WestsEffTheRest
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He lost the spot due to injury but Feagai had found form so struggled to get back into the side.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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Canadian Club
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It would be interesting if it was the Dragons who were after Bateman considering the number of backrowers they have at the Club.
They have Su'a and Leilua on big money, Eisenhuth, Faitala-Mariner and young guns Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan and Jacob Halangahu all tipped to play first grade next season. With Bateman that would be 8 backrowers for only 3 positions (2 starting, 1 bench). Adding Bateman would block the path of one of the young guys who all have big wraps on them.
They have Su'a and Leilua on big money, Eisenhuth, Faitala-Mariner and young guns Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan and Jacob Halangahu all tipped to play first grade next season. With Bateman that would be 8 backrowers for only 3 positions (2 starting, 1 bench). Adding Bateman would block the path of one of the young guys who all have big wraps on them.
I have a feeling the centre pairings to start the year will be Olam and Toa, with Skelton and Turuva starting wingers.
I think we will see Turuva eventually push into the centres but not to start with. He is also a much better backup fullback than Staines so he will give us that cover.
Bird might actually start the season in reggies but there is so much pre-season to happen yet that we won't get any real clues until February anyway.
I think we will see Turuva eventually push into the centres but not to start with. He is also a much better backup fullback than Staines so he will give us that cover.
Bird might actually start the season in reggies but there is so much pre-season to happen yet that we won't get any real clues until February anyway.
The Chad
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Don't want it to be "I'm more right than you" type argument about this.
Bird got hurt & missed 6 weeks.
Came back at fullback in KOE before moving back into 1st grade at 5/8 due to injury.
Dragons were not handing positions out on Bird's return, as it should be, and he couldn't win the spot away from Feagai.
But he played 12 rounds at centre and then missed 6 rounds through injury before returning to 1st grade at 5/8 in round 24.
jrtiger
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nah that's fine, my bad.
his stats last year have me thinking that he isn't a guy we should invest in playing at right centre. he's got excellent utility value and it's something I think we should use to our advantage.
The Chad
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I'd be amazed if Bird isn't a constant in 1st grade next season.
The Chad
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If Bateman gets moved on, the conversation changes. Bird probably fits that wide second row position a la Euan Aitken.
That would PROBABLY be the best thing to happen for Doueihi, in my opinion, as Bird is probably a good defender to cover for Doueihi's failings (agility over Seyfarth).
But if Bateman stays, I don't see how Bird isn't playing as a defensive centre & removing the revolving doorway of our wide defence.
BlackWhiteGold
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I think the Dragons interest would be Bateman as a lock as I think @jrtiger mentioned Flanagan said on the James Graham podcast he'd like a lock who provides that unpredictability in attack.
BAGNF05
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That one feels like a Pascoe signing, although probably on a lot less coin.
Tom Shines
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so whats your opinion on how Bird actually performed in 2024 in the centers ? I see his previous team was more than happy to move him on early whilst still under contract next season…and given he won a grand final with the current coach there ..I think that should be considered a warning sign that he might be out of gas …
I don’t think Bird is going to be anything special regardless of where he is playing in this team… and I would consider him not within our best 13… at this stage I would be predicting his spot to be on the bench where he can provide cover for a backs injury but spend most of his playing minutes covering backrowers…
BAGNF05
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If he gets himself fit his versatility off the bench is probably his best asset in my opinion. His best was many years ago now.
Jolls
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AD would be better suited to playing wing; however, his inability to make astute defensive decisions will still be a liability. His best postion is on someone elses roster so we can use his top 30 spot.
Correct...
No need to jump into bed with the first girl that appears re: Bateman for Ravalawa trade.
Snidest 0
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But they went in on a Hall of Fame QB who's renowned for losing in the post season, is renowned to be an egotistical maniac who's difficult to coach and work with. They also sacked the coach and GM on the say so of said QB who should have retired and retained his legacy
They should try and Draft Shadeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and bring Deion Sanders in to coach
I like the idea of Pole and Hunt doing damage from the bench.
I think our biggest concern is [and has always been] who's playing 13.
I got May and Klem starting.
Need a genuine lock option, not just a third prop.
Need another Elijah Taylor.
The Chad
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Fair enough. Hard to argue against it.
The Chad
Well-known member
Well, there you go. Shows how much weight you can put in my opinion.
Weird- I always thought I remembered Corey Allen being the fullback.
I see Bird starting right Second row and Turuva starting right centre
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