Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yes correct … there is an offseason to come though and Latu is still young and improving …

If AD is still the best option in 2026 than keep him there … however I think the sooner Latu is the best option at the position the better for the club ..

Another thing is Latu seems a respectful young lad unlike the impatient wonder boy that left us.

Don't think he will have a problem of taking time and learning the 7 craft, the kind of young player you want at the club.

 

[Tom Shines]

Another thing is Latu seems a respectful young lad unlike the impatient wonder boy that left us.

Don't think he will have a problem of taking time and learning the 7 craft, the kind of young player you want at the club.

Yes …and they are able to take their time compared with Galvin ..

But I still think he should be given the opportunity to win the position… he is at the age and we hope the talent level where a big improvement can happen in his game within a short time …

Until that happens though, then keep him at 14…. Moving Latu to starting 13 would be something I wouldn’t particularly favour though … he needs to concentrate on learning the halves role

 

[Mccarry]

100% that is where the deficiency lies. I outlined in the deep dive how I see the May/AD thing working. May could well play 13 as he has all of the skill but looking at the way our "style" is coming along I see AD as a link to get both JL and Latu wider as required and May as the cue for ad lib second phase play with Api up his bum and Luia trailing.

To me Royce has clearly been struggling with and injury and that is a problem for us - we need at least one more to gut us the momentum to really make this work. Get them on the back foot, May with a late offload agaisnt a retreating defence - cue Api to JL in broken field with Bula and the other May pushing up in support and Sam F running na inside shoulder line just waiting to be hit.

Your posts are fantastic. I click on you just to see recent contributions to make sure I don’t miss anything

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yes …and they are able to take their time compared with Galvin ..

But I still think he should be given the opportunity to win the position… he is at the age and we hope the talent level where a big improvement can happen in his game within a short time …

Until that happens though, then keep him at 14…. Moving Latu to starting 13 would be something I wouldn’t particularly favour though … he needs to concentrate on learning the halves role

I have faith that Benji will know when he's ready to take the 7 role from AD, I think Benji has a smart head on his shoulders although a lot of us had doubts there for a while lol.

 

[weststigers]

What is the latest on Trey Mooney , he would add to our team

He has signed with Newcastle.

Tip for those asking about players they are hopeful we sign. A Google search would have answered this question.

 

[Vicious]

I have faith that Benji will know when he's ready to take the 7 role from AD, I think Benji has a smart head on his shoulders although a lot of us had doubts there for a while lol.

I think he’s quickly learned not to let talented young players get too far ahead of themselves.

 

[weststigerman]

It’s just “the grass is greener” thought mentality. Combined with the dopamine hit provided when you buy something . Like a new player.
I will say this neither Jojo or star can possibly think they’re anything other than a caretaker for that centre position. They’re just keeping it warm for whichever of May or Makasini can make the jump from left to right.
And whichever side has Makasini that sides eventual winger will be Lualilii .
Even Skelton is 26 surprisingly .

I think both May and Makasini will play on the left. Benji indicated as much in the post game presser.

Turuva will definitely be one winger, and we still need a right side centre who at the moment will be To’a.

 

[Vicious]

Yes …and they are able to take their time compared with Galvin ..

But I still think he should be given the opportunity to win the position… he is at the age and we hope the talent level where a big improvement can happen in his game within a short time …

Until that happens though, then keep him at 14…. Moving Latu to starting 13 would be something I wouldn’t particularly favour though … he needs to concentrate on learning the halves role

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

 

[Vicious]

I assume you are talking 5th tackle clearing kicks … if Latu doesn’t improve this part of his game …cant AD still kick with 13 on his back ?

What 13’s in the NRL do you see regularly kick on the 5th tackle ?

 

[jrtiger]

He has signed with Newcastle.

Tip for those asking about players they are hopeful we sign. A Google search would have answered this question.

hasn’t been confirmed by the club and according to Zero Tackle, which is a shaky source at the best of times, it hinges on AOB still being at the club, which at this point is up in the air.

a Google search would’ve cleared this up for you.

 

[weststigers]

hasn’t been confirmed by the club and according to Zero Tackle, which is a shaky source at the best of times, it hinges on AOB still being at the club, which at this point is up in the air.

a Google search would’ve cleared this up for you.

Yes that's correct, but the Knights haven't said anything about AOB, so he has agreed to terms provided he is happy with the coach.

The poster is interested if we are in the mix and the news reports show we are not. I doubt he cares where he lands unless it's with us.

Love your sassiness and passion though.

 

[Tom Shines]

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

if Latu is the best option to play in the halves with Luai…he will be playing there .. he has barely been given game time there yet ( literally a couple of games ) so he at least deserves more opportunity… he may prove to be a quick learner

 

[Tom Shines]

What 13’s in the NRL do you see regularly kick on the 5th tackle ?

You didn’t appear to have answered my question…
at least you have moved on from your previous obsession with putting Sam F in the middle though

 

[Vicious]

You didn’t appear to have answered my question…
at least you have moved on from your previous obsession with putting Sam F in the middle though

13’s are generally too tired from their defensive workload in the middle to do any general play kicking.
We have 400 edge back rowers on our books for next season, no chance we are signing any more.
In saying that if we somehow managed to offload Jack Bird at full freight and replaced him with Talakai from the Sharks as our number 15, that would be good business and a good upgrade.

 

[Tom Shines]

We have 400 edge back rowers on our books for next season, no chance we are signing any more.
In saying that if we somehow managed to offload Jack Bird at full freight and replaced him with Talakai from the Sharks as our number 15, that would be good business and a good upgrade.

Which do you prefer - the team winning games or thinking up ways to churn the bottom of the squad ?

 

[king_sirro]

It’s a good argument as to whether a young player such as Latu can develop his game more by being a regular number 14 for a couple of years, or regularly playing 80mins in NSW Cup.
Put it this way I think Latu is happy and content while playing our number 14 role for the time being, I reckon if we put him back to NSW Cup he would be very unhappy.
I don’t think he loses touch of playing in the halves by being our 14, as he will still be playing in the halves sporadically, he will surely be spending plenty of time in the halves at training and just being in and around a team that hopefully keeps improving will be a great thing for his confidence.

Ben Hunt progressed this way

 

[Vicious]

Which do you prefer - the team winning games or thinking up ways to churn the bottom of the squad ?

I’ve got no idea what you mean ?
Winning games is the aim of the game and I still believe we lack pace across our top 17 and lack a bit of grunt in the forwards.
There have been recent reports that the Sharks are willing to offload Talakai due to their own salary cap constraints. If that is true, surely we are trying to find a way to sign him as he would be a versatile, more mobile, aggressive, power ball running option on our bench.
Then add a good quality middle and a speedy outside back option to at least pressure for a starting spot and we would at least look to be a top 8, potential top 4 team on paper.

 

[innsaneink]

I think the offloading Bird story has been embellished by the media somewhat & the Hunt story (via one UK media platform that doesn't have the best strike-rate) is probably a journo putting 1 and 1 together and getting 3. This is how I see it, purely opinion ...

Bird has been informed he won't be extended beyond next season. The club has informed him he can explore his options and if he finds a longer deal, the club is willing to release him but I doubt the club will chip in much $$$ for this if any. However the club is also willing to retain him as per his contract.

I highly doubt Hunt is being shopped. For one, I believe Hunt has been playing injured which has had an impact on his output. If the club can get his body healthy ready for a full pre-season, I reckon Benji will back himself to get the output out of Royce they want. Secondly, no other club is likely to take Royce for 2 seasons on anywhere close to the $$$ he is on for us and I highly doubt Richo would chip in $150k-$200k each year for him to play elsewhere when we have a fair load to pay for Bud Sullivan.

Yep two weeks til off sesson for us...more than likely...anyway i would.hope Hunt and the club can get himself right over aummer...adress any injuries and come back better next year....
He was good for us early in the year...needs a fair go...hes got more to offer i reckon

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Yep two weeks til off sesson for us...more than likely...anyway i would.hope Hunt and the club can get himself right over aummer...adress and injuries and come back better next year....
He was good for us early in the year...needs a fair go

This is the way we should go can't see the point of cutting loose the big body we need in our pack, if he's had a lot of niggles than give the benefit of the doubt.

But he needs to work hard over the off season and trim down to where he needs to be to provide impact plus improved minutes.

 

[Tom Shines]

.

Ben Hunt progressed this way

And Katoa has taken a different route being thrown into the position at 18… everyone takes a different path