Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[weststigerman]

I’d say we are looking to keep Bula, Luai, Api, upgrade May. KPP wouldn’t be cheap. Few of those guys are on overs. Then we have historically overpaid our average backs. And paying a few guys to play elsewhere. Don’t see how we ever had a war chest.

Yeah there is a bit of wastage there.

Just struggle to fathom Burton, Kikau, Galvin, Crichton, Thompson (next year) who would all be on more than $800k when they signed.

At least after next year Bateman’s contract will be a memory.

 

[BAGNF05]

Yeah there is a bit of wastage there.

Just struggle to fathom Burton, Kikau, Galvin, Crichton, Thompson (next year) who would all be on more than $800k when they signed.

At least after next year Bateman’s contract will be a memory.

I think there’s a few Laundys fringe benefits floating around there.

 

[JB9918]

Once Roberts & Doueihi are confirmed that's 29. Taylan to be signed to make 30.

Sullivan will go once Dodd moves on.

Do we really think Naden gets the last spot?

I would be leaning towards another middle.

Taateo surely would get it or the last development spot.

Richos next move is free up a spot or two. Bird maybe? Hunt maybe? The only other one would be Saukuru but he does have potential.

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

Glad AD is staying common sense prevailed, he gets some security and we didn’t overpay. Must be so toxic that he accepted less to stay huh.

 

[weststigerman]

Once Roberts & Doueihi are confirmed that's 29. Taylan to be signed to make 30.

Sullivan will go once Dodd moves on.

Do we really think Naden gets the last spot?

I would be leaning towards another middle.

Taateo surely would get it or the last development spot.

Richos next move is free up a spot or two. Bird maybe? Hunt maybe? The only other one would be Saukuru but he does have potential.

No way we’re keeping Naden.

 

[weststigerman]

We seem to have hit our top 30 very quickly, though I’d like to think both Andrews and Roberts are some kind of development deals.

 

[poopy_diaper]

Chance, Mac. For sure.

Depends on the lock role we're looking at. I don't think a 3rd prop is what Benji is wanting fulltime. He's moved somewhat away from the Pole or Twal at lock-type selections.

Thing is I think Samuela is actually pretty skilful. I imaging he wouldn't be a battering ram provided he was given the freedom to play eyes up a little bit.

But now that Doueihi is (supposedly) re-signed I'm imagining Benji views Doueihi as the 13.

 

[innsaneink]

I’d say we are looking to keep Bula, Luai, Api, upgrade May. KPP wouldn’t be cheap. Few of those guys are on overs. Then we have historically overpaid our average backs. And paying a few guys to play elsewhere. Don’t see how we ever had a war chest.

KPP was very cheap from memory...good deal for us reportedly

 

[rihannafan1]

We seem to have hit our top 30 very quickly, though I’d like to think both Andrews and Roberts are some kind of development deals.

Surely Roberts is outside top 30.

 

[rihannafan1]

They are keeping the value players and leaving money for some BIG plays on November 1.

Richo.and Benji are ambitious.

Big plays such as?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

- Luke Lualii [wing/fullback]
- Starford Toa [centre]
- Krystian Mapapalangi [utility]
- Izaac Tui'tupou [centre/wing]
- Heath Mason [utility]

4 of those are reserve grade players--- maximum

 

[KCtiger]

Big plays such as?

Lots of shit happens come November

This time last year we didn’t even think Terrell was an option

 

[rihannafan1]

Lots of shit happens come November

This time last year we didn’t even think Terrell was an option

Sure, I agree. Just the way Spartan said it made me think he had heard something and I was hoping he'd share.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Doueihi staying along with a few other Moses clients.

Moses is a germ, but maybe Galvin and his dad were the problem with him. Moses just undertook the dirty tactics to get his client what he wanted.

I reckon Moses was still doing Moses things but supply and demand is still a thing.

 

[jrtiger]

Javon Andrews is a top 30 contract, 2026 - 2028

you sure? I’d heard Development 2026, Top 30 2027-28, similar to Haywood and Moors.

 

[88]

Glad AD is staying common sense prevailed, he gets some security and we didn’t overpay. Must be so toxic that he accepted less to stay huh.

Wonder whether we’ll get a positive news article or tv story talking about how a player took less to stay and we are becoming a destination club? Or just crickets from the usual suspects who generally have plenty to say when it’s the opposite?

 

[Wiz]

you sure? I’d heard Development 2026, Top 30 2027-28, similar to Haywood and Moors.

Adel Hage reckons Andrews will be pushing for top 17 next year. He’s seen a lot of him in the Q Cup. I have no idea, just passing on what I heard on his podcast.

 

[crazycat]

with a big preseason, Roberts could rocket into contention. he has huge pedigree.

But he's coming from Easts.
Did we de-worm him? How about the Flea dip...

Those chooks are filthy!

 

[davey_farrell]

Once Roberts & Doueihi are confirmed that's 29. Taylan to be signed to make 30.

Sullivan will go once Dodd moves on.

Do we really think Naden gets the last spot?

I would be leaning towards another middle.

Taateo surely would get it or the last development spot.

Richos next move is free up a spot or two. Bird maybe? Hunt maybe? The only other one would be Saukuru but he does have potential.

not good not to have any spots left, over the summer is when a couple of gems normally pop up..aka Terrell May..to think Royce who wanted to retire is on close to 600k a year playing 15 minutes a game was one crazy bad signing!!!

 

[balmain boy]

To be honest we wouldnt have the top 30 spots for all 3, sounds like people just looking at the last players off contract and guessing...

Current Top 30 for 2026
1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Taylan - I'd guess that we keep him
4. Toa
5. Turuva
6. Luai
7. Latu
8. Terrell
9. Api
10. Twal
11. KPP
12. Samuela
13. Doueihi - DT Rumour
14. Hope - Hooker
15. Sione - Prop
16. Pole - Prop
17. Seyfarth - Prop / Second Row / Lock
18. Bird - Second Row / Lock
19. Hunt - Prop
20. Madden - Halfback
21. Geyer - Second Row
22. Makasini - Centre / Wing
23. Sukkar - Second Row
24. Mason - Five-Eighth / Fullback
25. L. Laulilii - Wing / Centre / Fullback
26. K. Laulilii - Lock
27. Andrews - Half
28. Roberts - Second Row - DT Rumour
29. Saukuru - Centre / Second Row
30. Sullivan - Half


Our Current 6 Dev Spot for 2026
1. Haywood
2. Godinet
3. Taupau-Moors
4. Murray
5. Broederlow
6.

I'd guess we look at moving Sullivan and Saukuru on... if we can do that and Doueihi stays as the 13, Taylan stays at centre and we do sign Roberts, then we would have 2 spots left in the top 30 and 1 dev spot left.

My assumption is with the 1 dev spot we give that to Tavana

With the 2 top 30 spots, my guess is that if no other backs become available, then we do keep one of Naden or Staines.

The other spot needs to go to a prop capable of pushing for a bench spot. We currently have Taateo playing cup who was contracted to Raiders top 30 next year, wouldnt be surprised if it goes to him... but kind of wish we get Mooney or Stone.

I could also see Porter going back to the same train and trial deal he had in 2024, but no real loss if he goes as I see the second row order as it stands being KPP & Samuela > Seyfarth > Geyer / Roberts / Sukkar > Godinet

Edit: Now being reported that Staines is off to Catalans

I doubt Roberts is top 30, Andrews won't be. We should be looking to extend saukuru urgently, he'll be our player of the season in flegg.
I imagine we'll try release Bird, Sullivan obviously too. Porter Naden and Staines all goneski