Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Hang on; there's a rumor that a player, currently 26, who plays in the halves, has 3 premiership rings and has played 7 origins, could be a realistic target for the club, yet people are not a fan of the idea...

Have I got that correct?

Oh dear.

100% yes.

 

[Wildcat777]

Why is everyone so against AD?
I know he’s not brilliant but i like him.
At least see how he comes back from his injury

For me not about liking the players….it thinking that they are good blokes. I would be just as happy to dislike the boys, think that they are idiots as long as they win the comp. What’s not to like when you are winning. Rather we are atm just losing but happy to give lots of participation awards. Pass for me. Just have one criteria, and that is win.

 

[Wiz]

Hang on; there's a rumor that a player, currently 26, who plays in the halves, has 3 premiership rings and has played 7 origins, could be a realistic target for the club, yet people are not a fan of the idea...

Have I got that correct?

Oh dear.

I can see both sides to the argument.

Luai is a fair player, but I think most people on here would think that the Penrith team he plays in lifts him up more than what he does to the Penrith team. This would be based on what the “eye test” tells you despite what the statistics say when Cleary is absent (he’s still playing in the most successful team of the modern era).

IMO you throw big money at free agents in positions where you have no talent and/or not enough bodies. This is not the WTs of the next couple of years. There’s no point having/signing the best young juniors and then blocking their pathways. For all of Sheens’ faults, he was exceptional at providing pathways into first grade for young talent.

 

[weststigerman]

Moses was never coming, just using us for $$$.

I find the Luai link more likely as the riff can only pay 800k a year, if the rumour is we are offering 1.3-1.4 million thats 2 million over 4 years to turn down and he can still live out in Western Sydney. Money talks he was won 3 premierships and has seen Api, Burton, Crighton, Kikau all go take paydays

I have no doubt Luai is doing the same thing as Moses.

 

[crazycat]

I guess the difference of opinion ultimately comes down to how you rate Blore. I rate him highly and am not overly concerned with young players having an injury history unless it is repeats of the same injury.
I agree with needing a centre more than any other position and that Olam was one of the better
centres not that long ago.
However, i dont think Olam is likely to return to his previous form. I dont think he will be good enough to improve results. I think we would be better off looking elsewhere for a centre and retaining Blore.

What!

So out of the centers in the game, that are really at their top:
Stephen Crichton
Herbie Farnworth
Justin Olam
Bradman Best
Joseph Manu
Katoni Staggs
Ive missed some, but a lot less then 17.

Of those, Olam stands out as a defender. Very hard hitting. Heck some people were saying we should sign Dane Gagai at 33, but clearly Olam at 29 is a hasbeen.

Olam can cross the line and get his winger in good position. (ok neither Warbrick or Xavier need help).

In our entire backline, no one upgrades Olam on defense. No one even comes close.
In attack maybe Staines or Bula have that potential, really we haven't seen it.

Sign Olam, he is an upgrade on our entire backline.

 

[diedpretty]

Luai has deadset been carried in that team. Owes his career to the Cleary’s. Burton was/is a superior player.

Burton is one of the biggest myths in the NRL. He is at Barith Anasta level of the most overated player. Would do well as a punter in NFL.

 

[TIGERPOWER]

Luai has deadset been carried in that team. Owes his career to the Cleary’s. Burton was/is a superior player.

How’s burton going at the dogs?

 

[gregjm87]

What!

So out of the centers in the game, that are really at their top:
Stephen Crichton
Herbie Farnworth
Justin Olam
Bradman Best
Joseph Manu
Katoni Staggs
Ive missed some, but a lot less then 17.

Of those, Olam stands out as a defender. Very hard hitting. Heck some people were saying we should sign Dane Gagai at 33, but clearly Olam at 29 is a hasbeen.

Olam can cross the line and get his winger in good position. (ok neither Warbrick or Xavier need help).

In our entire backline, no one upgrades Olam on defense. No one even comes close.
In attack maybe Staines or Bula have that potential, really we haven't seen it.

Sign Olam, he is an upgrade on our entire backline.

I dont think Olam stands out as a defender at all. A hard hitter, yes, but not a good defender. I'd rate the defence of all of those you have listed, and plenty of others, ahead of him. It was publicised that his (lack of) defence was the reason for him being dropped.
Sure, i dont rate our current backlines defence at all either, and yes i think Olam would be a slight upgrade, but not enough to change results. So why lose such a promising forward to get him?

 

[gregjm87]

I dont think Olam stands out as a defender at all. A hard hitter, yes, but not a good defender. I'd rate the defence of all of those you have listed, and plenty of others, ahead of him. It was publicised that his (lack of) defence was the reason for him being dropped.
Sure, i dont rate our current backlines defence at all either, and yes i think Olam would be a slight upgrade, but not enough to change results. So why lose such a promising forward to get him?

Also, i dont think he is a has been. Though i do think making a career on being a battering ram rather than a high skill player doesnt usually result in career longevity, so although i dont think he is a has been i do think he will continue to regress.
I just dont see him repeating his peak form. He had a couple good seasons with Melbourne at the peak of their power. Easy for an outside back to look good in an elite team, much harder to do so in a struggling side.

 

[TIGERPOWER]

With Olam in the centers.
Look I like Staines, Yet we did not see a 'gun' from him at Centers. I think he has the potential to be an all round upgrade on Starford...

Olam means we get a strong flank defender and can shutdown 1 side as an option for attack. Not saying we shouldn't try to keep Staines, but none of our backrow should feel comfortable bar Bula.

Keep staines, tell Nofoaluma he’s not playing first grade next year. Super league is calling.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

How’s burton going at the dogs?

Who would you rather have, Api, or Mitch Kenny?

 

[Magpie_Magic]

I really hope Staines is retained.

He seemed to have a classy edge and poise which will look better with better halves.

 

[TIGERPOWER]

Who would you rather have, Api, or Mitch Kenny?

Api any day of the week

 

[KCtiger]

Luai has deadset been carried in that team. Owes his career to the Cleary’s. Burton was/is a superior player.

So that’s why Penriths win % is still in the 80s without Cleary and in the 40s-50s without luai? And are we forgetting he took Samoa to a World Cup final with washed Milford as his halves partner? Luai may be a [This word has been automatically removed] on the field but he is a great player don’t let your hatred for the person persuade your view of the player

 

[KCtiger]

The only way I can see a luai deal working out is if we go sezer 7 Sullivan 6 next year with 2025 onwards being Sullivan 7 luai 6 and latu in the centres for a few years until luai is moved on

 

[Moh]

Swap nofa for olam not blore

If the Storm rated him as much as he raved on about them - you'd think this would happen immediately.

 

[Moh]

Hang on; there's a rumor that a player, currently 26, who plays in the halves, has 3 premiership rings and has played 7 origins, could be a realistic target for the club, yet people are not a fan of the idea...

Have I got that correct?

Oh dear.

Not that I really don't want Luai...

But you could have simplified the Adam Blair signing in a similar way.

 

[Juice]

The only way I can see a luai deal working out is if we go sezer 7 Sullivan 6 next year with 2025 onwards being Sullivan 7 luai 6 and latu in the centres for a few years until luai is moved on

I don’t think Fainu could cut it as a centre in the NRL tbh. I could see whoever loses the battle for the starting NRL side between him & Sullivan asking for a release before 2025 (if Luai does come that is)

 

[JB9918]

You would think more so now after the weekend & the performance of the young Samoan FB (Faalago) from the Storm, Olam & Blore happens.

Storm back 5 would be Paps/Faalago, Warrick, Smith, Meany, Coates plus still have Tonamepaui (wrong spelling I think?). That's 7 for 5 spots. They also have a more depth in the squad.

After the loss of multiple forwards to the Dolphins last year plus Sims to ESL. It's on IMO.

So we look like:

Bula, Staines/Naden, Olam, To'a, Tupou... Nofoaluma, Reilly & Kepaoa as next in line.

Loose Nofoaluma or Kepaoa & lock in Staines would be happy with that top 30.

Not a fan of the Suli rumour.

I think Simpkin will be on the move & frees up a spot.

 

[Another Pom]

Morgan Smithies has been mentioned a fair bit on here, but he looks set to sign with Canberra