Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[dazza65]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.

OK - for the sake of the argument as I have little to do today lol - with the exception of Cronk, GI and probably, maybe Tohu - would any of the others you mentioned, at the time they left the Storm (not Storm form) have made a significant difference to us and made us a top 4 team ?

IMHO Widdop, Orford, Kidwell, Proctor et al - it would be a big no.

But then we probably need Superman to be a Top 4 team.....

 

[BAGNF05]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.

It tends to be when salary cap pressure is involved, e.g, Finucane

 

[earl]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

But Finucane was man of the match in the city country games and on the verge of SOO selection prior to going to Melbourne.

I guess you can use the sharks for an example. A player they picked up this year has had a huge effect on their defence this year. Aiden Tolman. Instead of possibly picking him up at bargain price we resign Musgrove on a long term deal. I believe Tamou would be going better with more Senior players alongside him and a player like Tolman, who has replaced Fafita in their starting side has had an impact.
Conversely the dogs defence has gone backwards this year. The sharks are moving Woods and Fafita on and keeping Tolman, says it all.

Now as for Finucane he would be twice the athlete that Tolman is and just as effective for culture. Rough quote from Bellamy; “never have I seen a more meticulous and professional athlete in my whole career than I have seen in Dale”.

I’d go after Isaac Liu as well.

Then if I had room TPJ.

A nice quote from Bellyache, as he shows him the door.
What he did not say was-- The reason i'm letting him go, is that he is a battered old warrior, with his best days behind him. Beware buying a used car!

This is what I don't think people are getting. Bellamy has played this game multiple times. He is happy for Finucane to leave and he is trying to get him a good contract. Melbourne is the back up option for Finucane and they won't pay him top dollar.

 

[twentyforty]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

But Finucane was man of the match in the city country games and on the verge of SOO selection prior to going to Melbourne.

I guess you can use the sharks for an example. A player they picked up this year has had a huge effect on their defence this year. Aiden Tolman. Instead of possibly picking him up at bargain price we resign Musgrove on a long term deal. I believe Tamou would be going better with more Senior players alongside him and a player like Tolman, who has replaced Fafita in their starting side has had an impact.
Conversely the dogs defence has gone backwards this year. The sharks are moving Woods and Fafita on and keeping Tolman, says it all.

Now as for Finucane he would be twice the athlete that Tolman is and just as effective for culture. Rough quote from Bellamy; “never have I seen a more meticulous and professional athlete in my whole career than I have seen in Dale”.

I’d go after Isaac Liu as well.

Then if I had room TPJ.

A nice quote from Bellyache, as he shows him the door.
What he did not say was-- The reason i'm letting him go, is that he is a battered old warrior, with his best days behind him. Beware buying a used car!

This is what I don't think people are getting. Bellamy has played this game multiple times. He is happy for Finucane to leave and he is trying to get him a good contract. Melbourne is the back up option for Finucane and they won't pay him top dollar.

So is Fittler. He named his son Freddy. Seriously though, he is obviously well regarded and respected for these guys to sing his praises in his time of need. I would like both Finucane and TPJ, but if it came to a choice between the two? There is absolutely no hesitation, TPJ is what we need. We need his on field leadership desperately.

 

[cochise]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.


OK - for the sake of the argument as I have little to do today lol - with the exception of Cronk, GI and probably, maybe Tohu - would any of the others you mentioned, at the time they left the Storm (not Storm form) have made a significant difference to us and made us a top 4 team ?

IMHO Widdop, Orford, Kidwell, Proctor et al - it would be a big no.

**But then we probably need Superman to be a Top 4 team.....**

And Tommy Turbo isn't going anywhere

 

[cktiger]

As soon as we realise Brooks is the anchor holding us down the better.
The last thing we need is a timid little half who goes into his shell when things don’t go to plan.
Hopefully Hastings is the man… if not find someone who can lift the team.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

But Finucane was man of the match in the city country games and on the verge of SOO selection prior to going to Melbourne.

I guess you can use the sharks for an example. A player they picked up this year has had a huge effect on their defence this year. Aiden Tolman. Instead of possibly picking him up at bargain price we resign Musgrove on a long term deal. I believe Tamou would be going better with more Senior players alongside him and a player like Tolman, who has replaced Fafita in their starting side has had an impact.
Conversely the dogs defence has gone backwards this year. The sharks are moving Woods and Fafita on and keeping Tolman, says it all.

Now as for Finucane he would be twice the athlete that Tolman is and just as effective for culture. Rough quote from Bellamy; “never have I seen a more meticulous and professional athlete in my whole career than I have seen in Dale”.

I’d go after Isaac Liu as well.

Then if I had room TPJ.

A nice quote from Bellyache, as he shows him the door.
What he did not say was-- The reason i'm letting him go, is that he is a battered old warrior, with his best days behind him. Beware buying a used car!

This is what I don't think people are getting. Bellamy has played this game multiple times. He is happy for Finucane to leave and he is trying to get him a good contract. Melbourne is the back up option for Finucane and they won't pay him top dollar.


So is Fittler. He named his son Freddy. Seriously though, he is obviously well regarded and respected for these guys to sing his praises in his time of need. I would like both Finucane and TPJ, but if it came to a choice between the two? There is absolutely no hesitation, TPJ is what we need. We need his on field leadership desperately.

I really don't know if TPJ provides much on-field leadership at all though. He goes missing A LOT.

 

[jirskyr]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.


OK - for the sake of the argument as I have little to do today lol - with the exception of Cronk, GI and probably, maybe Tohu - would any of the others you mentioned, at the time they left the Storm (not Storm form) have made a significant difference to us and made us a top 4 team ?

IMHO Widdop, Orford, Kidwell, Proctor et al - it would be a big no.

But then we probably need Superman to be a Top 4 team.....

Any of those halves, at the time they left, yes, without cross-checking who we had at the time. Definite if we mean nowL Kimmorley-era Dogs, Eagles-era Orford, Dragons-era Widdop, post-Warriors Maloney.
Jeremy Smith would have been very handy.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

That’s exactly my thoughts
**I’m not exactly against signing him,but he may be another Proctor,Glasby or Blair at another team.**

Yep it's why I'd also prefer Brandon Smith alongside of him. Not doubting his leadership skills at all but just trying to factor in how his age, our team needs and him coming from that system will vary from his current influence or input.
It wouldn't exactly matter to me if it wasn't a huge contract offer. But I feel we'd need to be getting game breakers for the price and length (of contract) though.

If it’s a possibility in any shape or form …. Throw all the $s on the “Cheese”, follow that up with Mr. Crichton and then and then any other player as a distant third.

Crichton has always topped my wishlist - him, Munster and Manu - and have always enjoyed watching B Smith play but especially moreso this year. Except last week of course.
Find he gives it his all, every game.

There's talk about getting Finucane specifically for leadership, in assisting Tamou, but our leadership group needs to be called out for failing with this too. Feel it's imperative for the group to help with our younger guys.
IIRC it's Doueihi, Brooks, Twal and Nofo in addition to the captain. Maybe we have named the wrong captain due to his limited capacity to lead at all times but there should be no problems with the rest of them. IMO it's probably the only area where Brooks warrants some criticism. (Though against the Eels he was very vocal). However, the last 2 games had nothing to do with his role for the team.

Leadership is the biggest issue

Madge talks about learning to wrestle back momentum in the ebbs and flows of the game. You wrestle back momentum with strong leaders.

Our 2020 leadership group:

Tamou is physically struggling to keep up. Heay be a eloquent talker but I don't see him barking out orders on the field.

Brooks is naturally quiet - getter better when going well, non existent when going gets tough

Twal is naturally quiet - grat worker but not a leader

Nofo - on the wing. Don't see him talking. Smirks a lot or looks for the camera. Don't see him as a team player.

Doeuhi is a true leader but has been moved to centre. Should be playing in the spine and take control.

Changes for 2021:
I think when Hastings comes, he is a barker and a natural leader, make him 7. With douehi at 6 and Brooks at 14. Time to make changes.

We need a strong alpha forward leader.
I'd be using the sheens and madge uk connections to find a big strong pommy. Similar to luke Thompson at bulldogs, Graham, Burgess

Hastings and Doueihi would be a terrible pairing.

Don't be so certain....

I think they could be very dangerous if their defence is on point.

Way too slow

Myth.

It's not and I am still not convinced that Doueihi is a 5/8th anyway.

His best position is at 6...
The whole slow thing is a myth.

He's a good runner and could be a star at 6 if the coach didn't move him to cater to Brooks.
I believe it's the position he wants to play.

Having a confident 7 outside him like Hastings would allow him to shine.

These two would feed off each other like Walker and Reynolds.

I agree

I'm a supporter of Brooks, but think this team need a stronger leader at 7

Hastings and Douehi are both natural leaders.


All this leader/alpha/introvert/extrovert business is completely invented rubbish. A team doesnt need a leader/extrovert at 6 and 7, it needs a player that passes the ball to the right player at the right time and has the right players in the right positions.

Doueihi can be the best bloke and the best "leader" in the team, if he doesnt pass it to his centre or 2RF it doesnt matter.

Sorry I don't agree

Name one great half from history who lack confidence and didn't boss the team around

That's their job.

They pass it the the right player in the right position, because they have told that player where to be. Because they dictated the 3 plays before to set up the next play.

We did this already

1, Melbourne - Munster, confident half
2, Penrith - Cleary and Romey, confident halves
3, Parramatta, Moses - Confident half
4, South's- Walker and Josh, confident halves

Look at the bottom teams...

Broncos, none
Dogs, none

Coincidence?
I think not...

Winning teams always have confident, talkative leaders in their important positions.

I think Brooks is one of the few players trying his guts out. I've seen a lot of improvement this year. I really like brooks, want him in the team.

But after the weekends disguisting display, I just feel we need someone at 7 who takes control of the team. Who after the first or 2nd try, pulls the players in, gives them a rev up and says follow me.

Brooks isn't that player.

From what I've seen Hastings is that player. So
I'd like to see Hastings at 7 next year.

I would love to see Brooks running at 6.

I'd like to see Deouhi get his hands on the ball more and still have a licence to kick. If that's at centre, lock or going to 6.

No 7 would have helped change the game on Saturday, we were down 30-0 by the time we got the ball.


Brooks has seriously been our best player for about 6 weeks now.

If we lose Brooks, people will really appreciate quickly how much defence he does.

Brooks is without doubt the best footballer in the team. It must be so frustrating at times for him to see the missed opportunities unfolding, but he just bites his lip and says nothing. And this is what happens when he should be less serious and vocalise the event pre and post. If he gets that going on the park then his leadership qualities will go to another level imo.

X2.

This is why I'm a fan of getting Mitchell Pearce for the mere fact of how he personally handled the pressures of becoming a top performing NRL player.
Both showed the right amount of drive early in their careers but their trajectories went opposite ways.
On one hand we have a player who aligned himself with a winning culture to escape the unwanted expectations of his father's association with the club and then we have Brooks, a person determined to face this head on  but has been overburdened by it.
Mitch reached the great heights we'd hoped for with Brooks and having someone with these achievements - who's been selfish in their approach and always extrinsically motivated - beside him, can certainly help him gain the type of mentality it requires to get there.
It wouldn't take the team backwards in any way and tbh I'd be offering Mbye and Walters on a swap deal to ensure it doesn't.

Not sure why you got downvoted ? I made it level again . To say that brooks needs to get more of a “me first attitude” is such a weird thing that happens in multi million dollar elite teams sports. The truly elite players , like the absolute top of the food chain guys , are some of the worst human beings you could ever hope to meet .
And are intrinsically selfish . Yet , that is exactly what you need to be an amazing team sportsmen.
You would think the most selfless guys are the ones get the chocolates , but that’s almost never the case .

 

[dazza65]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.


OK - for the sake of the argument as I have little to do today lol - with the exception of Cronk, GI and probably, maybe Tohu - would any of the others you mentioned, at the time they left the Storm (not Storm form) have made a significant difference to us and made us a top 4 team ?

IMHO Widdop, Orford, Kidwell, Proctor et al - it would be a big no.

But then we probably need Superman to be a Top 4 team.....

Any of those halves, at the time they left, yes, without cross-checking who we had at the time. Definite if we mean nowL Kimmorley-era Dogs, Eagles-era Orford, Dragons-era Widdop, post-Warriors Maloney.
Jeremy Smith would have been very handy.

accept your opinion, but for me, no.

 

[mike]

Can someone with the skills i don't possess, please tell us the players we have brought from Melbourne, and the success rate.?

There has only been about 6 and to my mind only 1 of them has had success at WT. Harry Grant.
I might add, his circumstances were different weren’t they.


More interestingly and I would bow to those who have a greater memory for these types of things than me - can anyone provide an example of **any** Storm player who has left the Storm that has been an absolute **standout** at another club (with the obvious exception of Cronk and GI - who would be successes just about anywhere) ??
I reckon the list is much longer of players who subsequently disappeared..... happy to be proven wrong...

Tohu Harris at the Warriors goes well

Well it would be hard to say how many players anywhere leave their club and become "standouts". Most standouts don't leave their club.

But - you've got Cronk, GI and Tohu Harris, which is actually a decent start. Tino is still pretty good, Origin rep. Gareth Widdop, James Maloney, Proctor, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Smith, Folau, Kidwell at the Rabbits. Matt Orford won Dally M after he left Melbourne. Kimmorley at Dogs.


OK - for the sake of the argument as I have little to do today lol - with the exception of Cronk, GI and probably, maybe Tohu - would any of the others you mentioned, at the time they left the Storm (not Storm form) have made a significant difference to us and made us a top 4 team ?

IMHO Widdop, Orford, Kidwell, Proctor et al - it would be a big no.

**But then we probably need Superman to be a Top 4 team.....**

And Tommy Turbo isn't going anywhere

The only way Turbo would leave Manly is if they kicked him out. Like as if that is ever going to happen.

 

[facepalmer]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

That’s exactly my thoughts
**I’m not exactly against signing him,but he may be another Proctor,Glasby or Blair at another team.**

Yep it's why I'd also prefer Brandon Smith alongside of him. Not doubting his leadership skills at all but just trying to factor in how his age, our team needs and him coming from that system will vary from his current influence or input.
It wouldn't exactly matter to me if it wasn't a huge contract offer. But I feel we'd need to be getting game breakers for the price and length (of contract) though.

If it’s a possibility in any shape or form …. Throw all the $s on the “Cheese”, follow that up with Mr. Crichton and then and then any other player as a distant third.

Crichton has always topped my wishlist - him, Munster and Manu - and have always enjoyed watching B Smith play but especially moreso this year. Except last week of course.
Find he gives it his all, every game.

There's talk about getting Finucane specifically for leadership, in assisting Tamou, but our leadership group needs to be called out for failing with this too. Feel it's imperative for the group to help with our younger guys.
IIRC it's Doueihi, Brooks, Twal and Nofo in addition to the captain. Maybe we have named the wrong captain due to his limited capacity to lead at all times but there should be no problems with the rest of them. IMO it's probably the only area where Brooks warrants some criticism. (Though against the Eels he was very vocal). However, the last 2 games had nothing to do with his role for the team.

Leadership is the biggest issue

Madge talks about learning to wrestle back momentum in the ebbs and flows of the game. You wrestle back momentum with strong leaders.

Our 2020 leadership group:

Tamou is physically struggling to keep up. Heay be a eloquent talker but I don't see him barking out orders on the field.

Brooks is naturally quiet - getter better when going well, non existent when going gets tough

Twal is naturally quiet - grat worker but not a leader

Nofo - on the wing. Don't see him talking. Smirks a lot or looks for the camera. Don't see him as a team player.

Doeuhi is a true leader but has been moved to centre. Should be playing in the spine and take control.

Changes for 2021:
I think when Hastings comes, he is a barker and a natural leader, make him 7. With douehi at 6 and Brooks at 14. Time to make changes.

We need a strong alpha forward leader.
I'd be using the sheens and madge uk connections to find a big strong pommy. Similar to luke Thompson at bulldogs, Graham, Burgess

Hastings and Doueihi would be a terrible pairing.

Don't be so certain....

I think they could be very dangerous if their defence is on point.

Way too slow

Myth.

It's not and I am still not convinced that Doueihi is a 5/8th anyway.

His best position is at 6...
The whole slow thing is a myth.

He's a good runner and could be a star at 6 if the coach didn't move him to cater to Brooks.
I believe it's the position he wants to play.

Having a confident 7 outside him like Hastings would allow him to shine.

These two would feed off each other like Walker and Reynolds.

I agree

I'm a supporter of Brooks, but think this team need a stronger leader at 7

Hastings and Douehi are both natural leaders.


All this leader/alpha/introvert/extrovert business is completely invented rubbish. A team doesnt need a leader/extrovert at 6 and 7, it needs a player that passes the ball to the right player at the right time and has the right players in the right positions.

Doueihi can be the best bloke and the best "leader" in the team, if he doesnt pass it to his centre or 2RF it doesnt matter.

Sorry I don't agree

Name one great half from history who lack confidence and didn't boss the team around

That's their job.

They pass it the the right player in the right position, because they have told that player where to be. Because they dictated the 3 plays before to set up the next play.

We did this already

1, Melbourne - Munster, confident half
2, Penrith - Cleary and Romey, confident halves
3, Parramatta, Moses - Confident half
4, South's- Walker and Josh, confident halves

Look at the bottom teams...

Broncos, none
Dogs, none

Coincidence?
I think not...

Winning teams always have confident, talkative leaders in their important positions.

I think Brooks is one of the few players trying his guts out. I've seen a lot of improvement this year. I really like brooks, want him in the team.

But after the weekends disguisting display, I just feel we need someone at 7 who takes control of the team. Who after the first or 2nd try, pulls the players in, gives them a rev up and says follow me.

Brooks isn't that player.

From what I've seen Hastings is that player. So
I'd like to see Hastings at 7 next year.

I would love to see Brooks running at 6.

I'd like to see Deouhi get his hands on the ball more and still have a licence to kick. If that's at centre, lock or going to 6.

No 7 would have helped change the game on Saturday, we were down 30-0 by the time we got the ball.


Brooks has seriously been our best player for about 6 weeks now.

If we lose Brooks, people will really appreciate quickly how much defence he does.

Brooks is without doubt the best footballer in the team. It must be so frustrating at times for him to see the missed opportunities unfolding, but he just bites his lip and says nothing. And this is what happens when he should be less serious and vocalise the event pre and post. If he gets that going on the park then his leadership qualities will go to another level imo.

well said

 

[balmain boy]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

Because we have to do something... We have waited 10 + Years and if we were to get him we will be getting others.

Our forwards are good and getting better. We need two quality outside backs and a decent partner for Brooks. Honestly, what do you think Finucane is going to do for us? Make 65 tackles on the left edge, over rule the refs bad calls and then run 360 metres for 6 tries?

He would bring the number 1 thing we lack - LEADERSHIP.. On and off the field.
Agree we do have some great young forwards but there current leadership is from Packer and hate to say it but Tamou.. If you think they are the best leaders for these guys moving forward we are in for a lot more pain IMO.

As others have said, at the right price, and a short contract maybe. But don't expect a player from Melbourne with the best structures in the game, and champion players around him, to perform the same at another club.

Of course the right price... 3 years at 600-700k with 3rd year CO would be a great pickup. I don't expect him to turn the club around instantly but it would be a great start.

But there's zero chance he signs for us on that. There'd be half a dozen clubs offering him that, and we're the least appealing. 3 years would have to be guaranteed with an option on the fourth and we'd be looking at minimum 700k

 

[jirskyr]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

Because we have to do something... We have waited 10 + Years and if we were to get him we will be getting others.

Our forwards are good and getting better. We need two quality outside backs and a decent partner for Brooks. Honestly, what do you think Finucane is going to do for us? Make 65 tackles on the left edge, over rule the refs bad calls and then run 360 metres for 6 tries?

He would bring the number 1 thing we lack - LEADERSHIP.. On and off the field.
Agree we do have some great young forwards but there current leadership is from Packer and hate to say it but Tamou.. If you think they are the best leaders for these guys moving forward we are in for a lot more pain IMO.

As others have said, at the right price, and a short contract maybe. But don't expect a player from Melbourne with the best structures in the game, and champion players around him, to perform the same at another club.

Of course the right price... 3 years at 600-700k with 3rd year CO would be a great pickup. I don't expect him to turn the club around instantly but it would be a great start.

But there's zero chance he signs for us on that. There'd be half a dozen clubs offering him that, and we're the least appealing. 3 years would have to be guaranteed with an option on the fourth and we'd be looking at minimum 700k

You have absolutely no idea of that being true, neither who he is talking to, what the offer needs to be and the value of that offer.

 

[carltonleach]

How have we not requested a medical retirement for Russell packer has got me beat!! How many games has he played over the last few seasons?

 

[hobbo1]

How have we not requested a medical retirement for Russell packer has got me beat!! How many games has he played over the last few seasons?

3

 

[earl]

How have we not requested a medical retirement for Russell packer has got me beat!! How many games has he played over the last few seasons?

3

What a great value for money player he has been for us. I'll always remember that hit on Matterson though. That was quality.

 

[Cairnstigers]

How have we not requested a medical retirement for Russell packer has got me beat!! How many games has he played over the last few seasons?

Is that correct

 

[Telltails]

All this talk about leadership ( Finucane) sounds like last year with Tamou.
Who is to say it wont turn out the same way.

I agree completely. Finucane was an honest plodder with the Dogs but is yet another example of the brilliance and influence of Craig Bellamy in transforming his limited skills into excellence.

But, we don't have Craig Bellamy or his Storm systems. There is no guarantee that Finucane would offer the WT what he does at the Storm, so why pay some inflated price for him?

But Finucane was man of the match in the city country games and on the verge of SOO selection prior to going to Melbourne.

I guess you can use the sharks for an example. A player they picked up this year has had a huge effect on their defence this year. Aiden Tolman. Instead of possibly picking him up at bargain price we resign Musgrove on a long term deal. I believe Tamou would be going better with more Senior players alongside him and a player like Tolman, who has replaced Fafita in their starting side has had an impact.
Conversely the dogs defence has gone backwards this year. The sharks are moving Woods and Fafita on and keeping Tolman, says it all.

Now as for Finucane he would be twice the athlete that Tolman is and just as effective for culture. Rough quote from Bellamy; “never have I seen a more meticulous and professional athlete in my whole career than I have seen in Dale”.

I’d go after Isaac Liu as well.

Then if I had room TPJ.

A nice quote from Bellyache, as he shows him the door.
What he did not say was-- The reason i'm letting him go, is that he is a battered old warrior, with his best days behind him. Beware buying a used car!

This is what I don't think people are getting. Bellamy has played this game multiple times. He is happy for Finucane to leave and he is trying to get him a good contract. Melbourne is the back up option for Finucane and they won't pay him top dollar.

Yep no way at top dollar - been down the path of buying good blokes before

 

[jadtiger]

How have we not requested a medical retirement for Russell packer has got me beat!! How many games has he played over the last few seasons?

Packer may not want to be medically retired,he is squeezing every dollar out of the money tree as he can.