Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[ChilledChaos]

Alright guys… Here is a real diamond in the rough! And one it’d LOVE to get 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

A bloke by the name of Sam Coster in the QCup!
Plays for Burleigh Bears 🐻
Been analysing this bloke for a while now! Leading the comp in tackles with 706 in 18 appearances and a 99% TACKLE EFFICIENCY IF YOU DONT MIND! Would easily have the best tackle efficiency in the NRL if he played!
Also TOP 2 in OFFLOADS made which shows his attacking threat and ability to create second phase for his playmakers!
Plays 80 mins most weeks and can play LOCK or Hooker which is great versatility! Real stocky build almost the same as a Cam Murray! Averages around 140m a game which is extremely solid for the amount of work he does defensively! Would be cheap as chips if we offered him a contract, huge upside! And a NSW boy tooo!! 🔥

 

[Tucker]

Alright guys… Here is a real diamond in the rough! And one it’d LOVE to get 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

A bloke by the name of Sam Coster in the QCup!
Plays for Burleigh Bears 🐻
Been analysing this bloke for a while now! Leading the comp in tackles with 706 in 18 appearances and a 99% TACKLE EFFICIENCY IF YOU DONT MIND! Would easily have the best tackle efficiency in the NRL if he played!
Also TOP 2 in OFFLOADS made which shows his attacking threat and ability to create second phase for his playmakers!
Plays 80 mins most weeks and can play LOCK or Hooker which is great versatility! Real stocky build almost the same as a Cam Murray! Averages around 140m a game which is extremely solid for the amount of work he does defensively! Would be cheap as chips if we offered him a contract, huge upside! And a NSW boy tooo!! 🔥

You had me until the last line.
He’s probably shit.

 

[bbobb]

I'm ok with him if he is paid his true value, but people are talking him up like he is a circuit breaker signing.

He had one good year, but didn't kick on. He is an OK first grader or bench player and he should be offered as much. Richo has been pretty good in terms of getting fair contract values for new recruits, so I'm sure we won't overpay if we do get him, but I'm still concerned about his behaviour and not sure we need that volatility amongst the playing group.

Even this year, he got sent off for headbutting someone in a Cup match. Our team can't afford players that will let us down because they can't control themselves. https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/8681471/nrls-horsburgh-accepts-bans-for-punching-headbutt/

I think he has been injured a fair amount of the season and something with his attitude didn’t quite work for Ricky.
Interesting that the Dogs are reportedly circling. Seems to fit their mould of smaller, busier forward with fast leg speed. I would be happy for him to get a middle role - for the right price.

 

[crazycat]

I believe a lot of it is to do with the fact that his father sticks his head where he shouldn’t a fair bit, which would obviously ruffle Stick’s feathers.

there’s also some concerns surrounding his attitude, given he was told to work his way into first grade and never made it back. he also rubs players the wrong way at training a fair bit.

Big Red’s an each way bet, that’s for sure. but he might be the nutcase we need.

I would love a red haired nutcase.

But I think we need to be honest about Marshall. Is this guy going to be easy to coach? Or Hard?
If Sticky does not want him, why do we think Marshall can coach him?

Remember:
Sticky struggled with BJ Leulia. We signed him and failed.

Our team is in disarray. We need people who are going to be easy/easier to train, not people who need a Wayne Bennett to get the most out of them.

 

[weststigers]

Horsburgh to replace Papali'i at #13
Hetherington to replace Utoikamanu at #8
Dylan Walker to play #13 & #9 off the bench.

Seyfarth in the #11

Klemmer, Sam Fainu retain their spots.

Sione Fainu, Pole & Twal on the bench with Walker.

Harrison Hassett, Liam Knight & Peter Hola added as depth/challengers to the incumbants.

Mix the depth signings with the up-and-coming players like Lualili'i, Fa'agutu, Miller, Johannssen, Sukkar, Broederlow & Tofaeono.

These guys compete to replace the likes of Twal, Seyfarth etc. Instead of just handing out 1st grade jumpers.

No, our forwards are not 'impact' guys. But they would be strong & not likely to be stood over. It's not about the lunatic asylum. It's about stamping our authority, creating a presence.

That team probably gets us to 16th.

None of those guys are killing it at their current clubs. Perhaps Walker, but why kill Da Silva's development by getting him to play minutes at hooker?

You also talk about presence and strength. Most of those guys get bent in tackles. What is imposing about Liam Knight or Horsburgh?

I think you're a glass half full kind of guy, but it's overly optimistic to call any of them imposing. Hetherington has done alright, but still a massive brain explosion risk.

 

[weststigers]

Alright guys… Here is a real diamond in the rough! And one it’d LOVE to get 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

A bloke by the name of Sam Coster in the QCup!
Plays for Burleigh Bears 🐻
Been analysing this bloke for a while now! Leading the comp in tackles with 706 in 18 appearances and a 99% TACKLE EFFICIENCY IF YOU DONT MIND! Would easily have the best tackle efficiency in the NRL if he played!
Also TOP 2 in OFFLOADS made which shows his attacking threat and ability to create second phase for his playmakers!
Plays 80 mins most weeks and can play LOCK or Hooker which is great versatility! Real stocky build almost the same as a Cam Murray! Averages around 140m a game which is extremely solid for the amount of work he does defensively! Would be cheap as chips if we offered him a contract, huge upside! And a NSW boy tooo!! 🔥

Since when was Cam Murray stocky?

 

[weststigers]

$500-$600 a season max

Paps was on $750K, Klemmer is on $850K, $600K Bateman, they offered $900K to big dumb useless Stef.

Get it done Richo.

Money is about right. Just not sold on him particularly after kicking stones when dropped.

We've had players like that before.

There's a rabid obsession with signing players right now, but most deals are done after the GF. It's always been like that.

I could cop 2yrs @ 500k but that's it. He's a liability in many aspects and frankly he hasn't played first grade this year so not much to go by other than his 2022 form. Risky.

 

[jrtiger]

That's big money for Horsburgh. $500k or $550k, then fair enough, but $760k a season is cap waste.

Those saying we need a "nutcase" are romanticising immaturity on and off the field. It doesnt help us to have loose cannons when we already struggle with discipline. He often comes off second best when he takes on the alpha male in the pack too.

If he was that good, Ricky would not have dropped him at all. He's been told to go back to reserves and work his way back into NRL and he's had a sulk instead. Emotionally driven player which just shows his immaturity. No thanks.

mate I’m acutely aware of the risks in signing him, and quite frankly the negatives currently outweigh the positives. I just think given our current position that it’s worth assessing the feasibility.

what’s happened this year is a concern, no doubt. but given the way Ricky Stuart can very quickly fall out of love with a footballer it’s worth looking into the situation. Marshall’s man managing abilities are still under question, but he might be able to take a different approach with Horsburgh and get the best out of him.

purely hypothetical of course, but I understand why WT are looking into it. given our position, you’d be concerned if they didn’t.

 

[jrtiger]

I would love a red haired nutcase.

But I think we need to be honest about Marshall. Is this guy going to be easy to coach? Or Hard?
If Sticky does not want him, why do we think Marshall can coach him?

Remember:
Sticky struggled with BJ Leulia. We signed him and failed.

Our team is in disarray. We need people who are going to be easy/easier to train, not people who need a Wayne Bennett to get the most out of them.

Madge was an authoritarian, same as Stuart. I’m not saying things would’ve been different with another coach, because Leilua was disastrous, but it’s clear that approach eventually wore off.

I said in an earlier post that we really don’t know Marshall’s man managing qualities as yet, but who’s to say a different approach won’t work for Horsburgh?

again, the negatives outweigh the positives, but I think the club would be mad not to at least look into a deal.

 

[Demps]

I'm in favour of adding Horsbra to the ranks.
He's a proper footballer with some go.

Emotional player, yes.
But definitely coming into his peak and if we can get it under control , he'd be a genuine weapon for us.

 

[batboy]

I'm in favour of adding Horsbra to the ranks.
He's a proper footballer with some go.

Emotional player, yes.
But definitely coming into his peak and if we can get it under control , he'd be a genuine weapon for us.

Big IF
- And we have a poor track record....

IF we can get Tim Grant back to his Origin Form,
IF we can get Jimmy and Joey firing again
IF we can turn this (upteen) Union bloke into an NRL Player
IF we can get Tank on the park....

Our IF's go back as far as we do....

Outside of a couple lucky Bench Player and young bloke buys,
We've rarely elevated a player from his current level.

 

[Tucker]

It’s an interesting one, he was one of the best middles in the comp last year.
I’d get him for a price around 600 as others have stated.
I’d load his contract with clauses to make it bombproof though….

 

[TigerNeddyK]

You had me until the last line.
He’s probably shit.

At least he would “get Origin” ! 😅😂🤣

 

[Telltails]

It all depends on how much and how long. Some players are worth the risk if the deal reflects where they are at when they sign, not where they were and or where they might be.
All signings are a risk and we are not the only club who has been burnt by players not reflecting their dollar value.

 

[weststigers]

It all depends on how much and how long. Some players are worth the risk if the deal reflects where they are at when they sign, not where they were and or where they might be.
All signings are a risk and we are not the only club who has been burnt by players not reflecting their dollar value.

I think this sums up how most feel. Some people focusing on potential positives, others the negatives, but most agree on his value within 100k, so all probably on the same pages.

It's not a total no from me. I just want to see a deal that is commensurate with his current form/impact and not pay money based on hope or what ifs.

 

[jrtiger]

what I will say, similar to the Jack Bird links, is that Turuva and Skelton were done completely on the quiet. even Luai didn’t break until he told his teammates.

Bird and Horsburgh have both been reported in the media. it may be telling if neither of them sign with us that we only do our business in the dark. I guess we’ll see.

 

[weststigerman]

Horsburgh to replace Papali'i at #13
Hetherington to replace Utoikamanu at #8
Dylan Walker to play #13 & #9 off the bench.

Seyfarth in the #11

Klemmer, Sam Fainu retain their spots.

Sione Fainu, Pole & Twal on the bench with Walker.

Harrison Hassett, Liam Knight & Peter Hola added as depth/challengers to the incumbants.

Mix the depth signings with the up-and-coming players like Lualili'i, Fa'agutu, Miller, Johannssen, Sukkar, Broederlow & Tofaeono.

These guys compete to replace the likes of Twal, Seyfarth etc. Instead of just handing out 1st grade jumpers.

No, our forwards are not 'impact' guys. But they would be strong & not likely to be stood over. It's not about the lunatic asylum. It's about stamping our authority, creating a presence.

You want both Hetherington and Horsburgh to join the reigning sin bin champions?

Playing at WT makes you do some stupid things as we've seen this year from Sezer who I never thought of as a dirty player before 2024. Need players with mature heads on their shoulders.

 

[The Chad]

That team probably gets us to 16th.

None of those guys are killing it at their current clubs. Perhaps Walker, but why kill Da Silva's development by getting him to play minutes at hooker?

You also talk about presence and strength. Most of those guys get bent in tackles. What is imposing about Liam Knight or Horsburgh?

I think you're a glass half full kind of guy, but it's overly optimistic to call any of them imposing. Hetherington has done alright, but still a massive brain explosion risk.

Horsburgh is one of the hardest running guys available. His previous 2 seasons in Canberra were outstanding.

Hetherington & Horsburgh, combined with Klemmer, Sam Fainu & Seyfarth represent a hard edge in defence. I'm far more concerned about the soft underbelly of our middle than our ability to make metres.

An upgrade out wide generates more overall game metres through Turuva & Skelton- putting our middles in better position from their first hit up.

Sione Fainu & Pole would be the hard running middles that people get excited about.

But it's holding the middle together & making it an uncompromising place to run that I'm more focused on right now. Look how the Roosters forward pack is built. The Dolphins are similar. It's more about taking away the opposition attack than it is about generating our own.

The consensus is that Horsburgh & Hetherington are lunatics. I disagree. I think they are tarnished by a couple of 'sensational' penalties- but in general, rarely give penalties away- unlike the current crop of forwards we have. It's about being imposing, without being dumb.

Dylan Walker (or Jazz Tevaga) offer position flexibility. Why have him over Da Silva? Is Da Silva going to develop more in the 20 minutes he might get a game in 1st grade or from a full game, surrounded by a more experienced & competitive KOE pack? I'm not saying we don't use Da Silva. Just that a season of sitting on the bench for 15-20 minutes when Koroisau is weary isn't going to have him ready to go.

The Liam Knight reputation is completely overblown. He's dominated at KOE level all season- but again, tarnished by a couple of moments that people believe are his "every moment". Again- I'd have him in the mix, pushing for inclusion in the squad. Not handed a spot.

People don't want to take risks on guys like Horsburgh but want to buy in on perennial 20 minute bench guys like Royce Hunt.

 

[The Chad]

You want both Hetherington and Horsburgh to join the reigning sin bin champions?

Playing at WT makes you do some stupid things as we've seen this year from Sezer who I never thought of as a dirty player before 2024. Need players with mature heads on their shoulders.

Yes.

Go check how many penalties they give away per game.

 

[Buttface]

what I will say, similar to the Jack Bird links, is that Turuva and Skelton were done completely on the quiet. even Luai didn’t break until he told his teammates.

Bird and Horsburgh have both been reported in the media. it may be telling if neither of them sign with us that we only do our business in the dark. I guess we’ll see.

I’d be happy with this, it’s how it should be done.
No more bandstanding out on the verandah at our new CoE.