Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[pawsandclaws1]

Actually I didn't fall asleep, as a matter of fact I enjoy Sheens' story telling and just can't find the time at the moment to sit down for a couple of hours to have a listen. Will hopefully get around to it some time in the near future.

Also like James Graham and apart from the time he tried to chew off Billy Slater's ear have found him to be a very likable guy.

Great post.

 

[Goldust]

Actually I didn't fall asleep, as a matter of fact I enjoy Sheens' story telling and just can't find the time at the moment to sit down for a couple of hours to have a listen. Will hopefully get around to it some time in the near future.

Also like James Graham and apart from the time he tried to chew off Billy Slater's ear have found him to be a very likable guy.

I share the same opinion on Jimmy Graham,he’s a great host with a genuine passion for Rugby League.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

So if the rumours are true, and Fainu is coming across in the next few weeks. What is the likelihood that he plays a game of 1st grade this season?

 

[Magpies1969]

One of my biggest gripes is WT poor recruitment plus the incorrect use of the bench (Sheens has never really known how to use a bench correctly).

Why didn't someone with half a brain identify J'maine Hopgood (24 years old) from Penrith as a future NRL star with the WT.

He has been a sensation for the Eels and would have sorted out our troubled lock position.

WT should look at local juniors from Penrith, Canterbury and Eels as it is not a big relocation for players to head to Concord.

If Hunt goes to the Titans maybe some of their halves should be approached as they have some talent in their ranks. Hunt and Foran might be the preferred halves. I appreciate Foran losses a lot of games through injury but reunites with Hasler in 2024.

Also Warriors appear to have plenty of halves depth and maybe some of their Australian players want to come home to Sydney.

WT recruitment reminds me of the classic Del Amitri song "Always the last to know"

If Tommy and other players are being moved on this season let's not play them again in the NRL and give players like James, Matamua and Reilly a taste of NRL with an eye to 2024 and beyond.

 

[jrtiger]

One of my biggest gripes is our poor recruitment.

Why didn't someone with half a brain identify J'maine Hopgood (24 years old) from Penrith as a future NRL star with the WT.

He has been a sensation for the Eels and would have sorted out our troubled lock position.

WT should look at local juniors from Penrith, Canterbury and Eels as it is not a big relocation for players to head to Concord.

If Hunt goes to the Titans maybe some of their halves should be approached asap as they definately have some talent their. Also Warriors appear to have plenty of halves depth and maybe some of their Australian players want to come home to Sydney.

WT recruitment reminds me of the classic Del Amitri song "Always the last to know"

we were in talks last year with Hopgood to come across to WT, he chose Parra. wasn't that we hadn't identified him or that we didn't look at him, it's just that he opted to move to a side with it's premiership window wide open as opposed to one that had won the spoon.

we don't need juniors from Penrith, Canterbury and Parra. the plan is to identify and develop the best kids coming thru our ranks and for that to supplement our senior grades. we will certainly cherrypick off the back of that, but we're not Melbourne or the Roosters, we don't need to go shopping too often.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

So if the rumours are true, and Fainu is coming across in the next few weeks. What is the likelihood that he plays a game of 1st grade this season?

Imagine if he does come across and plays NRL. Do you think other very talented halves/players at our own club will work that little bit harder or, those players from other clubs want in at WTs because there are opportunities?

 

[Spartan117]

The Campbelltown Region is very vast in terms of Juniors and second only to Penrith.

This will provide the players we need when we start winning.

This is what will make them want to stay

 

[king_sirro]

Imagine if he does come across and plays NRL. Do you think other very talented halves/players at our own club will work that little bit harder or, those players from other clubs want in at WTs because there are opportunities?

I think the debut of Bula and in particular Tallyn really highlights those opportunities to other youngsters. Latu is by far and away the best player in the age group, yet another has already debuted before him while he sits behind someone who refuses to run the ball despite being 100kg.

 

[gallagher]

He doesn't even have a coaching certificate for juniors!!

That doesn't seem to bother us.

 

[hank37w]

I think hiring Fulton was a safety net due to his allegiance with Tartak and the hold on our key juniors.

Alot of people don’t appreciate the effort recruitment actually takes across the ranks. Benji & Farah can’t do it all they need a quality team around them that they trust to do their job and deliver what they need.

Sounds like Benji is taking more control on things.

This is the part that concerns me.

Can and do they trust Fulton and were they aware that he was coming?

Are they on the same page as Fulton?

Were they consulted or were they as surprised as Sheens was as to Fulton's appointment?

Yes Benji does need to take more control of things if he is going to put a team together that he actually wants for 2025.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Apparently Kayal Iro wants to explore other opportunities given his lack of opportunity from the Sharks. 2022 NSW Cup Player of the Year, regularly making 200m per game at centre, big tackle busts stats, good defence & versatile to play fullback & backrow which he played in the World Cup.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Don’t they know they’re getting “Tommy Turbo 2 Talau “ as a swap.
Ungrateful buggers.

😅😂😂🤣😁

 

[Tito Santana]

Hey just quietly, is it just me or does anyone else get warm and fuzzy watching the roosters failing - especially Tedesco. I know I do. Mmmm…

 

[weststigerman]

If we do get Fainu, I hope we play him at 6 and don’t try and turn him into a game managing halfback. Everything I’ve seen from him screams X factor and runner.

 

[KingRobbie]

So if the rumours are true, and Fainu is coming across in the next few weeks. What is the likelihood that he plays a game of 1st grade this season?

I’d say likely.

He’s the same age as Da Silva who debuted defending in the middle.

Fainu plays in a less physically demanding position and has also had more NSW Cup experience than Tallyn had before he debuted.

 

[Telltails]

Hey just quietly, is it just me or does anyone else get warm and fuzzy watching the roosters failing - especially Tedesco. I know I do. Mmmm…

Terribly out of form. Has always relied on his speed but may need to improve his game in other areas if he wants to see out his career at FB at his beloved Roosters.

 

[hank37w]

I sometimes

Hey just quietly, is it just me or does anyone else get warm and fuzzy watching the roosters failing - especially Tedesco. I know I do. Mmmm…

Poor old Teddy I really feel sorry for him at times when I see the decline in his game, fortunately, after I think about the way he shafted us, somehow that feeling passes quite quickly.

Arriba.

 

[Demps]

Apparently Kayal Iro wants to explore other opportunities given his lack of opportunity from the Sharks. 2022 NSW Cup Player of the Year, regularly making 200m per game at centre, big tackle busts stats, good defence & versatile to play fullback & backrow which he played in the World Cup.

In a heart beat... 📝

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

With the impending recruitment of 18yo Latu Fainu (a running & ball-playing 5/8), everything is pointing towards us recruiting a game-managing & experienced halfback as our main field kicker.

I would be 99% confident that Benji will want someone (for at least 2 seasons) who can provide experience & direction along with Api to a young spine.

So with a shortage of halves on the market or likely to be released, I would not be surprised now if it's one of these two:

- Jack Cogger (I can see the club trumpeting the Cogger family links to the Magpies)
- Jake Clifford

Now some will criticise Jake & rightly so but if the club does it's due diligence into his mental space, he could come into strong calculations. He is mid 20s, has NRL experience, can direct a team around the park, huge kicking game, goal kicker & read Hull fans' comments on him, they reckon he is the best halfback in SL atm & the best ever for Hull. Maybe Sheens & Benji feel they can get the best out of him with Api.

I would have added Lachlan Lam but I don't think he is the game-managing type we are likely after but I am probably wrong.

 

[teddy23]

With the impending recruitment of 18yo Latu Fainu (a running & ball-playing 5/8), everything is pointing towards us recruiting a game-managing & experienced halfback as our main field kicker.

I would be 99% confident that Benji will want someone (for at least 2 seasons) who can provide experience & direction along with Api to a young spine.

So with a shortage of halves on the market or likely to be released, I would not be surprised now if it's one of these two:

- Jack Cogger (I can see the club trumpeting the Cogger family links to the Magpies)
- Jake Clifford

Now some will criticise Jake & rightly so but if the club does it's due diligence into his mental space, he could come into strong calculations. He is mid 20s, has NRL experience, can direct a team around the park, huge kicking game, goal kicker & read Hull fans' comments on him, they reckon he is the best halfback in SL atm & the best ever for Hull. Maybe Sheens & Benji feel they can get the best out of him with Api.

I would have added Lachlan Lam but I don't think he is the game-managing type we are likely after but I am probably wrong.

Cogger is okay but everyone looks good in that Penrith 7 jersey imo - need more of a sample size.

If worst comes to worst, I'd look at giving Pearce a 1-year deal from next year as he's open to coming in 2024 he only ruled us out to break his contract and come this year. He's a premiership winner, SOS rep, and has played over 300 games. Probably the most experienced 7 available and has looked good in the SL.

With Api, Bula, and Fainu we don't need a game-breaking 7 just someone who can steer us around.