Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tiger_one]

Just remembered that Hodgson and Hastings played together for the Lions in 2019. That’ll be handy with combinations.

Hastings is a GB international but has never been able to secure a starting NRL position. It is purely coincidence of course!

Hastings turn is it?

When has he ever secured a starting NRL position?

Mate this is a ridiculous argument. He's been over in Super League, therefore unable to secure a starting spot. Not fair at all.

When he was in the NRL he was young and inexperienced, and if you've watched him play since then you'd realise the absurdity of your argument. He's an NRL standard half.

He had been to what three NRL clubs prior to going to the UK because no club wanted anything to do with him. The revision of history surrounding Hastings does not surprise me at all. There were many halves which were young and inexperienced yet handled the NRL but Hasting could not. That in itself should be enough of an indicator.

He played close to 50 NRL games, so effectively two full seasons. Left at 22, reportedly due to attitude problems, does that constitute 'not handling the NRL'?

Also, who exactly were the 'many halves' that handled the nrl prior to this age?

Yep. He was passed on by his former clubs for disciplinary reasons more than ability. No one knows how he will go till he gets back here, but his time in England and his maturity will certainly make him a better chance of making it now, compared to the player/ person he was when he left. Can't understand the need for some to deathride him before passes a ball.

He was given control at the Roosters of the team when one of their 'stars' was injured. He didn't last long before he was dropped.

That says nothing about the player he is today

The point is this revisionism that his troubles were due to off field issues is not the entire truth.

Depends what you define as off field issues.
At the Roosters he was signed to a first grade contract, though being 2014 and the fact they retained their entire premiership winning team he started off in the 20s.
After the siren during his first 20s game for the club he got stuck into his own trainer for telling off one of his teammates for a on field performance related thing.
Got called into Robbos office the next day, and got demoted from the whole first grade squad for the remainder of the year. He was a full time player and was told he will only train and play with the 20s.
Got his chance in the finals later that year to replace a Jake Friend injury. Off the bench.
The following year he got a chance again when Mitchell Pearce got injured and played along. James Maloney in the halves.
Following year Maloney left, Pearce was suspended so he started the year off at halfback until Pearce returned, I believe they tried a couple of games in that combination but realised they were both halfbacks and so they appointed a more running half, could of even been Matterson
Manly, well manly had DCE and just signed Dylan Walker to play as their five eight.

I’m happy to wait and see how he goes as a second chance. Personally believe he will be better suited in a combination with Brooks then he will be in a combination with Doueihi.

Great post.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Just remembered that Hodgson and Hastings played together for the Lions in 2019. That’ll be handy with combinations.

Hastings is a GB international but has never been able to secure a starting NRL position. It is purely coincidence of course!

Hastings turn is it?

When has he ever secured a starting NRL position?

Mate this is a ridiculous argument. He's been over in Super League, therefore unable to secure a starting spot. Not fair at all.

When he was in the NRL he was young and inexperienced, and if you've watched him play since then you'd realise the absurdity of your argument. He's an NRL standard half.

He had been to what three NRL clubs prior to going to the UK because no club wanted anything to do with him. The revision of history surrounding Hastings does not surprise me at all. There were many halves which were young and inexperienced yet handled the NRL but Hasting could not. That in itself should be enough of an indicator.

Alright I get it you dont like him. At least let him get on the field and work with the club before ou condemn him for this time. Yes, he was a young d**head but that was then we can only judge that since going to England and the ESL he has sorted himself out and is playing well. Everyone has a chance of redemption and hasnt he earnt it with his actions in England? We've got to give people a chance if theyve earnt it. (not just football)

Whether I like him or not is irrelevant. There are plenty of players I do not warm too but that doesn't mean I do not believe they are fine players. My view is not only based on games he has played in the NRL. In my view he was underwhelming in his junior days in the Illawarra. Nothing much has changed and without being disrespectful to the ESL, it is not the standard of the NRL.

PS I've seen far more in Kade Hill from our Jersey Flegg than Hastings at the same age.

"Junior days" can be misleading. Don't forget Brooks was a gun junior and even got referred to once as the next Andrew Johns.
We need a halfback with fire in his guts, a desire to take the game by the scruff and a competitive win-at-all-costs attitude. If Hastings can provide that he doesn't have to be a superstar, those things alone will improve our on-field performances until we hopefully jag the recruitment of a genuine superstar 7.

For all the criticisms levelled at Brooks and Moses, both were in the NRL from the start and remain in it.

Let's not kid ourselves though that Brooks would be in that position if he wasn't playing for WT. He has been given more chances than most. I'm not bagging the guy, I think he is a good bloke just not what we need now as a halfback.
Hastings might have been a tool as a youngster but the fact is he came through the Roosters and Manly, players don't get as much leeway for underperformance at those clubs.

Huh? of course he would. Fogarty is the starting half for the Raiders next year and is meh at best . Guys like Blake green were the definition of meh , and there’s been countless others . Brooks is a good player , but that’s it .
He reminds me of the Ben Simmons talk . Everyone talks about all the things she doesn’t do , that it’s completely devalued the things he does .
He will play into his thirties in the nrl , and for everyone’s sKe , including his hopefully not with us .
I’ve always defended him , staunchly in some cases , but I’ve also always maintained , that if we can trade up I’m all for it .
Luke Brooks is NOT a garbage footballer . He is an average footballer rank 7-8 in the Comp as a half .
He will never play origin , and will never win a premiership with us .
But he can definitely be a starting half for a Premiership team.
It’s like people can’t admit he’s fine , because it implies that they like him as a footballer . They’re 2 separate things.
He will be on 500k minimum until he’s 33 . That’s just the reality of the halfback market place . Like I said , hopefully not with us .

 

[Russell]

Hodgson will be 32 but his game has never been about speed. Many players, even Farah, depend a lot on speed and so couldn't play to the same level when they got older. Others who play with craft sometimes even get better at this age. You can't just say he's 32 so he's rubbish.

Examples:
Cameron Smith played another excellent five years after turning 32.
Cooper Cronk was another who seemed to get better.
Cliffy Lyons was another, Jason Smith also played well in his mid 30s.
Ben Kennedy helped change the culture of Manly when he joined them in his early 30s.
Luke Lewis was in great form throughout his 30s.
Alfie Langer too.

Hodgson is the exact sort of player who should be able to maintain good form for at least a couple years. His game is quality passing, good direction, competitiveness and craft. I think he's a great player for us to have a go on. If it doesn't work out I don't see it being that big a deal. Hate the negativity around every move we make.

If he didn't work out it would be a disaster.

Eg. Game 3 next year - he does his ACL again,

Oh! no problem put Liddle in there, unfortunately we let him go, because we put faith in an old man.

Not to worry we can bring up Simpkin, unfortunately he won't be ready for another 2 years if ever.

Now your talking - we can play the Peach.

Oh! God, unfortunately I can see this happening.

Yeah, if he gets a season ending injury he'll obviously not be very valuable to us. I think we're talking about whether he can still play or not.

If we're ruling out any player who can potentially get injured, or has had injuries in the past, we're going to struggle.

Also, we haven't even signed him and you're assuming we've not only signed him but also releasing Liddle and forecasting this all being a bad move because he's going to get an ACL early next year.

The Forum in it's majority has him signed. sealed and delivered as they do with most players that someone says "he'd be good" only to get raked off when the club don't get the player.

I am advocating NOT signing him, not moving Liddle on, letting Simpkin stay in reserves to learn his craft hopefully, I have not seen the potential a lot have seen apparently.

However to go, with eyes wide open to sign a cotcase is not my idea of good recruitment. DH is a crucial spot to be missing someone because of injury (if it happens). I am not talking about a player getting injured - I am talking about a player that is 32 and has had 3 ACL injuries.

Posters on here have spent most of the season applauding the fact that we are not now a club that is signing players seeking a retirement fund or are injury prone - obviously thay make exceptions when it suits them.

But he is no more injury prone than Liddle. In fact, he's gotten through alot more footy around those injuries than Liddle who is made of glass, and not delivering NRL standard play for 80mins a week

Whatever!

 

[teddy23]

This forum is full of people who wanna put the slipper in , give Hastings a go before bagging the bloke you clowns

Almost everyone puts the slipper in. Some give it to Hastings, some give it to Brooks and Noffa. The latest one is Liddle.

Brooks and Nofo have played enough games for one to form an opinion on. Hastings has not.

I can only speak for myself. I only believe he’s unproven, not that he’s going to fail. The issue I have is how much he gets talked up for his form in a second tier competition. A lot of comments saying “you must not have seen him play over there”. Imo, you don’t have to, because it isn’t a true form guide. Coming up against the Storm and Roosters is a big step up from facing Huddersfield and Castleford.

Exactly my opinion on him as well, I hope for everyone’s sake he turns into a gun which isn’t so far fetched

But to give him the 7 jersey and to say take the team we had last year to the 8, I just think it’s unrealistic and if we want to be better which I’m assuming the goal is we need to get a proven 7 who’s shown he can drag NRL teams to multiple wins - seems like that was our biggest weakness besides defence last season which is direction and leadership in our halves, haven’t had it for a long time tbh

Fingers crossed he goes good but I have my doubts

 

[Lee's fedora]

Either way Hastings is coming to the club and as @Needaname explained this is all of his previous problems but the main thing that stands out for me is mentally Hastings is a COMPETITOR if its playstation he's gotta win if its ping pong he's got to win and he wants to prove what he can do in the nrl and he wants to win he is what we need we need a dog in our halves to say this is what we're doing and take the game by the neck not pass off to second rower to fix it im not saying he's the second coming of joey but he's a bloody good footballer with a win at all costs mentality you pair that with potentially Hodgson at hooker and Daine Laurie at fb thats a pretty good looking spine

 

[Russell]

Either way Hastings is coming to the club and as @Needaname explained this is all of his previous problems but the main thing that stands out for me is mentally Hastings is a COMPETITOR if its playstation he's gotta win if its ping pong he's got to win and he wants to prove what he can do in the nrl and he wants to win he is what we need we need a dog in our halves to say this is what we're doing and take the game by the neck not pass off to second rower to fix it im not saying he's the second coming of joey but he's a bloody good footballer with a win at all costs mentality you pair that with potentially Hodgson at hooker and Daine Laurie at fb thats a pretty good looking spine

Only if Hodgson stays on the field (and we sign him) and Laurie works very hard on his defence.

 

[teddy23]

Throw the kitchen sink at both Lomax and Harry Grant to be the future of this club. Be aggressive and make them both our targets and offer them as much as we can, both reportedly keen admirers of Madge and the Wests Tigers (bringing one could attract the other to come) - alongside Laurie, Doueihi, Stefano, Blore, Luciano and Twal with some good pieces like Ken, Joffa, Talau, Nofa and Mikale

Bring in some nice young forwards, I’d like to look at Spencer Lenui, Helem Luki and Franklin Pele.

Then get Brooks out, put that 700-800k towards a good halfback that comes available and all of a sudden we’re a threat for the next decade as they’re all young - think the biggest question mark circulating around our whole squad is who wears 7 bc Hastings hasn’t proven anything yet

He's proven it to me.

By a few games in the super league?

Maybe we should sign Sam Tompkins and Zak Hadaker as well

Just my thoughts on it, I’m praying he turns out good though

 

[Ultimate Warrior]

Hodgson will be 32 but his game has never been about speed. Many players, even Farah, depend a lot on speed and so couldn't play to the same level when they got older. Others who play with craft sometimes even get better at this age. You can't just say he's 32 so he's rubbish.

Examples:
Cameron Smith played another excellent five years after turning 32.
Cooper Cronk was another who seemed to get better.
Cliffy Lyons was another, Jason Smith also played well in his mid 30s.
Ben Kennedy helped change the culture of Manly when he joined them in his early 30s.
Luke Lewis was in great form throughout his 30s.
Alfie Langer too.

Hodgson is the exact sort of player who should be able to maintain good form for at least a couple years. His game is quality passing, good direction, competitiveness and craft. I think he's a great player for us to have a go on. If it doesn't work out I don't see it being that big a deal. Hate the negativity around every move we make.

If he didn't work out it would be a disaster.

Eg. Game 3 next year - he does his ACL again,

Oh! no problem put Liddle in there, unfortunately we let him go, because we put faith in an old man.

Not to worry we can bring up Simpkin, unfortunately he won't be ready for another 2 years if ever.

Now your talking - we can play the Peach.

Oh! God, unfortunately I can see this happening.

Oh Russell what if we don’t sign Hodgson and Jacob god forbid does his ACL in rd 3…what then

The guy has leadership qualities. He is a gun hooker. He is an international. He is a playmaker and great defender.
And he is open to coming to us for 2 years. But no, let’s not buy him.

 

[balmain boy]

@Aubanon what’s the latest on Jordan Hill?

The Tigers never followed through with their intended meeting.

So he's moved on.

I’m sure Adam hartigan was meant to be at that meeting

Correct. Very disappointed at this outcome. We've let a good kid go because of one staff member's naivety.

What do you mean by naive @willow ?
Do you mean Adam Hartigan stood them up at the meeting?

Without speaking out of line, I was informed Hartigan intended to sit down with the family to discuss Jordan's situation, as he apparently caught the club by surprise with signing a letter of intent with the MacKay Cutters. I don't think WT thought he seriously entertained the idea of leaving, but WT made little to no attempt to keep him. Hartigan wasn't aware of any commentary made towards Jordan by Fita Hala so there was a communication breakdown at that level, and then Hartigan never bothered to follow through with the meeting with Jordan's family.

Disappointing and unprofessional which typifies so many aspects of this club.

That would be very concerning if that's what's happened. Inexcusable. Why works hard to bring young talent to the club only to avoid the admin to build on that work.

I do wonder if it's a case of having too many chefs and the roles of individuals being unclear. With so many added staff to our development pathways is it clear who does what? Does the GM of football negotiate all contracts for all players at the club, across all grades?

You would expect them to be involved though if Flegg players are being retained and their profession planned through the grades.

 

[balmain boy]

My concern with Sheens replacing Harrigan is we may now be blowing up our plan and starting yet another rebuild. Moving away from the not overpaying players and targeting players with their best form ahead of them not behind them.

Sheens had a habit of overpaying underperforming players, offering too long deals. But then who knows back then how much was Sheens or others at the club managing the contracts.

Hodgson will be a case in point. If we offer more than 850k across two years then it's a bad deal.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Also 1 more comment about the brooks thing . How many halves in the comp, are the actual game winners for thier teams . Like “the” guy . It’s not Moses , not DCE , cleary , you would say yes , not Hughes . The last generation skewed our view on what a half is supposed to be . Thurston , johns , Cronk etc . I think it all needs to be kept in perspective .

 

[Crucible]

Strongee clearly has not watched Moses win two games this year, and DCE at least four. Give yourself a triple.

 

[Harvey]

Saints have no backline all forwards
Bulldogs have all backs no fowards interesting tactics

We have outdone them all. We have no backs and no forwards. Next to no halves either.

 

[Aceshigh]

Why do the Bulldogs have no forwards?

 

[Russell]

Throw the kitchen sink at both Lomax and Harry Grant to be the future of this club. Be aggressive and make them both our targets and offer them as much as we can, both reportedly keen admirers of Madge and the Wests Tigers (bringing one could attract the other to come) - alongside Laurie, Doueihi, Stefano, Blore, Luciano and Twal with some good pieces like Ken, Joffa, Talau, Nofa and Mikale

Bring in some nice young forwards, I’d like to look at Spencer Lenui, Helem Luki and Franklin Pele.

Then get Brooks out, put that 700-800k towards a good halfback that comes available and all of a sudden we’re a threat for the next decade as they’re all young - think the biggest question mark circulating around our whole squad is who wears 7 bc Hastings hasn’t proven anything yet

He's proven it to me.

By a few games in the super league?

Maybe we should sign Sam Tompkins and Zak Hadaker as well

Just my thoughts on it, I’m praying he turns out good though

That is your opinion, I have mine seeing him play in a number of games including a few internationals.

I am still saying he is good enough Teddy.

 

[Russell]

Hodgson will be 32 but his game has never been about speed. Many players, even Farah, depend a lot on speed and so couldn't play to the same level when they got older. Others who play with craft sometimes even get better at this age. You can't just say he's 32 so he's rubbish.

Examples:
Cameron Smith played another excellent five years after turning 32.
Cooper Cronk was another who seemed to get better.
Cliffy Lyons was another, Jason Smith also played well in his mid 30s.
Ben Kennedy helped change the culture of Manly when he joined them in his early 30s.
Luke Lewis was in great form throughout his 30s.
Alfie Langer too.

Hodgson is the exact sort of player who should be able to maintain good form for at least a couple years. His game is quality passing, good direction, competitiveness and craft. I think he's a great player for us to have a go on. If it doesn't work out I don't see it being that big a deal. Hate the negativity around every move we make.

If he didn't work out it would be a disaster.

Eg. Game 3 next year - he does his ACL again,

Oh! no problem put Liddle in there, unfortunately we let him go, because we put faith in an old man.

Not to worry we can bring up Simpkin, unfortunately he won't be ready for another 2 years if ever.

Now your talking - we can play the Peach.

Oh! God, unfortunately I can see this happening.

Oh Russell what if we don’t sign Hodgson and Jacob god forbid does his ACL in rd 3…what then

The guy has leadership qualities. He is a gun hooker. He is an international. He is a playmaker and great defender.
And he is open to coming to us for 2 years. But no, let’s not buy him.

Whatever.

 

[TillLindemann]

Just remembered that Hodgson and Hastings played together for the Lions in 2019. That’ll be handy with combinations.

Hastings is a GB international but has never been able to secure a starting NRL position. It is purely coincidence of course!

Hastings turn is it?

When has he ever secured a starting NRL position?

Mate this is a ridiculous argument. He's been over in Super League, therefore unable to secure a starting spot. Not fair at all.

When he was in the NRL he was young and inexperienced, and if you've watched him play since then you'd realise the absurdity of your argument. He's an NRL standard half.

He had been to what three NRL clubs prior to going to the UK because no club wanted anything to do with him. The revision of history surrounding Hastings does not surprise me at all. There were many halves which were young and inexperienced yet handled the NRL but Hasting could not. That in itself should be enough of an indicator.

He was at 2 NRL clubs, and in both cases he was young and stuck behind representative stars (i.e. similar position to Harry Grant). The personality clash was just on top, it would have been tough to secure a starting spot regardless.

He represented both NSW and Australia as a junior, so yes he was indeed a standout as a junior.

In Super League he has had a far bigger impact than many NRL-proven halves, including our own Robert Lui.

He took arguably the worst club in the comp to a grand final in his first season with them. The club he joined the next year then went to the grand final as well.

He was given the highest honour in that comp, and ge has been picked to represent England and Great Britain, as well as All Stars. Wayne Bennett who many on here see as one of the top 2 coaches in the game, selected him.

There is no reason to suggest we haven't secured a gun footy player.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

Just remembered that Hodgson and Hastings played together for the Lions in 2019. That’ll be handy with combinations.

Hastings is a GB international but has never been able to secure a starting NRL position. It is purely coincidence of course!

Hastings turn is it?

When has he ever secured a starting NRL position?

Mate this is a ridiculous argument. He's been over in Super League, therefore unable to secure a starting spot. Not fair at all.

When he was in the NRL he was young and inexperienced, and if you've watched him play since then you'd realise the absurdity of your argument. He's an NRL standard half.

He had been to what three NRL clubs prior to going to the UK because no club wanted anything to do with him. The revision of history surrounding Hastings does not surprise me at all. There were many halves which were young and inexperienced yet handled the NRL but Hasting could not. That in itself should be enough of an indicator.

Alright I get it you dont like him. At least let him get on the field and work with the club before ou condemn him for this time. Yes, he was a young d**head but that was then we can only judge that since going to England and the ESL he has sorted himself out and is playing well. Everyone has a chance of redemption and hasnt he earnt it with his actions in England? We've got to give people a chance if theyve earnt it. (not just football)

Whether I like him or not is irrelevant. There are plenty of players I do not warm too but that doesn't mean I do not believe they are fine players. My view is not only based on games he has played in the NRL. In my view he was underwhelming in his junior days in the Illawarra. Nothing much has changed and without being disrespectful to the ESL, it is not the standard of the NRL.

PS I've seen far more in Kade Hill from our Jersey Flegg than Hastings at the same age.

"Junior days" can be misleading. Don't forget Brooks was a gun junior and even got referred to once as the next Andrew Johns.
We need a halfback with fire in his guts, a desire to take the game by the scruff and a competitive win-at-all-costs attitude. If Hastings can provide that he doesn't have to be a superstar, those things alone will improve our on-field performances until we hopefully jag the recruitment of a genuine superstar 7.

For all the criticisms levelled at Brooks and Moses, both were in the NRL from the start and remain in it.

Let's not kid ourselves though that Brooks would be in that position if he wasn't playing for WT. He has been given more chances than most. I'm not bagging the guy, I think he is a good bloke just not what we need now as a halfback.
Hastings might have been a tool as a youngster but the fact is he came through the Roosters and Manly, players don't get as much leeway for underperformance at those clubs.

Huh? of course he would. Fogarty is the starting half for the Raiders next year and is meh at best . Guys like Blake green were the definition of meh , and there’s been countless others . Brooks is a good player , but that’s it .
He reminds me of the Ben Simmons talk . Everyone talks about all the things she doesn’t do , that it’s completely devalued the things he does .
He will play into his thirties in the nrl , and for everyone’s sKe , including his hopefully not with us .
I’ve always defended him , staunchly in some cases , but I’ve also always maintained , that if we can trade up I’m all for it .
Luke Brooks is NOT a garbage footballer . He is an average footballer rank 7-8 in the Comp as a half .
He will never play origin , and will never win a premiership with us .
But he can definitely be a starting half for a Premiership team.
It’s like people can’t admit he’s fine , because it implies that they like him as a footballer . They’re 2 separate things.
He will be on 500k minimum until he’s 33 . That’s just the reality of the halfback market place . Like I said , hopefully not with us .

Not sure what you meant by "huh" but you said Brooks and Moses started in the NRL and remain in it. I said we are kidding ourselves if we think Brooks would of had a 8 or so year run of constant 1st grade if he wasn't at WT. He's not a bad player, probably a little bit better than Kyle Flanagan and look how he has been shuffled in and out of 1st grade at various clubs, including the Bulldogs who most likely have the most hopeless halves in the comp. Brooks is extremely lucky to have started his career at WT and not elsewhere when it comes to how much 1st grade he has been fortunate to play.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Hodgo at hooker is a good move, guide simpkin through
Liddle is not the answer

 

[supercoach]

Why do the Bulldogs have no forwards?

They put a number on us in our last encounter. Not bad for a team with no forwards