Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Oldman]

At this early time in his career I don’t expect as much as others from the 5/8 Fainu for a couple of years, im hoping the talk about signing Seizer is on the ball as his experience and kicking game should be a benefit to the team and a young 5/8.
Concerned Manly must have thought Fainu is not anywhere near ready for NRL level otherwise why would have they let him go.
I’m not a Sullivan fan but he would be better IMO than who we have at the club at the moment signed for next year.
Max 2 year contract offer for Sullivan please no more 4 year contract until we know what they can deliver.

 

[2041]

You don't remember when we had the 20's premiers coming through with the likes of Moses, Tedesco & Brooks over and above that and then with players like Farah, Benji and Woods....
I'm very frightful we'll repeat history, Overpay them all to keep them (Or lose them completely)
and leave a shell of a low level squad to attempt help them become consistent NRL Players...
Just like we did 10 years ago...

The reason Addo Carr, Koroibete etc. kicked on was the environment and work ethic in the clubs they went to
Not talent.

The shite is in the walls of this place, no matter how many coats of paint we give it....

Just as a matter of record, none of Moses, Tedesco or Brooks were under 20s premiers. This was the team that won the (2012) comp:

Kurtis Rowe, David Nofoaluma, Brodie Monroe, Asipeli Fine, Marika Koroibete, Matt Mulcahy, Jacob Miller, Sauaso Sue, Ben Saunders, Mosese Fotuaika, Joel Luani, Kyle Lovett, Inno Inosesio
Interchange: Soni Paasi, Nathan Brown, Brenden Santi, Sitaleki Akauola, Shane Lalogafau, Andy Fiagatusa, Manaia Rudolph, Daniel Rakvin

 

[BrissieTiger67]

Wasn't the word he already agreed to the one year contract, i think don't quote but we have an option on the 2nd year.

that was coming out of english SL news as well so i expect it has some legs

 

[Needaname]

He has not but as far as development goes he is probably on par with the likes of Moale, Willison and Mariota. The difference is at their clubs they are fringe first graders who rarely play more than 30minutes. Our club needs Utoikamanu to consistently perform for 40+ each week. Its just an unreasonable expectation at this point of his career.

Then don’t play him that way, start Twal; he is experienced. We moved on Joffa to give Stef the start.
Probably could of kept Joffa..

 

[Holman Barnes #1 Fan]

Just as a matter of record, none of Moses, Tedesco or Brooks were under 20s premiers. This was the team that won the (2012) comp:

Kurtis Rowe, David Nofoaluma, Brodie Monroe, Asipeli Fine, Marika Koroibete, Matt Mulcahy, Jacob Miller, Sauaso Sue, Ben Saunders, Mosese Fotuaika, Joel Luani, Kyle Lovett, Inno Inosesio
Interchange: Soni Paasi, Nathan Brown, Brenden Santi, Sitaleki Akauola, Shane Lalogafau, Andy Fiagatusa, Manaia Rudolph, Daniel Rakvin

RIP Mosese Fotuaika. He had a big future in the game. So sad what happened.

 

[hammertime]

Freddy saw 10 mins of him at Origin and had enough … what did you make of that?

I make that as Stef asking Freddy to not play him so that he doesn't activate that clause in his contract.

It's all a little suss...

 

[lathami]

Just as a matter of record, none of Moses, Tedesco or Brooks were under 20s premiers. This was the team that won the (2012) comp:

Kurtis Rowe, David Nofoaluma, Brodie Monroe, Asipeli Fine, Marika Koroibete, Matt Mulcahy, Jacob Miller, Sauaso Sue, Ben Saunders, Mosese Fotuaika, Joel Luani, Kyle Lovett, Inno Inosesio
Interchange: Soni Paasi, Nathan Brown, Brenden Santi, Sitaleki Akauola, Shane Lalogafau, Andy Fiagatusa, Manaia Rudolph, Daniel Rakvin

Won that premiership on the back off a team of average players and two great wingers. Most likely won’t see that again!!

 

[jrtiger]

2023 Round 1 best spine:
1. Laurie - 500k
6. Doueihi - 600k
7. Brooks - 1.1 Mil
9. Api - 700k

14. Simpkin - 350k

Est total - 3.25 mil

2024 Round 1 best spine:
1. Bula - 300k
6. Fainu - 300k
7. Sezer - 400k
9. Api - 700k

14. Sullivan - 350k

Est total - 2.1 Mil


I don't know how nearly halving the cost of your spine (if we increase the cap for 24 by the estimated 30%) while nearly doubling the quality is looked at as going backwards.

you could even make the argument that it might be even less with Sullivan at 6 and Da Silva on the pine.

regardless, you’re right. providing both Sullivan and Sezer are signed and the talk about Hawkins coming on T&T comes to fruition plus Fainu and Galvin, we have a really nice mix of flair, control and x-factor in the building next year which is a huge step up on this year.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Actually I am glad and excited and prefer the new halves. Hope Sullivan is 100% have wanted him for some time now as a replacement at 7. Fainu will be an awesome 6. Sezer will provide the experience until they mature. Agree that we are so much better off. Just think the numbers are a bit low. That is all. Think Fainu and Sullivan will get paid more for 2024 than the estimate and rightly so. Brooks was back ended because of poor management not his fault. And the rubbish he gets is unjust. We have had a crap spine and forward for so long and I would never put it on one person. Learn’t that as a child. Story for another day. When all the blame is on one person in a team that fails, in reality makes that person most valuable to that team. Will explain that in another post. If it is true about Brooks and how crap he was, then Manly in for a horrible few years. Time will tell.

I agree that Sullivan will be paid more than 350k. But my post was regarding 2024 numbers and I am certain we won't be taking on Sullivan at 500k.. Dragons will have to chip in atleast 100k.

Regarding Latu, the 4 Million 4 year deal for the brothers has been corrected to just over 2 million many times...
Around 250k Each year for Samuela. Latu around 300k raising to 400k in years 3 & 4 with the possibility of 500k if he reaches certain targets.

I think Manly will go good with Brooks while Cherry and Turbo are there. If Cherry retires soon & Turbo keeps up with injury problems than Manly could be in strife if he is their plan for 7 in future.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

you could even make the argument that it might be even less with Sullivan at 6 and Da Silva on the pine.

regardless, you’re right. providing both Sullivan and Sezer are signed and the talk about Hawkins coming on T&T comes to fruition plus Fainu and Galvin, we have a really nice mix of flair, control and x-factor in the building next year which is a huge step up on this year.

For sure, I could see Doueihi stepping in as a 14 towards the back end of the year though.

 

[Wildcat777]

I agree that Sullivan will be paid more than 350k. But my post was regarding 2024 numbers and I am certain we won't be taking on Sullivan at 500k.. Dragons will have to chip in atleast 100k.

Regarding Latu, the 4 Million 4 year deal for the brothers has been corrected to just over 2 million many times...
Around 250k Each year for Samuela. Latu around 300k raising to 400k in years 3 & 4 with the possibility of 500k if he reaches certain targets.

I think Manly will go good with Brooks while Cherry and Turbo are there. If Cherry retires soon & Turbo keeps up with injury problems than Manly could be in strife if he is their plan for 7 in future.

Agreed. I think Manly believe their window is the next year or so, hence Brooks over Fainu. But I hope Fainu kicks butt in 24 and 25+. 2024 looking better than 23 and 25 better still. So for all so much to look forward to, baring injuries. Then the chatter here will be very different. Looking forward to that!

 

[Kelce68]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion bit geez it's obvious that a lot of blokes here haven't played a lick of football in their life.

The criticism of Klemmer and Stefano is quite frankly absurd. For front rowers Klemmer is 5th in all run meters and 4th in post contact meters. Stefano is 13th in run meters and 12th in post contact meters. The sheet below shows that they both maintain elite workrates in defence with high tackle efficiency. Our play the ball speed is 6th in the NRL our all run meters is 8th. The problem is not our forward pack and anyone who thinks the pack is the problem is Rugby League illiterate.

You know what we are god awful at? Linebreaks 17th, LBA 17th, Try assists 17th, Kick meters 17th, effective short drop outs 17th, errors 1st. Our halves couldn't put a nail through balloon and despite our lack of creativity we make the most errors in the comp. Our top error makers are Tupou, Toa, Wakeham, Brooks, Bateman, Bula, Nofoluma and Naden. 1 Forward out 8 players.

Get off the narrative that our forwards are deficient. Big hits and tackle busts don't make a great pack. Controlling the middle with meters and ruck speed does.

We are making the right moves with Sullivan, Fainu etc because if we can find even just one decent half that can put someone into space and kick the ball further than 20m this side will be a legit top 8 team.

Excellent post mate.

Surface level analysis is easier, that's why it's so prevalent.

 

[851]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion bit geez it's obvious that a lot of blokes here haven't played a lick of football in their life.

The criticism of Klemmer and Stefano is quite frankly absurd. For front rowers Klemmer is 5th in all run meters and 4th in post contact meters. Stefano is 13th in run meters and 12th in post contact meters. The sheet below shows that they both maintain elite workrates in defence with high tackle efficiency. Our play the ball speed is 6th in the NRL our all run meters is 8th. The problem is not our forward pack and anyone who thinks the pack is the problem is Rugby League illiterate.

You know what we are god awful at? Linebreaks 17th, LBA 17th, Try assists 17th, Kick meters 17th, effective short drop outs 17th, errors 1st. Our halves couldn't put a nail through balloon and despite our lack of creativity we make the most errors in the comp. Our top error makers are Tupou, Toa, Wakeham, Brooks, Bateman, Bula, Nofoluma and Naden. 1 Forward out 8 players.

Get off the narrative that our forwards are deficient. Big hits and tackle busts don't make a great pack. Controlling the middle with meters and ruck speed does.

We are making the right moves with Sullivan, Fainu etc because if we can find even just one decent half that can put someone into space and kick the ball further than 20m this side will be a legit top 8 team.

100% right mate, the old Brooks fans trying to blame anything or anyone to deflect from our pathetic halves. Anyone with an ounce of footy IQ can see we win the yardage most games, get in to position to score, but the halves create nothing.
It’s not just Brooks, it’s all our halves, we needed a big broom through the halves, and while we didn’t get pick 1 or 2, we did ok.

 

[earl]

100% right mate, the old Brooks fans trying to blame anything or anyone to deflect from our pathetic halves.

100% incorrect. The issue is that I criticized Stef because he hasn't been playing to the level he can consistently. He just hasn't. It's not about Brooks.

The problem is that any criticism in this club comes back to our halves and specifically Brooks because that is all some people see.

I can't wait until he is gone.

The arguments about Hastings are just another anti-Brooks or the club argument.

Anyone with an ounce of footy IQ can see we win the yardage most games, get in to position to score, but the halves create nothing.

Have we beat one pack all season apart from the smashing against North Qld ? Our problem is more than just the halves.

Proof:- we are dead last.

 

[Lestronge]

Won that premiership on the back off a team of average players and two great wingers. Most likely won’t see that again!!

And great coaching . If we’d had had the foresight to pick him ahead of Taylor when that all went down , I wonder what situation we would be in now

 

[Lestronge]

100% right mate, the old Brooks fans trying to blame anything or anyone to deflect from our pathetic halves. Anyone with an ounce of footy IQ can see we win the yardage most games, get in to position to score, but the halves create nothing.
It’s not just Brooks, it’s all our halves, we needed a big broom through the halves, and while we didn’t get pick 1 or 2, we did ok.

It’s also the way they back up around the ruck . It’s easy to blame Bula , who is out of place at times , but whenever API pokes his head through there’s never anyone there . Brooks does it occasionally , but Wakeham would never be there . And too often Bula isn’t there because he’s out wide ready for the next play .
Pushing up around the ruck from our spine has to be the priority with who we sign , as well as how we train this off season . So many half chances have gone begging this year because of a lack of cohesion around the ruck .

 

[earl]

It’s also the way they back up around the ruck .

You don't come last just because we have Luke Brooks in our team. We've had Brooks out of the team on numerous occasions and we don't look any better.

 

[tigerballs]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion bit geez it's obvious that a lot of blokes here haven't played a lick of football in their life.

The criticism of Klemmer and Stefano is quite frankly absurd. For front rowers Klemmer is 5th in all run meters and 4th in post contact meters. Stefano is 13th in run meters and 12th in post contact meters. The sheet below shows that they both maintain elite workrates in defence with high tackle efficiency. Our play the ball speed is 6th in the NRL our all run meters is 8th. The problem is not our forward pack and anyone who thinks the pack is the problem is Rugby League illiterate.

You know what we are god awful at? Linebreaks 17th, LBA 17th, Try assists 17th, Kick meters 17th, effective short drop outs 17th, errors 1st. Our halves couldn't put a nail through balloon and despite our lack of creativity we make the most errors in the comp. Our top error makers are Tupou, Toa, Wakeham, Brooks, Bateman, Bula, Nofoluma and Naden. 1 Forward out 8 players.

Get off the narrative that our forwards are deficient. Big hits and tackle busts don't make a great pack. Controlling the middle with meters and ruck speed does.

We are making the right moves with Sullivan, Fainu etc because if we can find even just one decent half that can put someone into space and kick the ball further than 20m this side will be a legit top 8 team.

Thank God....

 

[Lestronge]

You don't come last just because we have Luke Brooks in our team. We've had Brooks out of the team on numerous occasions and we don't look any better.

??? I didn’t say that . I said we don’t do it . But brooks does occasionally . Because he does … but not many of the halves we have do . It’s not a rap for brooks or a judgement . It’s a judgment for how piss poor our spin as a unit has been . It’s ok to call a spade a spade , even if it doesn’t fit one’s agenda mate .

 

[tigerballs]

2023 Round 1 best spine:
1. Laurie - 500k
6. Doueihi - 600k
7. Brooks - 1.1 Mil
9. Api - 700k

14. Simpkin - 350k

Est total - 3.25 mil

2024 Round 1 best spine:
1. Bula - 300k
6. Fainu - 300k
7. Sezer - 400k
9. Api - 700k

14. Sullivan - 350k

Est total - 2.1 Mil


I don't know how nearly halving the cost of your spine (if we increase the cap for 24 by the estimated 30%) while nearly doubling the quality is looked at as going backwards.

Another genius...