Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tom Shines]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

Richo must have been taking him for lunch

 

[magpies forever]

Not as strange as the Raiders signing Brailey when they have Starling and Pattie.

And also apparently Daine Laurie from Panthers.

 

[The Chad]

believe tyran smith was at concord yesterday , looks after a few players

In the same thread that mentioned Albert Hopoate being released & previously suggesting Talakai from the Sharks might be available....

Both could be smart additions along with Jack Hetherington.....or maybe RCG on a 1 year deal if he is cut free?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Doesn't he manage Payne Haas 😉😎

Yes but also manages Morgan Harper lol and Taylan May is in Tyran's stable (via manager Ahmed Merhi)
Others off contract on his books include Albert Hopoate & Sifa Talakai

 

[426Tlgerland]

Talakai would be a great get , along with another similar quality , great back ups and push for first grade keep all on their toes

 

[Wiz]

Talakai would be a great get , along with another similar quality , great back ups and push for first grade keep all on their toes

My number 1 for who we should sign. Because he can play middle, edge, and centre, having him on the bench allows you to also carry a hooker on the bench so we can rest and get more impact from Api.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Personally I see the addition of Fonua-Blake as a game changer this season for the Sharks …particularly in the finals after a very poor post season record recently… Now guys of his quality don’t grow on trees …. But Wests Tigers acquiring someone similar should be the goal in my view…

Vicious had listed his depth players he wanted to acquire …so I understood who he was referring too..

Not a snowflakes chance in hell we land or even target anyone close to the price or calibre of Fonua-Blake IMO and here is why ...

- Richo & Benji believe we have close to the squad to contend over the coming seasons. Just need to recruit to fill 'gaps' in the roster targeting certain positions & player qualities (defensive effort, line speed). KPP has been one.

- When have we ever landed a big name recruit except Luai! We are currently not a 'destination' club and are reliant on Benji & current stock to attract players, along with players not getting the opportunity they desire at current club.

- Benji is big on faith in his 'favourite' players. He sees Terrell as our pack leader so will not usurp him with a higher $$$ prop. He has faith in Fonua Pole & will have confidence in him improving his deficiencies to become the starter #10 we need.

- Our current regime in Richo, Benji, Gallant know that we elite quality in Bula, Taylan, Latu, Samuela & Pole developing & Makasini, Godinet, Haywood, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr & Javon Andrews coming through.

I think many on here have nailed it saying we need an experienced #13 , a big-bodied prop with experience who has a defensive mindset & a depth outside back who can fill-in at centre or wing in the NRL without much lost.

It seems we are looking at players aged under 30 who have the desire & leadership qualities to improve our squad.

Would not surprise if the likes of off contract types Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu & Albert Hopoate are being spoken to & we are waiting to see if the likes of Josh Curran & Ray Stone are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.

 

[tigahhh]

Not a snowflakes chance in hell we land or even target anyone close to the price or calibre of Fonua-Blake IMO and here is why ...

- Richo & Benji believe we have close to the squad to contend over the coming seasons. Just need to recruit to fill 'gaps' in the roster targeting certain positions & player qualities (defensive effort, line speed). KPP has been one.

- When have we ever landed a big name recruit except Luai! We are currently not a 'destination' club and are reliant on Benji & current stock to attract players, along with players not getting the opportunity they desire at current club.

- Benji is big on faith in his 'favourite' players. He sees Terrell as our pack leader so will not usurp him with a higher $$$ prop. He has faith in Fonua Pole & will have confidence in him improving his deficiencies to become the starter #10 we need.

- Our current regime in Richo, Benji, Gallant know that we elite quality in Bula, Taylan, Latu, Samuela & Pole developing & Makasini, Godinet, Haywood, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr & Javon Andrews coming through.

I think many on here have nailed it saying we need an experienced #13 , a big-bodied prop with experience who has a defensive mindset & a depth outside back who can fill-in at centre or wing in the NRL without much lost.

It seems we are looking at players aged under 30 who have the desire & leadership qualities to improve our squad.

Would not surprise if the likes of off contract types Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu & Albert Hopoate are being spoken to & we are waiting to see if the likes of Josh Curran & Ray Stone are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.

spot on as always BWG. i think if an experienced prop/13 that fits the character of the club comes up benji & richo will move for them, won’t be a marquee signing but one that can set standards and help lead our young forward pack. otherwise they are comfortable with where the squad is at. our team is still the youngest in the NRL, any experienced heads added will only help lift the young ones.

 

[Tiger_claws]

Albert Hoppa has been released from the Raiders. He's better than most of the outside backs we have in KOE. Is he worth a shot with his injury history?

Yep. We should be at least expressing an interest.

 

[Tom Shines]

Not a snowflakes chance in hell we land or even target anyone close to the price or calibre of Fonua-Blake IMO and here is why ...

- Richo & Benji believe we have close to the squad to contend over the coming seasons. Just need to recruit to fill 'gaps' in the roster targeting certain positions & player qualities (defensive effort, line speed). KPP has been one.

- When have we ever landed a big name recruit except Luai! We are currently not a 'destination' club and are reliant on Benji & current stock to attract players, along with players not getting the opportunity they desire at current club.

- Benji is big on faith in his 'favourite' players. He sees Terrell as our pack leader so will not usurp him with a higher $$$ prop. He has faith in Fonua Pole & will have confidence in him improving his deficiencies to become the starter #10 we need.

- Our current regime in Richo, Benji, Gallant know that we elite quality in Bula, Taylan, Latu, Samuela & Pole developing & Makasini, Godinet, Haywood, Taupau-Moors, Havea Jr & Javon Andrews coming through.

I think many on here have nailed it saying we need an experienced #13 , a big-bodied prop with experience who has a defensive mindset & a depth outside back who can fill-in at centre or wing in the NRL without much lost.

It seems we are looking at players aged under 30 who have the desire & leadership qualities to improve our squad.

Would not surprise if the likes of off contract types Jack Hetherington, Lazarus Vaalepu & Albert Hopoate are being spoken to & we are waiting to see if the likes of Josh Curran & Ray Stone are surplus to requirements at their current clubs.

Try to Find the next AFB on the cheap … amazing a shitty side like the Sharks already paying Nicho a million a year can afford him though

Richo and Benji can tell us what they publicly think about the squad …. I dont know what they really believe … Time will tell if they are correct or as Richo says they might be “waving goodbye “ in two years time

 

[2041]

Of course… we definitely couldn’t afford his pay packet for 2026… but I would liike to find the next AFB… because I don’t see the next AFB already at the club …I assume you agree ?

This will probably involve paying some reasonable coin for someone who has been around a couple of years and is on the way up …Id be guessing around $500k- $600k? This is more than “depth “ money obviously

nb - I thought the player that Madge stopped us signing last year was Hethrington?

We'd all like to sign million dollar players for half that but identifying who that might be is the hard bit. I don't know what Utoikamanu took to go to the Storm but if it's true that we offered $825k I can't imagine it's much less than $750k - and he only started justifying that at the back end of the season. If we'd signed him on that money most of the people on here would have been whingeing on about how they're sick of paying for potential and why can't we get players who can perform NOW.

The bottom line is that if you want to get million dollar players for half that you have to see something in them that the rest of the comp is missing or be making something of a gamble on potential. The former is just not reliable. Actually, I'd argue that the club thinks KPP might be one of the former: he hasn't done a great deal for the Knights and we obviously think there's untapped potential in there - he's the direct opposite of Isaiah Papali'i, who came here on the same sort of money at the absolute top of his value and promptly did dick.

Generally, what you're getting for your $500-600k is a $500-600k player (if you're lucky - there are plenty who've signed those kind of deals after best-ever seasons and promptly gone back to being $300k plodders; I feel like we've had half of them). And who are those players in today's game? Damien Cook, Moses Suli, Jaydn Su'a, Jai Arrow, Campbell Graham. Those kind of people. Good first graders on their peak form contracts. Stick any of them in our team next year and we might go up the ladder, what, one spot?

Hetherington was definitely mentioned more but I'm pretty sure we were named in connection with Willison, too. I wish we'd got him!

 

[Tom Shines]

The bottom line is that if you want to get million dollar players for half that then the rest of the comp is missing them?

Yeah maybe .., or they get lucky
But that’s what it will take to turn this team into a premiership ( Top4) contender in the next 2-3 years

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Try to Find the next AFB on the cheap … amazing a shitty side like the Sharks already paying Nicho a million a year can afford him though

Richo and Benji can tell us what they publicly think about the squad …. I dont know what they really believe … Time will tell if they are correct or as Richo says they might be “waving goodbye “ in two years time

Live by the sword, die by the sword as they say.

For me, I like the fact they are showing faith in both the playing & staff roster which brings stability. That faith is coming from the top down (Board, CEO) which is what this club has lacked since, well forever!

The Sharks are an example of this and are trying to become a champion team not a team of champions. Yes Nicho & AFB take up $2M+in cap space between them but look how many lower value players are playing above their value. That is what we need to become!

 

[Tom Shines]

Live by the sword, die by the sword as they say.

For me, I like the fact they are showing faith in both the playing & staff roster which brings stability. That faith is coming from the top down (Board, CEO) which is what this club has lacked since, well forever!

The Sharks are an example of this and are trying to become a champion team not a team of champions. Yes Nicho & AFB take up $2M+in cap space between them but look how many lower value players are playing above their value. That is what we need to become!

I want to live a little … it’s been a while

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

So much next year is going to hinge on Benji getting Pole and Hunt to play close to their ceilings (they were both way off this year), getting slightly more out of Sione Fainu and developing Kit into a quality prop who can play 30-40 minutes 10 games per year and not let anyone down.

don't trust Pole based on his seasons towards end of year. His first few games back from injury you can understand, but some of his latter efforts were just lazy plays and not concentrating.... Hope I am wrong and they get him focussed and consistently see his end of Y2024 start of Y2025 season form.
I reckon Kit will come up to the mark.. we need one more (purchase).

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

In the same thread that mentioned Albert Hopoate being released & previously suggesting Talakai from the Sharks might be available....

Both could be smart additions along with Jack Hetherington.....or maybe RCG on a 1 year deal if he is cut free?

word was RCG off to UK. Based on his end of season form , a very big NO THANK YOU.

 

[Tigerwould]

Where are Manly getting all this money from to buy players, would have love Moale in tigers colours. Richo is delusional if he thinks our squad can win a flag in a couple of years

There big contact players are going.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

In the same thread that mentioned Albert Hopoate being released & previously suggesting Talakai from the Sharks might be available....

Both could be smart additions along with Jack Hetherington.....or maybe RCG on a 1 year deal if he is cut free?

Jack Hetherington may be a chance if his player connections have anything to do with it.

He was in the same age group & NYC team at the Panthers as Luai. Api would know him from 2020 there too. So if the captains rate him as a person, I'm sure Benji will listen.

 

[Squater]

Of course I hate losing ! it burns my soul . But I see no purpose in passive aggressive , underhanded , soft comments . Most games after we lose I’m like Madge , doing everything I can to not put holes in the wall. But once I’m settled mentally , I rewatch most games , and try and be fair and square and objective . I know this game . It’s not very complicated if you’ve spent much time in an open age footy team , let alone a higher level one .
I personally find it weak . It’s criticism with zero constructive element —- so bitching and whinging ! And the justification in bitching whinging , when criticised for it by others , is “you like mediocrity” … which is like doubling down on your bitching whinging , so now you’re justifying it with more bitching and whinging . For me I prefer to concentrate on what I see are areas for growth , and participate in conversations around that . Whether it be , where the improvement in the squad is coming from , or whatever.
I think Benji has done a great job .
We were being run as a vanity project for 2 imbeciles , one ex afl dickhead , and a fedora wearing ambulance chaser.
There was no attention to detail . Whether it be the members pack , or the players we recruit or whatever, even they bullshitted around members numbers . This toxic culture whilst it may have seemed similar to the “white and black is better than oranger and black” or “a feline is better than a bird” , it wasn’t similar at all , but rather we’d let ineptitude seep into the walls . Which early doors the issues was we couldn’t make any decisions without a committee and a bunch of blokes arguing . That shifted to 2 outsiders running the club into the ground IMO.
So we tried it with first with sheens , and unfortunately for him , Father Time remains undefeated , and for many reasons he didn’t have it anymore (despite what Tony Adam’s and his mates now at manly might tell everyone) , and then we had to go with Benji . Which i think will turn out the only smart decision those dipshits will have ever made … and they did it because they thought it would be a publicity stunt to kick the can down the road a few more years for themselves … .
I think I’ve explained where I’m at now mentally . And it’s a healthy place . I’m not happy clapping. But I’m also not putting all the negative energy into the universe you see from guys like gunner , and that fraud from Townsville , whenever they haven’t taken thier antidepressants or are on here stirring shit .
I’m resilient . I don’t quit easy …

Speaking of fedora i was having a great lunch with mates today and I look to the next table and there he was. Took every nerve i had not to give this Muppet a spray.. I even started to chew the table cloth to stop myself from telling him what a muppet i thought he was.

Talk about spoiling someone lunch. I still have heartburn. Gave the restaurant owner a spray too for letting the prick in. Talk about lowering the standards.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Who do we think will be our players in the upcoming internationals?

Richo mentioned 7 likely & I think it will be these with Samuela possibly a smokey.

AUSTRALIA: 0
NEW ZEALAND: 0
ENGLAND: 1 Kai Pearce-Paul
SAMOA: 3 Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Taylan May
TONGA: 0 (Latu Fainu injured, Fonua Pole too many props ahead of him, Samuela maybe has too many ahead of him)
PNG: 0
Cook Islands: 0 (I doubt Reuben Porter stays on our list)
Fiji: 3 Api Koroisau, Tino Turuva, Jahream Bula