Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[SwervinMervin]

Under more fatigue, created by the length of time muscles are used, there is a greater risk of straining/tearing them.

They are limiting Latu’s minutes to prevent his muscles (hamstring) fatiguing to the point where it makes it/them susceptible to re-tearing.

Correct. The two most vulnerable times for muscle tears are when they are yet to be warmed up and when they are under fatigue. Good example is Bulla’s injury. The most likely times for this to occur were either in the pre game warm up or the 80th minute, in this case the latter. Chances are, that exact same move in the 50th minute would have caused no harm at all. That’s why Latu is having minutes managed. He’s a player that relies on explosive movement and when you do that under extreme fatigue you are more likely to injure the muscle / soft tissue.

 

[JB9918]

Spot on, this is exactly the line up I would run with and depth. That is the ideal 1-5 NRL and NSW Cup/depth set up. I would also add that guys like Tino Tavana and Max Taotua will also come into contention if they keep developing at their current rate. I dont think we need to sign any more externals in the 1-5 positions.

In terms of a back up half, I would look at someone like Sean O'Sullivan, Jonah Glover or Te Maire Martin.

A proper NRL quality lock is the main priority and hopefully someone becomes available.

A prop I would be looking at would be Trey Mooney (who cant get a game at Canberra) to provide competition to Twal and Seyfarth for that last bench spot. I would also look to bring in Harrison Hassett to provide depth in the second row as i don't believe we can afford to play Seyfarth there.

Re-sign:
Staines
Doueihi (14 role or halves depth for the right price)
Mapalangi
Tui'tupou (Cup deal)

Sign:
Mooney
O'Sullivan/Glover/Martin
Hassett
Lock (Hopefully someone becomes available)

Release:
Naden
Tumeth
Faataape
Matamua
Feledy

I like it.

Mooney I think only just re-signed but would be ideal.

Glover would be a chance but definitely not opposed to Martin, ex-tiger would probably have a relationship with Benji & Hasset would be great to but not opposed to getting Garner back either.

 

[Tcat]

no way in hell Sloan is a better fullback then Bula

Agree Sloan is shit. Can't believe anyone woukd entertain him coming to us

 

[Canadian Club]

I like it.

Mooney I think only just re-signed but would be ideal.

Glover would be a chance but definitely not opposed to Martin, ex-tiger would probably have a relationship with Benji & Hasset would be great to but not opposed to getting Garner back either.

Garner would be a good alternative and i'm sure more will come available. Mooney re-signed but there has been some chatter that he is unsettled by his lack of game time. Like Richo says, we just need to be patient and see what falls from the tree.

Every week players who are under contract become available. This time last year, not a single person thought that Terrell May would be playing at the Tigers in 2025. Current and former rep players like Val Holmes, Gutho, Fonua-Blake, Daniel Saifiti, I. Papalii, Ben Hunt, Lomax etc. all became available last season at some point despite being under contract.

 

[Oldman]

Only problem is they are both on contracts next year for good money (and Tupou still has 3 years to run on his). You can’t renegotiate for less time or money. Only way you save is if their existing club offers to pay a % but in Tupou’s case you have to take on the 3 years.

Unless of cause your name is GUS.

 

[Oldman]

Agree Sloan is shit. Can't believe anyone woukd entertain him coming to us

What was I thinking 🤷‍♂️
Instead let’s extend
Doueihi
Stains
Naden
Feledy

They all have more attacking flair than Sloan don’t they.

 

[Odessa]

What was I thinking 🤷‍♂️
Instead let’s extend
Doueihi
Stains
Naden
Feledy

They all have more attacking flair than Sloan don’t they.

Sloan is on mega bucks at the Dragons $850K

 

[Tito Santana]

Only problem is they are both on contracts next year for good money (and Tupou still has 3 years to run on his). You can’t renegotiate for less time or money. Only way you save is if their existing club offers to pay a % but in Tupou’s case you have to take on the 3 years.

Seems like they want them gone though right. So yes I mean we need to be out of pocket $250k a season for each. Existing clubs to chip in the difference.

 

[rugbygoated]

There is always Manly this week, but noises coming out of Manly, Turbo not happy and picked at centre, Seibold under pressure etc.

They are there for the taking but historically this is one of those games we should win but historically never do. 😡

At least we aren't favourites with the bookies.

Manly at home. DCE and Turbo on the same edge. Pressure on Seibold. Bula out. Very unlikely to win

 

[Vicious]

Sloan is on mega bucks at the Dragons $850K

The reports say 500k.
If the Dragons were willing to pay 200k he would be value as player who can provide plenty of speed, something we are badly lacking.

 

[crazycat]

Sloan is on mega bucks at the Dragons $850K

WHAT!

Wow, Look he wasn't worth nothing and would occasionally cross the line.
But that's Lomax money. More then Best or ...Wow...

I bet you the drag queens would offer 500k+ to ofload him and I would say no.
Sloan ain't nothing and can play some footy. But man that's overs.

 

[JC99]

Staines has played way better footy than Sloan this year

We should be looking to keep him as depth. Honestly thought he didn't have a bad game when he was in the team.

 

[Odessa]

The reports say 500k.
If the Dragons were willing to pay 200k he would be value as player who can provide plenty of speed, something we are badly lacking.

He is on massive money he was the preferred fullback over Lomax and has not lived up to the hype it's not the million dollar offer Galvin had from Parramatta but when your desperate dollars go up

 

[Odessa]

Staines has played way better footy than Sloan this year

We should be looking to keep him as depth. Honestly thought he didn't have a bad game when he was in the team.

He should be fullback this week in my opinion

 

[Aceshigh]

He should be fullback this week in my opinion

It certainly shouldn’t be Mason on past performances

 

[pacey]

Let's give Sloan a 3 game contract.
From there we will be able to see if he's on Richo's crocodile roll or not.

 

[crazycat]

Staines has played way better footy than Sloan this year

We should be looking to keep him as depth. Honestly thought he didn't have a bad game when he was in the team.

So....

Why not put Staines at Fullback?

Bula is injured. Kind of over Mason, look the games i watched he did not stuff up. But it was clear he misread canberra in defense.

Go:
Staines with Turuva+Toa and Skelton + AD as the backline.

 

[Canadian Club]

What was I thinking 🤷‍♂️
Instead let’s extend
Doueihi
Stains
Naden
Feledy

They all have more attacking flair than Sloan don’t they.

Yep lets pay 500k for a 3rd string winger. Glad the forum isn't in charge of cap management 🤣. Much bigger areas of need than a NSW Cup/Ron Massey winger.

Sloan is a horrific defender and would still be behind Tutuva, Skelton, May, To'a, Laulilii, Makisini and Staines. We also have some good outside backs in cup in Mapapalangi and Tu'itupou and young guys like Taotua and Tavana ready to step up from next season.

Even if the Dragons chipped in 150k (which they wouldnt), 350k is way too much for a guy who probably wont even see first grade given the players in front of him. Would much rather prioritise the development of Laulilii and Makisini over him.

Sloan isn't even good enough to make the Dragons NRL team. That in itself should tell you everything you need to know.

 

[weststigerman]

So....

Why not put Staines at Fullback?

Bula is injured. Kind of over Mason, look the games i watched he did not stuff up. But it was clear he misread canberra in defense.

Go:
Staines with Turuva+Toa and Skelton + AD as the backline.

Yeah I’m not sure why Staines was not picked. This is why you have players like him in the squad.

Now we have to hope Mason doesn’t cop a barrage of bombs.

 

[Vicious]

Yeah I’m not sure why Staines was not picked. This is why you have players like him in the squad.

Now we have to hope Mason doesn’t cop a barrage of bombs.

Not sure if it’s the fault of Benji and the game plan or otherwise, but we have been getting our fair share of good field position and not converting it into points, therefore I’m guessing Benji wants to take this opportunity to try a fullback with a little bit more playmaking ability see if that can connect with our halves and convert good field position into a few more tries.
Of course it’s a risk as we all know Manly will target Mason with the high ball, but we have to try something that can potentially turn good field position into points.
We could have taken a more conservative safer option and as plenty have mentioned played Staines at fullback, but would he help our attack flow and help us get across the stripe more often from fullback ?
I like Staines as a player and don’t believe he’s been given a decent chance as a fullback, but he like Bula is very limited with his playmaking ability.
The other option was Luke Laulilli and he looks a good running threat as a fullback, but he would have also been targeted under the high ball.