You do know it’s the NRL, not the over 30’s competition?
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
- Start date
tigahhh
Well-known member
alright who’s chipping in
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Riccio & Read just confirmed on today's Triple M podcast that Nathan Brown to Tigers WON'T be happening.
Nathan Brown is a big asset when he is at or close to his best, but him being at or close to his best is becoming less frequent with each year that goes by.
IF we keep Jack Bird I think he has to become our ball playing 13 option and if we decide to offliad him the two options to replace him in that lower tier price range would have to be Adam Elliott or Kalani Going.
I don’t mind Jack Bird and I don’t think we used him properly as a ball playing 13 in 2025, so I’m happy to keep him if we are going to focus on him playing that style.
I would also be happy if he was replaced by either Adam Elliott or Kalani Gojng as I think they could both potentially be valuable contributors as a ball playing 13.
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HUNT 101
Well-known member
Good, hate Manly hopefully he continues his sh.t coaching record..
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Just having cold sweats about Bird defending in the middle after Sam Tuivaiti knocked him flying in the Eels game this season lol Maybe the extra 5-6kg he has reportedly put on this off-season will help.
That aside his defence was generally solid, I think it was more his attacking game that was a disappointment, particularly after scoring that try running a nice line in our final trial game before the 2025 season commenced.
He never looked like he really knew what his role was in attack and was always going to be ineffective when used as a one our battering ram.
Not sure if that was a Jack Bird problem or a coaching problem, but I do recall one game near the end of the season where he come off the bench and stated digging into the line as a 1st receiver. He done this well and our teams attack looked much better for it, so not sure why that was not happening from the start of the season ?
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
We will be competing the the dragons in the o35s cup at this rate
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
I’ve always thought Elliot would be a solid addition, he won’t break the bank and isn’t on the retirement bed yet
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
Could also help our NRLW team if he can get Millie to the tigers too
Riccio is a joke!
At anywhere near his best he would be a big help to our defensive line speed, defensive physicality, would add more leg speed with his carries and would add a genuine 1st reciever ball playing option.
I suppose the question is how badly broken down is his body ?
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I have a feeling that Benji will just play him as an edge utility this season. Unless he brains it, his papers are stamped and will just see out 2026 with us.
I reckon Benji will want more long-term options rotating at lock, maybe AD with Sione or Twal or Seyfarth or even Adam Elliott if he joins (which would likely be a 2-year deal).
We don't have many edge utilities (backrowers who can play centre) except Solo Saukuru (Mav Geyer & Sam Fainu have covered at centre previously but not ideal).
Tito Santana
Well-known member
Ok who would you realistically recommend? We have no depth at any of those positions and Ive just recommended three representative players.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
That’s good. I like Brown, but not what we need when we are carrying Bunty and Hunt.
Possibly, but Jack Bird looked very slow in his couple of stints in the centres for us in 2025, you would think packing on an extra 5 or so kilos would only slow him down even more at his age ?
This being the case I’m not sure if he will be a realistic option to even be a fill in playing centre for us in 2026.
Although not perfect I think KPP will be a suitable player to switch to the centres if injuries occur throughout a game in 2026.
100% agree with you we need better depth in the positions you have identified, but I don’t think ageing players well into their 30’s is the answer.
innsaneink
Well-known member
Any context to this?
I’m sure some keen observers would be thinking why would Vicious suggest KPP as a fill in centre if he’s concerned about his lack of pace as a edge second rower ?
My answer to that question is my observations of watching KPP quite closely this season is he lacks explosive speed off the mark that someone like Jacob Preston demonstrates quite regularly, however KPP looks to be fast enough once he hits his stride.
That being the case I think he could capably fill in as a centre, be a bit of an attacking threat given a bit of time and space and I have no concerns about his lateral defence based on what I’ve seen of him.
crazycat
Well-known member
Wow, this came out of nowhere:
Rival club tipped to pounce after gun player granted immediate release from Panthers
The Panthers have signed two other young fullbacks from rival clubs. Read more here.
Jake Attard has been released from Penrith.
I honestly don't know. Bula's issues were that he seemed to be "too rookie" as a fullback. He could threaten the line and he could cross for tries. But he did not seem to have a NRL brain and his game management could be better. I can't see any of this improving with a Junior and no idea if this Junior is going to reserve grade or first grade...
