Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[jadtiger]

He was hot property when he got that contract, and wingers around the league were getting some dumb deals (DWZ is supposedly still on $800k), I don't begrudge the club paying him how much they did at the time, but it sucks that they continue to pay him now (and for another 2 years).

If Nof's contract had expired at the end of this year i would have had few problems with it,the issue is our loudmouthed Chairman got involved in it big noted himself as usual and gave Nof 2 more years than he should have.
As i have said many times it is the board with the power they wield and the way it is appointed that is our biggest issue and has been since the JV started

 

[KCtiger]

He was hot property when he got that contract, and wingers around the league were getting some dumb deals (DWZ is supposedly still on $800k), I don't begrudge the club paying him how much they did at the time, but it sucks that they continue to pay him now (and for another 2 years).

DWZ was put on 800k at dogs cause he was meant to play fullback then dogs payed half for him to go to wahs

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

We took an undersized winger off the premiers hands when they had him on a bad 500K deal. Low and behold he suffers a serious injury within a month. I feel for the kid but it was a desperate play, the wests tigers way.

His replacement wins rookie of the year.

You can’t make this stuff up lol

This is false. Staines was moved back to the wing & Nofa was dropped in Bulas debut game but he unfortunately suffered that unlucky Bowel injury.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

DWZ was put on 800k at dogs cause he was meant to play fullback then dogs payed half for him to go to wahs

Yeah I know it wasn't a completely fair comparison.
There were others though, I think Sivo got a pretty big deal around then, Cotric, even Staines got a big contract not long after that. Finishers were in demand, now they are not.
With our luck they will probably be back in fashion by the time Nofa's contract ends in '25.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I do think that if we offer to pay half of his freight that a club would take a punt on Nofoaluma, but that's not to say it'll happen.

@kade7 had some mail regarding Tumeth being shopped, but he might be able to shed more light on that. Kepaoa could be offered up somewhere potentially. Doueihi as you say is a possibility but I'm not entirely sure given his injury status. Reilly was reportedly being shopped around as per the DT. there might be a little more going on than we anticipate.

Paying half for Nofa would be double a minimum player cost for both us and another team. It would be close to $500k. On the form he has dished up now one will take him on that.

If we lose more than 2 people before the start of the season I will be amazed (excluding AD who if lost would no doubt be signed on a contract for season after as goodwill offer to get us out of a jam because no one else can be moved)

 

[The-moP]

10 boys at rookie camp, would have been more if the Fainus were back early too!

There was about 30 lads at rookie camp .. this was just a pic of some of the better known lads.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Paying half for Nofa would be double a minimum player cost for both us and another team. It would be close to $500k. On the form he has dished up now one will take him on that.

If we lose more than 2 people before the start of the season I will be amazed (excluding AD who if lost would no doubt be signed on a contract for season after as goodwill offer to get us out of a jam because no one else can be moved)

Doing some maths here.

Thing is we have to make room for 5 of our rookies into the top 30 in 2025 - Faagutu, Kit L, Luke L, Solo Saukuru & Tony Sukkar.

We have Kepaoa, Simpkin, Reilly, Blore, Doueihi, Sione Fainu & Mansfield off-contract & also Sezer, Uto & Tumeth with options. That is 7 with 3 options.

So maybe and a big MAYBE the plan is to keep Kepaoa, Simpkin, AD this season so we have spots free for next season for our upgrades.

 

[teddy23]

Heard something today from someone close to the club that they believe Justin Olam will be here come round 1 next year. Take of that what you will.

They also said something about a kid by the name of Israel Leota from Brisbane - apparently he’s one of the brightest winger prospects in the QLD cup. He’s contracted til end of 2025 but may be pushing for a release for a more likely FG opportunity here in 2024-2025. Could be one to look out for as he has all of Cobbo, Arthars, Oates, Staggs and Mariner in front of him.

Regarding the Luai situation, the situation has always been the same. The club would like to see how both Sullivan and Fainu are throughout preseason before officially putting forward an offer. All the talk that a deal is done I can confidently say are false. However, that’s not to say the club aren’t intrigued. Far from it actually.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Given Nofoaloma has a contract guaranteeing him 500 k for 2024 and 500k for 2025 I doubt he would want to give that up - would you ?
Given that in the past he has displayed certain skills and football nous such as being good under high ball and finding a way to get to the line despite a few defenders in his path .Note almost never gets bundled into touch .
Solution is coaching staff to turn his form and maybe attitude around and actually get a return on that money . WT are a team who don't get the ball to our edges often and maybe that has to change !

You forgot to mention his rushing in field leaving two unmarked men on his outside giving the opposition half 2 glorious Oportunities to put a man in untouched .
And yeah I know you can blame his inside men and our defensive structures but it’s been going on since back when he was suppose to be good .

 

[hank37w]

I’d say the hunch is wrong. It’s not like he’s out of favour. He‘s good mates with the chairman isn’t he?

They can both piss off somewhere together.

 

[hank37w]

Heard something today from someone close to the club that they believe Justin Olam will be here come round 1 next year. Take of that what you will.

They also said something about a kid by the name of Israel Leota from Brisbane - apparently he’s one of the brightest winger prospects in the QLD cup. He’s contracted til end of 2025 but may be pushing for a release for a more likely FG opportunity here in 2024-2025. Could be one to look out for as he has all of Cobbo, Arthars, Oates, Staggs and Mariner in front of him.

Regarding the Luai situation, the situation has always been the same. The club would like to see how both Sullivan and Fainu are throughout preseason before officially putting forward an offer. All the talk that a deal is done I can confidently say are false. However, that’s not to say the club aren’t intrigued. Far from it actually.

If he does manage to get here I hope he has a bit of Cobbo, Arthars, Oates, Staggs and Mariner in him.

 

[derekderekson]

Heard something today from someone close to the club that they believe Justin Olam will be here come round 1 next year. Take of that what you will.

They also said something about a kid by the name of Israel Leota from Brisbane - apparently he’s one of the brightest winger prospects in the QLD cup. He’s contracted til end of 2025 but may be pushing for a release for a more likely FG opportunity here in 2024-2025. Could be one to look out for as he has all of Cobbo, Arthars, Oates, Staggs and Mariner in front of him.

Regarding the Luai situation, the situation has always been the same. The club would like to see how both Sullivan and Fainu are throughout preseason before officially putting forward an offer. All the talk that a deal is done I can confidently say are false. However, that’s not to say the club aren’t intrigued. Far from it actually.

Impressive highlights.
Good size and speed.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Agreed. It’s not like we can go backwards. Or can we? 🤔

Change needed across many areas, this is one of them. Ronnie’s a nice guy but we all know where nice guys finish !
Thanks Ron for giving of your best and good luck moving forward.

 

[jrtiger]

Heard something today from someone close to the club that they believe Justin Olam will be here come round 1 next year. Take of that what you will.

They also said something about a kid by the name of Israel Leota from Brisbane - apparently he’s one of the brightest winger prospects in the QLD cup. He’s contracted til end of 2025 but may be pushing for a release for a more likely FG opportunity here in 2024-2025. Could be one to look out for as he has all of Cobbo, Arthars, Oates, Staggs and Mariner in front of him.

Regarding the Luai situation, the situation has always been the same. The club would like to see how both Sullivan and Fainu are throughout preseason before officially putting forward an offer. All the talk that a deal is done I can confidently say are false. However, that’s not to say the club aren’t intrigued. Far from it actually.

Israel Leota is a FREAK. he would walk into our backline yesterday. would be a brilliant signing.

 

[balmain boy]

Given Nofoaloma has a contract guaranteeing him 500 k for 2024 and 500k for 2025 I doubt he would want to give that up - would you ?
Given that in the past he has displayed certain skills and football nous such as being good under high ball and finding a way to get to the line despite a few defenders in his path .Note almost never gets bundled into touch .
Solution is coaching staff to turn his form and maybe attitude around and actually get a return on that money . WT are a team who don't get the ball to our edges often and maybe that has to change !

He wouldn't be giving up his salary unless we somehow manage to convince him to take up boxing for a few months like the dogs have done.

He'll be getting his full salary, it's which clubs are paying what % of his salary that up for debate.

 

[balmain boy]

Paying half for Nofa would be double a minimum player cost for both us and another team. It would be close to $500k. On the form he has dished up now one will take him on that.

If we lose more than 2 people before the start of the season I will be amazed (excluding AD who if lost would no doubt be signed on a contract for season after as goodwill offer to get us out of a jam because no one else can be moved)

I think some clubs would take Nofa at 250k. He's an experienced backup. You know what you're getting, compared to young backups who may or may not handle the NRL. At only double the minimum wage i'm sure some clubs would see there's value in him compared to an unknown.

 

[balmain boy]

There was about 30 lads at rookie camp .. this was just a pic of some of the better known lads.

30 lads from WT at the NRL rookie camp??

I doubt it.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Israel Leota is a FREAK. he would walk into our backline yesterday. would be a brilliant signing.

Has the making of a blockbusting backrower in time given his frame & tackle-busting ability.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Impressive highlights.
Good size and speed.

ISRAEL LEOTA

Age: 18

Position: Centre/wing

One of Brisbane’s top prospects is Leota, an Ipswich Grammar graduate and state level volleyball player who the Broncos lured back to rugby league from rugby union and Aussie rules.

It has been 13 years since Israel Folau soared in a Broncos and Maroons jersey, and now Brisbane’s next ‘Izzy’ is ready to launch his NRL career.

Cross-code superstar Karmichael Hunt has been coaching Leota at Souths-Logan and said he was a tremendous athlete.

“He is a really athletic, tall outside back who is growing into his frame,” Hunt said.

Broncos young gun Israel Leota mimics Israel Folau’s Origin acrobatics.

“He played league, rugby and volleyball. He has been an elite athlete through the juniors.

“I had him in the Mal Meninga Cup last year and he is a really good ball-carrier with tremendous speed.

“He’s actually got the quickest 40m time at the Broncos across all age groups from juniors to first grade. He has got some really wonderful athletic attributes.

“He made his Hostplus Cup debut for us this year and we’re looking to get more games into him in the near future to develop him.”

Hunt has been overseeing some of the Broncos’ top youngsters over the past two years.

He coached Leota and hooker Blake Mozer in Souths-Logan’s victorious under-18 Mal Meninga Cup team last year and has been watching Te Kura step up in the Hostplus Cup this season.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

ISRAEL LEOTA

Age: 18

Position: Centre/wing

One of Brisbane’s top prospects is Leota, an Ipswich Grammar graduate and state level volleyball player who the Broncos lured back to rugby league from rugby union and Aussie rules.

It has been 13 years since Israel Folau soared in a Broncos and Maroons jersey, and now Brisbane’s next ‘Izzy’ is ready to launch his NRL career.

Cross-code superstar Karmichael Hunt has been coaching Leota at Souths-Logan and said he was a tremendous athlete.

“He is a really athletic, tall outside back who is growing into his frame,” Hunt said.

Broncos young gun Israel Leota mimics Israel Folau’s Origin acrobatics.

“He played league, rugby and volleyball. He has been an elite athlete through the juniors.

“I had him in the Mal Meninga Cup last year and he is a really good ball-carrier with tremendous speed.

“He’s actually got the quickest 40m time at the Broncos across all age groups from juniors to first grade. He has got some really wonderful athletic attributes.

“He made his Hostplus Cup debut for us this year and we’re looking to get more games into him in the near future to develop him.”

Hunt has been overseeing some of the Broncos’ top youngsters over the past two years.

He coached Leota and hooker Blake Mozer in Souths-Logan’s victorious under-18 Mal Meninga Cup team last year and has been watching Te Kura step up in the Hostplus Cup this season.

“He’s actually got the quickest 40m time at the Broncos across all age groups from juniors to first grade. He has got some really wonderful athletic attributes.

Would be a welcome change at our club with this attribute!!! Make it happen Fulton