Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

I think some desperate team like the Bears will pay him about $550k probably based on reputation … he just came off a $750k deal …

I actually think Chan is a better option right now …probably on about $300k
As to earning potential, I could see that happening for Leilua. Not sure what Chan is on, about 300k is probably about right. But he is also contracted til 2028. Which means either Storm don't want him, in which case I can throw the same argument back at you or he would need to be paid more to get him here.

As for who is the better option right now, Leilua was actually playing very good attacking footy in an awful attacking team before he was injured this year. He hasn't got his spot back due to young guns that are clearly the dragons future securing the spot. His defence can be poor, this year and every year. It is still much better than Chan's. Only Chan is not an attacking threat at all.
Biggest reason I wouldn't want Leilua is he only ever applies himself (fitness wise) in contract years. If you give him a 2 year deal you won't be getting peak performance in that first year.
 
As to earning potential, I could see that happening for Leilua. Not sure what Chan is on, about 300k is probably about right. But he is also contracted til 2028. Which means either Storm don't want him, in which case I can throw the same argument back at you or he would need to be paid more to get him here.

As for who is the better option right now, Leilua was actually playing very good attacking footy in an awful attacking team before he was injured this year. He hasn't got his spot back due to young guns that are clearly the dragons future securing the spot. His defence can be poor, this year and every year. It is still much better than Chan's. Only Chan is not an attacking threat at all.
Biggest reason I wouldn't want Leilua is he only ever applies himself (fitness wise) in contract years. If you give him a 2 year deal you won't be getting peak performance in that first year.

I saw in the paper the Storm were looking to move him on ..

It’s a dead duck if Moses is his manager … he won’t be coming here
 
As to earning potential, I could see that happening for Leilua. Not sure what Chan is on, about 300k is probably about right. But he is also contracted til 2028. Which means either Storm don't want him, in which case I can throw the same argument back at you or he would need to be paid more to get him here.

As for who is the better option right now, Leilua was actually playing very good attacking footy in an awful attacking team before he was injured this year. He hasn't got his spot back due to young guns that are clearly the dragons future securing the spot. His defence can be poor, this year and every year. It is still much better than Chan's. Only Chan is not an attacking threat at all.
Biggest reason I wouldn't want Leilua is he only ever applies himself (fitness wise) in contract years. If you give him a 2 year deal you won't be getting peak performance in that first year.
You make a valid point, but I don’t see how we will improve as a team in 2027 unless we make 1 or 2 signings with proven NRL quality in our forwards and at least 1 decent depth option in our outside backs.
 
So who do we sign to ensure we are a better team with better depth for 2027 ?
There is only few players of NRL quality available and only a few that are stuck in reserve grade but have NRL qualities.
Surely the answer is not just stick with an almost identical squad and hope for better results ?
2 minutes reading an off-contract list (don't know if it is up to date)
Pouniu is the centre we should be poaching from the Phins, not Averillo.
Mariota is a more middle but can do a job on an edge. Far more mobile than Si Fainu there and probably starts ahead of Pole.
Blore. We all know what we'd be getting so no need to discuss.
McIntyre. Same as Blore.
F Lussick. Can spell Api and do a job through the middle.
Going. Similar to Lussick can do a job on an edge as well as the middle but probably only as reliable defender who offers efforts more so than any hard running.

That hasn't considered any off contract junior players or potentially disgruntled players not getting a shot where they're at say Guymer as an example.
 
This happened at the Storm game also.
All this talk at the start of the year about no corners cut, we are a connected, tough and resilient team - pre game players are walking around by themselves, do things half paced and maybe 1-2 reps. The coaching staff needs a kick up the backside.
There needs a message sent. Time for a Coach to be sacked.
 
Joe Chan is not going to shift the dial in the slighted. Reckon Storm would happily swap him for Tony Sukkar
They probably would and I think Sukkar is showing some real positive signs this year.
I think Benji is making a mistake by selecting sone others ahead of him in Samuela Fainu’s absence.
Surely Benji brings him back in for the Titans game off the back of another strong game in NSW Cup yesterday.
We also have Ethan Roberts and Phoenix Godinet as edge back row options, so maybe with their extra age, maturity and development we will have better edge back row depth for 2027, but I would still be trying to sign someone experienced with proven NRL quality just in case.
 
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2 minutes reading an off-contract list (don't know if it is up to date)
Pouniu is the centre we should be poaching from the Phins, not Averillo.
Mariota is a more middle but can do a job on an edge. Far more mobile than Si Fainu there and probably starts ahead of Pole.
Blore. We all know what we'd be getting so no need to discuss.
McIntyre. Same as Blore.
F Lussick. Can spell Api and do a job through the middle.
Going. Similar to Lussick can do a job on an edge as well as the middle but probably only as reliable defender who offers efforts more so than any hard running.

That hasn't considered any off contract junior players or potentially disgruntled players not getting a shot where they're at say Guymer as an example.
Interesting Pouniu from the Dolphins who I believe is only 19y.o has been mixing between playing second row and centre in Qld Cup all season and his stats always read well.
He looked fast and strong in the trials and would be a great signing regardless of whether we also have Averillo or not.
You would imagine the Dolphins are extremely keen to keep him, but like any player signing, money talks.
Another young 19y.o old who was very impressive in the trials and looks to be playing against the men in the Qld Cup on a regular basis with stats always reading well is Bodhi Sharpley a young prop currently to on the Titans books.
 
Makasini needed to stay in Flegg this year, yesterday confirmed this and it is not a dig at the young Man, Go look at the system Penrith, Sharks, Roosters run with their Juniors there not rushed or exposed.
We’re paying him too much (it’s around 400k isn’t it?) he can’t be down there in that money - that’s a big percentage of cap to not even consider in top 30.

Worst thing is, he’s not on his own at being over paid… there’s quite a few others that are pretty low output.
 
They probably would and I think Sukkar is showing some real positive signs this year.
I think Benji is making a mistake by selecting sone others ahead of him in Samuela Fainu’s absence.
Surely Benji brings him back in for the Titans game off the back of another strong game in NSW Cup yesterday.
We also have Ethan Roberts and Phoenix Godinet as edge back row options, so maybe with their extra age, maturity and development we will have better edge back row depth for 2027, but I would still be trying to sign someone experienced with proven NRL quality just in case.
He was bad in that Sharks game, but no worse than a few other who have retained spots. Maybe he kicked stones abit?
 
I know it was when we were rock bottom … but Wakeham didn’t show even the most basic skills here … Tommy Talau ( I know he isn’t at Manly now) left here and the following season looked a reasonable player …

I know people will make excuses … but something appears to be very wrong …
We have had issues developing players for decades.
 
Chan will be 25 next Feb and has played about 70 odd first grade games here and Super League …including 40 with Bellamy … he still hasn’t peaked as yet …
If he isn't good enough for Bellamy .....he isn't good enough for us
That's where our standards need to be constantly or we will be a bottom half of the table team till the pigs fly
 
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