Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Glenji95]

Olam, is a bad long term contract.

Before they sign him - 2 questions

Why is Melbourne so desperate to get rid of him?????

Who are we competing with for his signature?????

First question: my guess is probably money related. If the 600K figure is accurate, that’s decent coin for a Centre. If it was due to a serious injury, I think Benji would have pulled the plug after the first meeting with him.

Second question: as far as I know, no other club has come forward looking into him, however at this stage, Storm have only one signing from another club for 25 and that’s us. If another club is looking into him, it’s certainly hasn’t gone to the media yet.

I understand your concerns, but I’m trusting Benji (and Riccho) if Benji wants him, I’m backing his judgement.

 

[Needaname]

Turuva for the Fijian connection with Bula and Api or May with the connection with penrith guys. Both very good options

Last deal Turuva met with Wayne about joining the Fins. With Tupou going there, that isn’t an option for him any more. Who knows, all depends how Penrith select their side through the year and if the May experiment at Centre works out?
They have a few younger outside backs yet to play who will be stars as well so interesting times!

 

[Tito Santana]

Last deal Turuva met with Wayne about joining the Fins. With Tupou going there, that isn’t an option for him any more. Who knows, all depends how Penrith select their side through the year and if the May experiment at Centre works out?
They have a few younger outside backs yet to play who will be stars as well so interesting times!

We won’t need him. Wait till you see Alimolo fire

 

[Roar_Power]

Olam is probably the hardest runner of the ball and has that “not this guy again” factor.

Get it done.

I too am excited for Solomon Alimolo and Navren Willett.

Alimolo is a gun.

I reckon Navren will be sensational as well when his time comes.

 

[Roar_Power]

For 600k a year for another 3 seasons, pass for me.

The thing about this Olam transaction is we won’t be taking him on for $600k pa. The financial aspect is what’s held up the swap with Blore previously.

 

[Roar_Power]

Olam, is a bad long term contract.

Before they sign him - 2 questions

Why is Melbourne so desperate to get rid of him?????

Who are we competing with for his signature?????

Have you seen the backs that Melbourne has coming through? Much better than ours. For them, Olam is dispensable; for us he would be our best back outside of Bula.

 

[crazycat]

All of these comments on Olam being past his best. I'm happy to go with Benji & Moussa's judgement on him. Remember he had injury issues all 2023 - fractured arm & knee were two.

He was rated by some as the best centre in the game just over 12 months ago.

Yes people will say Joey Leuliua mark 2 but I think Olam has a different attitude &n personality to him.

Surely we can do a deal.

We need backs badly. Olam is a quality center, but some have said he could be a hasbeen.

It's 1 bad season and 1 bad season where his stat's equaled our best center (Toa)...

New team, new players, better weather. Who knows what may happen.

 

[happy_tiger]

Olam, is a bad long term contract.

Before they sign him - 2 questions

Why is Melbourne so desperate to get rid of him?????

Who are we competing with for his signature?????

Damn you Spartan and that logic stuff you use .....hope it catches on

 

[Camel2281]

Looks like there was plenty of doubt at times.

Whos the puppeteer on his right with the bling and neck tatts, manager?

Wok. Heads up Black Money. He's a Champion bloke

 

[Suzie-Q]

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Omigod! I loooove him! Can't wait until he's in a WT jersey!

 

[crazycat]

I don't think we need to be breaking the bank on a big money outside back like May or Best.

Luai was worth it because he's a spine players. I'm confident Luai and Fainu will make our existing outside backs like To'a look a lot better. It's a shame Tupou is leaving as I think he would have benefited as well.

There could be another back step up this year like Saukuru. Galvin could even start in the centres.

What is it with NRL, it's SPINE SPINE SPINE!

Sure, your spine is good at arranging your defensive lineup, setting up tries and mananging the flow of the game (aka Cameron Smith).

Last year we had:
Api,
Voldemort,
AD/Will Smith/Daine Laurie
Bula

That's a lot of changing, but not the worlds worst spine. Look at our backs though, we had total turnstyles at Center and wing. Our backs other then Bula SUCKED.

Now not knocking Bula too much, he is a great asset. But he is a first year fullback and really needs to be coached on positioning and defense. You know all the stuff we did not coach Daine Laurie on.

This year:
Forward pack is the same, should improve with consistency.
Spine is Ok on Paper, hoping Sullivan/Sezer/Fainu can gel and form combinations. It is particularly rough that all these new players are coming together now.
Backs, Same as last year

I am thinking 15th.

 

[innsaneink]

Olam is probably the hardest runner of the ball and has that “not this guy again” factor.

Get it done.

I too am excited for Solomon Alimolo and Navren Willett.

Alimolo is a gun.

He used to have that
Havent seen it for a while
I think hes chronically injured...may be wrong

 

[innsaneink]

Wok. Heads up Black Money. He's a Champion bloke

Mr Wok?
Why is he a good bloke?
Most agents are at the other end

Ive never heard of him

 

[Demps]

Mr Wok?
Why is he a good bloke?
Most agents are at the other end

Ive never heard of him

Wok is a nickname.
His name is Warrick Wright.

Does a lot around Newy for community and whatnot.

Can confirm, good bloke.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

The thing about this Olam transaction is we won’t be taking him on for $600k pa. The financial aspect is what’s held up the swap with Blore previously.

We would be required to take on the majority of the deal. Even at 500k I view him a major liability. Storm won’t be tipping in 50% / 200k a season for 3yrs. Especially when ESL clubs are willing to pay full load.

 

[jrtiger]

May or Sunia Turuva next signing 👌🏽

I believe Turuva has re-signed with Penrith unfortunately. a shame as I would love to have him. Taylan is a good shout though pending how he bounces back from his ACL and whether he could make the switch to centre.

 

[innsaneink]

Warwick Wright 🤔
Try saying that 5 times quickly

 

[Spartan117]

What is it with NRL, it's SPINE SPINE SPINE!

Sure, your spine is good at arranging your defensive lineup, setting up tries and mananging the flow of the game (aka Cameron Smith).

Last year we had:
Api,
Voldemort,
AD/Will Smith/Daine Laurie
Bula

That's a lot of changing, but not the worlds worst spine. Look at our backs though, we had total turnstyles at Center and wing. Our backs other then Bula SUCKED.

Now not knocking Bula too much, he is a great asset. But he is a first year fullback and really needs to be coached on positioning and defense. You know all the stuff we did not coach Daine Laurie on.

This year:
Forward pack is the same, should improve with consistency.
Spine is Ok on Paper, hoping Sullivan/Sezer/Fainu can gel and form combinations. It is particularly rough that all these new players are coming together now.
Backs, Same as last year

I am thinking 15th.

Firstly, Voldemort - He who can not be named (That's serously funny)

Secondly, Dont forget Brandan Wakeham for the majority of the year.

Im hoping for a much better showing than 15th. Our Leadership/Decision Making on the park cost us at least 4x games. That changes everything

Im a thinking 11th on 2024...

 

[jrtiger]

That's a lot of changing, but not the worlds worst spine. Look at our backs though, we had total turnstyles at Center and wing. Our backs other then Bula SUCKED.

Now not knocking Bula too much, he is a great asset. But he is a first year fullback and really needs to be coached on positioning and defense. You know all the stuff we did not coach Daine Laurie on.

To'a has strong performances in him, we saw it first hand for a very good period. what you also have to remember is that he had a stack of halves play inside of him. that's shocking for building combos. having Sezer there (hopefully) all year I think he'll be more consistent on both sides of the ball. the key for him this preseason is unlocking the ability to do it consistently.

Staines is a proven first grader, having him injury free for the entire season will help us immensely. despite him leaving, I do think Tupou is our best option on the sting outside of Staines and he'll improve on last year. left centre at the minute is up in the air but if Olam does come he's still a marked improvement on any other options we have. Naden is good depth, Feledy and Kepaoa not so much. I have no idea on Alaimalo's prospects as the last tape I have seen of him was from about 3 years ago.

Bula towards the end of the year was dragging players into position and yelling out instructions. he was also at the back when we went through that period of defending brilliantly. positionally he needs a little work, but ultimately his speed and awareness was able to make up for what he was lacking. that kid is elite. a couple more preseasons and he will be in Origin conversations, mark my words.

 

[Lestronge]

lol our halves were horrendous all year . Bula is a great traditional fullback . But is more akin to early doors Edwards. Ie. he needs to improve his reading of the defensive line/ strip numbers . But he obviously is a weapon and that ,like Tedesco, Edwards , Minicello before him , can easily be improved .
People talk about Laurie , and all I can thinks huh ? All Laurie could do was strip numbers down the short side , against tired defences not manning up . At just about everything else , he was barely replacement level . Brooks … I dunno man . We will see with that manly backline . I’ve always compared him to Matt Orford. As in his level of talent .
All this is to say is anyone saying that our spine last year was good enough has put in the rosiest of rose coloured glasses to ever have been made .
Api was so over it by the end of the year he was playing 6 , 7 and 9 and just basically having the halves put bombs up and general field kicks . Of which Laurie was not capable of doing anyway .
Our halves this year are knight and day and our halves next year will be an embarrassment of riches . We just need to be smart and not play favourites on who we should keep . Best man wins now !