Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[tigertragic]

It amazes me how the Roosters get rid of Mitchell P and replace him with the best half available at the time. The tigers don’t re sign Brooks and need to look at the reject sales basket. Nothing will change for struggling teams while this remains entrenched.

 

[weststigerman]

I think Sullivan is a mental flake....All very good when his team is going well and he flukes a big play to chirp about, but when it's a bit tough he'll go missing and we don't need that in my opinion.

He's 21. Plenty of time for him to grow up.

We are in no position to day "we're too good for him". Is he better than Wakeham/Laurie/Smith? I say yes and probably better than Brooks too.

Hamstring injuries are the major concern with him IMO.

 

[weststigerman]

It amazes me how the Roosters get rid of Mitchell P and replace him with the best half available at the time. The tigers don’t re sign Brooks and need to look at the reject sales basket. Nothing will change for struggling teams while this remains entrenched.

They signed Cronk before they turfed Pearce, but you're not wrong in the rest of your post.

We suck though and the non-rejects like Moses/SJ/Munster already knocked us back. We need at least get to 9th-12th to have some hope of signing players who have other options.

 

[Moh]

It annoys me that the Bulldogs continue to not have trouble in the market, and actually can attract some decent signings. Whether they are the right signings or not...

Meanwhile, we continue to struggle.

A couple of talented kids who may or may not come good in the next 2-3 years isn't all that exciting right now. With what they potentially have in front of them (starting spots), it was a no brainer for them to use us as a stepping stone - like countless others have.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

People shouldn't be so quick to write off Sullivan. He's only 21. Many young halves struggle when they first reach grade (eg Moses and Drinkwater) or don't debut until they're much older (eg Walker, Hynes and Fogerty). And on the other side of the coin you have halves who make an instant impression at a young age but peter out quickly like Tim Smith, Brett Firman and our very own Luke Brooks.

Another thing to bear in mind is that it would be difficult for Sullivan to stand out in such a bog awful side.

 

[Flippedy]

It annoys me that the Bulldogs continue to not have trouble in the market, and actually can attract some decent signings. Whether they are the right signings or not...

Meanwhile, we continue to struggle.

A couple of talented kids who may or may not come good in the next 2-3 years isn't all that exciting right now. With what they potentially have in front of them (starting spots), it was a no brainer for them to use us as a stepping stone - like countless others have.

Yes it annoys me too, but on the flip side it makes me very happy when, despite all their so called great signings, the Bulldogs continue to play like crap 😂 If ever a team should’ve improved from last season it’s the Bulldogs, with the talent they bought over the off season. Yet they remain at the bottom and dare I say are playing worse than last year.

 

[teddy23]

It annoys me that the Bulldogs continue to not have trouble in the market, and actually can attract some decent signings. Whether they are the right signings or not...

Meanwhile, we continue to struggle.

A couple of talented kids who may or may not come good in the next 2-3 years isn't all that exciting right now. With what they potentially have in front of them (starting spots), it was a no brainer for them to use us as a stepping stone - like countless others have.

Respectfully within the last 12-18 months, we've signed Papalili, Api, Bateman and Klemmer - combine that with the recent junior signings of the Fainu brothers, Junior Tupou, Josh Feledy etc. It's not a bad 12 months of recruitment and we're probably going to get Seizer (who I think is a better signing than Sexton personally) and Sullivan by all reports. I wouldn't call it struggling.

Expect a lot more movements coming into 2024 as well. Recruitment isn't as bad as some make out or what it once was imo. Winning games obviously changes how we view our recruitment but I feel as if next year is when we'll start to see an upward trajectory with all our recruits and opinions will change especially with a legitimate halves combination surrounding them.

Bulldogs just keep putting circles in squared holes.

 

[hammertime]

Respectfully within the last 12-18 months, we've signed Papalili, Api, Bateman and Klemmer - combine that with the recent junior signings of the Fainu brothers, Junior Tupou, Josh Feledy etc. It's not a bad 12 months of recruitment and we're probably going to get Seizer (who I think is a better signing than Sexton personally) and Sullivan by all reports. I wouldn't call it struggling.

Expect a lot more movements coming into 2024 as well. Recruitment isn't as bad as some make out or what it once was imo. Winning games obviously changes how we view our recruitment but I feel as if next year is when we'll start to see an upward trajectory with all our recruits and opinions will change especially with a legitimate halves combination surrounding them.

Bulldogs just keep putting circles in squared holes.

We also have marque money. Will be interesting where that is spent. Halves would be the best place, but I think we're tapped out on options there for the time being.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

People are actually championing a removal of Pascoe and replacement by Robbie Farah? As CEO???
Are you fking kidding me??? The CEO lol.
This world has gone to absolute shit.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
GTFO of here….

We also have marque money. Will be interesting where that is spent. Halves would be the best place, but I think we're tapped out on options there for the time being.

Prison programmes? Take the focus off on field performances. Robbie completing a management and coaching course and sharing results with Benji. A 2 4 1?

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Yes it annoys me too, but on the flip side it makes me very happy when, despite all their so called great signings, the Bulldogs continue to play like crap 😂 If ever a team should’ve improved from last season it’s the Bulldogs, with the talent they bought over the off season. Yet they remain at the bottom and dare I say are playing worse than last year.

So much about supermen Gould?😉

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Just for something different, I'm going to suggest some players that Fulton should try to recruit/retain on NSW Cup contracts only. Either to provide experience for a young team or could fill-in as depth in NRL if absolutely required. All currently are either NSW Cup contracted or off-contract NRL and unlikely to be resigned by their current club.

RETAIN: Aitasi James, Livai Saukuru, Jack Boyling or Tom Freebairn, Sione Hopoate

RECRUIT: Jake Toby or Mawene Hiroti (outside backs/fullback), Dean Hawkins or Kurt Falls or Ben Stevanovic (halfback), Faamanu Brown (hooker/lock/utility)

Any others?

 

[Vicious]

Just for something different, I'm going to suggest some players that Fulton should try to recruit/retain on NSW Cup contracts only. Either to provide experience for a young team or could fill-in as depth in NRL if absolutely required. All currently are either NSW Cup contracted or off-contract NRL and unlikely to be resigned by their current club.

RETAIN: Aitasi James, Livai Saukuru, Jack Boyling or Tom Freebairn, Sione Hopoate

RECRUIT: Jake Toby or Mawene Hiroti (outside backs/fullback), Dean Hawkins or Kurt Falls or Ben Stevanovic (halfback), Faamanu Brown (hooker/lock/utility)

Any others?

Jesse Marschke would be a brilliant addition on a 2nd tier contract.
One of the rare halves that takes the ball to the line at speed and asks questions of the defence. Stevanovic would be good also, but Marschke is the key player in why the Bears are going so well.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Jesse Marschke would be a brilliant addition on a 2nd tier contract.
One of the rare halves that takes the ball to the line at speed and asks questions of the defence. Stevanovic would be good also, but Marschke is the key player in why the Bears are going so well.

Trust you guys are emailing all this info to Fulton. Not many here on this forum have a say. They just be members. Thats all. This is great info.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Respectfully within the last 12-18 months, we've signed Papalili, Api, Bateman and Klemmer - combine that with the recent junior signings of the Fainu brothers, Junior Tupou, Josh Feledy etc. It's not a bad 12 months of recruitment and we're probably going to get Seizer (who I think is a better signing than Sexton personally) and Sullivan by all reports. I wouldn't call it struggling.

Expect a lot more movements coming into 2024 as well. Recruitment isn't as bad as some make out or what it once was imo. Winning games obviously changes how we view our recruitment but I feel as if next year is when we'll start to see an upward trajectory with all our recruits and opinions will change especially with a legitimate halves combination surrounding them.

Bulldogs just keep putting circles in squared holes.

Halves and backs are our weak points
Our recruiting has been great and the options to remove the deadwood just as good.

It’s frustrating to see how bad we have performed win wise this year with the talent we brought into the forward pack.

My concern right now is center spots & speed.
Provided we get Sezer.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Halves and backs are our weak points
Our recruiting has been great and the options to remove the deadwood just as good.

It’s frustrating to see how bad we have performed win wise this year with the talent we brought into the forward pack.

My concern right now is center spots & speed.
Provided we get Sezer.

Halves and backs are our weak points
Our recruiting has been great and the options to remove the deadwood just as good.

It’s frustrating to see how bad we have performed win wise this year with the talent we brought into the forward pack.

My concern right now is center spots & speed.
Provided we get Sezer.

So the forwards going well? No concerns there?

 

[851]

Isn't that the way Roosters manage the salary cap?

You sign Pearce, Aiden Guerra and SKD on modest contracts, but when they leave, there's double the salary cap space left than when they signed.

You sign Cronk for a million and when he retires, there's suddenly $1.5M to spend in the cap.

It's like that optical illusion with the chocolate bar, where you cut it up into multiple pieces, and when you try and put it back together, somehow you end up with more chocolate than when you started.

I wonder if the NRL Salary Cap Auditor likes Cadbury's?

He definitely likes the Roosters, not sure about Cadbury's though

 

[Mistymuzzle]

Jesse Marschke would be a brilliant addition on a 2nd tier contract.
One of the rare halves that takes the ball to the line at speed and asks questions of the defence. Stevanovic would be good also, but Marschke is the key player in why the Bears are going so well.

The last thing we need at the moment is 2nd tier halves. We have some really gun halves coming through from juniors. With Fainu and possibly Sullivan joining, the last thing we need is lower tier halves roadblocking these kids who will be brought through into Cup in the next 12 months

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

So the forwards going well? No concerns there?

Can always improve but not the main concern for me. Sure we are missing a tackle breaker and a ball playing lock but no tackle breaker will cause havoc with an ineffective halves combo or backs who cause concern.

We are top 6 for plenty of key indicators which are based off the forwards but come dead last in most when it comes to creativity & converting hence halves and centers/speed are concern for me

 

[Scare]

The last thing we need at the moment is 2nd tier halves. We have some really gun halves coming through from juniors. With Fainu and possibly Sullivan joining, the last thing we need is lower tier halves roadblocking these kids who will be brought through into Cup in the next 12 months

Sullivan? From the dolphins? Have I missed something

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

The last thing we need at the moment is 2nd tier halves. We have some really gun halves coming through from juniors. With Fainu and possibly Sullivan joining, the last thing we need is lower tier halves roadblocking these kids who will be brought through into Cup in the next 12 months

We'll need depth & experience and NSW Cup contracts enable this. Don't see them as a roadblock, more as mentors who will move to the bench or Ron Massey if our young guns warrant inclusion.

Let's say hypothetically we start 2024 with Sezer & Sullivan in the halves, then we could give Latu Fainu some good experience in NSW Cup as 5/8 with an experienced head (i.e. a Dean Hawkins or Kurt Falls type) inside him. Latu and the Magpies would get more out of that then a Zane Camroux.