Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

No - Taylan is carrying enough of his own baggage around without worrying about his brother as well..

I could be way off the mark and who knows what is really happening behind the scenes, but it’s a fair chance contract values are always at the forefront of discussions involving player recruitment and retention.
If we are not too keen on Taylan May, who’s our next centre target ?
I’ve seen plenty of suggestions surrounding Kotoni Staggs or Selwyn Cobbo, we know they would want big overs to even consider signing with us and as good as they are, I don’t think they would represent a lot of value if being paid up around 900k per season.
Grant Anderson was rumoured to be signing with the Broncos for 2026, but nothing has been confirmed and he still appears to be available. He would be much cheaper and has plenty of upside with good height, size, plenty of pace, good aerial ability, a genuine tackle buster and scores plenty of tries.

 

[Tom Shines]

I could be way off the mark and who knows what is really happening behind the scenes, but it’s a fair chance contract values are always at the forefront of discussions involving player recruitment and retention.
If we are not too keen on Taylan May, who’s our next centre target ?
I’ve seen plenty of suggestions surrounding Kotoni Staggs or Selwyn Cobbo, we know they would want big overs to even consider signing with us and as good as they are, I don’t think they would represent a lot of value if being paid up around 900k per season.
Grant Anderson was rumoured to be signing with the Broncos for 2026, but nothing has been confirmed and he still appears to be available for 2026. He would find much cheaper and has plenty of upside with good height, size, plenty of pace, good aerial ability, a genuine tackle buster and scores plenty of tries.

I find it interesting there is no announcement yet on Taylan ….not just with us but anywhere … I certainly don’t know the answer, but I proposed that he is not NRL ready at this moment given his long absence … Perhaps he is keen to come here and play with his brother Terrell, but maybe the club just don’t want to give him a spot in the Top 30 when he won’t be NRL ready probably for 6-8 weeks …just not good optics for the new culture they are trying to drive …they might want to start him out on a train and trial and elevate him to the squad later this year … just my theory and may not turn out correct …. But curious why he hasn’t signed anywhere yet…

Yeah I’ll take Staggs as well even if Taylan May does come here …I don’t even know if this is anything more than wishful thinking though

 

[Nonotmeagain]

I really don’t think there is anything happening out there. I mean we aren’t the only team with available positions. Why do we think the Tigers will sign all the unwanted players?

Delusions - players still have choices and why do we think every player sees us as their next landing spot.

 

[Tito Santana]

Just remember the Mak truck will be debuting mid season. Cant be blocking the Mak truck.

 

[Moh]

Just remember the Mak truck will be debuting mid season. Cant be blocking the Mak truck.

Won't be, there's at least a couple of reserve graders they both will replace.

 

[clontarfkid]

We have had to release players before being able to sign players. (Far too many top 30 spots taken up by kids that have not kicked on as hoped). This situation has only just changed. And to be fair, proven internationals they may have been, but they were playing crap for us and have continued to play crap for their current clubs (Klemmer being the exception).

True..but we have 3 empty spots
Puts a lot of pressure om

 

[batboy]

I asked what’s stopping HIM? Iit’s your story that he is in such demand so I thought you might know ..

Thought he might want some money not being paid the past year

Too many options might be slowing him up somewhat...

 

[Tom Shines]

Too many options might be slowing him up somewhat...

Maybe Terrell can lend him his agent to help out …

 

[boonboon]

Effectively we are playing with an NRL squad of 24 not 30. We have 3 empty spots and 3 in Matamua, Tumeth and Sakuru who aren't being selected at NRL level given they can't make NSW cup.

With Naden, Staines injured and last week Douehi and Skelton as well we were effectively playing with a NRL squad of 20 to pick from

 

[user118245]

Luke L named

 

[Tom Shines]

Luke L named

You predicted this would happen … 👍

 

[Halbrowne61]

Top 8 is always the goal
Got a feeling our retention and recruitment (former to placate Benji)will burn us for a bit longer
I have no idea why we rid ourselves from proven internationals without having a back up plan
Not the way it works

Not exactly sure but maybe coz Benji didn’t like it ! Prefers those who idolise him, not anyone who might question his ideas and cred.

 

[clontarfkid]

It'll have to be Cleary at the end of '27.

Nah..it will be the same old $1mill...and his dad $1mill...and his dog $1mill..
Need to maintain cap space after all...

 

[bptiger 0]

True..but we have 3 empty spots
Puts a lot of pressure om

I just wish the club would at lease come out and say NO we are not interested or we are still trying to get a deal done , if we sign him it’s another spot strengthed, and we will not need to move BIRD from been a forward , it’s a win all round .
IT has just went on to long without any info

 

[Camel2281]

I’d love to know what Brisbane have been thinking about Brandon Piakura lately.

Jack Gosiewski getting a start over him these days.

Maybe they’d be open to relieving some cap pressure if he’s not in the plans, he’d be on decent $ given his origin experience.

They also are struggling to find $ money for all of Cobbo/Staggs/Hetherington.

Very talented and only 22 - fits within our timeframe as well.

Piakura and Deine Mariner please.

 

[Year_of_the_Tiger]

Is Adel Hage from WT life podcast a member here? His analysis of the game is very very good

 

[Tito Santana]

Effectively we are playing with an NRL squad of 24 not 30. We have 3 empty spots and 3 in Matamua, Tumeth and Sakuru who aren't being selected at NRL level given they can't make NSW cup.

With Naden, Staines injured and last week Douehi and Skelton as well we were effectively playing with a NRL squad of 20 to pick from

Were continuing to clean house - how good.

Hope Tumeth is studying. How that guy ever got paid to play is beyond me!

 

[Camel2281]

Top 8 is always the goal
Got a feeling our retention and recruitment (former to placate Benji)will burn us for a bit longer
I have no idea why we rid ourselves from proven internationals without having a back up plan
Not the way it works

You keep banging on about this. Go watch how bad Bateman is playing for the Cows. He's trash and we did the right thing dumping him regardless of having a replacement

 

[Camel2281]

Not exactly sure but maybe coz Benji didn’t like it ! Prefers those who idolise him, not anyone who might question his ideas and cred.

Maybe it's just getting rid of underperforming players on larger salaries who weren't providing value for money.

 

[HabboTiger]

Not exactly sure but maybe coz Benji didn’t like it ! Prefers those who idolise him, not anyone who might question his ideas and cred.

I don't think it is that. If people work against the culture you want to establish, sometimes the only thing to do is remove them.