Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[innsaneink]

What about the 3 spots that have to be filled by June 30, hope they aren't going to be all from our lower grades.

Players weve let go such as Olam Klem and Galvout can count to this

 

[Vicious]

Fifita for this year may change the needle for us in hope we do it

I’m glad there are a few people such as yourself who recognise we need a couple of more players who have the ability to be a ping of difference and help us win games that we are currently losing.
I saw one news report that we were looking at David Fifita, who knows if that news story had any fact behind it or not, but if we are satisfied with what we already have I can’t see us improving too much next season.

 

[Kelce68]

Richardson says that the club has 'plenty of spots' in the Top 30 and on the Development List for next year, but says they're going to be very cautious and patient with who they bring in, because they want to build an elite roster.

I can see them sitting on their hands on a lot of spots until the post season to see what happens, especially after what happened with Terrell.

It's not unwise, Richo is unarguable with on how to approach roster management.

The only thing I'll say though, is that for every Terrell May landing in our lap in '24, is 4 or 5 clubs who end up with their dick in their hand, too many spots and too much spare coin.

There are years where bugger all shakes loose. I hope we're prepared for that scenario too.

(Which I have faith we are btw).

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I believe that you are able to claim players that were formerly in the 30 (Olam, Klemmer, Galvin) as being part of the 30 and therefore there isn't a pressing need to upgrade before June 30 to satisfy NRL regulations.

that said, I would anticipate that Heath Mason and Taylan May (pending his behaviour) will get an upgrade.

I tried to research this after reading it on here previously regarding the June 30 cut off.
The article said nothing in it about any exemptions said the top 30 had to be filled, doesn't mean it was reported right though we will find out soon enough.

NRL mid-season transfer deadline: What is it, when and what it means for the teams | Sporting News Australia

As the NRL season intensifies, the clubs are preparing for the mid-season transfer deadline. Here is what’s to know about it.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[TheClaws]

Always found the commentary around Galvin to be hyperbole, its almost like they arent seeing what we all see like the crabbing, non effective kicking, the missed tackles, dropped balls over the line....
Katoa is a universe ahead, that kid has Fittler vibes.

Katoa is miles ahead of Galvin, both in current performance and potential. The kid gives me Andrew Johns vibes, his deception with ball in hand and kicking game are already tracking to Johns levels. Galvin is more a Yeo skillset and potential. The Galvin crap is next level, yes he will be a great player if he keeps developing, however there are other young players out there absolutely killing it and rarely get a mention. Gould knew there was blood in the water when the early release requests were made and went in for the kill by pumping team Galvins tyres up to the point where he was too great to play for a struggling team, he deserves to be in a top 4 side immediately and its a travesty that he isn't. Let's see how his playmaker skills develop at the dogs, I don't think sexton or Burton's skills have really developed, the way the dogs attack is purely based on effort in defence to rattle teams and win field position and second phase play in attack from offloads and breaking tackles. Burtons kicking game is a big plus yet that was always there. You rarely see the halves creating.

 

[Vicious]

Tyrone May has signed a new 2 year contract at Hull KR so you can rule that one out for now.

He probably come to the realisation he would likely only be a back up player back in the NRL, so why change from being a star starting halfback in the UK Super League to a fringe player here.

 

[TheClaws]

I mean, it would be nice, but it's not like these guys don't talk to each other outside of origin camp...

I think Critta was being diplomatic and towing the company line he has been fed by Gus...the fact that they even asked Galvin for the truth is odd in itself don't you think? as if they would not already know before he joined, would he believe his "brother" Luai's version as well as the rest of the ex-panthers boys or some kid he met yesterday.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He probably come to the realisation he would likely only be a back up player back in the NRL, so why change from being a star starting halfback in the UK Super League to a fringe player here.

Exactly! Plus Hull KR wanted an answer asap so they could make plans for next season if he left. We may have been interested but may not have been ready to offer anything just yet, especially if there is truth to the Reynolds stuff. May probably decided in his best interests to extend rather than wait for something that may not happen.

 

[Betterdays22]

It's not unwise, Richo is unarguable with on how to approach roster management.

The only thing I'll say though, is that for every Terrell May landing in our lap in '24, is 4 or 5 clubs who end up with their dick in their hand, too many spots and too much spare coin.

There are years where bugger all shakes loose. I hope we're prepared for that scenario too.

(Which I have faith we are btw).

It's a balance isn't it.

It isn't ideal having to fill the top 30 with players who in reality should not be there while also turning down the opportunity to sign established first graders in the hope better come along. Maybe capping contracts at 2 years for recruits in squad positions 18-30 would be a way of countering it?

 

[hank37w]

Speaking of Metcalf, if he goes on to win the Dally M, that would surely be the record for least amount of games played to win that award. Only 39 games. Makes the radio silence even more crazy.

As they say in the Superannuation commercials, compare the pair:

Lachlan Galvin 32 NRL games and 6 tries over 2 seasons and 2 clubs.

Luke Metcalf 39 NRL games and 20 tries over 5 seasons and 2 clubs.

 

[clontarfkid]

Katoa is miles ahead of Galvin, both in current performance and potential. The kid gives me Andrew Johns vibes, his deception with ball in hand and kicking game are already tracking to Johns levels. Galvin is more a Yeo skillset and potential. The Galvin crap is next level, yes he will be a great player if he keeps developing, however there are other young players out there absolutely killing it and rarely get a mention. Gould knew there was blood in the water when the early release requests were made and went in for the kill by pumping team Galvins tyres up to the point where he was too great to play for a struggling team, he deserves to be in a top 4 side immediately and its a travesty that he isn't. Let's see how his playmaker skills develop at the dogs, I don't think sexton or Burton's skills have really developed, the way the dogs attack is purely based on effort in defence to rattle teams and win field position and second phase play in attack from offloads and breaking tackles. Burtons kicking game is a big plus yet that was always there. You rarely see the halves creating.

Gould became Galvins unappointed (?) publicity agent 12 months ago,and the kid bought the BS and adored the attention...to the point where it impacted his game at WTs constantly looking for the hi-lite reel addition
Ill bet he wont play that high risk game any more under Goluld in the guise of "being creative"
His fun days are over...and maybe his best days after hes bulked up

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I believe that you are able to claim players that were formerly in the 30 (Olam, Klemmer, Galvin) as being part of the 30 and therefore there isn't a pressing need to upgrade before June 30 to satisfy NRL regulations.

that said, I would anticipate that Heath Mason and Taylan May (pending his behaviour) will get an upgrade.

I'd say Richo wants to finalise the situations of our key players off contract for 2027 first before making any more big external plays ...

Api, TDS, Toa, Skelton & Bula. And what Taylan does in performance & behaviour over the next 2-3 months.

For example, if a To'a & Skelton decide to sign with Perth Bears then someone like Cobbo becomes higher in priority.

Another current top 17 player Sione Fainu also comes off contract for 2027, so I think all of the above are priority for Richo to lock away asap so we know what we need moving forward.

 

[hank37w]

Completely agree, all the media love fest for Galvin fitting into the Dogs system will crap itself. Luai will provide the truth to the Bulldog Blues.

Surely if Luai is still close to his old team mates at the doggies then you would think that they would already be aware of the truth, but I have to admit there is nothing I would like better than to see "The Galvinator's" time at the Dogs turn to Dog shit.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Surely if Luai is still close to his old team mates at the doggies then you would think that they would already be aware of the truth, but I have to admit there is nothing I would like better than to see "The Galvinator's" time at the Dogs turn to Dog shit.

Wasted energy death riding him. He’s going to have success. He’s now a media darling. That alone will see him play 20 Origins.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

they have 4 halves in the Top 30 for next season I believe … Luai, Latu, Mase and ( for the moment) Bud … AD could fill in as well in a pinch if he is re-signed as a depth option …I agree ..i would make that call if he will accept similar money to what he is on now …

Ideally Bud gets moved on …but they might be stuck with him next year… I mean he is in Souths NRL team at the moment …so he can probably do a job as our fourth or fifth option if need be

IMO an important spot we may need to recruit for to add to our squad next season is a back-up halfback if Luai & Latu are our 1st choice pairing & Bud is moved on to get most of his $500+k off our books.

Ideally a game-managing halfback to play primarily NSW Cup.

I think O'Sullivan will want too much $$$.

This is where the talk of a Jonah Glover may be viable plus he's a good goalkicker. We have Kurt Falls but his defence is nowhere near NRL standard. Out of Jersey Flegg next season is Max Liles but I think he's too raw at this stage to be an NRL backup.

Any other options?

 

[shankspony]

I know right, what's even worse is they speak Galvin up better than Katoa. Galvin isn't even in the same universe as Katoa that kid is amazingly good. Katoa has all the skills and the football I.q of a guy watching everyone play league while he's on the field playing 4d chess. He's amazing, yet if you listen to the commentators it's all about Galvin. Wonder how many of the talking heads are managed by Moses and if he's got them talking him up.

This is exactly the reply I was going to give to Supercoach's post. At the end of their careers we will be talking about Katoa in the same breath as Johns, Cleary, Langer, Thurston etc. Galvin, who is going to go on to be a really good player, and most likely will make rep teams, but will more likely be compared with good players such as Anasta, Walters etc rather than Lewis, Fittler, Daley or Kenny. Gal's going to be very good, sadly not with us, whereas Katoa is headed for the absolute elite category.

 

[hank37w]

What about the 3 spots that have to be filled by June 30, hope they aren't going to be all from our lower grades.

I was of the same view that we needed to fill spots by 30th June but have been assured that as long as we have had 30 in our squad some time during the season that we do not need to sign players to those positions that are now vacant if we do not wish to.

So players like Klemmer, Olam and Galvin can still be counted towards our top 30 for the purpose of becoming cap compliant.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

This is exactly the reply I was going to give to Supercoach's post. At the end of their careers we will be talking about Katoa in the same breath as Johns, Cleary, Langer, Thurston etc. Galvin, who is going to go on to be a really good player, and most likely will make rep teams, but will more likely be compared with good players such as Anasta, Walters etc rather than Lewis, Fittler, Daley or Kenny. Gal's going to be very good, sadly not with us, whereas Katoa is headed for the absolute elite category.

Product of the Panthers system. They’ve produced a couple gooduns over the last couple of years.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

It's a balance isn't it.

It isn't ideal having to fill the top 30 with players who in reality should not be there while also turning down the opportunity to sign established first graders in the hope better come along. Maybe capping contracts at 2 years for recruits in squad positions 18-30 would be a way of countering it?

When Richardson advised KPP had been looked at for a year I felt the club was being far more strategic in recruitment than it had been in the past. The filling of vacant roster spots moving forward imo will be far more selective than it has been under the previous management.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Another factor we have to consider in recruitment for next season & beyond is the Perth Bears recruiting any of our current off-contract players - Adam Doeuihi, Charlie Staines & Brent Naden.

Any of these 3 could fill a depth role for us next season so we may agree to extend them for a season (on depth $$$) in 2026 and then we know we have an open spot/s for 2027.

The player may be happy with that knowing they have a guaranteed spot next season before they head to Perth.