Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[batboy]

Good point about Folkes ..can’t recall why he left …did he get another coaching job? ( I know he has passed away unfortunately)

Another thing I recall about the 2010-11 teams ..like 2005 ..is that they were down the bottom of the table mid season and strung together a number of games over the second half of the season to finish in the Top 4 …

They have never had a season where they have been near the top of the table all the way through … they are the anti Melbourne Storm … imagine one whole season where they are leading the comp all the way through …. Think the crowds might be going ok then ..

You're thinking of 11...
10 we kicked off with winning 4/5 or some such...
Beat Manly first up, Gareths first try (From Memory)?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Sounds decent, but if Stef leaves as expected we probably need one bigger name prop such as NAS or Daniel Saifiti.
Obviously with NAS we would be getting the older, past his best injury proned version, but his size, aggression and presence would likely help build the confidence and inspire our other forwards.
Daniel Saifiti some could say is only a slightly better version of Klemmer, but he is very consistent, doesn’t take a backward step, doesn’t get dominated by any opponent and has an offload and pass in his game which is something our current props rarely do.

If we can get either back to somewhere near their best form that a big YES but we don't have a history of doing that. Maybe I've been wrecked by Packer, Tamou & Klemmer in recent times lol

I personally think if we gave someone like Royce Hunt an opportunity to be the main man in our pack next season, he would take his game to the next level.

With Hunt & Pole as starting props, Jack Williams at lock (with Klemmer, Twal, Seyfarth, Matamua, Sione Fainu, Jordan Miller in the mix on the bench).

 

[Vicious]

Maybe the club needs to stop focusing on signing new players & starting focusing on why players that come here regress (apart from Api). Also why is it that so many players leave & hit career best form… Talau has been 1 of the signings of the season on a low-ball contract because how bad he looked last year. Blore & Brooks also been good for the most part, I’m sure Papalii will be back to one of the best 2nd rowers next season when he joins Penrith.

It’s good to see guys like Pole, Fainu + Galvin trying hard but if the team constantly keeps losing they will stop caring too so the cycle continues until they leave revive their careers. Stefano is just another example of this now. there is a reason Bellamy wants him badly, I guarantee if he goes to storm he’ll be playing for NSW in either 25/26

I’ve got a few theories on why this happens, the main one being if takes virtually a full team of committed players running the ball harder and tackling harder than their opposition to assert their dominance and get on the front foot like the good teams regularly do.
We no doubt have our fair share of players capable of doing this, but we also have some that are not capable or mostly not willing to do it.
When a few are not up to it or not willing, it’s very deflating for the ones that are capable and willing.
What is your theory or reasoning behind it ?

 

[Tom Shines]

You're thinking of 11...
10 we kicked off with winning 4/5 or some such...
Beat Manly first up, Gareths first try (From Memory)?

started 4-1 and then dropped 4 in a row … but yeah ..after that they were pretty consistent… better than I remembered..probably their best play over any one whole season

 

[Tom Shines]

I’ve got a few theories on why this happens, the main one being if takes virtually a full team of committed players running the ball harder and tackling harder than their opposition to asset their dominance and get on the front foot like the good teams regularly do.

Have they ever had a physical team that ran hard and tackled hard ? The years they were good ( 3) they were still a soft team in a number of ways …relying on attacking brilliance ..

 

[Buttface]

He knocks defenders over like bowling pins, we haven’t had anyone do that since Sironen, Roach and Bruiser Clark.

Bruiser Clarke. Herbie.
Those weren’t the days. We still came last

 

[Juice]

I’ve got a few theories on why this happens, the main one being if takes virtually a full team of committed players running the ball harder and tackling harder than their opposition to asset their dominance and get on the front foot like the good teams regularly do.
We no doubt have our fair share of players capable of doing this, but we also have some that are not capable or mostly not willing to do it.
When a few are not uk ti it or not willing, it’s very deflating for the ones that are capable and willing.
What is your theory or reasoning behind it ?

I agree people just aren’t committed 100% & that makes the big difference. I think players see this club as a ‘1 last pay day’ place to be as they get overs to be here. Very rarely would anyone leave here for more then what they were earning unless it’s a 18-22 yr old.

 

[rugbygoated]

He knocks defenders over like bowling pins, we haven’t had anyone do that since Sironen, Roach and Bruiser Clark.

Big fan of him. Only question is whether is if he can be a pack leader, where Stef and Klemmer will be leaving a hole. Pole is a good consistent forward, not sure if he can be that pack leader we need

 

[weststigerman]

Assuming Stef is gone, I'm starting to hope he is at this point, I'd rather us go after more effort players than 30 minute impact forwards.

One our best this season has been Seyfarth, and it's not because he's more gifted than any other forwards in our top 30. If we can use Stef's money to find a couple of good experienced forwards known for their effort rather than Franklin Pele/Royce Hunt type of players we'll be better off IMO.

If we need impact, Jordan Miller with another off season can be this guy. Faagutu is another who can do it if he sorts out his defence.

 

[Tom Shines]

Big fan of him. Only question is whether is if he can be a pack leader, where Stef and Klemmer will be leaving a hole. Pole is a good consistent forward, not sure if he can be that pack leader we need

Royce Hunt? Gunna need to play more minutes to be the forward leader they desperately need

Turns 29 next month …so not a spring chicken although hasn’t played a lot of games so maybe he might have a few years left

 

[Buttface]

Good point about Folkes ..can’t recall why he left …did he get another coaching job? ( I know he has passed away unfortunately)

Another thing I recall about the 2010-11 teams ..like 2005 ..is that they were down the bottom of the table mid season and strung together a number of games over the second half of the season to finish in the Top 4 …

They have never had a season where they have been near the top of the table all the way through … they are the anti Melbourne Storm … imagine one whole season where they are leading the comp all the way through …. Think the crowds might be going ok then ..

We also lost players like Lui, the gambler, Dwyer, Tuaki, and then the bog 4. Imagine if all of them had played out their careers here.
Anyway that should all be ancient history but due to the ineptitude of former leaders of the club we all get to dwell on it.
Hopefully change is afoot.

 

[rugbygoated]

Royce Hunt? Gunna need to play more minutes to be the forward leader they desperately need

Turns 29 next month …so not a spring chicken although hasn’t played a lot of games so maybe he might have a few years left

I know he's turning 29 but I think his best is ahead of him still. 2 questions are if we are a club that can get him playing good consistent footy and whether he can play big minutes

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Isn't that what I just said?

Without that talent - there wouldn't be a Grand final win and 2010 would be the least of our problems.

Still more premierships than the Warriors, Eels Raiders and Titans combined and equal to the Sharks, Rabbits and Cowboys. It's very hard to win. Getting to the 8 is pointless if you don't win and nobody thinks about the losers in each GF - you get nothing for finishing 2nd (it's not the Olympics). We need to lift our sights higher than just the 8 - like that's something special.

 

[PabloX]

I know he's turning 29 but I think his best is ahead of him still. 2 questions are if we are a club that can get him playing good consistent footy and whether he can play big minutes

No and no

 

[Tom Shines]

I know he's turning 29 but I think his best is ahead of him still. 2 questions are if we are a club that can get him playing good consistent footy and whether he can play big minutes

they are gunna need someone if Stef walks which seems likely … so I wouldn’t turn my nose up at him … but I’m hoping they sign him to a sensible deal like $550k a year and most importantly a maximum of three years ..

 

[Tom Shines]

Still more premierships than the Warriors, Eels Raiders and Titans combined and equal to the Sharks, Rabbits and Cowboys. It's very hard to win. Getting to the 8 is pointless if you don't win and nobody thinks about the losers in each GF - you get nothing for finishing 2nd (it's not the Olympics). We need to lift our sights higher than just the 8 - like that's something special.

I agree that ultimately winning competitions is the aim… but the team needs some level of success …after an absolutely miserable run…even a year when they win half their games and still miss the 8 would be celebrated by a lot of people… this still seems years away though …

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Royce Hunt? Gunna need to play more minutes to be the forward leader they desperately need

Turns 29 next month …so not a spring chicken although hasn’t played a lot of games so maybe he might have a few years left

If I'm Royce Hunt and told by Benji that 'come here, we want you to lead our middles, on & off the field, instil the steel & aggression in the middle we need & take your game to the next level, we'll get your fitness up to play the first 20 mins & last 20 mins of matches', I'm fired up!

Royce is a beast, doesn't take a backward step, runs hard, scores off crash plays & hits hard. He's played in the RWC final for Samoa with Luai.

He's the victim of being one of many middles at the Sharks so his minutes do get limited but he has played 40+ mins in games/tests.

C'mon Shinesy, get on the Royce train toot toot

 

[batboy]

Still more premierships than the Warriors, Eels Raiders and Titans combined and equal to the Sharks, Rabbits and Cowboys. It's very hard to win. Getting to the 8 is pointless if you don't win and nobody thinks about the losers in each GF - you get nothing for finishing 2nd (it's not the Olympics). We need to lift our sights higher than just the 8 - like that's something special.

Do yourself a favour and get the context of the comment.
But while we’re hear - most Teams in the 8 including those you’ve mentioned, don’t have trouble attracting talent…
Also don’t get bashed in the media from pillar to post every day…

 

[Tucker]

Still more premierships than the Warriors, Eels Raiders and Titans combined and equal to the Sharks, Rabbits and Cowboys. It's very hard to win. Getting to the 8 is pointless if you don't win and nobody thinks about the losers in each GF - you get nothing for finishing 2nd (it's not the Olympics). We need to lift our sights higher than just the 8 - like that's something special.

You have to set SMART goals. Winning a GF at the moment does not satisfy the parameters.

 

[Tom Shines]

If I'm Royce Hunt and told by Benji that 'come here, we want you to lead our middles, on & off the field, instil the steel & aggression in the middle we need & take your game to the next level, we'll get your fitness up to play the first 20 mins & last 20 mins of matches', I'm fired up!

Royce is a beast, doesn't take a backward step, runs hard, scores off crash plays & hits hard. He's played in the RWC final for Samoa with Luai.

He's the victim of being one of many middles at the Sharks so his minutes do get limited but he has played 40+ mins in games/tests.

C'mon Shinesy, get on the Royce train toot toot

The problem I’ve had is that there is literally nothing to connect him to Wests …. No rumours or media talk,,,nothing …

Do you think he might be in demand from other clubs ? If the answer is yes …then how will they get him to come here ? Let me guess … by paying him more money than he deserves over a longer contract than what you should give to a 29 yr old … I just don’t see Richo doing that .. and I wouldn’t want him too..

Besides …If I’m going to have a pipe dream about a prop with next to no chance of actually coming here than it’s going to be about AFB or Fisher Harris…