Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[crazycat]

I'm speculating purely on common sense here & how the politics of rugby league management works. This is what I think Benji & Fulton are quietly baking ...

Luai (coming for '25)
AFB (coming for '25)
Haumole (coming for '26, will push for a trade to get him for '25)

Klemmer (will try to find a club to take contract for '25 onwards)
Bateman (will try to find a club to take contract for '25 onwards)

Klemmer & Bateman are both Isaac Moses clients so it continues that cleanout.

The core of the undefeated Wests Magpies Harold Matts team from last year will try to be retained to build that pathways camaredie within the top 30 (similar model to Penrith) ... Da Silva, Galvin, Miller, Kit Laulilii, Luke Laulilii, Mason, Solo Saukuru, Will Craig.

Then will try to do the same with the key players in the age group below (Large brothers, Makasini, Isdale etc).

It's will be a miracle if we land either one of Luai or AFB.
I like Luai as a player, yet I go "how do you fit into the team"?
We have Fainu/Sullivan who will want to be the halves pairing. Ok we upgrade one, fine.
Then we have Galvin who is going to be looking at first grade halfback...

Our player evolution is STUFFED!

 

[weststigers]

It's will be a miracle if we land either one of Luai or AFB.
I like Luai as a player, yet I go "how do you fit into the team"?
We have Fainu/Sullivan who will want to be the halves pairing. Ok we upgrade one, fine.
Then we have Galvin who is going to be looking at first grade halfback...

Our player evolution is STUFFED!

Galvin is 18 and hasn't even played State Cup. He's miles off a first grade spot at any club.

He'll be 22 or 23 once Luai's contract is done.

A couple of years in reserves and a couple of years with time off the bench and he's been eased in IF he's good enough.

Plenty of 18 year olds never transition to NRL.

 

[hammertime]

Galvin is 18 and hasn't even played State Cup. He's miles off a first grade spot at any club.

He'll be 22 or 23 once Luai's contract is done.

A couple of years in reserves and a couple of years with time off the bench and he's been eased in IF he's good enough.

Plenty of 18 year olds never transition to NRL.

This. Also, a lot of kids who play half in the younger years, also play in different spots on the field when entering 1st grade.

The thing about Galvin is he's turned out to be a really tall kid. Which can impact agility.

Instead of half, he may be an elite 2nd rower or lock.

 

[tigertuff]

Does your method come on tap ?

Have we met. You know me well.

 

[BAGNF05]

This. Also, a lot of kids who play half in the younger years, also play in different spots on the field when entering 1st grade.

The thing about Galvin is he's turned out to be a really tall kid. Which can impact agility.

Instead of half, he may be an elite 2nd rower or lock.

If he doesn’t know what position he is, I suspect he’s a lot further off FG than some might think.

 

[BAGNF05]

Galvin is 18 and hasn't even played State Cup. He's miles off a first grade spot at any club.

He'll be 22 or 23 once Luai's contract is done.

A couple of years in reserves and a couple of years with time off the bench and he's been eased in IF he's good enough.

Plenty of 18 year olds never transition to NRL.

Truth bomb.

 

[Tucker]

I am slightly impressed with the positivity on here given our disasterous past dozen years.
We have scored two spoons in a row and were very lucky not to get a third spoon in 2015.
Easily the worst performing team in the comp and a general joke amongst the Rugby League community.
That said, we apparently have a stable of young guns coming through.
My hope is that they are afforded the opportunity by the club and its fanbase to develop correctly and debut WHEN THEY ARE READY.
We have thrown a couple in over the past 2 years before their time and they were not good.
People need to back off and leave them alone. Forget about them for the next couple of seasons (first grade- wise) and bring in external hire (contractors) to get us climbing the ladder so that when they do become regulars, they are stepping into a team that isnt getting flogged every other week.
Their time will come, but its not here yet.

 

[happy_tiger]

You can forget about Curtis Scott ....it's being reported that the NRL is denying him a contract .....no great loss

 

[GNR4LIFE]

You can forget about Curtis Scott ....it's being reported that the NRL is denying him a contract .....no great loss

Who in the hell would want Curtis Scott anyway. How long since he played first grade? Are there no better options out there?

 

[earl]

Who in the hell would want Curtis Scott anyway. How long since he played first grade? Are there no better options out there?

Surely no club would pick him for a top 30 contract anyway.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

You can forget about Curtis Scott ....it's being reported that the NRL is denying him a contract .....no great loss

We have enough issues with the stigma of our club without adding that basket case to the mix.

 

[The Chad]

There isn't actually any additional room for 'projects' to be reclaimed.

Naden, Tupou, Kepaoa, Nofa, To'a, Willett, Lobb, Casey..we have all the guys with promise we need.

Established starters are really the only additions to make at this point- the squad is already a development squad.

That's why Luai, AFB & Olam make sense- established players that step in.

I have a sneaky feeling the Fox might be on the radar as well. Could be an either/or thing depending on the Olam outcome. No inside info- just a hunch.

 

[Spartan117]

I would Love to have Josh Addo Carr here.

 

[Buttface]

I would Love to have Josh Addo Carr here.

He’d cost too much and his best days are behind him.
He’s like the ex you wish you never let go that has now had kids. You’re not getting back what you once gave up.

 

[Flippedy]

I would Love to have Josh Addo Carr here.

So would I, next to Olam. They know each other’s games.

 

[weststigers]

Who in the hell would want Curtis Scott anyway. How long since he played first grade? Are there no better options out there?

Whatever people's opinions are on his past indiscretions, he just seems to get himself into trouble regularly. You'd think he'd lay low after what he's been through, but he keeps racking up attention.

No point having a player that is a bees dick away from getting his contract torn up at any moment because they are a loose cannon.

 

[weststigers]

So would I, next to Olam. They know each other’s games.

Olam is on the nose at Melbourne and yes, he didn't have a great season, but injury played a big part in that.

Addo Carr
Olam
Luai
Fonua Blake

That would transform our team.

I think To'a and Olam would be seriously good with a decent halves combo and Staines and JAC as finishers. How many times did we get run down after clean breaks!? Tupou is quality as well except for some inconsistencies around the high ball.

Say what you want about Staines, and I was his biggest detractor when we signed him, he does the basics at a high standard and is seriously fast. He is a proper finisher, good under the high ball and does the hard yards out of our end. Can also fill in at fullback, which we frankly have zero depth in.

 

[weststigerman]

You can forget about Curtis Scott ....it's being reported that the NRL is denying him a contract .....no great loss

I’m not sure why we’re remembering him in the first place.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

You can forget about Curtis Scott ....it's being reported that the NRL is denying him a contract .....no great loss

Think it's a bit strange how they are telling Curtis who seems to be on the surface and at vast very apologetic and holds himself responsible to jump ship, yet are willing to welcome back Michael Jennings with arms wide open.

The only Consistent thing is the Inconsistency.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Addin Fonua-Blake would strengthen our forward pack & help immensely against quality oppositions.

I hope Scott Fulton can make this signing happen.

Benjis idol growing up.