Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[You Know Who]

Yep. This idea we need forwards is ludicrous

I think our starting pack is pretty good but our depth on the edges and at prop are not good enough to endure an injury toll like this year. We shouldn’t have to be playing Sione on the edges for multiple games.

Definitely think we need more pace and some height in the backs, particularly on the wing. Turuva makes up for his lack of height with his carries but the other wing spot is wide open. May and Averillo as the centre pairing has a nice combo of power (May) and speed (Averillo). Bula will hopefully get back to his best and then some after the surgery. Then we have guys like Makasini, Tavana, Herbert, Tupou and Attard (eventually) as backup. Not great but they don’t have to be.

 

[bptiger 0]

I’d actually take Taylor as attack coach I think he did good things the last few times he was an assistant

No way , he was a despicable when here last time

 

[Tom Shines]

I think our starting pack is pretty good but our depth on the edges and at prop are not good enough to endure an injury toll like this year. We shouldn’t have to be playing Sione on the edges for multiple games.

They were picking Bunty every game towards the end of the season…where they were pretty much only missing KPP…they rely on Sione as the first edge replacement …they gotta do better there …I’d even love to live in a world where Sayfarth is not in the best 19

 

[king_sirro]

I think our starting pack is pretty good but our depth on the edges and at prop are not good enough to endure an injury toll like this year. We shouldn’t have to be playing Sione on the edges for multiple games.

Definitely think we need more pace and some height in the backs, particularly on the wing. Turuva makes up for his lack of height with his carries but the other wing spot is wide open. May and Averillo as the centre pairing has a nice combo of power (May) and speed (Averillo). Bula will hopefully get back to his best and then some after the surgery. Then we have guys like Makasini, Tavana, Herbert, Tupou and Attard (eventually) as backup. Not great but they don’t have to be.

I agree with all that. I think Tyson would be a solid signing to provide depth in the middle and edge. Outside of that im of the opinion it will be very hard to entice a decent edge backrower to come here as a deoth player. For that reason, we need ti continue Sukkar and Roberts development. Both should be further improved next year which will help.

 

[king_sirro]

nope … we need to select a team of 19 players …not 13

Not 19 forwards 🙄

 

[Tom Shines]

Not 19 forwards 🙄

You’ve already said we should sign Tyson …he will be in our selected best team of 19 if that happens … I’d sign another depth prop as wel to replace Bunty as the depth option

 

[king_sirro]

You’ve already said we should sign Tyson …he will be in our selected team if that happens … I’d sign another depth as well…

Yeah im counting Tyson and a reasonable addition to help. He would be in my 17. If we signed him that would make 13 forwards in the squad of 30, possibly 14 if Doueihi plays lock leaving 16 for outside backs and halves.

My point is more about those saying we needs forwards due to our current pack not being good enough. I disagree with that. Our top pack has proven they can belt other teams.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately depending on how they develop, we have to work with Sukkar, Roberts, Broaderlow and Godinet as our depth on the edges along with Tyson. That isnt too bad in my eyes considering the improvement I expect from Sukkar and Roberts.

IMO we desperately need a winger.

 

[Tom Shines]

Yeah im counting Tyson and a reasonable addition to help. He would be in my 17. If we signed him that would make 13 forwards in

My point is more about those saying we needs forwards due to our current pack not being good enough. I disagree with that. Our top pack has proven they can belt other teams.

the current starting pack is fine …I’ve thought I was pretty clear saying we need better bench players ..primarily these are forwards ,,,although I note they have finally replaced Hope as the backup hooker

We had KPP and Hunt and Twal out for the back part of the season …. It’s not a heavy injury toll in my view at that stage of the year …but the bench forwards they were picking each week were a weakness in my view …Tyson is a more of a middle these days … but id be happy for him to come here ..I’d be looking for a second row No 3 as wellinstead of relying on Sione as first drop there and the others you have mentioned …some are still some ways away from NRL level

Turuva is fine on one wing ..I’d like to see how Makasini goes there after another offseason , and they have Junior in the mix as well and hopefully Tavana as the break glass in case of emergency ..Solo and Herbert as the Center depth looks like … that’s not great ..

 

[Oldman]

Well…let’s see …I’ve got our starting backline next season as

Bula
Makasini
Averillo
May
Turuva
AD
Latu..

Forwards …let’s go with yours…

Now tell me the bench ?

My bench
Sione F - Middle
Frizell 🤞- Middle
Brailey - hooker/Lock
Doueihi - covers halves and centres and then move Averillo to wing or fullback if they need replacing.

I’m hoping Benji comes up with a halves combination that doesn’t include Doueihi.

But I’m not holding my breath

 

[426Tlgerland]

Rocco Berry and possible Haze Dunster, waiting in the wings.

Two players who have looked capable in their time but have been held back with injuries.

Not world beaters but proper depth options. Not bad.

Don’t we have haze already but injured

 

[Tom Shines]

My bench
Sione F - Middle
Frizell 🤞- Middle
Brailey - hooker/Lock
Doueihi - covers halves and centres and then move Averillo to wing or fullback if they need replacing.

I’m hoping Benji comes up with a halves combination that doesn’t include Doueihi.

But I’m not holding my breath

yep ..we need another forward and Frizell fits the bill 👍

We need 2 more on the bench ..Sayfarth will be one the way things stand I would wager … although I’m not so enthusiastic about him as others appear to be .

 

[Demps]

Don’t we have haze already but injured

Yeah, cup contract.

He's been injured along time.
Think he's due back soon though.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

yep ..we need another forward and Frizell fits the bill 👍

We need 2 more on the bench ..Sayfarth will be one the way things stand I would wager … although I’m not so enthusiastic about him as others appear to be .

Frizell would be perfect imo as he can basically do what Sione was doing this year (covering backrow & middle on the bench) except much better at backrow. This would allow Sione to focus solely on his middle work.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Yeah, cup contract.

He's been injured along time.
Think he's due back soon though.

Haze played in the final NSW Cup game of the season so he should be right for a full pre-season.

 

[Tom Shines]

Frizell would be perfect imo as he can basically do what Sione was doing this year (covering backrow & middle on the bench) except much better at backrow. This would allow Sione to focus solely on his middle work.

Did he play much backrow this year ? Thought he was primarily a middle these days…

 

[TurnStyle]

If we find a better player to replace him with than do it.
Otherwise you cannot simply get rid of one of your best performed players over the past 2 seasons without a suitable replacement player coming in.
The other factor is his speed off the mark and tackle break ability.
In case you haven’t noticed, we are close to the worst team in the NRL for speed off the mark and tackle break ability, so not sure why one of our only players who offers this is the problem?
It is no longer the 1980’s, no NRL team can back their defence and regularly win games 12-10, you need attacking flair and x-factor.
Surely teams such as the Dolphins and the Knights have proven you need attacking flair and x-factor to break the mould and become a genuine premiership threat.

There's a lot more to a single player's effect on an entire team than simply ability.

In any case, who can say his net point output would even be in the positive?!

Yes, he can score a good try, and does get crazy post contact metres. He's even become a pretty good goal kicker.

But then who can say how many tries he killed off by being selfish, cramping his outside men and constantly stepping back inside instead of just getting it through hands for what look like sure things?

I don't give a shit about his ostensible contrition after the raiders issue. Smooth it over and get through it at the time, but I truly believe the team would be better off without him, both onfield and off.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Did he play much backrow this year ? Thought he was primarily a middle these days…

Has played some (1 full game & a few off the bench as cover). I still think he'd have the agility & experience to fill in if injury hits Samuela or KPP during a game.

 

[Buttface]

How do you know it hasn’t been in the works for a while? He’s only been there a decade.

I don’t. Lack of trust in the system. They’ve had a decade to work it out and the last contract he took less for a job later, possibly.
Trust away.

 

[king_sirro]

the current starting pack is fine …I’ve thought I was pretty clear saying we need better bench players ..primarily these are forwards ,,,although I note they have finally replaced Hope as the backup hooker

We had KPP and Hunt and Twal out for the back part of the season …. It’s not a heavy injury toll in my view at that stage of the year …but the bench forwards they were picking each week were a weakness in my view …Tyson is a more of a middle these days … but id be happy for him to come here ..I’d be looking for a second row No 3 as wellinstead of relying on Sione as first drop there and the others you have mentioned …some are still some ways away from NRL level

Turuva is fine on one wing ..I’d like to see how Makasini goes there after another offseason , and they have Junior in the mix as well and hopefully Tavana as the break glass in case of emergency ..Solo and Herbert as the Center depth looks like … that’s not great ..

Dont mind all your thoughts here. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing Solo given a go on the wing. His defensive reads may be simplified for him there and we know he is a genuine finisher. I would just love to get a Fletcher Hunt here though.
IMO we didnt need to put Sione on an edge, that was just a poor coaching decision. We had better options. Even Seyfarth on an edge is better than Sione. I rate sione as having a huge ceiling as a middle. He hits aggressively and his carries are very effective. Another player I believe Benji has handled poorly. The list is growing.

 

[Vicious]

It seems you didnt, because you kept telling us to wait till the details of the investigation came out and nothing did lol

You think he is great, I think he is a dud, it’s ok to disagree.