Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Curly_Tiger]

I see Tupou as a regular in the 18 / 19 spot for this season.

I still think if he’s leaving it makes sense to see what is available at the dolphins as they are well stacked with backline talent

 

[tigerman 0]

Fair and well made points mate, on current form and comparing to what we have I would be on the phone.

He has scored that many tries in the vastly inferior SL.
He is small and can’t tackle.

Im not yet convinced you’re not taking the piss

 

[jrtiger]

with Nofoaluma now gone and Tupou leaving end of year we will definitely need to go to market for a winger for 2025 and beyond. Luke Laulili'i comes into the squad next year, but someone low-risk, high upside fits the bill on a 2 year deal

Jeral Skelton is the ideal candidate for mine. athletic, powerful winger who is great coming out of yardage and holds his own defensively. will come cheap and is stuck behind a stack of outside backs at the Dogs.

Taylan May if he managed to rediscover his 2022 form would obviously a great shout but I doubt he moves here unless we bring his brothers over. Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are other guys off contract and attainable I feel.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Bailey Simonsson is awful

 

[Bones]

Exactly.

Terrell has done 3/5ths of f. all. The ease at which some people would swoop in and fill roster spots on a whim smacks of not thinking through the implications of these types of roster moves.

I'm with you on Taylan, Glen.

Hands down a quality winger and a real goer. Would love to have him. But the implications of a tagging-along Terrell, who may be a decent player in time, but offers no form of upgrade atm, along with the pressure that would place on bringing Tyrone back in a package deal, make that an easy pass in my opinion.

Do you watch many Roosters games?

If playing regularly of the bench for a top 8 side and performing better than most of our bench players is 3/5ths of f all you’re hard to please. He is on par with Pole IMO, although he is a couple of years older, which would put him ahead of several other regulars we have.

I do agree that we should have no interest in Tyrone though. And I doubt any other club would want all 3, so giving 2 a chance to play together may be the best offer they get.

 

[jrtiger]

Bailey Simonsson is awful

disagree personally. 18 try involvements in 20 games last year averaging 137 metres a game. a little inconsistent defensively but I still think he would improve us.

 

[Tom Shines]

with Nofoaluma now gone and Tupou leaving end of year we will definitely need to go to market for a winger for 2025 and beyond. Luke Laulili'i comes into the squad next year, but someone low-risk, high upside fits the bill on a 2 year deal

Jeral Skelton is the ideal candidate for mine. athletic, powerful winger who is great coming out of yardage and holds his own defensively. will come cheap and is stuck behind a stack of outside backs at the Dogs.

Taylan May if he managed to rediscover his 2022 form would obviously a great shout but I doubt he moves here unless we bring his brothers over. Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are other guys off contract and attainable I feel.

Isn’t there a candidate somewhere at the team already coming through the development ranks? I mean… it’s a winger … aren’t we supposed to be a development club…?

 

[AdelaideTiger]

disagree personally. 18 try involvements in 20 games last year averaging 137 metres a game. a little inconsistent defensively but I still think he would improve us.

I have always thought he looked decent whenever I watch him, but Eels fans can't stand him which isn't a great sign

 

[jrtiger]

Isn’t there a candidate somewhere at the team already coming through the development ranks? I mean… it’s a winger … aren’t we supposed to be a development club…?

well Luke Laulili'i is the development candidate. he will absolutely be in contention for a first grade spot next year, but we lose both Nofoaluma and Tupou, and for that reason I feel it would be wise to bring in first grade-ready talent for 2025.

wing is actually one of the positions we don't have a stack of pathways talent in, similar to the back row.

Laulili'i is one, but outside him and Willett, who to my knowledge has never played wing, that's really it. we're flush with fullbacks, centres, halves and middles thru the pathways, but not so much on an edge or the wing, hence why I feel going to market is probably the right thing to do.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Scores tries in 9/10 games he plays in. Best player in Super League. You’re a hard marker.

I am when it comes to backline players.
The structure, game style and team setups are vastly different to the NRL for backline players especially ones with speed.

I get why people would mention him.
He also deserves the credit, here you could see he had talent in lower graded but then he came up against bigger guys and he did struggle.

The game for a winger these days is about there workload, start of set plays and being able to bust a tackle to finish because the game is bigger but also faster for the bigger bodies.

It’s all good, You can have your view I have mine.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

35 tries in 40 odd games in NRL. Not too shabby. If he stayed he’d likely have 130-150 at that rate. He’s Alex Johnson like when it comes to scoring. AJ is also not a physical specimen but has stood the test of time.

AJ is 10cm & 10kgs heavier though

 

[Tom Shines]

well Luke Laulili'i is the development candidate. he will absolutely be in contention for a first grade spot next year, but we lose both Nofoaluma and Tupou, and for that reason I feel it would be wise to bring in first grade-ready talent for 2025.

wing is actually one of the positions we don't have a stack of pathways talent in, similar to the back row.

Laulili'i is one, but outside him and Willett, who to my knowledge has never played wing, that's really it. we're flush with fullbacks, centres, halves and middles thru the pathways, but not so much on an edge or the wing, hence why I feel going to market is probably the right thing to do.

They have Staines as well under contract for next year …and have Lobb and Alaimalo who could be options I assume that have just recently been acquired ….

And thats not including the younger guys who arent even on my radar as yet …

Point is … i Think we don’t need to be chasing wingers at other clubs just yet ..

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Fair and well made points mate, on current form and comparing to what we have I would be on the phone.

I see why you would be mate as well.

 

[Kelce68]

Do you watch many Roosters games?

If playing regularly of the bench for a top 8 side and performing better than most of our bench players is 3/5ths of f all you’re hard to please. He is on par with Pole IMO, although he is a couple of years older, which would put him ahead of several other regulars we have.

I do agree that we should have no interest in Tyrone though. And I doubt any other club would want all 3, so giving 2 a chance to play together may be the best offer they get.

Some.

If playing regularly of the bench for a top 8 side and performing better than most of our bench players is 3/5ths of f all you’re hard to please.

The fact that someone is, or is not, in a Top 8 side carries a lot less weight than many think it does in my opinion. There are countless examples of duds not only playing in Top 8 teams, but winning competitions. The reverse is also true, with many examples of champion players stuck in woeful teams (basically, anybody involved with us for the past 12 years).

Now, back to the efficacy of signing Terrell when based on what he's currently shown -

His output is pretty good for a bench prop, without being outstanding. His tackle efficiency is quite good, his metreage and tackle-breaks are ok and he seems to run with purpose, which I like. He's a decent bench prop as it stands right now. But there are probably 15-20 'decent' bench props in the comp at the moment.

The main point I was making, was that he offers no upgrade on the likes of Pole, who I think is a far better prospect, is younger and has a higher ceiling. We then have the likes of Twal and Seyfarth on the books, who, whilst not as impactful, I would argue are more reliable middles and undeniably more well-rounded when it comes to effort on effort moments. We then have the likes of Kit, Faagutu and Jordy Miller who are 12-24 months away from being around the 17, if not mainstays, so it would be sideways signing at best and a pathway blocker at worst.

 

[Kelce68]

with Nofoaluma now gone and Tupou leaving end of year we will definitely need to go to market for a winger for 2025 and beyond. Luke Laulili'i comes into the squad next year, but someone low-risk, high upside fits the bill on a 2 year deal

Jeral Skelton is the ideal candidate for mine. athletic, powerful winger who is great coming out of yardage and holds his own defensively. will come cheap and is stuck behind a stack of outside backs at the Dogs.

Taylan May if he managed to rediscover his 2022 form would obviously a great shout but I doubt he moves here unless we bring his brothers over. Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are other guys off contract and attainable I feel.

I actually think between Lobb, Staines, Alaimalo and Naden, we have a little more cover than it might appear.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

with Nofoaluma now gone and Tupou leaving end of year we will definitely need to go to market for a winger for 2025 and beyond. Luke Laulili'i comes into the squad next year, but someone low-risk, high upside fits the bill on a 2 year deal

Jeral Skelton is the ideal candidate for mine. athletic, powerful winger who is great coming out of yardage and holds his own defensively. will come cheap and is stuck behind a stack of outside backs at the Dogs.

Taylan May if he managed to rediscover his 2022 form would obviously a great shout but I doubt he moves here unless we bring his brothers over. Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are other guys off contract and attainable I feel.

With how highly people seem to rate Lobb on here we might not even need a winger

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Some.



The fact that someone is, or is not, in a Top 8 side carries a lot less weight than many think it does in my opinion. There are countless examples of duds not only playing in, but winning competitions. The reverse is also true, with many examples of champion players stuck in woeful teams (basically, anybody involved with us for the past 12 years...haha).

Now, back to the efficacy of signing Terrell when based on what he's currently showed -

His output is decent for a bench prop, without being outstanding. His tackle efficiency is handy, his metreage and tackle-breaks are ok and he seems to run with purpose, which I like.

The main point I was making, was that he offers no upgrade on the likes of Pole, who I think is a far better prospect, is younger and has a higher ceiling. We then have the likes of Twal and Seyfarth on the books, who, whilst not as impactful, I would argue are more reliable middles and undeniably more well-rounded when it comes to effort on effort moments. We then have the likes of Kit, Faagutu and Jordy Miller who are 12-24 months away from being around the 17, if not mainstays, so it would be sideways signing at best and a pathway blocker at worst.

Very good points. Can see that approach.

One thing to note is May’s improvement between 22 and 23 was very positive. It was one of the biggest improvements of a prop over the last few years. His minutes, meters, tackle breaks, offloads, defensive workrate & efficiency whilst avg 100mtrs puts him ahead of most at our club and for his price could be a good pickup.

He did provide a impact change in the middle when he was on for the Roosters as well for a 2nd year player was impressive especially considering the injuries.

 

[jrtiger]

They have Staines as well under contract for next year …and have Lobb and Alaimalo who could be options I assume that have just recently been acquired ….

And thats not including the younger guys who arent even on my radar as yet …

Point is … i Think we don’t need to be chasing wingers at other clubs just yet ..

Lobb is on development for 2 years, while Alaimalo is only contracted for '24 and has been training in the centres.

I'd love to agree with you and we don't have to go to market, but I'm just thinking the squad may benefit from first grade-ready talent as opposed to prospects who have to be developed, as we do have a lot of those.

 

[jrtiger]

With how highly people seem to rate Lobb on here we might not even need a winger

I haven't been to training so I can't speak to how he's performing, but I have seen him play Cup and while he is a great finisher, he is very poor defensively and is inconsistent coming out of his own end. there's every chance he's cleaned those things up and put some muscle on to help with the tough carries, but personally I feel he's further away than people on here think.

I'll happily eat my words if he's upgraded to the 30 before Round 2 as I trust Richo and Benji's judgement far more than my own, but again I think he might be a while off.

 

[ancient_magpie]

with Nofoaluma now gone and Tupou leaving end of year we will definitely need to go to market for a winger for 2025 and beyond. Luke Laulili'i comes into the squad next year, but someone low-risk, high upside fits the bill on a 2 year deal

Jeral Skelton is the ideal candidate for mine. athletic, powerful winger who is great coming out of yardage and holds his own defensively. will come cheap and is stuck behind a stack of outside backs at the Dogs.

Taylan May if he managed to rediscover his 2022 form would obviously a great shout but I doubt he moves here unless we bring his brothers over. Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei and Izaac Thompson are other guys off contract and attainable I feel.

We just signed 2 new wingers and we have Ngutlic back as well plus Laulilii no need to look outside at the moment.