Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

This list is massive. Ruling out any recent resignings and key players at their club; there remains the following from teams.

Knights: Brailey, Elliot, Hetherington, KPP, Thompson.
Manly: Brown, Bullemor, Lawton.
Bulldogs: Hughes, Bailey, Morrin.
Cowboys: McIntrye, McLean, Taumalolo, Neame.
Sharks: Hazelton, Rudolph, Kaufusi, Wilton, Talikai.
Roosters: Butcher, Whyte.
Penrith: no one stands out.
Melbourne: Kamikimika, Welsh.

Yeah it could be either one or the above. Personally,
not a fan of Rudolph on or off the field, he's a goose
 
This list is massive. Ruling out any recent resignings and key players at their club; there remains the following from teams.

Knights: Brailey, Elliot, Hetherington, KPP, Thompson.
Manly: Brown, Bullemor, Lawton.
Bulldogs: Hughes, Bailey, Morrin.
Cowboys: McIntrye, McLean, Taumalolo, Neame.
Sharks: Hazelton, Rudolph, Kaufusi, Wilton, Talikai.
Roosters: Butcher, Whyte.
Penrith: no one stands out.
Melbourne: Kamikimika, Welsh.
Welch had rumours he’s going as well didn’t he? To broncos if I remember correctly
 
This list is massive. Ruling out any recent resignings and key players at their club; there remains the following from teams.

Knights: Brailey, Elliot, Hetherington, KPP, Thompson.
Manly: Brown, Bullemor, Lawton.
Bulldogs: Hughes, Bailey, Morrin.
Cowboys: McIntrye, McLean, Taumalolo, Neame.
Sharks: Hazelton, Rudolph, Kaufusi, Wilton, Talikai.
Roosters: Butcher, Whyte.
Penrith: no one stands out.
Melbourne: Kamikimika, Welsh.
Surely we can convince a couple from that lot?
 
So you don’t rate Chris Faagutu as a football player ?
I'd say it has more to do with the fact we have 3 young locks and should probably move one on.

Edit: Especially because any squad prediction i see on here for next year doesn't include a single one of them in the 17. We can't have 10% of our top 30 be young locks that are lucky to get 5 games between them all season.
 
I’d suggest he’s not the one.
I've not watched enough of the juniors this year to make any suggestions. I was just taking a stab on the original posters reasoning.. What makes you think he isn't the one though? and who do you think is?

Matamua was the one for me as he just looks completely overwhelmed any time he plays. He did have a great game mid - late this year though.. I can't remember against who, but he came on and completely changed the game, then when he was taken back off we fell to pieces.
 
I think Chris has a very high ceiling and the attributes to make it in the big league.
Justin is developing a little slower, but quite skilful.
So we've got;

Chris Faagutu
Justin Matamua
Kit Lualilii

What's the best way forward with them?
Should we keep all three?
 
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I think Chris has a very high ceiling and the attributes to make it in the big league.
Justin is developing a little slower, but quite skilful.
How is Justin at 21 with 3 seasons where he has played nrl developing slower then Chris who is 21 and has played 4 games of nsw cup and no NRL.

My point was that we have 3 young lock type players who aren't nrl starters and all the same age. Kit isn't being released so then it's one of Matamua and Faagutu and one has 3 seasons of NRL at 21 and the other has been playing Flegg till 21. Also 2 are local juniors while Chris is from QLD

Now if Faagutu is considered a prop then mayby he is up against Miller, Sione Fainu and Joahnssen for a spot and again he prob isn't winning out.

As he has been playing mostly Flegg I've not see him play much but that's just my view based on the outside circumstances
 
How is Justin at 21 with 3 seasons where he has played nrl developing slower then Chris who is 21 and has played 4 games of nsw cup and no NRL.

My point was that we have 3 young lock type players who aren't nrl starters and all the same age. Kit isn't being released so then it's one of Matamua and Faagutu and one has 3 seasons of NRL at 21 and the other has been playing Flegg till 21. Also 2 are local juniors while Chris is from QLD

Now if Faagutu is considered a prop then mayby he is up against Miller, Sione Fainu and Joahnssen for a spot and again he prob isn't winning out.

As he has been playing mostly Flegg I've not see him play much but that's just my view based on the outside circumstances
Then watch him play.
 
How is Justin at 21 with 3 seasons where he has played nrl developing slower then Chris who is 21 and has played 4 games of nsw cup and no NRL.

My point was that we have 3 young lock type players who aren't nrl starters and all the same age. Kit isn't being released so then it's one of Matamua and Faagutu and one has 3 seasons of NRL at 21 and the other has been playing Flegg till 21. Also 2 are local juniors while Chris is from QLD

Now if Faagutu is considered a prop then mayby he is up against Miller, Sione Fainu and Joahnssen for a spot and again he prob isn't winning out.

As he has been playing mostly Flegg I've not see him play much but that's just my view based on the outside circumstances
IMO, Kit is the odd one out. Can not see him 1sts in any position if we want to get off the bottom.
We need to be more ruthless in how we keep players; like other clubs that are successful.
 
I think with the three options we've got,

Kitt should be picked and sticked as the NSW Cup #13 & developed as such. No rush. From the outside he looks as the most regarded of the three by the club.

Matamua, I'd be happy for him to go.
However there's a footballer in there somewhere.
Maybe he can play prop or off the bench for NSW cup. He's making up a top 30 position though so if we don't rate him, we should make a call sooner rather than later.

Faagutu is the dark horse because we haven't seen enough of him. His development has been slow but the reports are good coming from the lower grades. Another we should make a call on soon. I'd like to see him play more cup in 2025.
 
So we've got;

Chris Faagutu
Justin Matamua
Kit Lualilii

What's the best way forward with them?
Should we keep all three?
I don't think we can keep all 3. 1 will have to go.

I would say Matamua. I just don't know if he has or ever will have the physicality and presence in defence to be in the middle. Very classy ball playing abilities as a 13, but I haven't seen Benji put much faith in him when opportunities were available.

Fa'agutu has only 1 more year on his contract with us, but in my opinion has the most upside out of the lot. His offense is elite, he can hit and hit hard in defence. Still needs to develop into his body, work on some fitness and needs another big pre-season or 2, but he is one that is worth the gamble.

Kit is the youngest of the lot. Shouldn't have been put up to Cup last year. It was too early. Flegg should have been his goal in 2024 with a 2025 goal to start in Flegg and then move to Cup. Moved up due to his contract status. Should really be a Dev Contract next year too. I think he could still have a lot to offer moving forward but we might need to remain patient with him.
 
Unless the young up and coming player is naturally gifted in way of size and athleticism, they need to be highly aggressive and dedicated to get themselves very fit and as strong as possible.
When you look at our emerging players who are not yet NRL regulars, not many fit in either category.
Faagatu at least has the aggression part and if he can get himself fit and strong he is potentially a very good player.
 

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