Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Cobarcats]

Where’s this Sua talk come from?
Isn’t he still got a couple of year left at drag queens?

My man's info. He wants out of the dragons.
Moss I did say if the stars align. I don't have Twitter, have a look 👍

 

[earl]

For WT to be taken seriously we need to retain players like Offa otherwise it sends a clear message to the playing group to have a break out season at WT then go elsewhere to be in with a chance of a premiership.

If we pay overs what message does that send ? We've been through this situation previously. Luc is a classic example. Aoiai and Matterson are other examples. Nofo fits the bill as well.

The message from the players currently is pay the maximum salary or we go.

How do we stop that message and retain players ?

Are Melbourne taken seriously ? They lose players all the time.

 

[Cobarcats]

If we pay overs what message does that send ? We've been through this situation previously. Luc is a classic example. Aoiai and Matterson are other examples. Nofo fits the bill as well.

The message from the players currently is pay the maximum salary or we go.

How do we stop that message and retain players ?

Are Melbourne taken seriously ? They lose players all the time.

Keep our salary cap healthy!

 

[earl]

Keep our salary cap healthy!

It's a balancing act isn't it. I really hope we keep Joe O and I think he wants to stay but if we keep him on top dollar that limits our ability to recruit players or retain juniors.

 

[Telltails]

If we pay overs what message does that send ? We've been through this situation previously. Luc is a classic example. Aoiai and Matterson are other examples. Nofo fits the bill as well.

The message from the players currently is pay the maximum salary or we go.

How do we stop that message and retain players ?

Are Melbourne taken seriously ? They lose players all the time.

But look at the ones they keep.

 

[earl]

But look at the ones they keep.

Exactly. They lose quality though. Tino is quality. They've lost JAC and Koro. Tohu Harris is a real good player. Finucane is decent.

Koro is as big a loss for us than the Tedesco. Did anyone see his tackle yesterday ? He is a freak of a player.

 

[SeanT]

Our pack next season is suddenly shaping up to be a totally different and a stronger one.
If the stars align the forwards could look something like this...

Jackson Hastings (C) Kitione Kautoga
Jaydn Su'A
Joe Ofahengaue
Api Koroisau
Isiah Papali'i
Fonua Pole
Stefano Utoikamanu Alex Twal
We need a second hooker but we have Fa'amanu Brown, Rua Ngatikaura, Jake Simpkin etc to fight for that spot. 🤔
I still have hope in signing a big fish 🤞
Now for the backs...

Only one prop post contact metres gainer in there. Stefano. Still missing two hard forwards. Happy with Offa..Twals defence is amazing but it's time he changes his offence. Offloads, run lower to ground,. Quicker play the balls etc.

Our forward pack still would be bottom 8.

 

[Cobarcats]

It's a balancing act isn't it. I really hope we keep Joe O and I think he wants to stay but if we keep him on top dollar that limits our ability to recruit players or retain juniors.

Exactly. The more you pay each player, even if it's 20k, it all adds up so if you pay market value for a big fish, say Munster, it blows our cap.

 

[Muffstar]

It's a balancing act isn't it. I really hope we keep Joe O and I think he wants to stay but if we keep him on top dollar that limits our ability to recruit players or retain juniors.

I hope we keep Joe O, for me he has been the most consistent player we have had all year. If he does leave the club, I hope he goes to Melbourne not the Dolphins. I think he would improve even more with them.

 

[Cobarcats]

Only one prop post contact metres gainer in there. Stefano. Still missing two hard forwards. Happy with Offa..Twals defence is amazing but it's time he changes his offence. Offloads, run lower to ground,. Quicker play the balls etc.

Our forward pack still would be bottom 8.

I said earlier I wanted lodge but that door is just about closed.

 

[weststigerman]

Joffa is one of our better forwards but lacks the impact to be elite.

The only reason to let him go is if we can replace him with someone better, and that looks unlikely at this point in the season.

Happy to replace him with Klemmer or Lodge but again that’s unlikely.

 

[Needaname]

Funny place this forum.

We have a forward who has Rep quality and is 26yrs old, made the most tackle breaks (50) & meters per game (124) of his career whilst increasing his tackle count by 30% (900+) on any other season he has played for a team who have often given up but then go meh we don’t need him.

We are rebuilding, youth needs experienced heads around them - the right ones.

Joe has shown this year he is the right one. The guy has had a dig all year leading the way when others just gave up. He didn’t take the easy option out and has often had zero support.

We won’t find better quality /age-experience than Joe to compliment Api/Papa next year.

From the sounds of it, his asking price won’t break the bank and is fair.

But hey we have Twal and Seyfarth so all good right & some wonder why we keep losing….

He needs to lock down the starting prop position. I’ll see how he goes today. If he makes an impact in the first 20 I’ll be happy for the club to kick in a little bit more.
He needs to be our Aloia, Tatola, Fisher Harris, AFB and make similar impact to what those players do in the opening stages of the game.
He plays long minutes naturally. If he doesn’t make an impact at prop with team wanting to move to ball playing lock as first choice then he is tying up too much game time for others that can make more of an impact.
I’m hopefully he’ll adjust to the physicality required as a prop and will be become a decent starter for us, if he doesn’t then he is wasting our time and his own being relagated to bench spot especially with Twal in the side whom is a better defender.

 

[barnsta]

If we had other forwards playing like Offa week in and week out he would probably be better breaking the line in attack instead of busting himself in defence

 

[Telltails]

Exactly. They lose quality though. Tino is quality. They've lost JAC and Koro. Tohu Harris is a real good player. Finucane is decent.

Koro is as big a loss for us than the Tedesco. Did anyone see his tackle yesterday ? He is a freak of a player.

The Bromwich brothers Kafsui all nearing the back end of the careers. But they always build around their spine. If they lose Munster then we may see Melbourne's fortunes change because he can't be replaced.

 

[Muffstar]

The Bromwich brothers Kafsui all nearing the back end of the careers. But they always build around their spine. If they lose Munster then we may see Melbourne's fortunes change because he can't be replaced.

Maybe that is why AD is holding off to see what Munster does perhaps?

 

[Telltails]

Maybe that is why AD is holding off to see what Munster does perhaps?

They could also make a play for Dylan Brown. Hughes and he will be the likely halves for NZ.

 

[mikey]

Funny place this forum.

We have a forward who has Rep quality and is 26yrs old, made the most tackle breaks (50) & meters per game (124) of his career whilst increasing his tackle count by 30% (900+) on any other season he has played for a team who have often given up but then go meh we don’t need him.

We are rebuilding, youth needs experienced heads around them - the right ones.

Joe has shown this year he is the right one. The guy has had a dig all year leading the way when others just gave up. He didn’t take the easy option out and has often had zero support.

We won’t find better quality /age-experience than Joe to compliment Api/Papa next year.

From the sounds of it, his asking price won’t break the bank and is fair.

But hey we have Twal and Seyfarth so all good right & some wonder why we keep losing….

100% agree. I wonder if our Board have the same thoughts as some of the forum.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Toovey isn't a defensive coach.

Ricky Stuart really toughened up Cronulla but dragged them to the spoon. I kind of wonder about Flanagan if he got enough defensive insight from Stuart.

If Parra fire Brad Arthur, IMHO greater then Sheens.

The storm are probably going to try and pinch someone good to continue in Bellamy's footsteps. Would be great if Bellamy gets the itch to coach again, but doubt that will happen (and it wouldn't happen for us).

Sheens > Madge IMHO...

Many years ago we offered Bellamy the keys to the Tiger kingdom but baulked when he said he wanted total control.
Same with Bennett, too much control the board said …..,
I think you’ll find that when he leaves Storm that will be it in a coaching role.
Maybe GM of football but not as coach,

 

[TSP]

To rebuild a squad, you have to hang on to the few that have a go. You then replace the duds with external hire players who also put in. Once you have a squad of players all looking in the same direction, all listening to the coaches and improving, then you start adding marquee.

True and I think a competent side playing near optimum is best threat, an example would be the Cowboys.

But an early marquee or two can help out a lot in many areas.

I think a Burto would be astute signing, on the up and up with a glittering career ahead.

Madden would be crazy to smug out where is unlikely to see first grade.

Daine has to be sensible and composed. He’s on a very good wicket here. Tim has succeeded with undersized and underpowered fullbacks before. Tim represents Daines best chance to grow and develop his game.

 

[Halbrowne61]

True and I think a competent side playing near optimum is the best threat, an example would be the Cowboys.

But an early marquee or two can help out a lot in many areas.

I think a Burto would be astute signing, on the up and up with a glittering career ahead.

Madden would be crazy to smug out where is unlikely to see first grade.

Daine has to be sensible and composed. He’s on a very good wicket here and he owes us.

Did you watch Dogs game last night, Burton looked like he’d clocked off for the year, except for his bombs. A couple if times he was stationary when he received the ball and just shovelled it on.
This is despite all and sundry saying he is a good runner of the ball.
Maybe he’s waiting for CC.