Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

It’s got to be more than meets the eye, surely it’s not just adding Faatape to the top 30 when blind Freddy can see NRL depth is a big issue.
Could a big roster overhaul be imminent when it’s prettty clear that all of Staines, Matamua, Tumeth, Feledy and Saukuru are on the outer.

 

[Tom Shines]

It’s got to be more than meets the eye, surely it’s not just adding Faatape to the top 30 when blind Freddy can see NRL depth is a big issue.
Could a big roster overhaul be imminent when it’s prettty clear that all of Staines, Matamua, Tumeth, Feledy and Saukuru are on the outer.

You must be happy about Faataape hey?

 

[ChilledChaos]

These signings make no sense! Issac Thompson is half decent, Krystian I haven’t seen anything good from him tbh at NRL level at the Knights! When you have a Ferrari in the background in Taylan May and pick these two up, it makes no sense!

 

[Vicious]

You must be happy about Faataape hey?

Well if it means we are offloading Staines, Feledy and Saukuru it would be ok to add someone such as Faatape on a base wage top 30 contract, but adding him to them is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Tom Shines]

Well if it means we are offloading Staines, Feledy and Saukuru

Does it mean that? I thought they could have moved the last two on 6 months ago …

You would have to assume Faataape is like around player 20/21 on the depth chart …very scary thought …

 

[Vicious]

Does it mean that? I thought they could have moved the last two on 6 months ago …

You would have to assume Faataape is like around player 20/21 on the depth chart …very scary thought …

Exactly it is a very scary thought, but if he was 27-30 on the depth chart it would not be so bad.
Our depth chart looks like a Ron Massey Cup team list and that’s no discredit tj the players I’m referring g tj as if any of them were 27-30 on the depth chart it wouldn’t be so much of a problem, but we have virtually have 18 players of NRL standard at the moment.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Well if it means we are offloading Staines, Feledy and Saukuru it would be ok to add someone such as Faatape on a base wage top 30 contract, but adding him to them is a recipe for disaster.

All these dead weight names and some are complaining about Faataape on minimum salary. I literally had forgotten all about Feledy, and it's not long since he and others were playing in the trials. Obviously didn't make much of an impression with me or the coaching staff.

 

[Tom Shines]

Exactly it is a very scary thought, but if he was 27-30 on the depth chart it would not be so bad.
Our depth chart looks like a Ron Massey Cup team list and that’s no discredit tj the players I’m referring g tj as if any of them were 27-30 on the depth chart it wouldn’t be so much of a problem, but we have virtually have 18 players of NRL standard at the moment.

Yeah …I’d have to agree …. Faataape has played a lot more NRL games than he has missed since he got promoted to first grade nearly a year ago … Richo probably got embarrassed how little he was paying him for a guy that is picked more often then not with this squad

 

[boonboon]

Also need to remember the first 5 months are already done so min wage for the rest of the season is 70k. Development deal is 60k for the whole season so 35k. This literally cost us 35k which leaves lots of cap room.

 

[Craegus]

What was the “process “ you are referring to ? Doesn’t seem a very lengthy one for a guy that hasn’t played in a while

Don't think physical when I say process. Nothing to do with his playing ability, or physical fitness. Think of things the club may have wanted to do outside of that where info is involved.

And this was set up before the case was ended.

 

[weststigerman]

Apart from the Olam signing, Richo hasn't put a foot wrong with recruitment so far. If he has passed on Taylan May then I'm confident there is a good reason for it.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

These signings make no sense! Issac Thompson is half decent, Krystian I haven’t seen anything good from him tbh at NRL level at the Knights! When you have a Ferrari in the background in Taylan May and pick these two up, it makes no sense!

Faatape upgrade is only to meet the NRL top 30 roster requirement….

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Apart from the Olam signing, Richo hasn't put a foot wrong with recruitment so far. If he has passed on Taylan May then I'm confident there is a good reason for it.

I’ll be very disappointed if we do not sign Taylan May, on the field he is an absolute Gun.. the only thing that gives me hope that it is in the works is the absolute radio silence around it, which is indicative of How Richo and the club operate currently.. we could really use a centre with his talent and aggression ,, also hope Terrell is not disenchanted with us if it doesn’t happen !! 🤞

 

[Betterdays22]

As I said in a previous post, from a source I have who seems to have very strong info, Taylan is not coming. Without going into full specifics but to give enough to give info, agreements were in place to follow a process to decide if he was going to be signed. That process took place, didn't go well, and club wanted to keep Terrell focused on football rather than his brother and any possible issues, so walked away which they had the right to do.

Things may change, but my source basically said from what they know, it is not happening.

Sounds like they are doing their dues. I trust the process was/is fair and balanced. It is Rugby League after all.

I hope it isnt too unsettling for Terrell.

 

[supercoach]

As other have said, I guess this is all about getting the books in shape to make Galvin and TDS substantial offers. My concern is all about our forwards. We don’t have enough quality now, by mid season when the injury toll will mount we will struggle to put a forward pack on the paddock that can compete with the bottom teams.

All recruitment must be aimed at our lack of forward strength

 

[user118245]

1. You don’t buy a Ferrari with a history of motor issues

2. The oromotion of Faatape shows hard work pays off to our juniors and opens spot for Heamasi

3. Let Richo Cook

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Was very promising coming through Schools & Matts, part of the Tartak stable that signed on around the same time.

Solo has the physical capabilities, just needs to consistently put games together making yardage, tackle-breaking runs & effort plays. With his frame he should be bulldozing opponents in A & D in Flegg. He's still contracted for '26 so I think Benji will give him every chance to develop. Showed signs in our 1st trial.

How does his future compare to Max Taotua and Makasini?

 

[Vicious]

How does his future compare to Max Taotua and Makasini?

Well Max Taotua and Makasini are very tall and athletic looking, they don’t appear to be carrying much condition.
I realise everyone has different body shapes and it’s much harder for some people to be fit looking than it is for others, but Saukuru always looks to be carrying a bit of condition, coincidently his energy levels and effort areas are not strong points of his game and watching the recent pre season video, he was one of the main culprits in complaining how hard it was.
Hopefully for his sake he can correct these problems and become the best version of himself, but the signs don’t look too good at the moment.

 

[Moh]

I'm gutted that it's looking very unlikely for Taylan to end up here.

I really thought it was a given.

 

[Tim Sheens]

I’ll be very disappointed if we do not sign Taylan May, on the field he is an absolute Gun.. the only thing that gives me hope that it is in the works is the absolute radio silence around it, which is indicative of How Richo and the club operate currently.. we could really use a centre with his talent and aggression ,, also hope Terrell is not disenchanted with us if it doesn’t happen !! 🤞

It has been more than 3 weeks since his missus decided not to proceed through the courts and many months prior to that for WT or any other prospective clubs to carry out their due diligence, so I doubt that Taylan is getting anything other than a raw bone offering NRL contract wise, if any at all.

Based on his improved performances this year at centre, along with his goal kicking, I would prefer to put those dollars towards the off contract Doueihi, who can also cover in the halves, at wing and fullback