Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Russell]

Who does everyone think would be 1-2 'gamechanger' recruits for us this off-season? Gamechanger as in have the potential to alter the course of our future through leadership, x-factor, culture etc. Have to realistic too, either off contract or has been murmurings that they could be released/exchanged.

I've mentioned 2 in a previous post ... ZAC LOMAX & JOSH HODGSON.

Lomax - we need a good centre offensively & defensively, great goalkicker, can play fullback as well, hasn't yet reached his ceiling.

Hodgson - tough as nails, will help sure up our middle, experienced, provides leadership, mentor for our young hookers in Simpkin, Rua, Tannous, Anjoul etc, has that bit of mongrel about him which we need, I feel he'd combine well with Hastings/Douehi. The offset to this is Liddle being released.

I think the best we could realistically hope for would be Leniu if he's squeezed out at Penrith or Marata Niukore if he's squeezed out at Parra. Ideally we would want Isaiah Papali'i from Parra and Kikau from Penrith - and I think we should approach both come Nov 1 - but they will likely be retained by their own clubs. Papali'i was an absolute beast this season and Kikau makes his edge that much more threatening just by his presence.

I am glad Kikau, threatens by his presence because he doesn't do anything else except go missing.

One of RL's great bludgers.

 

[Nelson]

Who does everyone think would be 1-2 'gamechanger' recruits for us this off-season? Gamechanger as in have the potential to alter the course of our future through leadership, x-factor, culture etc. Have to realistic too, either off contract or has been murmurings that they could be released/exchanged.

I've mentioned 2 in a previous post ... ZAC LOMAX & JOSH HODGSON.

Lomax - we need a good centre offensively & defensively, great goalkicker, can play fullback as well, hasn't yet reached his ceiling.

Hodgson - tough as nails, will help sure up our middle, experienced, provides leadership, mentor for our young hookers in Simpkin, Rua, Tannous, Anjoul etc, has that bit of mongrel about him which we need, I feel he'd combine well with Hastings/Douehi. The offset to this is Liddle being released.

I think the best we could realistically hope for would be Leniu if he's squeezed out at Penrith or Marata Niukore if he's squeezed out at Parra. Ideally we would want Isaiah Papali'i from Parra and Kikau from Penrith - and I think we should approach both come Nov 1 - but they will likely be retained by their own clubs. Papali'i was an absolute beast this season and Kikau makes his edge that much more threatening just by his presence.

Kikau is a no from me. Has the capacity to be incredibly destructive but also the capacity to bludge which is less significant in that Pamfers pack. Would cost us a bomb to get across and I see massive potential for expensive buyers regret. Let him stay there and force the likes of Leniu out.

If we want to compete to win we need to take some risks, which is why I wasn't against the potential TPJ signing. Even if Kikau is being lazy just the fact of his destructive potential on an edge is enough to put edge defenders in two minds. We don't really have anyone doing that at the moment, either in the centres or the 2nd row. I acknowledge that the downside is Bulldogs era Tony Williams, but at least we'd be having a crack.

 

[Camel2281]

What’s funny about the hate on Brooks is that his bashers are in a constant state of shock how no other clubs want to go near him and we’re stuck with him

Wait... how is this funny? This is the brutal reality that we are stuck with a bad halfback that no other team wants. What would shock me more is if a team actually wanted him, since everyone says he has this hidden, unlocked potential... yet here we are, and he's stuck with us again.

I mean everyone thought it was a given he’d be moved on after the Dogs game. It took a while, but I think it’s finally sunk in that isn’t happening

I think it was more everyone WANTED it to be a given. Unfortunately it hasn't happened and we're stuck with the worst 7 in the NRL getting paid more than anyone else in the club

 

[Camel2281]

Far out there’s some brainless idiots at the helm of this club. While we’re scratching our heads and “waiting” for targets to just fall on our laps, Canberra negotiate a deal with Jamal Fogarty for barely 300k a year for 3 years. Not like our halves a mess and we lack leaders

You wanted Jamal Fogarty here?

He's a massive upgrade on Brooks

 

[GNR4LIFE]

What’s funny about the hate on Brooks is that his bashers are in a constant state of shock how no other clubs want to go near him and we’re stuck with him

Wait... how is this funny? This is the brutal reality that we are stuck with a bad halfback that no other team wants. What would shock me more is if a team actually wanted him, since everyone says he has this hidden, unlocked potential... yet here we are, and he's stuck with us again.

I mean everyone thought it was a given he’d be moved on after the Dogs game. It took a while, but I think it’s finally sunk in that isn’t happening

I think it was more everyone WANTED it to be a given. Unfortunately it hasn't happened and we're stuck with the worst 7 in the NRL getting paid more than anyone else in the club

I don’t agree. Some convinced themselves he was gonna be shopped when there was no smoke. There was even one suggestion he’d be shopped due to fan pressure. As I said at the time, yeah nah.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Far out there’s some brainless idiots at the helm of this club. While we’re scratching our heads and “waiting” for targets to just fall on our laps, Canberra negotiate a deal with Jamal Fogarty for barely 300k a year for 3 years. Not like our halves a mess and we lack leaders

You wanted Jamal Fogarty here?

He's a massive upgrade on Brooks

There’s a reason he’ll only be on $330k odd a year…

 

[Camel2281]

What’s funny about the hate on Brooks is that his bashers are in a constant state of shock how no other clubs want to go near him and we’re stuck with him

Wait... how is this funny? This is the brutal reality that we are stuck with a bad halfback that no other team wants. What would shock me more is if a team actually wanted him, since everyone says he has this hidden, unlocked potential... yet here we are, and he's stuck with us again.

I mean everyone thought it was a given he’d be moved on after the Dogs game. It took a while, but I think it’s finally sunk in that isn’t happening

I think it was more everyone WANTED it to be a given. Unfortunately it hasn't happened and we're stuck with the worst 7 in the NRL getting paid more than anyone else in the club

I don’t agree. Some convinced themselves he was gonna be shopped when there was no smoke. There was even one suggestion he’d be shopped due to fan pressure. As I said at the time, yeah nah.

He may well have been shopped. He may just still be here coz no other club wanted anything to do with him?

 

[yeahcaz]

Far out there’s some brainless idiots at the helm of this club. While we’re scratching our heads and “waiting” for targets to just fall on our laps, Canberra negotiate a deal with Jamal Fogarty for barely 300k a year for 3 years. Not like our halves a mess and we lack leaders

You wanted Jamal Fogarty here?

Literally better than every 7 we have.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

What’s funny about the hate on Brooks is that his bashers are in a constant state of shock how no other clubs want to go near him and we’re stuck with him

Wait... how is this funny? This is the brutal reality that we are stuck with a bad halfback that no other team wants. What would shock me more is if a team actually wanted him, since everyone says he has this hidden, unlocked potential... yet here we are, and he's stuck with us again.

I mean everyone thought it was a given he’d be moved on after the Dogs game. It took a while, but I think it’s finally sunk in that isn’t happening

I think it was more everyone WANTED it to be a given. Unfortunately it hasn't happened and we're stuck with the worst 7 in the NRL getting paid more than anyone else in the club

I don’t agree. Some convinced themselves he was gonna be shopped when there was no smoke. There was even one suggestion he’d be shopped due to fan pressure. As I said at the time, yeah nah.

He may well have been shopped. He may just still be here coz no other club wanted anything to do with him?

I don’t believe that. It’s more of a case after shopping Mbye, the club weren’t in a position to shop Brooks too. I doubt they would have wanted to pay close to a million dollars for 2 players playing at other clubs. And there were even calls for Noffa to be shopped on top of those 2. Good. Freaking. Luck.

 

[the_third]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

 

[Balmainian]

Who does everyone think would be 1-2 'gamechanger' recruits for us this off-season? Gamechanger as in have the potential to alter the course of our future through leadership, x-factor, culture etc. Have to realistic too, either off contract or has been murmurings that they could be released/exchanged.

I've mentioned 2 in a previous post ... ZAC LOMAX & JOSH HODGSON.

Lomax - we need a good centre offensively & defensively, great goalkicker, can play fullback as well, hasn't yet reached his ceiling.

Hodgson - tough as nails, will help sure up our middle, experienced, provides leadership, mentor for our young hookers in Simpkin, Rua, Tannous, Anjoul etc, has that bit of mongrel about him which we need, I feel he'd combine well with Hastings/Douehi. The offset to this is Liddle being released.

Not sure why this thread continually throws up Lomax as "realistic". But dont think either would be game changers for us. Yes we need an upgrade at centre but until we start winning the forward battle it wont matter who our centres are. Also our biggest weakness in the backline is defensive reads of which Lomax isn't much of an improvement.
Hodgson i think is just past his use by date both in how he plays and how the game is now played.

As far as players we could should target.
2 players available immediately, though neither really 'game changers'.
Edrick Lee is a good player without a contract that would be cheap and be a good wing option.
Brock Gardner is off contract. He is a young first grade ready back rower who has had his last couple years ruined by injury and Covid. Would be able to pick him up on a minimum wage contract.

Isaiah Papallii / Marata Niukore Both off contract end of 22. On a small contract and cap pressure on eels means unlikely to upgrade both.

David Klemmer On big money at Knights but may have been surpassed by both Saifiti's there so no value for money them. Still 2 years to run on his contract Newcastle may pay some freight on his final year.

Tom Gilbert Off contract end of 22. I personally reckon he is a future star forward with an excellent work rate. Shuffled between bench and starting forward at Cowboys, not sure they know what they have and will always be second fiddle to Taumalolo there.

Phillip Sami Off contract end of 22 and has been shuffled around the Titans backline. Would be a starting centre or winger for us.

If we could get one of the above forwards and one of the below forwards I think we suddenly have a very capable pack with a little bit of depth. Then maybe we will actually be able to assess how bad or good our backline stocks are.

Some other younger players that probably arent getting enough game time at their current club that are off contract end of 22: Oregon Kaufusi, Pasami Saulo (either of these 2 could be a good long term front row partner for Utoikamanu). Keenan Palasia would be used off the bench both on an edge to give Leilua the rest during games he so clearly needs and in the front row rotation. Jack Howarth only about to turn 19 and potentially not quite ready yet but could do worse than having him as a starting centre before he transitions into a backrower as he physically develops. Will be years before he gets a start at Melbourne but has been one of the standout juniors at every age level.

I don’t think Lomax is that good he could turn our club around, I also don’t think he would attract other players to join our club either.
I mean dragons suck like us and he’s been playing with them 3 or so years now, so what difference would he be here.
I’m not saying he’s not worth having a crack at, but he’s not what you call a game changer.

 

[yeahcaz]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

 

[the_third]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

 

[gregjm87]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

Since when do we not score points? Were 9th for points scored. Admittedly 9th isnt great but when you consider that were 15th for points conceded and that poor defense reduces attacking opportunities 9th is quite an achievement.

 

[Camel2281]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

Since when do we not score points? Were 9th for points scored. Admittedly 9th isnt great but when you consider that were 15th for points conceded and that poor defense reduces attacking opportunities 9th is quite an achievement.

38 nil vs the worst performing team in the NRL era.

We scored points when AD and Laurie were there due to long balls and ball running. When they went out our points disappeared

 

[gregjm87]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

Since when do we not score points? Were 9th for points scored. Admittedly 9th isnt great but when you consider that were 15th for points conceded and that poor defense reduces attacking opportunities 9th is quite an achievement.

38 nil vs the worst performing team in the NRL era

So that game is reflective of our attack the whole season?

 

[Camel2281]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

Since when do we not score points? Were 9th for points scored. Admittedly 9th isnt great but when you consider that were 15th for points conceded and that poor defense reduces attacking opportunities 9th is quite an achievement.

38 nil vs the worst performing team in the NRL era

So that game is reflective of our attack the whole season?

AD and Laurie were the providers of most of our attack. They're both going to be missing for a chunk of the season

 

[swooping magpie]

Who does everyone think would be 1-2 'gamechanger' recruits for us this off-season? Gamechanger as in have the potential to alter the course of our future through leadership, x-factor, culture etc. Have to realistic too, either off contract or has been murmurings that they could be released/exchanged.

I've mentioned 2 in a previous post ... ZAC LOMAX & JOSH HODGSON.

Lomax - we need a good centre offensively & defensively, great goalkicker, can play fullback as well, hasn't yet reached his ceiling.

Hodgson - tough as nails, will help sure up our middle, experienced, provides leadership, mentor for our young hookers in Simpkin, Rua, Tannous, Anjoul etc, has that bit of mongrel about him which we need, I feel he'd combine well with Hastings/Douehi. The offset to this is Liddle being released.

Hodgson is past his used by date imo. And Liddle isn’t being moved on. Some need to accept that.

I agree. The club still has Liddle firmly in its plans. When I watched him play his first NRL match I thought that he had the potential to, one day, be Blues hooker but injury has been pretty cruel to him. I see definite signs of improvement in him and after another off season, look forward to see just how far he can go to fulfill that potential....not in SOO but nailing down that first grade jumper. I'm not forgetting Simpkin either, as I believe he has a very bright future in front of him but he needs more game time and physical maturity.

 

[carltonleach]

Imo we really need to grab up lomax and Leniu and fast forward dillions and Scolari development asap. If these 4 are in our best 17 and the likes of Simpkin/Blore/Seyfarth progress into our starting 13 our squad will have hope

Didn’t leniu re-sign not too long ago? Or was that someone else I’m thinking of?

Yep end of 2020.

The other you may be thinking of is Moses Leota who resigned only a month or 2 ago.

Cheers mate that’s the one!!!

 

[gregjm87]

We really need lomax in the centres

We really need halves that pass to centres.

Lol why would you give early ball to any of our centres ? They’re all terrible

Ha indeed, but why bother with lomax if he won’t get the ball. Cut outs to second rowers and inside balls to second rowers seem to be what we do. It’s no wonder we don’t score any points

Since when do we not score points? Were 9th for points scored. Admittedly 9th isnt great but when you consider that were 15th for points conceded and that poor defense reduces attacking opportunities 9th is quite an achievement.

38 nil vs the worst performing team in the NRL era

So that game is reflective of our attack the whole season?

AD and Laurie were the providers of most of our attack. They're both going to be missing for a chunk of the season

Are we suprised the attack struggled missing half our spine (as well as several other starters)? How many bottom 8 clubs would not struggle missing their 1 and 6?
I havent much confidence in our team next year either but im sure they will do better with an off-season to prepare for Doueihi and Laurie missing than a week.