Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

BlackWhiteGold said:
He was behind a stacked pack tbh at the Warriors. Best player in NSW Cup arguably for multiple years. Brings experience, leadership & hunger to get an opportunity. If he was coming, it wouldn't be on big dollars and he's the sort of player who could help mentor Siotame Havea Jr in that position.

Here is his Cup stats ... https://www.warriors.kiwi/teams/nsw-cup/new-zealand-warriors-nsw-cup/kalani-going/
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How do we know this "he's the sort of player who could help mentor Siotame Havea Jr in that position." - does he have the skills or interest to his.
 
Nonotmeagain said:
How do we know this "he's the sort of player who could help mentor Siotame Havea Jr in that position." - does he have the skills or interest to his.
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Was captain on the premiership-winning Cup team this year, 28yo, have seen some comments on socials from Warriors fans disappointed with his departure due to the example & leadership he sets for the young guys. Plus if Benji did sign him, I'd say there is a bloody good chance he's got a good character & leadership traits.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Same manager Mr Mario Tartak, easy peasy David Campese! Don't mind this tbh.
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Brown was playing great for the Sea Eagles in 2024, but his form fell off a cliff in 2025.
At age 32 he could now be past it as his body has taken a battering over the years.
I would prefer Kalani Going as a back row option and tell Manly to buy Jack Bird’s contract outright if they want him.
Benji would have played with Nathan Brown wouldn’t he ? Probably at Wests Tigers when Briwn was very young and were they at Souths at the same time ?
I fit and firing Nathan Brown would be ok for 12 months, but I find it hard to believe his body is in good shape when not running the ball near as hard as he used to in 2025.
 
Seems like it makes sense for everyone although Brown certainly wouldn’t be on ‘similar’ money to Bird. Probably have to continue to pay him $100k or so next for 2026 I’d guess
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
He was behind a stacked pack tbh at the Warriors. Best player in NSW Cup arguably for multiple years. Brings experience, leadership & hunger to get an opportunity. If he was coming, it wouldn't be on big dollars and he's the sort of player who could help mentor Siotame Havea Jr in that position.

Here is his Cup stats ... https://www.warriors.kiwi/teams/nsw-cup/new-zealand-warriors-nsw-cup/kalani-going/
Click to expand...

I can hear Dan Ginnane now. "Going. Going. Goooone!"
 
SMH: Tigers, Sea Eagles veterans could make shock player swap

League veterans Jack Bird and Nathan Brown are considering a surprise player swap.

Bird and Brown are contracted to Wests Tigers and Manly, respectively, until the end of 2026. However, the pair – who have both represented the NSW Blues – are open to an immediate switch that has the potential to benefit both parties.

The Sea Eagles have already plugged a hole in their pack with the signing of St George Illawarra prop Viliami Fifita. Fifita made four NRL appearances for the Dragons, but is going back to Manly, where he spent his formative years.

The Sea Eagles have been short on middle forwards, but the signing of Fifita, the expected re-signing of two-time premiership winning front-rower Siua Taukeiaho and the return from injury of Taniela Paseka will bolster the pack for 2026.

Manly have also signed South Sydney prop Davvy Moale from 2027, although the club is exploring the prospect of him joining immediately. That move would help free up funds for the Rabbitohs to complete the signing of enigmatic Titan David Fifita.

The arrival of Viliami Fifta and potentially Moale during the summer could give Manly the flexibility to consider Bird, who is capable of playing in the centres, halves, as an edge or middle forward, or off the bench. The Tigers have given the 30-year-old – who has made 173 NRL appearances with the Sharks, Broncos, Dragons and Tigers – permission to explore his options.

Should Bird head to the northern beaches, the Tigers could get Brown in return. Brown began his NRL career at the joint venture, making a single first-grade appearance before establishing himself as an enforcer during stints at the Rabbitohs, Eels, Roosters and Sea Eagles.

The hard-running back-rower has been a crowd favourite at Brookvale, where he is known for fearless kick-off returns. His aggression could bolster an improving Tigers pack in which Terrell May was nominated for Dally M prop of the year in his first season at the club.

There is a discrepancy between the contract value of Bird and Brown for next year, but it is not considered insurmountable. The Sea Eagles have just extended the contract of Aaron Schoupp and are working through delicate negotiations to extend the deals of Tom and Jake Trbojevic.

There is also a cloud over the Tigers’ biggest stars, with the futures of Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula unclear. Both players have options in their contracts that could make them free agents from November 1. Bula’s contract options go both ways, meaning the Tigers can retain him, should they choose, at a price of about $900,000 for 2027.
 
Vicious said:
- Adding a depth middle such as Fletcher Baker should help keep the players in our top 17 honest.
There have been quite a few other good suggestions on this forum as a potential middle depth forward recruit, so plenty of options other than Baker.
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I've come around to your suggestion @Vicious after watching Fletcher Baker in the National Cup Final on Sunday. Even though Burleigh was put to the sword by the Warriors, Baker held his own in the middle and showed some subtleties with ball in hand (and even foot) for a prop even a line-break.

Would be good depth (and has some attacking qualities that I think would suit us) with his best still to come in his career. Certainly not a starting prop but would do a job if injuries hit.
 
Brown for Bird on the surface is a nothing for nothing type of trade.

I doubt either are planned to feature in the starting 17 come 2026.

This seems like more of a leadership play, bringing Brown in to help the young guys like Kit, Pole and CTM develop. Kit actually has a very similar game to Brown. Hard running middle who can ball play a little bit.

Similar money, same length of deal. His body is broken down, but so is Birds. At the very least he can do a job for a few games if injuries and suspensions hit.
 
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