Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[LiamFulton]

Could madden be an option at 9? With hope a reserve do they can share the duties

cant tackle

 

[innsaneink]

Really he kicks it straight down the players throat, if that’s all he is there for , he’s not worth having him in the team

Remember when everyone was praising his kicking as his biggest asset early in the season, trials...he was finding grass regularly.
Different story now the real tests are happening

 

[innsaneink]

Unfortunately I think they are upgrading from within

We are seeing now we arent really good at this....being a development club...theres a lot of noise and some pretty positive stuff ive read regarding pathways but we always seem to be waiting in this regard

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Everyone saying buy a back up 1 and a 9. Last thing we want to do. Just need to be patient . By seasons end Brookes/ Attard / oitmmam and next season Isdale will be chomping at the bit to get a run at 1, while Haywood will likely be ready end of season for a few games. Latu should get some more games at 9, Reggie’s if needed.
Patience so we don’t jam up with players we don’t need.

 

[Vicious]

Yesterday and last week shows that things aren’t working in the halves …

Madden deserved a couple of chances as he did the job early in the year … but Benji can’t go with the same halves combination again … Latu to starting 7 this week …

Not sure about the 9 though just yet …best option would be signing someone from elsewhere

We scored 3 tries with hardly any ball and not much field position, so I would say the halves were ok from an attacking point of view.
Numbering up and making the right decisions defensively has been a bit of an issue for Jock, whether Latu could potentially come in any improve us in that area is a good question.
Fonua Pole has always been strong ball runner, but very rarely demonstrates high energy and good line speed consistently when defending.
That being the case, why would Benji choose to pair him with a prop in Bunty who has also struggled with defending with high energy and line speed throughout his career ? It was a disaster waiting to happen and although Tristan Hope was clearly substandard, he was forced to do more back to back tackles than he should have been due to being surrounded by two lazy defenders. Once Seyfarth come on we noticeably tightened up in the middle as Seyfarth is not lazy and always does his best to defend with high energy.
Bunty should be a direct replacement for either Fonua Pole or Royce Hunt if they are injured as they are both more like for like replacements, but when Terrell May, Alex Twal or Alex Seyfarth are out, you need solid workers to replace them. We did have Charlie Murray who is a solid worker sitting on the pine and that’s not even getting into the conversation about why Jeral Skelton is consteftcsitting on the pine ?
In light of two straight shillings we obviously need to try something a little different, why not go back to Turuva at right centre with Skelton at right wing.
I know it’s risky, but let’s try Latu at starting halfback and either Charlie Murray or Luke Jack starting at 9. Charlie is a bigger body with good hands and decent ball distribution while Luke Jack also has good hands, decent ball distribution and adds a a bit of craziness with his kamikaze hard hitting defence.
Balance that out with Jock Madden at 14 sharing the dummy half duties and an option to come on at 7 with Latu going to 9 if he does not take control of the game at 7.
Or do we need to keep Madden at 7 due to lack of an alternate goal kicker and give him a last chance tk improve his defence and keep his starting spot at 7 until Doueihi returns ?

 

[weststigerman]

Need to be patient. Don’t lock up 300k and a position, Jaywood is about a month away from being deputy sheriff

He wouldn’t be in Flegg if he was that close.

One of the reasons we have improved is we have experience in key positions.

Haywood is the future but not ready to play big minutes in NRL.

 

[TheEnz]

Everyone saying buy a back up 1 and a 9. Last thing we want to do. Just need to be patient . By seasons end Brookes/ Attard / oitmmam and next season Isdale will be chomping at the bit to get a run at 1, while Haywood will likely be ready end of season for a few games. Latu should get some more games at 9, Reggie’s if needed.
Patience so we don’t jam up with players we don’t need.

some of these kids may be ready at 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 years of age...its hard to tell, if we are going well as a club they will hang around to taste success and perhaps be part of a winning culture. In order to ensure they are given the time they need and still maintain a decent win percentage you need to have serviceable back ups that can come in and do a job....the reality is that if one of those young fellas is banging down the door you can move on that serviceable back up and bring the rookie in. second stringers like Hope or Herbert are not up to it and will likely not be in demand from other clubs if you need to free up a top 30 space mid contract.

 

[Dr_Ice]

Yep there have been a few hip drops missed in the past couple of weeks but as Tucker said Api's tackling technique is poor he often tackles from the side or behind and wraps his legs around. Always going to be contentious.

Yes, Api’s tackles are the definition of a hip drop and the bad technique they are trying to get out of the game.

 

[Dr_Ice]

People calling for Heywood need to chill out. You introduce kids to a team that is travelling okay, with plenty of quality players to bounce off. You don’t throw them into a patched up team that has most of its quality players in rehab, that is really struggling. Heywood will get his chance, but hopefully not now

There have been some young halves all touted as having big futures.

Ward at Souths and Walsh at Manly have filled in with teams going well and have looked good. Poor Reed at the Dragon thrown in after coach is sacked and team still winless, not ideal conditions to show whether he will or won’t make it

 

[batboy]

4:30am every day to go to the gym before work … you?

i cannot take the NRL officiating serious when they award shit like that roosters knock on try

Which has zero to do with Api hip dropping in tackles…

Maybe it’s your Bias to the colour of the jersey…
At least half a dozen times a year I hold my breath after one of his tackles.
It is what it is, pretending it doesn’t happen because he’s our captain doesn’t help anything…

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Yea we might need to sign a genuine right centre. Sooner rather than later would be great

I think WT should sign our centre Glassie Glassie as a matter of urgency.
Appears to have the desire, scoring tries, big body from all reports.
Try him in KOE and shuffle TO'A off to; who cares, JUST GO!
Pay some freight but get him out and create a top 30 spot for someone who contributes.
They say he has a good game about 1-2 in 20. I think he plays the same every game-----but I believe the defence has an off day against him which makes him appear he had a good game.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Why do they do the short dropout when the other team sorring at will and there wings are foot taller and great under the high ball to drop outs and straight away tries doesn't make sense

I don't understand either!
We lose possession, straight back to defending the goal line.
When we occasionally do get the ball we are 90m from their try line. Struggle to get out of our half.
Would love to know the stats on that one.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Everyone saying buy a back up 1 and a 9. Last thing we want to do. Just need to be patient . By seasons end Brookes/ Attard / oitmmam and next season Isdale will be chomping at the bit to get a run at 1, while Haywood will likely be ready end of season for a few games. Latu should get some more games at 9, Reggie’s if needed.
Patience so we don’t jam up with players we don’t need.

I agree ttt. I think the plan into next season is Api as #1 hooker with Haywood his deputy next season. Latu as our #14 primarily lock but hooker & halves cover. IMO Josese Lanyon is playing himself into our 3rd stringer next season with his trajectory and versatility to play hooker & lock.

Out of sight, out of mind, Siotame Havea Jr is a smokey but the is held in very high regard by the club and part of the NRL wider squad now. I think Benji also sees him as a lock, hooker hybrid, thus why he played most of the SG Ball season at hooker. He will get himself a taste of NRL next season! Yes he is small in height but he'd be one of our better defenders now in the entire club.

 

[Speed2burn]

Which has zero to do with Api hip dropping in tackles…

Maybe it’s your Bias to the colour of the jersey…
At least half a dozen times a year I hold my breath after one of his tackles.
It is what it is, pretending it doesn’t happen because he’s our captain doesn’t help anything…

Nice to meet you too Mr Annesley

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Yesterday and last week shows that things aren’t working in the halves …

Madden deserved a couple of chances as he did the job early in the year … but Benji can’t go with the same halves combination again … Latu to starting 7 this week …

Not sure about the 9 though just yet …best option would be signing someone from elsewhere

Madden and Luai combo doesn't work.
Madden and Doueihi does.
Luai is the problem and missed 6 tackles.
Luai has been great for the mateship, culture, off field side of things but his quality playing days are over. After his stop start dancing, there are no breaks through the defence.
Yesterday's hero. 2028 can't come soon enough.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I agree ttt. I think the plan into next season is Api as #1 hooker with Haywood his deputy next season. Latu as our #14 primarily lock but hooker & halves cover. IMO Josese Lanyon is playing himself into our 3rd stringer next season with his trajectory and versatility to play hooker & lock.

Out of sight, out of mind, Siotame Havea Jr is a smokey but the is held in very high regard by the club and part of the NRL wider squad now. I think Benji also sees him as a lock, hooker hybrid, thus why he played most of the SG Ball season at hooker. He will get himself a taste of NRL next season! Yes he is small in height but he'd be one of our better defenders now in the entire club.

Another smoky is centre-winger Glassie Glassie IMO.
Fingers crossed on this one.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Yep there have been a few hip drops missed in the past couple of weeks but as Tucker said Api's tackling technique is poor he often tackles from the side or behind and wraps his legs around. Always going to be contentious.

Desperation stuff.
Where were the rest of the pack? Watching, getting inspiration from Api's efforts?

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I really don’t know why he isn’t next cab off the rank in the halves. Especially how when given the chance last year, he tore the Roosters apart. I know it’s easy to stick the boot in after a loss, but I’ve been saying it for a while. Madden is not the answer. He should be behind Latu. You hear how good Latu is, yet he’s hardly ever given an opportunity.

I hear how good Latu is-----------but I still havn't seen it!

 

[bptiger 0]

Yes, Api’s tackles are the definition of a hip drop and the bad technique they are trying to get out of the game.

His is no different to others , and how many of them have got off or not even charged

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Another smoky is centre-winger Glassie Glassie IMO.
Fingers crossed on this one.

I agree with you there.