Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Camel2281]

lots of “reporting “ about Olam…

three years left - dumb signing for the Tigers if he comes here

Not so dumb if Melbourne are paying significant freight

 

[Tom Shines]

Not so dumb if Melbourne are paying significant freight

How much are the Tigers paying ?

 

[batboy]

They love him.

.... still trying to work out why.

Harry still shagging his sister
(Or Someone with the same last name)?

 

[Camel2281]

Add Samuela Fainu and some have mentioned Faagutu may be trialed there. But we do lack experienced depth in the back row.

Me wonders whether a play we could make is a swap this year between Junior Tupou & Euan Aiken. Hear me out ...

1 - If we land Olam, then our 1st choice centres will be Olam & T'oa with Naden, Alaimalo, Feledy, AJ, AD, Solo Saukuru & Declan Casey as depth.
2 - Without Tupou, we still have Staines, Lobb, Naden, Nofa, Alaimalo. Ngutlik, Jay Kirk as wing options & depth.
3 - Aiken immediately provides experienced depth in backrow & centre.
4 - AJ not likely to be here in '25 so Aiken can be our backrow/centre utility.
5 - Reportedly wanted to return to NSW & Dolphins were exploring options.
6 - Back when Benji was at Dragons, he is quoted as saying Aiken one of the best trainers in the club & hottest talents around (yes a while ago).
7 - Helps with an age imbalance in our roster and with Olam, brings much-needed experience straight away.

Aiken is absolutely trash. He's worse than Naden, Toa, Kepoa, Tumeth and a traffic cone

 

[batboy]

No one saw Asitasi james making grade last year . Even though he was very raw . I’d say if Miller makes the jump , as I’m sure everyone at the club is hoping he can , then that’s plenty of depth really . Twal, Klem, Stef, Pole , Seyfarth ( I know people don’t rate him because he can plod , but he really does a lot of clean up work , and provides energy off the bench . A perfect player 18-30 front rower. Do a job , but if he’s in your top 17 week to week , you’re in trouble) , Matamua ( Grab that 13 jersey Matamua !! Everyone in and around the club wants you too) , Lualiii, Faagatu at a pinch . That’s 8 players not including Miller , who’s top 30. So 9 really . A huge chunk of the squad allocated to the middle there . But you’re right , there’s a real drop off after the top 4 . It’s why Matamua grabbing that 13 jersey will go a huge way to Easing that angst .. Do it Matamua !!!

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

 

[Camel2281]

Sounds exactly like BJ Leilua when we signed him.

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

 

[Camel2281]

Probably saw how Valynce Te Whare was playing for the Dolphins in 2023

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

We have far less forward depth than some may think.

Agree
I think we are a starting lock & backrow depth short currently

The depth in front row & hooker is ok.

Guess it’s time for kids to step up & see what they are made of.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

He is also somewhat as stubborn as BJ though.

 

[Roar_Power]

Its almost offensive to put Olam in the BJ Leilua category of has-beens

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

Not as a top 13 starter but as a cheap experienced utility to cover centre & backrow.

Brings experience, generally good defence & reportedly very good work ethic. I liked his performances in the backrow at the Warriors in '22.

We have to manage the cap & experience in the squad and I reckon Aiken can provide value (more than AJ).

 

[Bula]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Cantona - the shit that hit the fan.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

You can imagine Olam having a beer or two with Munster.

 

[AL The Tiger]

Really poor analogy

Cantona won 4 EPL titles out of the 5 seasons he was at ManU.

Before he joined them they hadn’t won it in 24 seasons .

The fly kick came at the end of the 5 seasons .

Blore isn’t in the same universe .

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

 

[loklok]

Anyone who says they’ve seen anything in Matamua to suggest he’s a starting NRL player (especially at Lock) is flat out
lying to themselves…

He really needs to show something this year .

 

[Juice]

Olams defensive reads last year were awful, hopefully he can get back to his best… don’t think Bellamy would be trying so hard to get him off the books if he thought he could tho

 

[weststigerman]

Olam is an intelligent bloke though unlike BJ. Olam has a Masters degree in Applied Physics

Not comparing personalities, I'm comparing the scenarios.

No one deserves to have their personality compared with BJ.

 

[CornerPost]

Think Olam will only end up being here for 2 out of the 3 years. So a subsidised first 2 years could work well.

Rumour is PNG team to be announced this year for 2026 entry. Olam would be a lock to be signed as an inaugural player and I'm sure we'll be happy to release him for 2026 with 1 year left on the contract.

Great point..

 

[Tito Santana]

Honestly couldn't believe what I was reading re Cantona...

Case in point. I only remember him for fly kicking someone. Same way as I only remember Blore for tackling Brown…and it wasn’t even that good.

Pathetic.

Long live King Olam. Hey that sounds like a goer for merchandise.

Tito - you’ve done it again! Marketing genius!

 

[gregjm87]

And he got picked ahead of Aiken who someone on here suggested we sign

No he didn't. I'm not in favour of signing Aitken but at no stage was Te Whare picked ahead of him.