Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[wstigers11]

We aren’t gonna make finals without an established fullback. Clearly he’s not staying. The club’s planning of this has been poor and short-sighted.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Is the defence our problem?

It’s the broncos

 

[old_man_tiger]

I would love to see Brookes have a huge 2026.
Once Bula is announced anywhere hopefully he gives us his best for 2026. I am in the "something doesnt seem right" camp, but not vitriolic towards him

 

[supercoach]

If only we could get a coach who can develop talent like Webster.
Oh wait, we let him go

Being in a one team country with a never ending supply of massive sized athletes helps, but yes Webster always showed signs he could coach and we should never had let him walk

 

[clontarfkid]

Being in a one team country with a never ending supply of massive sized athletes helps, but yes Webster always showed signs he could coach and we should never had let him walk

Same goes for Gardiner tbh
Both probably saw Sheens blocking their path

 

[Plato]

I wish he was given a go at fullback in the pre-season. In at least 2 games I've seen him play at fullback (trial last year v Dogs & Flegg), he looks very natural at the back. Obviously good in the air and whilst he doesn't have the explosive speed of some fullbacks, he has an uncanny ability to beat the 1st man with his feet. Silky passing skills too which haven't really been exposed in grade yet on the wing. I know Benji likes his fullbacks to have elite level cardio fitness so maybe this is an area Tino has to improve.

He would be up against it on the wing this week marking Dallin W-Z on one side and Roger T-S on the other, and Bula plays 80 minutes easily so I don't know why he's there unless it's for the experience.

 

[Tom Shines]

Being in a one team country with a never ending supply of massive sized athletes helps, but yes Webster always showed signs he could coach and we should never had let him walk

Yet the team have been around 30 years - zero premierships … he seems to be a good coach … took them from 15th to 4th in his first year …although he is finding the next few steps to a title are tough…

 

[Lestronge]

Common denominator
Good.ol.Madge

To be fair though … Ben Teo isn’t Renowned for being the ultimate team guy. He’s pretty much Wayne Bennetts Sistine Chapel in getting buy in from a guy who 99 times out of 100 is a cautionary tale for shit attitude .

 

[supercoach]

We have a bit of a problem with Bula. We have about three kids who potentially could be very good fullbacks in a couple of years, but short term are not nearly ready. There are a few good options at other clubs, one that comes to mind is Stewart at the Raiders who is being held back by Weeks. The trouble is, if you sign a outsider your blocking the pathway for one of own kids.

Previously I have advocated to take up Bula’s option, than would give us time to get one of the kids up to speed, Iam now thinking just get him out of the joint and move on if he knocks us back

 

[Crucible]

If Bula was staying he would have signed by now. Based on his last 20 games he is a $600k player (tops) and of course we all know who his Manager is. For that reason alone we should punt him.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

He would be up against it on the wing this week marking Dallin W-Z on one side and Roger T-S on the other, and Bula plays 80 minutes easily so I don't know why he's there unless it's for the experience.

It seem's Benji's bench strategy is to have 1 winger/centre on there to cover an injury if it happens (Turuva moves to fullback if it's Bula). Tavana may have the gig this week as a rotation with Herbert if Benji rates them similar (and then the other can get reps in Cup).

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

We aren’t gonna make finals without an established fullback. Clearly he’s not staying. The club’s planning of this has been poor and short-sighted.

Moses has screwed the club over once again with Bula, just like he did with Galvin, Moses, Woods and Tedesco......we are dumb for not seeing this coming once Bula appointed Moses as his manager(on Glavins advice).....The club should get rid of all Moses clients....Godinet is next!.

 

[Oldman]

“We have about three kids who potentially could be very good fullbacks in a couple of years”, but short term are not nearly ready.

Potentially i think every young fella in our system could end up very good, unfortunately not many make the NRL Level.
And as we have seen over the last 12 months you can do all the developing and the kids go and sign with another team.
Galvin, TDS & Luke.L

Don’t know what the answer is to help teams keep their development players and stop other teams from poaching them when they are finally ready for the NRL ?

 

[Tom Shines]

“We have about three kids who potentially could be very good fullbacks in a couple of years”, but short term are not nearly ready.

Potentially i think every young fella in our system could end up very good, unfortunately not many make the NRL Level.
And as we have seen over the last 12 months you can do all the developing and the kids go and sign with another team.
Galvin, TDS & Luke.L

Don’t know what the answer is to help teams keep their development players and stop other teams from poaching them when they are finally ready for the NRL ?

Unfortunately the kids you mention wanted to leave …. Although TDS didn’t want to play second fiddle any more … the kid has got to want to stay at the end of the day

 

[Tom Shines]

Is anyone like me and is actually getting pretty bored with the daily Bula contract insights?

He is not worth the attention I think … they will move on from him pretty quick

 

[wstigers11]

Moses has screwed the club over once again with Bula, just like he did with Galvin, Moses, Woods and Tedesco......we are dumb for not seeing this coming once Bula appointed Moses as his manager(on Glavins advice).....The club should get rid of all Moses clients....Godinet is next!.

If they were smart about it we could’ve organised an upgrade to Bula a year ago when more players were available. Now we have slim pickings for 2027. Either kids in our system who are too green or an external placeholder that will just do a job. This club isn’t serious about playing finals I swear

 

[Tom Shines]

If they were smart about it we could’ve organised an upgrade to Bula a year ago when more players were available. Now we have slim pickings for 2027. Either kids in our system who are too green or an external placeholder that will just do a job. This club isn’t serious about playing finals I swear

If he is going to Bulldogs as everyone seems to think …can’t we get their FB for 2 years ,..or Drinkwater for 3? Probably both will come cheaper than Bula …and not a lot of difference lately

 

[wstigers11]

If he is going to Bulldogs as everyone seems to think …can’t we get their FB for 2 years ,..or Drinkwtaer for 3?

Why do you think they are replacing Tracey for Bula? Tracey is great defensively but has zero attacking ability. Critta plays as the fullback in their set plays. Our attack already sucks.
Drinkwater is contracted for 2027 and is already 28. He’ll be almost 30 by the time he gets here.

 

[Tom Shines]

Why do you think they are replacing Tracey for Bula? Tracey is great defensively but has zero attacking ability. Critta plays as the fullback in their set plays. Our attack already sucks.
Drinkwater is contracted for 2027 and is already 28. He’ll be almost 30 by the time he gets here.

I have no idea why they want him to be honest… I think Bula has been average a while now…and I don’t particularly want to pay him a million a year …. Tracey might come about half that but can do a job for 2 years IMO..there is a reason why he is cheaper… but might free up some money to use elsewhere

Drinkwater would be even better … there was a rumour they might be prepared to let him go at the end of this year to accomodate Purdue …

Do you have a better plan rather than lamenting about what has occurred previously ?

 

[magpies forever]

Unfortunately the kids you mention wanted to leave …. Although TDS didn’t want to play second fiddle any more … the kid has got to want to stay at the end of the day

We all knew that with Peth and PNG coming into the comp there would be increased demand for squad fillers from the existing lower grades. WT as one of the larger development clubs were bound to be hit.