Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[OzLuke]

Young players have the luxury of learning their trade in NSW Cup or the Qld equivalent at strong clubs but ours do not enjoy the transitions. They are forced to sink or swim due to lack of depth. Tupou makes mistakes but this is learning and development year for him. He has great talent and will be a better player next year for the experience of this season. Let's all give these younger players time - the season is long and the toll both physically and psychologically must be tough for them.

When tupou gets the ball in attack, I look forward to what he's going to do....
When Nofa gets the ball, I always feel the opposite winger better get ready for a pass because he's running sideways....
Defense? Both players could always improve but if Nofa hasn't learned it by now.....

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Any of our UK posters have a suggestion or two for centres from the Super League? I know Gildart was a flop for us/the NRL in general, but if there's another Ellery looking to make his mark down under, it'd be nice if he was doing it for us.

Not a UK poster but the only worthy of a mention are Jack Welsby (fullback / 5-8 who could play centre) - the next England superstar; Tim Lafai (made the World Cup team of the tournament) & Bevan French (primarily a 5-8 / fullback but could play centre).

French a bit on the small side for a modern day NRL centre but in saying that only slightly lighter than Valentine Holmes.

 

[851]

Wish it wasn’t!

Naden is streets ahead of Talau and Kepoa, just wish he could get on the field

 

[Curly_Tiger]

Most clubs wheel out their trump card during the recruitment process. We just played our joker 🃏

 

[Tito Santana]

Look Tupou is a new kid.

But as the stat post points out Tupou defends worse then Nofa.

Now Nofa has upped his game this year, yet defense has never been his strong suite. What you get from him is what you get from him.

Tupou can improve, but his performance is Reserve grade at the moment. Particularly FIX YOUR TACKLING!
If he wanted to walk, I wouldn't stop him.

Hmmm. If you wanted to walk away from the forum I wouldn’t stop you! What do you think that?

 

[Oldman]

Nofa deserves whipping. He's playing like a $120k winger...

Whoever signed off on his contract needs to be shown the door. The amount and length of contract was way off. He should've been offered $350k (that's generous) for 2-3 years.

Totally Agree
Who ever signed off on both Noffa & Naden

 

[The Chad]

As it stands, Nofa is the best we have for 2 things- running from dummy half, and finishing.

I agree that we could improve.

But, until we do- the other options at the club are a step in the wrong direction.

The ability & will to run the ball back & gain early metres is an underappreciated aspect. Get me a guy that ensures we start our 2nd or 3rd tackle 20-30m downfield from a kick.

 

[851]

Tupou - 18 games, 22 try causes, 27 line break causes, 22 errors, tackle efficiency - 56%

Nofa - 14 games, 12 try causes, 12 line break causes, 11 errors, 73% tackle efficiency

Brian To'o- 18 games, 6 try causes, 18 line break causes, 15 errors, 66% tackle efficiency.

Seems Nofas defence this year isn't far off Too the best winger in the game in the best defensive side in the game

Not saying Nofa is great but the vitriol he gets on here is silly.

Most of the people knifing Nofa are Brooks fan boys, maybe that says something

 

[851]

Thanks for posting this genuinely excellent article 851
I have a problem with it though.
Balmain and Wests have been amalgamated since 2000...23 years.
I would have thought by now the slack arses who write this stuff would f'n well know our club colours include WHITE.

I hear you mate, I am an old Magpie supporter

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Ch9 earlier had a lead in story about Nathan Cleary wanting to convince Luai to stay a Panther.

 

[jirskyr]

Tupou - 18 games, 22 try causes, 27 line break causes, 22 errors, tackle efficiency - 56%

Nofa - 14 games, 12 try causes, 12 line break causes, 11 errors, 73% tackle efficiency

Brian To'o- 18 games, 6 try causes, 18 line break causes, 15 errors, 66% tackle efficiency.

Seems Nofas defence this year isn't far off Too the best winger in the game in the best defensive side in the game

Not saying Nofa is great but the vitriol he gets on here is silly.

But Nofo has been playing for 10 years and gets paid twice what those young Tigers backs get.

 

[Kaito]

His loyalty has to be considered since he stuck solid during Issacs and Benny's attempt to first destabilise the club. The club lacks one team players and if we are to pursue a pathways approach it is an important signal to aspirants that we look after our own.

If his time is up perhaps the club could consider an ambassadorial role with junior pathways which could be a win win.

Great post on a contentious topic MM. Thats
definitely something that was considered when
he was offered the contract, & Parra + other
clubs were circling. We lost our 'big 4' and
didn't want to lose a Campbelltown junior,
now top try scorer for the club. I'm willing to
cut the club and him some slack on this one

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Ch9 earlier had a lead in story about Nathan Cleary wanting to convince Luai to stay a Panther.

I think the only thing the highest paid player at the club could say to convince him is that he will take a pay cut himself if it helps Luai stay.

What else could he say? Money isn't important.. while making the most.

 

[Kaito]

But Nofo has been playing for 10 years and gets paid twice what those young Tigers backs get.

He's earnt his crust. Others need 2 follow suit

 

[jirskyr]

He's earnt his crust. Others need 2 follow suit

I honestly expect Nofo to produce the kind of football like Daniel Tupou - reliable metres, good try-scoring capacity, football smarts, very solid defence, quality clubman / representative / mentor.

Obviously he's not at his physical peak, but Nofo, like Tupou, should be an automatic and very reliable selection until he decides to retire.

But he's not, he's mentally not there. He drifts in and out of games. He still makes defensive howlers. He's extremely droppable and nobody questions the coach when that happens.

For a bloke to score 100 tries for Tigers and still be fairly unpopular, it says a lot. He's like the total opposite of Chris Lawrence, and we can talk about the positive legacy that Rowdy now has.

 

[boonboon]

Given Nofa's defensive stats are almost exactly the same as Tupou then you'll be happy then and both produced fairly similar in attack too although Noffa has more tackle breaks and effective offloads but slightly less meters and line breaks

 

[Kaito]

I honestly expect Nofo to produce the kind of football like Daniel Tupou - reliable metres, good try-scoring capacity, football smarts, very solid defence, quality clubman / representative / mentor.

Obviously he's not at his physical peak, but Nofo, like Tupou, should be an automatic and very reliable selection until he decides to retire.

But he's not, he's mentally not there. He drifts in and out of games. He still makes defensive howlers. He's extremely droppable and nobody questions the coach when that happens.

For a bloke to score 100 tries for Tigers and still be fairly unpopular, it says a lot. He's like the total opposite of Chris Lawrence, and we can talk about the positive legacy that Rowdy now has.

Fair assessment as usual jirskyr. I may be a bit
too emotionally invested. He does something
good I bless him, something bad, I curse him!

 

[Tito Santana]

I honestly expect Nofo to produce the kind of football like Daniel Tupou - reliable metres, good try-scoring capacity, football smarts, very solid defence, quality clubman / representative / mentor.

Obviously he's not at his physical peak, but Nofo, like Tupou, should be an automatic and very reliable selection until he decides to retire.

But he's not, he's mentally not there. He drifts in and out of games. He still makes defensive howlers. He's extremely droppable and nobody questions the coach when that happens.

For a bloke to score 100 tries for Tigers and still be fairly unpopular, it says a lot. He's like the total opposite of Chris Lawrence, and we can talk about the positive legacy that Rowdy now has.

Chris Lawrence - the king of a dropped crash ball. The king of every game trying to go blind side from dummy half and and getting tackled out on second tackle.

I got kicked off here years ago because I was happy he was retiring in. Good bloke, but no worth the coin.

I actually reference him a lot when dealing with people at work. Great bloke but overpaid in their role.

Mmmm.

Arriba!

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Tupou - 18 games, 22 try causes, 27 line break causes, 22 errors, tackle efficiency - 56%

Nofa - 14 games, 12 try causes, 12 line break causes, 11 errors, 73% tackle efficiency

Brian To'o- 18 games, 6 try causes, 18 line break causes, 15 errors, 66% tackle efficiency.

Seems Nofas defence this year isn't far off Too the best winger in the game in the best defensive side in the game

Not saying Nofa is great but the vitriol he gets on here is silly.

excuse my ignorance. What constitutes a try cause?

 

[king_sirro]

Chris Lawrence - the king of a dropped crash ball. The king of every game trying to go blind side from dummy half and and getting tackled out on second tackle.

I got kicked off here years ago because I was happy he was retiring in. Good bloke, but no worth the coin.

I actually reference him a lot when dealing with people at work. Great bloke but overpaid in their role.

Mmmm.

Arriba!

Pillock