BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
If his body & mind are still in good knick, it's possible he could still play at a high level for another 2 seasons until 36.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Yeah ..it’s possible … let’s hope he does … but my point is that just because Smith did doesn’t mean he will …Api plays a more physical style as well …
One of his brothers is a teacher
jirskyr
Well-known member
@Grok who is TDS going to play for in 2026?
balmain boy
Well-known member
Let's give Mariner 2x 400, 450max.
Realistically he'd be a walk up start into our current backline, on wing or in centres.
We need depth, at least 2 of our current backs aren't NRL standard,.so if they get pushed to cup then so be it.
There is not a single outside back at our club who is a lock in their position
tigahhh
Well-known member
TDS met with Newcastle today
😔
😔
Tom Shines
Well-known member
I disagree .. I think Turuva and Skelton were great early this season when the team were having some success and winning games … I love Turuva as a finisher, and Skelton is your definition of a 2025 winger cranking out the yards…I don’t have Mariner ahead of either
Toa has found his mojo this season and the club should be breaking their necks to get him to re- sign …
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Why would he want to join them?
tigahhh
Well-known member
not sure he’d be sharing the role with Matt Arthur
balmain boy
Well-known member
When we're looking at hookers we need to think what we're looking for. Haywood is more similar to Api or Farah in style. He's more of a playmaker, ball in his hands, with skill and guile. He's also a competitive player with a strong with ethic.
TDS is more of a direct, electric hooker. Running game that tears defences apart with speed and gets us on the front foot. More Cook or Watson in style.
So how many playmakers do we want on the field at the same time? Sometimes having too many chefs in the kitchen competing against one another can be too the detriment of the attack, or it can offer more flexibility and options...
Moving Forwards Mason is a 14/backup hooker. But he still needs to fill out before he's ready for that role.
We can most certainly only keep a max of 2 of these three players.
Is Api demanding to be a starting hooker for the duration of his extension? I imagine he'd hope he is but if he's more rotational towards the end of his career I think he'd accept that role too. He's definitely not an 80 minute player now and should be playing less each year. So extend him and extend TDS, saying 2026 will determine who starts in 27. One could also get time at lock.
Secure them both, and then if one ultimately gets upset they can leave down the track.
TDS is more of a direct, electric hooker. Running game that tears defences apart with speed and gets us on the front foot. More Cook or Watson in style.
So how many playmakers do we want on the field at the same time? Sometimes having too many chefs in the kitchen competing against one another can be too the detriment of the attack, or it can offer more flexibility and options...
Moving Forwards Mason is a 14/backup hooker. But he still needs to fill out before he's ready for that role.
We can most certainly only keep a max of 2 of these three players.
Is Api demanding to be a starting hooker for the duration of his extension? I imagine he'd hope he is but if he's more rotational towards the end of his career I think he'd accept that role too. He's definitely not an 80 minute player now and should be playing less each year. So extend him and extend TDS, saying 2026 will determine who starts in 27. One could also get time at lock.
Secure them both, and then if one ultimately gets upset they can leave down the track.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
the Knights are turning into a poorly run team … they make dud recruitment decisions as well…they are like us in other words …
I would be gobsmacked if he goes there ..
I have tipped him to go to Manly … I know they are keen
balmain boy
Well-known member
The contract Craig was seen signing was a new contract with his agent. Not a playing contract. Given he can barely hold a wing in flegg I doubt the club would want him on a development contract, and definitely not a NRL contract
I think you mean CNN and MSMDC. You know, THE fake news channels.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
His manager has to navigate through all the conjecture about their coaches too. Chance Manly has a new coach soon, possible too for the Cows & then O'Brien who knows?
Tom Shines
Well-known member
You have probably heard like me that Ennis has been connected to the Manly job ? That could suit TDS
If we best them on Friday , Ennis might be in the job come Monday
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
He would certainly learn how to become a grub. Lol sorry all the woke folk out there who are offended by the term grub.
If something does go ahead by June 30, I hope the club frames it as a loan swap for the remainder of 2025 for Caleb Navale.
Then gives all parties the opportunity to see if a permanent swap works. Something a bit different.
magpies forever
Well-known member
I think the entrance of Perth into the player market will be a huge disruption and make competition even harder for player signatures. I suspect many will hold off until end of next season to decide options, so in some way players free end of this season and unsigned for 2026 may be easier to get. As you say I'd like to keep Toa too, but unless we can get him to extend before November, I think he may well go elsewhere.
Phew
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Perth can start signing off contract players for 2027 from November this year ..,so Toa can sign with them then …
They will have some money to throw around initially …
I kinda expect Toa to re-sign here … the club has been pretty patient with him over years of injuries and poor form …There should be plenty of howls of anger here if he brushes them
