I think he would only be on a minimum wage at Penrith as he would be seen as a depth signing.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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I think he would only be on a minimum wage at Penrith as he would be seen as a depth signing.
Happy once it becomes official.
hammertime
Well-known member
Yeah, they signed him for 1 year only from memory. We could potentially keep him if we lock in for 2025, then neg with Penrith.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
I hope we're not trying to move Blore he's shown enough for me this season that he's worth persisting with, im not suggesting we run out and extend him immediately. I'd like to see him carry on his good showing until the end of the season and then into preseason, he's still under contract no rush on him i wouldnt imagine.
Seyfarth is a more difficult one for me to wrap my head around, we have lots of nothing players filling the top 30 next season, if we could shift some of them on i wouldnt be opposed to keeping him providing we dont have any better in the pipeline. He doesnt have a spot in the top 30 atm and its difficult to see where he fits right now.
Seyfarth is a more difficult one for me to wrap my head around, we have lots of nothing players filling the top 30 next season, if we could shift some of them on i wouldnt be opposed to keeping him providing we dont have any better in the pipeline. He doesnt have a spot in the top 30 atm and its difficult to see where he fits right now.
Fallen Angel
Well-known member
Are we just ignoring all the losing this year?
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
The top 30 squeeze is unfortunate but the predatory clubs will poach the best juniors if the club does not do something . Also with the juniors you need to have a progression to the NR. I'm sure similar decisions are being made at others clubs and we will find out in time.
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
He is up for grabs November 1 , and I feel he will get offers from others , get it done he is great of the bench and he was the one breaking the line yesterday , Edge or Prop he can do both
The Chad
Well-known member
Agreed. The key is- don't lose the REALLY good ones. Some of the juniors probably will be brought along faster than ideal, but that's the realities of a Top 30 squad.
Feledy, Da Silva, Fa'agutu, Tumeth, Laulili'i x 2, Fainu x 2- would not be surprised if we see all of these guys in the game day team at some point.
Really need the likes of Matamua, Naden, Reilly, Blore, Kepaoa & possibly Rua to offer some genuine game-day selection options. Justification of their top 30 spot is essential, as the club needs to 'carry' a large portion of guys who are probably not quite ready. I can see the team losing both Aitasi James & Seyfarth due to roster spot availability. The onus SHOULDN'T be on the young guys up from Flegg etc, but on the carry-over Top 30 guys to step it up.
He gets death-ridden in here, but Doueihi's return could ease some of the outside back issues. Nofa, Staines, Tupou, Kepaoa & the babies need to give solid wing play. It's not like they CAN'T do it, but we need their investment. I think having halves creating a bit more might energise the squad as well. Hard to be 'up' when the tactic is generally 'break your face on their defensive line'.
Rua at #14 could be one of the more important developmental tasks. If we can get a guy on the bench who does MORE than back up Api, we get greater versatility & impact from the group. As it is, we play a 3 man rotation with 1 guy as a designated hitter (for baseball enthusiasts). Simpkin offers nothing except time waiting for Api to be fresh enough to come back on. He doesn't cover a back-row position, a middle position, outside back... Rua can play #13, which eases the 'need' to carry a Seyfarth/Matamua along with 2 middles & no wide running impact forwards. Having Samuela Fainu on the bench to run wide & create a little havoc for 10-15 minutes a game... far more impact than what we have seen this season.
jirskyr
Well-known member
Laurie was injured for a decent period.
Sheens trained with Laurie in the halves during the pre-season, he kept mentioning it and I don't know how everyone has forgotten. You don't train a bloke all preseason if you have no intention of using him in that position.
When we signed Wakeham late, he was given first opportunity as the backup half, and Wakeham is a legitimate halfback, just not a very good one. Sheens gave Wakeham a decent shot and the first few weeks were alright (including the Penrith win) and then when it looked sensible to drop Wakeham, Laurie was not available.
weststigerman
Well-known member
Sheens was quoted multiple times saying who he wanted as his halves. Laurie wasn’t mentioned. In fact, as soon as Staines got injured they moved Laurie back to fullback in NSW Cup which says it all.
For someone who’s only played 5/8 three or four times over the past 3 years, Laurie has been outstanding.
Penrith will be licking their lips knowing they have him back on a very low wage and likely they have him lined up to replace Luai as their starting NRL 5/8 in 2025 while some club likely to be us will pay Luai 1 million per season for a player no better than Laurie 🤷♂️
Penrith will be licking their lips knowing they have him back on a very low wage and likely they have him lined up to replace Luai as their starting NRL 5/8 in 2025 while some club likely to be us will pay Luai 1 million per season for a player no better than Laurie 🤷♂️
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Luai no better than Laurie ? Really
Really.
There is no chance the Panthers will be willing to pay big money for Luai when they can have Laurie for a fraction of the price and allow them to keep more of their big name players.
Put Laurie at 5/8 in the current Panthers side and he looks as good if not better than Luai or Cody Walker.
If we confirm Sezer & Sullivan plus resign Staines. That's 30 of 30 spots taken.
We must release at least 3 players if not 4. Gotta be Simpkin, Ngatikaura, Mansfield & Nofoaluma.
Surely Simpkin & Ngatikaura get snapped up, there is a hooker shortage in the NRL & ESL.
Justin Olam should be a target & tall, athletic winger*.
2 x backs is all we need. Galvin fills the 4th half spot plus apparently Hawkins (Souths NSW Cup) has signed a train & trial with us.
Squad will be complete IMO.
1. Bula
2. Staines
3. Olam/To'a
4. Tupou (gets the other centre spot for me)
5. * (as above)/Naden
6. Sullivan
7. Sezer
8. Utoiukamanu
9. Korosaui
10. Klemmer
11. Papalii
12. Blore
13. Bateman
14. L. Fainu/Matamua
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. S. Fainu
18. Galvin/Kepaoa/Doueihi (when fit)
Tom Shines
Well-known member
I dont see him being a good choice here … he has got limited pace… I would like to see him going the other way into the forwards… but doubt he has the toughness…
Most likely option next year… depth… or break glass in case of emergency if both the young halves aren’t coming along…
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Reading the posts since last night, 4 points from me:
Coaching - I think we need at least 2 strategic coaching changes. We need an assistant coach whose focus is player development especially those young players in the bottom 10 of the roster. This year we have struggled with the lack of progress in the likes of Matamua, Sione Fainu, Ngatakuira, Mansfield, Tumeth, Talau, Kepaoa, Tuki Simpkins & more, all have talent but for whatever reason haven’t shown much if any more than last year. This was something John Morris was renowned for at the Sharks. And I’d like us to reward/progress Robbie Mears to possibly Jersey Flegg coach. He was coach of our premiership Harold Matts team & has coached some rep teams since so would have a great rapport with our junior crop coming through & Latu Fainu.
Kit Laulilii - this kid could be our lynchpin. He is a leader on & off the field, an inspirational type who his team mates want to play with. He could be the glue in the retention of our many of our key pathways guys.
Daine Laurie - he’s not here next year so no point talking about what might have been. It seems Penrith is where his heart is so good luck to him. Sullivan & longer term Fainu & Galvin all will bring much more.
Off-Season Success - a successful off-season for us will be Fulton’s ability to offload Jake Simpkin, Nofa & Kepaoa from their contracts to another club. If we can offload all (or at least 2) will be crucial for any more recruitment & retention. Not sure if our club is into paying out contracts but Reilly & Ngatakuira will be on very shakey ground unless Sheens/Benji believe both can develop significantly in the pre-season. Hopefully @JB9918 is right & Super League could come calling for Rua.
Coaching - I think we need at least 2 strategic coaching changes. We need an assistant coach whose focus is player development especially those young players in the bottom 10 of the roster. This year we have struggled with the lack of progress in the likes of Matamua, Sione Fainu, Ngatakuira, Mansfield, Tumeth, Talau, Kepaoa, Tuki Simpkins & more, all have talent but for whatever reason haven’t shown much if any more than last year. This was something John Morris was renowned for at the Sharks. And I’d like us to reward/progress Robbie Mears to possibly Jersey Flegg coach. He was coach of our premiership Harold Matts team & has coached some rep teams since so would have a great rapport with our junior crop coming through & Latu Fainu.
Kit Laulilii - this kid could be our lynchpin. He is a leader on & off the field, an inspirational type who his team mates want to play with. He could be the glue in the retention of our many of our key pathways guys.
Daine Laurie - he’s not here next year so no point talking about what might have been. It seems Penrith is where his heart is so good luck to him. Sullivan & longer term Fainu & Galvin all will bring much more.
Off-Season Success - a successful off-season for us will be Fulton’s ability to offload Jake Simpkin, Nofa & Kepaoa from their contracts to another club. If we can offload all (or at least 2) will be crucial for any more recruitment & retention. Not sure if our club is into paying out contracts but Reilly & Ngatakuira will be on very shakey ground unless Sheens/Benji believe both can develop significantly in the pre-season. Hopefully @JB9918 is right & Super League could come calling for Rua.
