Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Lestronge]

He looked elite at 6 during that period we were winning games before he got injured . That my point, which i think cannot be argued.
He must have of had a big preseaon to be able to have that form.

I don’t think he did at all . I think especially against NQ and the warriors he came up against disgusting defense , especially from their backs , often shooting ip past the ball and he ran through gaping holes .
where was he when the whips were cracking and it was make or break . It’s such a redundant arguement IMO. As a runner, he was great , as a half he left multiple points in the board , but running when we had numbers .
I’ll say it again . I do not care about lindivifual stats like line breaks and tries . I care about how the team looks , how the system works , or doesn’t work. And I thought it was completely disjointed and clunky … pretty much the whole season . No matter what stats AD put up. And as a half if that’s the case … the “well I played well” excuse doesn’t fly . As much like the QB in nfl , no one cares if you lose all the time . You won’t have a job . You’ll get comments like “Ewing theory” and “good stats bad team guy” .
Like I said I do not get mesmerised by tries and line breaks , but rather how they came about .

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I think it’s pretty clear that the injury toll we suffered during the season was a huge factor in our performance. Those arguing that it is just an excuse because other clubs had bad injury runs as well need to look at the quality of the replacements that we had to bring in. Where some clubs were able to cover well due to quality depth players we simply were not.
Storm are a perfect example of a squad that once had the depth but this season struggled. Even Sharks once Trindal was out, or Manly.
The Knights or Phins had injuries but have a wealth of quality outside backs to fill in.
Sure we have other issues as well affecting our performances, but it’s a fact that we were unable to consistently field a team of NRL level players for most of the season.

So you’re saying we have no “next man up” philosophy. That’s clear.

 

[achilles]

I don’t think he did at all . I think especially against NQ and the warriors he came up against disgusting defense , especially from their backs , often shooting ip past the ball and he ran through gaping holes .
where was he when the whips were cracking and it was make or break . It’s such a redundant arguement IMO. As a runner, he was great , as a half he left multiple points in the board , but running when we had numbers .
I’ll say it again . I do not care about lindivifual stats like line breaks and tries . I care about how the team looks , how the system works , or doesn’t work. And I thought it was completely disjointed and clunky … pretty much the whole season . No matter what stats AD put up. And as a half if that’s the case … the “well I played well” excuse doesn’t fly . As much like the QB in nfl , no one cares if you lose all the time . You won’t have a job . You’ll get comments like “Ewing theory” and “good stats bad team guy” .
Like I said I do not get mesmerised by tries and line breaks , but rather how they came about .

Okay

Can i ask you re-watch round 4, 5 and 6 and let me know your thoughts on Adam Doueihi performance in those rounds.

 

[Betterdays22]

I think it’s pretty clear that the injury toll we suffered during the season was a huge factor in our performance. Those arguing that it is just an excuse because other clubs had bad injury runs as well need to look at the quality of the replacements that we had to bring in. Where some clubs were able to cover well due to quality depth players we simply were not.
Storm are a perfect example of a squad that once had the depth but this season struggled. Even Sharks once Trindal was out, or Manly.
The Knights or Phins had injuries but have a wealth of quality outside backs to fill in.
Sure we have other issues as well affecting our performances, but it’s a fact that we were unable to consistently field a team of NRL level players for most of the season.

We were trotting out 5 or 6 reserve grade quality players for a few weeks in key positions. Then Luai happened. Then Doueihi happened. Our season just seemed to snowball.

In saying that, they are part of the story but not the whole story and they should not be used as an excuse. Our attack looked busted for most of the year our red zone defence was poor all year, even when we were winning. When we were winning it was off the back of high energy and aggression and multiple 6 agains giving us good field position which in hindsight might not have been sustainable.

If we blame the poor performances on injuries and external things, we haven't learnt our lesson and are in for the same thing again next year. At a minimum we need 3 or 4 seasoned pros, a rejig of the coaching and a review of the high performance team.

 

[rex2ce]

There is seemingly a lot more to the story than what has been reported by the media.
People are very quick to judge without knowing the full story.

Could be true, but throwing toys out of cot and refusing to play is not the way to handle something like that, he’ll always be remembered for his refusal to play and should have been sacked for it

 

[Camel2281]

Great read Jolls. You've presented a bull case for halves depth but scratch underneath the surface I think we need another halfback. Results showed last year that we play better with a game managing half.

We should be backing in Latu, but we know his injury history and his actual game management is untested. Jock has spent his career floating in and out of first grade, Andrews is untested and more of a 6, Doueihi is a 6, Averillo is a 6. I don't think Schuster should be factoring in to calculations at all at this stage.

Jock is the only real out and out halfback at this point, with question marks over Latu's game management. I don't think the club would see it like this but for me an ideal depth chart would be

7. recruit
6. Latu

14. Doueihi
19. Madden/Andrews

Reserve Grade
7. Madden/Andrews
6. Schuster

Based off that last round, Canberra have 2 quality young proper 7s in Ethan Sanders and Coby Black. I'd love for the Tigers to try and Get Coby Black to be our 7 with Latu/Andrews as the 6. With Madden retaining the backup role. I'd be trying to see if Canberra would be willing to look at Douehi in a trade too

 

[Vicious]

Based off that last round, Canberra have 2 quality young proper 7s in Ethan Sanders and Coby Black. I'd love for the Tigers to try and Get Coby Black to be our 7 with Latu/Andrews as the 6. With Madden retaining the backup role. I'd be trying to see if Canberra would be willing to look at Douehi in a trade too

Yes 3 doesn’t fit into 2 and as of the 2027 season, I don’t think either of Ethan Sanders or Coby Black will be happy playing Reserve Grade.
I think Coby Black is the better player, more upside and x-factor about him, but Ethan Sanders is also developing into a very solid NRL halfback with good pass selection, a decent running game and a better than average kicking game.
Being from Westsrn Sydney, he might become available sooner than later.
For us a lot depends on whether or not we are happy with a long term halves pairing of Latu and Javon.
Both have exceptional talent, but sure if this combination has enough talk, leadership and a good enough kicking game? Maybe it does?

 

[kade7]

just a quick one
- i said we were interested in rocco berry a few months back, still think this is in play
- probably common knowledge that the dolphins are paying significant freight with juniors contract for next year (last year of his deal with them)
- wigan have also approached frizzel
- noooo i don't know when samuela signs, but i still consider it done

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

just a quick one
- i said we were interested in rocco berry a few months back, still think this is in play
- probably common knowledge that the dolphins are paying significant freight with juniors contract for next year (last year of his deal with them)
- wigan have also approached frizzel
- noooo i don't know when samuela signs, but i still consider it done

Rocco Berry is a high risk, high reward type. If he can get his body right (currently hamstring, previously Flegler like nerve issue) is an NRL right centre every day of the week. Makes sense if Benji is toying with Averillo in the halves.

Re, Frizell, Tigers would be able to outbid Wigan I reckon & his wife has a lucrative business in AUS I'm led to believe. Maybe just a lifestyle decision for them.

 

[Jolls]

Great read Jolls. You've presented a bull case for halves depth but scratch underneath the surface I think we need another halfback. Results showed last year that we play better with a game managing half.

We should be backing in Latu, but we know his injury history and his actual game management is untested. Jock has spent his career floating in and out of first grade, Andrews is untested and more of a 6, Doueihi is a 6, Averillo is a 6. I don't think Schuster should be factoring in to calculations at all at this stage.

Jock is the only real out and out halfback at this point, with question marks over Latu's game management. I don't think the club would see it like this but for me an ideal depth chart would be

7. recruit
6. Latu

14. Doueihi
19. Madden/Andrews

Reserve Grade
7. Madden/Andrews
6. Schuster

Thanks @Betterdays22, I get where you are coming from. I specifically only looked at what we had on the books as speculating on what falls from the trees over the off season is all guesswork.

I would like to see another traditional 7 at the club on top of Jock as well. Schuster was only ever a wildcard, but we do know how talented he was. The only reason I think we should be looking at this as an option is if he knocks the door down over the off season and wins the postion. That would give Latu reps at 7 without too much pressure as he would be a foil Latu; he has (had?) a bit of X factor, hits hard A in D.

I would still prefer to have Latu doing reps all summer at 7 if that is where we see him long term. If that is the case, and Benji is not confident is Schuster at 6 (and we know AD isn't a 6) my thoughts would buy in a 6 short term until Andrews is ready or drop a bomb on DCE and get him in to mentor Latu 1 on 1. He is either going to have to prove he is a 7 in FG in 2027 or we need to buy a good one in for 28 and shift him to 6.

 

[wstigers11]

Rocco Berry is a high risk, high reward type. If he can get his body right (currently hamstring, previously Flegler like nerve issue) is an NRL right centre every day of the week. Makes sense if Benji is toying with Averillo in the halves.

Re, Frizell, Tigers would be able to outbid Wigan I reckon & his wife has a lucrative business in AUS I'm led to believe. Maybe just a lifestyle decision for them.

Yea Berry is absolutely a first grader & would put pressure on our outside backs, just has to get injury free. Sometimes a change of scenery can help that

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Thanks @Betterdays22, I get where you are coming from. I specifically only looked at what we had on the books as speculating on what falls from the trees over the off season is all guesswork.

I would like to see another traditional 7 at the club on top of Jock as well. Schuster was only ever a wildcard, but we do know how talented he was. The only reason I think we should be looking at this as an option is if he knocks the door down over the off season and wins the postion. That would give Latu reps at 7 without too much pressure as he would be a foil Latu; he has (had?) a bit of X factor, hits hard A in D.

I would still prefer to have Latu doing reps all summer at 7 if that is where we see him long term. If that is the case, and Benji is not confident is Schuster at 6 (and we know AD isn't a 6) my thoughts would buy in a 6 short term until Andrews is ready or drop a bomb on DCE and get him in to mentor Latu 1 on 1. He is either going to have to prove he is a 7 in FG in 2027 or we need to buy a good one in for 28 and shift him to 6.

Agree @Jolls Surely Benji sees Latu as our long-term 7 with Javon possessing the ability to be our long-term 6.

We got a glimpse of this partnership in our NSW Cup game against Manly this year and those two looked like strawberries & cream pardon the pun lol yes the opposition were poor though.

 

[Betterdays22]

Thanks @Betterdays22, I get where you are coming from. I specifically only looked at what we had on the books as speculating on what falls from the trees over the off season is all guesswork.

I would like to see another traditional 7 at the club on top of Jock as well. Schuster was only ever a wildcard, but we do know how talented he was. The only reason I think we should be looking at this as an option is if he knocks the door down over the off season and wins the postion. That would give Latu reps at 7 without too much pressure as he would be a foil Latu; he has (had?) a bit of X factor, hits hard A in D.

I would still prefer to have Latu doing reps all summer at 7 if that is where we see him long term. If that is the case, and Benji is not confident is Schuster at 6 (and we know AD isn't a 6) my thoughts would buy in a 6 short term until Andrews is ready or drop a bomb on DCE and get him in to mentor Latu 1 on 1. He is either going to have to prove he is a 7 in FG in 2027 or we need to buy a good one in for 28 and shift him to 6.

Yeah if that's where they seem him they need to go all in. Think we need a bit more insurance there beyond Madden though. If we get 6 weeks into next season and Doueihi is back there I will pack it in.

My recruitment wishlist is a a prop, centre/wing and a halfback in that order.

 

[wstigers11]

Agree @Jolls Surely Benji sees Latu as our long-term 7 with Javon possessing the ability to be our long-term 6.

We got a glimpse of this partnership in our NSW Cup game against Manly this year and those two looked like strawberries & cream pardon the pun lol yes the opposition were poor though.

Dragons too which were a set up in class, had a few NRL players in it and they carved them.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah if that's where they seem him they need to go all in. Think we need a bit more insurance there beyond Madden though. If we get 6 weeks into next season and Doueihi is back there I will pack it in.

My recruitment wishlist is a a prop, centre/wing and a halfback in that order.

Got a feeling Tyrone May will be linked again soon. He's got another year at Hull KR unless he has an NRL get-out clause, so he could be a possibility for '27 or potentially to replace Madden in '28.