Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[liltiger]

It doesn’t matter how good your local talent is, you still need to scout far and wide.
The Panthers success over the past 5 or so years is testament to that with the likes of Yeo, Edwards and Martin all scouted and recruited from country areas at a young age.
When I hear that we don’t have the same scouting and player recruitment resources that other clubs do due to our lack of finances, sure it’s a slight hindrance, but that just means we need to and should have connections that are looking out for us and giving recommendations far and wide rather than having our own people on the ground.
Anyway that’s the past, we have recently made some changes in that space, so let’s hope they are changes for the better.

Vicious we have our scout looking for talent all around, problem is we are competing with clubs who run multiple junior academies all around Australia and overseas. Panthers, Bulldogs and Parra all have multiple junior academies scattered around, the Bulldogs have one in N.Z. we can't keep hanging our hat on the Macarthur region with our juniors, we need to expand as the clubs we are in direct competition in the West are or we are constantly behind the 8 ball.

 

[Tom Shines]

Vicious we have our scout looking for talent all around, problem is we are competing with clubs who run multiple junior academies all around Australia and overseas. Panthers, Bulldogs and Parra all have multiple junior academies scattered around, the Bulldogs have one in N.Z. we can't keep hanging our hat on the Macarthur region with our juniors, we need to expand as the clubs we are in direct competition in the West are or we are constantly behind the 8 ball.

We might have to pass the hat around mate…cause it likes like the owners arent going to match the three clubs you mention

 

[bptiger 0]

Talakai yes. Hamlin-Uele, not as sure. It would depend on the dollars he was asking.

Them two would improve our pack big time

 

[hank37w]

I can also see Starford getting an early release and not being at the club next year.

The way Starford seems to be playing continually injured, it looks like he's had an early release from the hospital.

 

[JB9918]

AJ Kepoa... However you spell it to the Knights

 

[hank37w]

depends if roycey will put in a good word about the club 🤣

I was thinking more along the lines of Talaki being the replacement for Roycey. 🤣

 

[Lukic]

Talakai is a near perfect bench 2nd rower. Definitely yes if it's a 2 year deal at most.

 

[Tom Shines]

AJ Kepoa... However you spell it to the Knights

People here wanted him back ..lol

 

[hank37w]

I think we made Toa an offer...based on his hot/cold/injured performances that was probably fair and he is not satisfied so probably wants to test the market. He probably wants peak Toa money. Hopefully we don't fold and offer it. Having said that he is not doing himself any favours with his most recent performances.

Benji supposedly likes him, but personally I want consistent peak To'a performance and fitness before offering him anything.

 

[hank37w]

Based on his early form this season he is far from the worst in the squad … he is probably smart enough to get himself through reserve grade for two years if they want to play hard ball

Still can't believe Benji selected Royce as a starter.

 

[user118245]

People here wanted him back ..lol

Was spotted at concord which kicked off those rumours I believe

 

[Tom Shines]

Was spotted at concord which kicked off those rumours I believe

Allegedly “spotted”…

 

[Chunk]

You wouldn't take Talakai?

No, only because we need to use our resources in more pressing positions. We have wing relatively covered compared to other areas.

 

[Modman]

Still can't believe Benji selected Royce as a starter.

Has he been that bad idk I haven't watched much lower grades bit it doesn't sound to promising. I don't get it with this bloke has the size and power to be the player we need I don't get why he's form has gone to shit. Hopefully he puts in a performance that shows a bit of hope .

 

[weststigers]

No, only because we need to use our resources in more pressing positions. We have wing relatively covered compared to other areas.

Talakai plays second row

 

[Chunk]

Talakai plays second row

Ohhh that guy, then maybe 🙂

 

[Modman]

Has friends everywhere.
NZ, Parra, Newcastle....
Probably a likeable guy.

He's keeping the seat warm until Makasini comes in... that guy has all the attributes you want from a modern outside back. Guys like Folau, Inglis, Yow Yeh and more recently Sualilii and Xavier Coates - Makasini has it.

Demps I don't get to see to much of the Mack truck play and I'm of the opinion if your good enough your old enough. Reading most of this forum are very confident this kid is special, asking if you think he's ready to have a run in the top grade for a few games this year.

 

[liltiger]

We might have to pass the hat around mate…cause it likes like the owners arent going to match the three clubs you mention

That's just those three Tom, not the big boys like Brisbane, Melbourne and the Roosters. I only mention these 3 because they're our direct competition in Sydney. We really need to find a way to get much more funding in. We are underfunded compared to the rest of the comp imo, it's no coincidence success has been forign to us.

 

[Modman]

Not much room for depth backs … they might have to go with what they got already

We got 4 spots left assuming they sign Taylan …

Three forwards please…

How do you feel about Hope as the second hooker next season ? Does that need an upgrade?

Yes I think he's defence was not up to fg standard. Don't get how the hell tds leaves a club he loved where he is back up to a player like Api than going to Parra and playing behind a nobody. SMH.

 

[Modman]

We had Galvin, Luai, and Latu before. 3 halves.

Galvin left leaving us short on backup halves as they promoted Latu. Madden is signed so we are back at 3 halves. Javon Andrews will not play NRL and I don't think he is even on a top 30 deal, so it's not detracting from the cap or roster spots.

There is literally no one to play half if Latu or Luai went down if Doueihi doesn't sign on again. We don't even know if Doueihi will sign and even if he does, he only wants one year. We need a half that's played a few first grade games as cover.

Why is this controversial?

I would of kept Bud considering we're paying 80% of the freight. . Can see improvement in the young man with some good coaching. Seem to be a player Wayne didn't mind playing.