but I don't think any club would. Not sure where that figure came from

 

[Kelce68]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

I'd tend to agree with most of that. Though I think everyone's fighting over a crumb here. A 'ball-playing lock or second rower' isn't the silver bullet, much less the one we need. We've got far more pressing issues in the backline at the moment. The middle is reasonably settled for now, at least serviceable, at best dominant, which is sufficient.

The one wing and centre conundrum is a constant concern. We simply don't leak points by the 28-30 range each week if we have a back 5 that can defend in unison, regardless of the style of defence. Whether a Roberts/Talau combination at 5/4 is the solution or not, we are very, very skinny in that department and it needs to be the first looked at. We can talk pie in the sky, your Manu's and Tupou's, or we can talk realistic, those that are actually off-contract, accessible and plausible to take a contract at Concord. And as much as it's not pretty or flashy, I think a defensively minded centre/winger is more what we need atm. Point scoring isn't the issue.

But if I hear Sebastian Kris mentioned one more time (other than to say that he's resumed his under-8s tackling practice)..... ugh.

 

[Needaname]

Their will be players become available as always that are not off contract , Lots happening at the knights with a full review of the football department, most likely heads will roll in the office and on the field, would be great if the club could swoop in on a Barnett, J Saifiti, or Connor Watson


The Mitchell Pearce effect. I backed them for the spoon this year but I think the Dogs have them covered.

I think it’s a given that any club with cultural concerns to commence a season struggle to get through a season.

Need to David Middleton this but I’m I can’t recall a year in history where a club has overcome something unsavoury in the pre season and doing well that year

 

[Russell]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

I'd tend to agree with most of that. Though I think everyone's fighting over a crumb here. A 'ball-playing lock or second rower' isn't the silver bullet, much less the one we need. We've got far more pressing issues in the backline at the moment. The middle is reasonably settled for now, at least serviceable, at best dominant, which is sufficient.

The one wing and centre conundrum is a constant concern. We simply don't leak points by the 28-30 range each week if we have a back 5 that can defend in unison, regardless of the style of defence. Whether a Roberts/Talau combination at 5/4 is the solution or not, we are very, very skinny in that department and it needs to be the first looked at. We can talk pie in the sky, your Manu's and Tupou's, or we can talk realistic, those that are actually off-contract, accessible and plausible to take a contract at Concord. And as much as it's not pretty or flashy, I think a defensively minded centre/winger is more what we need atm. Point scoring isn't the issue.

But if I hear Sebastian Kris mentioned one more time (other than to say that he's resumed his under-8s tackling practice)..... ugh.

All very well but....The winger and centre are?

 

[Needaname]


Drunk buzz wrote this


Yea i saw that - dogs would only want a forward.

Musgrove?

Man we only just signed him up for ages goes to show we do need further support with recruitment

I think Musgrove will struggle to make the 17
Our forwards are really starting to click
I know we signed Musgrove for 4 years
But if another team wants to take him off our hands for full freight then I am all for it
As long as there is a decent quality back in it for us

4 years was way to long

Yep probably didn’t come cheap too

How much you think? I'd say 350k a season.

Given his discipline problems I’d say less.
Clubs probably doing him a favour by keeping him as a paid full time player. Has a good relationship with Madge so I wonder if we would trade him. He offers a heap if he gets his mind right but Is far from a first grader atm.

 

[westy81]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

Fitzgibbon from the knights has told the knights he wants to explore open market even though the knights offered him a 2 year deal

 

[Kelce68]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

I'd tend to agree with most of that. Though I think everyone's fighting over a crumb here. A 'ball-playing lock or second rower' isn't the silver bullet, much less the one we need. We've got far more pressing issues in the backline at the moment. The middle is reasonably settled for now, at least serviceable, at best dominant, which is sufficient.

The one wing and centre conundrum is a constant concern. We simply don't leak points by the 28-30 range each week if we have a back 5 that can defend in unison, regardless of the style of defence. Whether a Roberts/Talau combination at 5/4 is the solution or not, we are very, very skinny in that department and it needs to be the first looked at. We can talk pie in the sky, your Manu's and Tupou's, or we can talk realistic, those that are actually off-contract, accessible and plausible to take a contract at Concord. And as much as it's not pretty or flashy, I think a defensively minded centre/winger is more what we need atm. Point scoring isn't the issue.

But if I hear Sebastian Kris mentioned one more time (other than to say that he's resumed his under-8s tackling practice)..... ugh.

All very well but....The winger and centre are?

There's the problem haha. I don't have anyone jump off the page to me. The only one that I can see that aligns with the above would be Josh Morris. Whether a little payrise would tempt him for 12 months, I don't know. Not exactly realistic. I'd be looking at someone like Farnworth from November or Jesse Arthars.

As for the winger, aside from within, Tex Hoy or Dugan (on a 12 month 250K lifeline) would do a job. Jonus Pearson or Okunbor could be scrap bin buys for the right price also.

 

[yeahcaz]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

Fitzgibbon from the knights has told the knights he wants to explore open market even though the knights offered him a 2 year deal

Wouldn’t employ him to lace Garners boots. Only gets a jersey at Newcastle every week because of his old man

 

[jadtiger]

Don't you love it, we win back to back games and all of a sudden our pack is the best in the comp. Finucane is exactly what we need and gave needed for years.

I wouldn't be throwing $800k at him, but I don't think any club would. Not sure where that figure came from

The docile dogs are desperate for a forward,i would think they would be chasing him

 

[yeahcaz]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

I'd tend to agree with most of that. Though I think everyone's fighting over a crumb here. A 'ball-playing lock or second rower' isn't the silver bullet, much less the one we need. We've got far more pressing issues in the backline at the moment. The middle is reasonably settled for now, at least serviceable, at best dominant, which is sufficient.

The one wing and centre conundrum is a constant concern. We simply don't leak points by the 28-30 range each week if we have a back 5 that can defend in unison, regardless of the style of defence. Whether a Roberts/Talau combination at 5/4 is the solution or not, we are very, very skinny in that department and it needs to be the first looked at. We can talk pie in the sky, your Manu's and Tupou's, or we can talk realistic, those that are actually off-contract, accessible and plausible to take a contract at Concord. And as much as it's not pretty or flashy, I think a defensively minded centre/winger is more what we need atm. Point scoring isn't the issue.

But if I hear Sebastian Kris mentioned one more time (other than to say that he's resumed his under-8s tackling practice)..... ugh.

All very well but....The winger and centre are?

There's the problem haha. I don't have anyone jump off the page to me. The only one that I can see that aligns with the above would be Josh Morris. Whether a little payrise would tempt him for 12 months, I don't know. Not exactly realistic. I'd be looking at someone like Farnworth from November or Jesse Arthars.

As for the winger, aside from within, Tex Hoy or Dugan (on a 12 month 250K lifeline) would do a job. Jonus Pearson or Okunbor could be scrap bin buys for the right price also.

Buying Josh Dugan as a defensive winger.... I’m struggling to breathe. Should’ve been in the super league 3 years ago. Farnworth is one of the only players there I would look at

 

[Kelce68]

The question is, do people want Finucane for 800k? Because that's what he's reported to be asking for.

750K per year for 2 years would be good, maybe with a club option. Instant credibility with good players and a culture shift. 100% do it.

I think is way more than a defensive lock/middle forward is worth. He plays a very similar role to Tamou, Twal and Seyfarth and is probably still better then all of them but Twal and Seyfarth still have room to improve while Finucane is at the end of his career and if he is not on the downhill now, he soon will be. Tamou is the player we brought in for Culture and Leadership and we have others that lead by example.

Paying a forward overs also causes friction with the forwards you already have. I would also rate Trbojevic, Radley, Murray, Brandon Smith, McIness, Nathan Brown, Jason Taumalolo, Yeo, Tohu Harris, Tapine, Matterson and possibly some others as locks with more influence on a game.

I’m not interested in Finucane at all. Way too many red flags. A bloke at the back end of his career looking for the biggest contract of his career when his best footy is behind him. On top of that he’s struggled to get on the field the last couple of years.

Big no from me.

IMHO, there are few better options, e.g.
- Murray
- Chricthon
- Graham

To sign any one of them would skew our salary cap for years. If we had to sign similar type players instead of relying on the young blokes coming through, which would be the preferred option, more realistic options would be:
Magoulis (Sharks) Legitimate ball playing forward
Fitzgibbon (Knights) Good angle runner like Garner with defence
Capewell (Panthers) Great timing and game awareness
Watson (Knights) Not a natural forward, can create opportunities, on field Mr. Fixit
Sua: Think another Joffa

magoulis i have no idea why he hasnt had more of a run, or why we havent offered him something considering he isnt getting a go
fitzgibbon is on the outer in newy, and his D isnt the greatest from what ive seen
capewell already signed up
watson is just another mbye, capable at everything but not skilled enough to have a permanent position
sua i was 100% for at the start of the season but now ive gone pretty cold on him, hes getting out shined by koloamatangi on the field from the rabbits games ive seen

I'd tend to agree with most of that. Though I think everyone's fighting over a crumb here. A 'ball-playing lock or second rower' isn't the silver bullet, much less the one we need. We've got far more pressing issues in the backline at the moment. The middle is reasonably settled for now, at least serviceable, at best dominant, which is sufficient.

The one wing and centre conundrum is a constant concern. We simply don't leak points by the 28-30 range each week if we have a back 5 that can defend in unison, regardless of the style of defence. Whether a Roberts/Talau combination at 5/4 is the solution or not, we are very, very skinny in that department and it needs to be the first looked at. We can talk pie in the sky, your Manu's and Tupou's, or we can talk realistic, those that are actually off-contract, accessible and plausible to take a contract at Concord. And as much as it's not pretty or flashy, I think a defensively minded centre/winger is more what we need atm. Point scoring isn't the issue.

But if I hear Sebastian Kris mentioned one more time (other than to say that he's resumed his under-8s tackling practice)..... ugh.

All very well but....The winger and centre are?

There's the problem haha. I don't have anyone jump off the page to me. The only one that I can see that aligns with the above would be Josh Morris. Whether a little payrise would tempt him for 12 months, I don't know. Not exactly realistic. I'd be looking at someone like Farnworth from November or Jesse Arthars.

As for the winger, aside from within, Tex Hoy or Dugan (on a 12 month 250K lifeline) would do a job. Jonus Pearson or Okunbor could be scrap bin buys for the right price also.

Buying Josh Dugan as a defensive winger.... I’m struggling to breathe. Should’ve been in the super league 3 years ago. Farnworth is one of the only players there I would look at

Hasn't played wing for a while. I think the demands there are infinitely less than playing one man in at centre. He's decent under the high ball and big enough to hold his own close to the line. And it was a throw-away option in a relatively sparse list. Everybody has a price in which they add value.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Personally i'm not minding Roberts on the wing. Happy to keep him there.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Huge fan of Finucane, an absolute quality player and would be an asset to any club fortunate enough to sign him. My biggest problem with it is we already have Tamou to fill that role and steady our young forwards and show them what is required to play the game professionally, I think we are almost there.
Garner 50 games
Twal 80 games
Liddle 50 games
Joffa 115 games
Lucy 74 Games
Thomas 50 games
As we all know, metaphorically, at some point the "training wheels have to come off", Tamou finishes his contract at the end of next year and we are where we want to be.

Agree, probably a great signing (you can always use good players) but where does he fit? But imo, the timing is wrong, we need them, when we need them. But just not now.

We've got a good blend of experience and youth who are starting to gel, he would probably cost an arm and a leg, imo, better to target development and maybe an elite back for mine.

Finally, we appear to be in a good position.

Feels like Twal has been around a lot longer than that.

I will preface this by saying that Finucane is a great player and would certainly lift this side, but I agree with Paws that having him here would come at a big cost, both via the cap and retention. I feel that Offa and Seyfarth are our long term options to play at lock, and Twal can play there in a pinch although he is certainly more suited to the front row.

Finucane will be 30 by the time his contract at Melbourne expires and will be looking for a long term contract that pays well. He is a consummate professional and I don't doubt he will give his all, but it is as likely that he could spend his twilight years injured and could end up being another Packeresque signing. I can understand throwing the kitchen sink at a Cooper Cronk or Cameron Smith as those guys are proven winners, but for a lock I would not begrudge the club for looking past him due to the circumstances. Risk outweighs reward in this instance I feel.

 

[Kelce68]

Huge fan of Finucane, an absolute quality player and would be an asset to any club fortunate enough to sign him. My biggest problem with it is we already have Tamou to fill that role and steady our young forwards and show them what is required to play the game professionally, I think we are almost there.
Garner 50 games
Twal 80 games
Liddle 50 games
Joffa 115 games
Lucy 74 Games
Thomas 50 games
As we all know, metaphorically, at some point the "training wheels have to come off", Tamou finishes his contract at the end of next year and we are where we want to be.

Agree, probably a great signing (you can always use good players) but where does he fit? But imo, the timing is wrong, we need them, when we need them. But just not now.

We've got a good blend of experience and youth who are starting to gel, he would probably cost an arm and a leg, imo, better to target development and maybe an elite back for mine.

Finally, we appear to be in a good position.

Feels like Twal has been around a lot longer than that.

I will preface this by saying that Finucane is a great player and would certainly lift this side, but I agree with Paws that having him here would come at a big cost, both via the cap and retention. I feel that Offa and Seyfarth are our long term options to play at lock, and Twal can play there in a pinch although he is certainly more suited to the front row.

Finucane will be 30 by the time his contract at Melbourne expires and will be looking for a long term contract that pays well. He is a consummate professional and I don't doubt he will give his all, but it is as likely that he could spend his twilight years injured and could end up being another Packeresque signing. I can understand throwing the kitchen sink at a Cooper Cronk or Cameron Smith as those guys are proven winners, but for a lock I would not begrudge the club for looking past him due to the circumstances. Risk outweighs reward in this instance I feel.

I think someone might have said it before re; Finucane.

Right player, wrong time.

 

[crazycat]

Huge fan of Finucane, an absolute quality player and would be an asset to any club fortunate enough to sign him. My biggest problem with it is we already have Tamou to fill that role and steady our young forwards and show them what is required to play the game professionally, I think we are almost there.
Garner 50 games
Twal 80 games
Liddle 50 games
Joffa 115 games
Lucy 74 Games
Thomas 50 games
As we all know, metaphorically, at some point the "training wheels have to come off", Tamou finishes his contract at the end of next year and we are where we want to be.

Agree, probably a great signing (you can always use good players) but where does he fit? But imo, the timing is wrong, we need them, when we need them. But just not now.

We've got a good blend of experience and youth who are starting to gel, he would probably cost an arm and a leg, imo, better to target development and maybe an elite back for mine.

Finally, we appear to be in a good position.

Feels like Twal has been around a lot longer than that.

I will preface this by saying that Finucane is a great player and would certainly lift this side, but I agree with Paws that having him here would come at a big cost, both via the cap and retention. I feel that Offa and Seyfarth are our long term options to play at lock, and Twal can play there in a pinch although he is certainly more suited to the front row.

Finucane will be 30 by the time his contract at Melbourne expires and will be looking for a long term contract that pays well. He is a consummate professional and I don't doubt he will give his all, but it is as likely that he could spend his twilight years injured and could end up being another Packeresque signing. I can understand throwing the kitchen sink at a Cooper Cronk or Cameron Smith as those guys are proven winners, but for a lock I would not begrudge the club for looking past him due to the circumstances. Risk outweighs reward in this instance I feel.

Bellamy was really pumping up Finucane's stocks as a player. Saying he was one of the hardest trainers he knew and he did heaps at the Storm.

Thats a mindgame right there isnt it. Bellamy I believe is telling the truth. I also believe Bellamy may realise that he is loosing the player and wants him to get a huge salary.

IMHO, forwards dont go well outside Melbourne. Would rather throw money at TPJ.

 

[crazycat]

Is Shawn Johnson a possibility at this club?

We seem to have recruited in a way where a spot would not be available for him. With Brooks, Jackson Hastings and Jock Madden being long term halves. Doueihi seems to be right center and I see him doing well there.

Yet I see Shawn being a good partner for Brooks. I could see him fitting into the team and offering something extra in attack. He also has an idea of team structure.

I see downsides, dont think he will be a possibility with how we have recruited. But honestly to have him go begging the way it has happened is crazy.

 

[balmain boy]


Drunk buzz wrote this


Yea i saw that - dogs would only want a forward.

Musgrove?

Man we only just signed him up for ages goes to show we do need further support with recruitment

I think Musgrove will struggle to make the 17
Our forwards are really starting to click
I know we signed Musgrove for 4 years
But if another team wants to take him off our hands for full freight then I am all for it
As long as there is a decent quality back in it for us

4 years was way to long

Yep probably didn’t come cheap too

How much you think? I'd say 350k a season.

Given his discipline problems I’d say less.
Clubs probably doing him a favour by keeping him as a paid full time player. Has a good relationship with Madge so I wonder if we would trade him. He offers a heap if he gets his mind right but Is far from a first grader atm.

We literally just signed him up for a further 3 years a few months ago, and on decent money. The dragons were chasing him hard so we had to up our offer. I'd say at least 350-400k. He was envisaged as the big, aggressive leader of our pack for years to come but i can't see him playing for us again this season unless injuries hit.

 

[facepalmer]

Johnson would be an awful signing by us. I could see him working out as an unders signing at a club like the Roosters, Storm, Souths but outside of that he's just going to end up overpaid and won't have the cattle around him to succeed. Can you picture Shaun Johnson doing a victory lap around the park on GF day? I can't.