Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Mccarry]

Apparently Bateman wants to play in the NRL so he can be here with his Aussie wife who wants to stay here. Yet the season is over and he's shown zero desire to come back and spend time with his wife. Why is he even seen there? His family is here. He's just a runt enjoying a holiday from his missus for as long as he can drag it on for. What are his values?

Doesn’t he also have a kid in England?

 

[Wiz]

My only concern reading too much into it due to really feeble defence. Give him the ball against most first grade sides and it may be a different outcome

An absolutely valid concern.

 

[Flippedy]

Maybe in 2025 the mighty WT can at least get to their rightful place @ 9th 😆😂

I’d be over the moon if that happened, that’s how far we’ve fallen. A bit like the petrol going up so much over the years and when it drops back down to $1.70 per litre I think that’s great 😂

 

[hank37w]

Well that's a lie.. everyone was talking Lobb up before we had even signed him up.

Talked about him like he was a perfect hybrid between Daniel Tupou and Hazem El Mazri

I'm not sure if that is completely correct, I think the main reason he was being talked up was because we were finally getting a tall winger with potentially some ability under the high ball which was a change from the usual midgets that we have trotted out on the wing for what seems like forever.

I don't think it was based on anything he had achieved in the game to date, it was based more on the hope that there was more than one Jack Bostock in the Illawarra region.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I reckon we will not enter the market again for a period. We already have some very good signings, and I am expecting that with the focus on higher standards and culture that the preseason will expose a some “gold nuggets” from within the current playing ranks will become NRL quality.
My picks are Timmy J, Tony Sukkar and maybe Matamua (based on brief comments from Richo’s podcast).

Our roster for 2025 is virtually finalised. If we open up a T30 spot it will go to Sione Fainu....I'm hoping we can jag a good signing or two before March for 2026 +.

 

[upthetigers]

Putting some stats out there:
View attachment 17640

So if were talking defense, were talking a back line of:
Mason,
Skelton
Olam
Turuva
Staines.

^which I guarantee we won't see this lineup all year.

If were talking attack:
Turuva 18 tries
Bula 10 tries
Staines 9 tries
Olam 6 tries

SKelton, Latu and even AD have crossed for 2-3 tries each...

No matter what, I can't see a starting lineup without Olam, Turuva and Staines!

I don't think Staines is a lock. Depends on how the preseason goes. For me, Staines is great depth.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I don't think Staines is a lock. Depends on how the preseason goes. For me, Staines is great depth.

I reckon Staines is next to no chance at full strength.

 

[The Chad]

He’s not.

Stats might not agree.

It's between him & Api.

 

[jrtiger]

I don't think Staines is a lock. Depends on how the preseason goes. For me, Staines is great depth.

fair chance he’s not at the club come March 2025. club’s told him he can look elsewhere.

 

[The Chad]

If Bird plays #13, which is a good chance, that puts To'a, Doueihi & Staines in a fight for 1 outside back position.

Weirdly- the forgotten man in this three is Doueihi.

Everyone has essentially written him off. I would not be surprised at all, if he is the guy. He's easily the most damaging runner of all three. Even coming back from injury last year, he was generating some really good metres per game.

Even in Richo's pod cast interview- nearly everyone latched on to the comment on Matamua, but not one mention of Richo mentioning Doueihi.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

If Bird plays #13, which is a good chance, that puts To'a, Doueihi & Staines in a fight for 1 outside back position.

Weirdly- the forgotten man in this three is Doueihi.

Everyone has essentially written him off. I would not be surprised at all, if he is the guy. He's easily the most damaging runner of all three. Even coming back from injury last year, he was generating some really good metres per game.

Even in Richo's pod cast interview- nearly everyone latched on to the comment on Matamua, but not one mention of Richo mentioning Doueihi.

Thats because Richo only said Doueihi has "improved"...not a very glowing remark

 

[Oldman]

I'm a big fan of TDS.

He will have a very important role for us, moving forward.

Specialist hooker for the bench, giving Api a spell.

Latu is another option, if we wanted a utility to play 9 and other positions.

I'd be giving Tallyn the jersey though.

Agree
Tallyn is a specialist no:9
I can’t see Fainu darting out of dummy half when needed and his endurance might not be up for it if Api gets injured and the reserve is required for long minutes.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

Wheres all the Richo haters now? Gone quite. We on the up, i hope Richo is targeting Leo Thompson for 2026

Yes, all the Richo & Benji complaint merchants, must be on there pre Xmas Holidays.

 

[lathami]

Has to sort out his discipline and errors for that role though.

True but that comes with time and maturity. And we do need a bit of aggression in our team.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If Bird plays #13, which is a good chance, that puts To'a, Doueihi & Staines in a fight for 1 outside back position.

Weirdly- the forgotten man in this three is Doueihi.

Really? I don’t think he’s forgotten at all. He’s mentioned every single the day. The forgotten man for me is To’a. I saw a pic of him at training yesterday, and it made me realise that I had forgotten he existed.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

He’s not.

Who is then.

 

[Tito Santana]

I reckon we will not enter the market again for a period. We already have some very good signings, and I am expecting that with the focus on higher standards and culture that the preseason will expose a some “gold nuggets” from within the current playing ranks will become NRL quality.
My picks are Timmy J, Tony Sukkar and maybe Matamua (based on brief comments from Richo’s podcast).

Tony Sukkar - please.

 

[hammertime]

Can't tell me Johannssen can't play on an edge man,
hopefully he kicks on I love seeing a late bloomer...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1816777260114030759

He reminds me a bit of Dywer with his build. As you say, he might be a solution to the edge.

 

[Betterdays22]

Good to hear Richo name drop Matamua. There's a bit about him. Bit of a luxury player you can't carry in a team like ours last year, but the team we are building there is absolutely a place for him at 13

 

[The Chad]

Really? I don’t think he’s forgotten at all. He’s mentioned every single the day. The forgotten man for me is To’a. I saw a pic of him at training yesterday, and it made me realise that I had forgotten he existed.

Forgotten in- as a chance of playing.

Nearly everyone in here has To'a, Staines, Fataape, Makasini, Taylan May, Owen Craigie & Pat Richards ahead of him.

I imagine he's higher up the pecking order than given credit for. It's like Seyfarth & the coaches liking him, he's higher up the pecking order than given credit for too.

Only people seem to dislike Seyfarth more than Doueihi.