Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I think any further signings for next season will be more about function than name recognition.

Luai will be a huge addition. I could see someone like Tass being a target to upgrade the outside backs, or missing him Reimis Smith, Meaney or Alamoti to beef up the centre ranks.

Winger has to be on the list. Cotric would be interesting. Turuvu will be of interest too. Tigers will need to add 1 if nobody from the current ranks grabs the spot for themselves.

Then either a lock or second rower that can defend. Stimson, Max King...or maybe the return of Luke Garner.

Given the volume of young players coming through, I can't see the club adding more than 3 more players from outside for next season.
I agree with your comment about function rather than profile since we're going all-in on being a development club & only recruiting externally for 'need' especially where we lack depth in experience.

For the outside backs, I think definitely the wing will be high priority and I reckon they'll want speed, finishing ability, aerial threat & metre-eater. Turuva would fit the bill perfectly but I think it was @teddy23 said he was likely to stay at Penrith. Just not sure on Cotric any more.

Yes to a back-up experienced second rower who can defend like your suggestions.

Depending what the plans are with Bateman & Papalii longer term, Jaydn Su'a would be great if one was to depart or move into another position.

Big season for Staines, Naden & To'a too ... if they fail to live up to Benji's plans, could easily be allowed to depart if an Addo-Carr or Lomax was to become available on a subsidised deal.
 
If Angus Crichton plays anywhere from 80-100% of his ability then he no doubt starts for us.
The Roosters are stacked for back row options and are clearly not interested in him moving forward. Wests Tigers don’t have that same luxury.
IMHO,
- Crichton would be walk in at the lock.
- History: Our FIRST 2nd rowers (IP, JB) played at THEIR BEST at a similar level as Crichton.
 
Love Turuva... Have done for some time...
But an undersize Winger isn't what we need.

We don't have the game or the pack for him to do what he does for Penrith...
We need Size.
I agree. The much cheaper options of Semi Valemai and Tony Francis be much more beneficial to us with their strong yardage carries and they both have no problem scoring tries.
 
That’s fine, but it’s not something you tell any player, not even Luai (though it’s kind of obvious he will be be in first grade). It’s a great way to strip a player of his hunger and drive. Especially at a club like this where we have a long history of players coming here to top up their retirement fund.
Potential to strip hunger and drive? Yeah possibly though a player at the level that hypothetical discussion would be held should.be professional.enough to not let that be a factor.
What it could do however would be to cause unrest and disharmony b in the squad.
As you said sometimes it doesn't need to be said
 
Yeah Crichton would be very handy, and take the spot that Blore has left, or could occupy the 13 spot, either way 2 years at like $500-600k is cheap for a player of his class.
Have to say Sam Fainu has been very impressive in both trials, he walks a fine line with his aggression but he plays with a real fire in the belly, think we've jagged a good one there.
Samuela Fainu strikes me as a Jack Hetherington type. Will spend a few weeks on the sideline each season.
 
Angus Crichton will end up in Rugby unfortunately. Pretty much inevitable.

If we want an edge forward however, look no further than Helium Luki..... Benji/Morris/Farah/Heighno and the boys can give Todd a call and try get something done.

Finefueiki and Nanai have those 2 edge rower spots locked up for the next decade.
 
While we have low depth, Ice was second rower of the year at Parra and Bateman has been a top second rower for years.

The question should be asked why these guys can't perform at WT? We could sign the Australian second rowers and they'd lose 50% of their ability when they get here.

This is true for a number of positions and it's been a problem for many years.
Professionals2plodders
 
John Morris a rookie coach ?
I wouldn’t say Melbourne buy “past it players”
Unproven yes
Like Blore
I get the impression he lets his players go when they are close to the end of their career and they get a good contract $ at other clubs.
A couple to Dolphins
One to Cronulla
and of cause Olam to us 😩
 
it's crazy. he'll debut this year the way he's going.

a lot of our boys look like they've cut a fair bit of weight. I'd anticipate they might stack a little bit on between now and R2 now that the bulk of the preseason running is over, but Moussa has definitely done a great job.

there's a lot of people who thought we looked underdone last week, but I actually think it's the opposite. the boys looked like they'd been flogged all week given we've got more time than everyone else before our first game.
1st in line for backup Pole role imo.
 
Been Lomax rumours for almost half a decade
The new Curtis Rona. For some reason certain players constantly get linked to the same club. Noffa was linked to Parra for God knows how many years, and Jacob Liddle was constantly linked the Bulldogs. These days were constantly linked to Lomax and JAC.
 
Love Turuva... Have done for some time...
But an undersize Winger isn't what we need.

We don't have the game or the pack for him to do what he does for Penrith...
We need Size.
Could we get Matt Timoko cheaper than Turuva.....someone mentioned him earlier, but I think hes locked away for few years yet
 

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