Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Fletch]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

 

[avocadoontoast]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

Centre AND second row...?


 

[JC99]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

Probably Takairangi or Papali’i. I can’t think of many other great players who can play both

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

Centre AND second row...?


Better second rower than centre?????

 

[AJ1]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

Centre AND second row...?


Too busy being a model and actor, will probably be on Big Brother next year

https://www.starnow.com.au/kylelovett

 

[avocadoontoast]

According to POM, there are offers in front of three players. From memory they were a winger, centre and 2nd rower. Could be wrong but he provided an update a few days ago. August 3 cutoff not far away now either...

Correct, and they are all currently under contract, no point looking at the off-contract list. The second-rower in question can also play centre, so that should narrow the field.

Centre AND second row...?


Too busy being a model and actor, will probably be on Big Brother next year

https://www.starnow.com.au/kylelovett

I think this one is my favourite


 

[Russell]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Farnworth covers 1 and arguably 2, Johnston or Saab wouldn't go astray either for raw speed. in terms of gun playmakers, Foran fits the bill if he stays fit, which is obviously a massive issue. Cade Cust is a slick playmaker, but has reportedly re-signed with Manly. Blake Green could be excellent for Brooks, but it's anyone's guess where he ends up.

Yeah, Farnworth or Herbert as goal kicking outside backs that are off contract (Farnworth looks the better player to me).
JAC and Johnston are likely to be available for raw speed, although I don't see either ending up here.
No gun playmakers, the best is probably Cust as you say. On ability I think Tyrone May would be a good option, he could add play making off the bench at lock (although he's a convicted sex pest).

Wouldn't say either Farnworth or Herbert are worth chasing myself - As goalkickers they would be as risky as Mbye (65.5%).

Farnworth has a percentage of 100% but only kicked 3 goals all year. You would think if he was any good he would be kicking instead of Isaako who is on 72.7%.

Herbert hasn't kicked all year so they must think he is worse than Nikorima (60%) so he must not even be as good as Mbye who is hopeless.

Would seem JAC and Johnston probably will swap (Pride of the League, and Indigenous Central) and all. Outside chance of Johnston if Storm don't want to swap. Saab didn't excite me in those couple of games recently and he didn't seem to be that fast either. Tall yes, fast ?

Cust has just signed, (2 years I think) with Manly. Green is too old (we have done that trick before, same with Foran plus he is more than injury prone.

Cupboard is hardly overflowing at the moment - we may just have to go all out for Johnston to solve the wing problem and trust in Walters / Brooks / Benji for the playmaker plus sign some medium short term players for depth whilst letting the dead wood go.

 

[Nelson]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Farnworth covers 1 and arguably 2, Johnston or Saab wouldn't go astray either for raw speed. in terms of gun playmakers, Foran fits the bill if he stays fit, which is obviously a massive issue. Cade Cust is a slick playmaker, but has reportedly re-signed with Manly. Blake Green could be excellent for Brooks, but it's anyone's guess where he ends up.

Yeah, Farnworth or Herbert as goal kicking outside backs that are off contract (Farnworth looks the better player to me).
JAC and Johnston are likely to be available for raw speed, although I don't see either ending up here.
No gun playmakers, the best is probably Cust as you say. On ability I think Tyrone May would be a good option, he could add play making off the bench at lock (although he's a convicted sex pest).

Wouldn't say either Farnworth or Herbert are worth chasing myself - As goalkickers they would be as risky as Mbye (65.5%).

Farnworth has a percentage of 100% but only kicked 3 goals all year. You would think if he was any good he would be kicking instead of Isaako who is on 72.7%.

Herbert hasn't kicked all year so they must think he is worse than Nikorima (60%) so he must not even be as good as Mbye who is hopeless.

Would seem JAC and Johnston probably will swap (Pride of the League, and Indigenous Central) and all. Outside chance of Johnston if Storm don't want to swap. Saab didn't excite me in those couple of games recently and he didn't seem to be that fast either. Tall yes, fast ?

Cust has just signed, (2 years I think) with Manly. Green is too old (we have done that trick before, same with Foran plus he is more than injury prone.

Cupboard is hardly overflowing at the moment - we may just have to go all out for Johnston to solve the wing problem and trust in Walters / Brooks / Benji for the playmaker plus sign some medium short term players for depth whilst letting the dead wood go.

Farnworth had a ~75% conversion rate in ISP over 2018 and 2019 (76 from 101 attempts). It's not phenomenal but it's not bad and better than what we have. He looks like he might be a decent player to boot.
I agree that Herbert is nothing to write home about, he just fits the bill of goal kicking outside back. I'd be picking Momirovski ahead of him though.

 

[avocadoontoast]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Farnworth covers 1 and arguably 2, Johnston or Saab wouldn't go astray either for raw speed. in terms of gun playmakers, Foran fits the bill if he stays fit, which is obviously a massive issue. Cade Cust is a slick playmaker, but has reportedly re-signed with Manly. Blake Green could be excellent for Brooks, but it's anyone's guess where he ends up.

Yeah, Farnworth or Herbert as goal kicking outside backs that are off contract (Farnworth looks the better player to me).
JAC and Johnston are likely to be available for raw speed, although I don't see either ending up here.
No gun playmakers, the best is probably Cust as you say. On ability I think Tyrone May would be a good option, he could add play making off the bench at lock (although he's a convicted sex pest).

Wouldn't say either Farnworth or Herbert are worth chasing myself - As goalkickers they would be as risky as Mbye (65.5%).

Farnworth has a percentage of 100% but only kicked 3 goals all year. You would think if he was any good he would be kicking instead of Isaako who is on 72.7%.

Herbert hasn't kicked all year so they must think he is worse than Nikorima (60%) so he must not even be as good as Mbye who is hopeless.

Would seem JAC and Johnston probably will swap (Pride of the League, and Indigenous Central) and all. Outside chance of Johnston if Storm don't want to swap. Saab didn't excite me in those couple of games recently and he didn't seem to be that fast either. Tall yes, fast ?

Cust has just signed, (2 years I think) with Manly. Green is too old (we have done that trick before, same with Foran plus he is more than injury prone.

Cupboard is hardly overflowing at the moment - we may just have to go all out for Johnston to solve the wing problem and trust in Walters / Brooks / Benji for the playmaker plus sign some medium short term players for depth whilst letting the dead wood go.

Farnworth was > 75% in reserve grade last year (62 goals) and he's 3/3 this year. He'd be the best kicker we have.

 

[WeststigsRdaBest]

I wonder if we are looking at Sione Katoa
I believe he is of contract at the end of the year
Or am I wrong
Leading try scorer
Has plenty of pace
Is young
Uncertainty with the coach
Plays in a position (wing) which we are trying to bolster

Hope not don’t need another short winger..very similar to Nofo

The leading try scorer in the Nrl from a team running 9th
He must be doing something right
I would be OK with the top 2 leading try scorers in my team on the wings
But problem is both Nofoaluma and Katoa play the same wing
One would have to move over

Two 5 ft 11 wingers? Surely not. Katoa/Nofo and to o are all very similar id rather have one of them paired with a fergo/Tupou to provide an aerial threat option...right now our best players in the air are a vet in Lawrence and edge forward in Leilua...a tall athletic back would be my pic

 

[JC99]

Saab is fast I’ve seen him run. No Addo-Carr but over distance has good speed I reckon

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I wonder if we are looking at Sione Katoa
I believe he is of contract at the end of the year
Or am I wrong
Leading try scorer
Has plenty of pace
Is young
Uncertainty with the coach
Plays in a position (wing) which we are trying to bolster

Hope not don’t need another short winger..very similar to Nofo

The leading try scorer in the Nrl from a team running 9th
He must be doing something right
I would be OK with the top 2 leading try scorers in my team on the wings
But problem is both Nofoaluma and Katoa play the same wing
One would have to move over

Two 5 ft 11 wingers? Surely not. Katoa/Nofo and to o are all very similar id rather have one of them paired with a fergo/Tupou to provide an aerial threat option...right now our best players in the air are a vet in Lawrence and edge forward in Leilua...a tall athletic back would be my pic

Katoa is not quick.

 

[Russell]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Farnworth covers 1 and arguably 2, Johnston or Saab wouldn't go astray either for raw speed. in terms of gun playmakers, Foran fits the bill if he stays fit, which is obviously a massive issue. Cade Cust is a slick playmaker, but has reportedly re-signed with Manly. Blake Green could be excellent for Brooks, but it's anyone's guess where he ends up.

Yeah, Farnworth or Herbert as goal kicking outside backs that are off contract (Farnworth looks the better player to me).
JAC and Johnston are likely to be available for raw speed, although I don't see either ending up here.
No gun playmakers, the best is probably Cust as you say. On ability I think Tyrone May would be a good option, he could add play making off the bench at lock (although he's a convicted sex pest).

Wouldn't say either Farnworth or Herbert are worth chasing myself - As goalkickers they would be as risky as Mbye (65.5%).

Farnworth has a percentage of 100% but only kicked 3 goals all year. You would think if he was any good he would be kicking instead of Isaako who is on 72.7%.

Herbert hasn't kicked all year so they must think he is worse than Nikorima (60%) so he must not even be as good as Mbye who is hopeless.

Would seem JAC and Johnston probably will swap (Pride of the League, and Indigenous Central) and all. Outside chance of Johnston if Storm don't want to swap. Saab didn't excite me in those couple of games recently and he didn't seem to be that fast either. Tall yes, fast ?

Cust has just signed, (2 years I think) with Manly. Green is too old (we have done that trick before, same with Foran plus he is more than injury prone.

Cupboard is hardly overflowing at the moment - we may just have to go all out for Johnston to solve the wing problem and trust in Walters / Brooks / Benji for the playmaker plus sign some medium short term players for depth whilst letting the dead wood go.

Farnworth was 75% in reserve grade last year (62 goals) and he's 3/3 this year. He'd be the best kicker we have.

Better than Mbye Avo - I'll grant that. Don't like him that much, but it maybe the way the Broncos are playing. Prefer Isaako myself of the two, better kicker and I think if Madge got hold of him, he may turn him into a good winger. He is quick enough for our purposes.

So Johnston or Isaako (if we could get either I mean) - Johnston is a better winger and better FB than Isaako but Isaako has the advantage of being a goal kicker. Then again if we get Momo back next year we only need a winger but an extra kicker would be handy.

 

[TYGA]

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

 

[JD Tiger]

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

https://www.roosters.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/sydney-roosters/christian-tuipulotu/

"Biography:
After gaining valuable experience at the NRL Nines and playing in the Central Coast trial heading in to the 2020 NRL season, Christian Tuipulotu heads into the season looking to continue his development.

With the ability to play centre and wing, Christian will look to bide his time and be ready when his number is called."



He was a gun NZ junior coming through with Warriors, until Roosters poached him. I had a look at another story of him as a kid (16 yrs) (https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/boom-schoolboy-christian-tuipulotu-hunted-by-nrl-and-rugby-clubs/news-story/b94cc6fcba036c13e94f189dab93d711), when there was a lot of interest in his signature. And Roosters flew him to a training session they had, and there's all these photos of him with their players (Cordner Cronk, Mitchell).

Imagine a 16 year old getting his photos done with such greats of the game, this is what we should be doing, with Benji. Hope this year, (and next year after he retires) that's how we operate and convince the young ones over to us.

 

[JC99]

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

About half a dozen clubs were chasing him when he was 16. Can play centre or second row, NZ U16’s player of the year

 

[TYGA]

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

About half a dozen clubs were chasing him when he was 16. Can play centre or second row, NZ U16’s player of the year

Highly unlikely if he’s that highly rated Roosters lose players. They are the best run club in the NRL.

 

[Tiger5150]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Not a lot out there off contract next year. However, I still think we should make a play for Isaako, I know he’s playing busted in a busted team, but he does have talent and he can kick goals, we’ve all seen what he can do. He’s not off contract, but I think a change of club will do him the world of good.

I’d also look at a couple of the Titans players who are off contract - Anthony Don & Tyrone Roberts. Don is big, reasonably fast and can score tries, Roberts is an experienced, versatile half. The Cowboys John Asiata is another player off contract who I think would be worth a look, he has that touch of xfactor about him and can play in the forwards or the halves.

As I said, not a real lot of talent off contract, there maybe other more high profile players willing to switch clubs, but I’m just being realistic as to who we could actually have a chance to pick up.

Does anyone know how much cap we have spare?

Unless some trading of players currently contracted is done, there isn't much on the market. Personally, I would try to sure up our depth and wait until Reynolds and Packer are off contract to go hard on some decent players.

Honestly, I think we've done well with our older guys (yes, even Reynolds). It's worth having some of these guys in your team and they come to fill in the gaps until we can buy the player we want for the future.

I think we get the $300k back from the salary cap fine, so that's $300,000 already. Off-contract are:

**GAINS**
Stefano ($300K)

**OFF CONTRACT**
Sam McIntyre (Keep)
Chris Lawrence (Keep for depth as only on $120K or so)
Benji Marshall (Keep for depth as only on $175K or so)
Matthew Eisenhuth (keep unless suitably replaced)

Oliver Clark (release - $100K)
Robert Jennings (release)
Chris McQueen (release - $350k)
Alex Seyfarth (release - $100K?)
Dylan Smith (release - $100K?)
Elijah Taylor (release - $300K?)

**TARGETS**
**Jack Bird** - on $250k - $300k, he's a steal because he would be replacing a player that doesn't play anyway, i.e. McQueen. If he ends up going well, then it's a great buy. If he gets injured and never plays, then nothing lost. Calculated punt on this guy at the right price is worth a shot.
**Jamil Hopoate** - Good talent, would be fairly cheap and quality back up in the 2nd Row.
**Bryson Goodwin** - Depending on Momorovski. Depth signing and quite honestly, he seems to be able to find the try line and kick goals. Can play centre/wing. If you could get him for under $200K, it's a steal.
**Blake Green** - If Marshall retires and at the right price, I would take Green for experience on a 1 or 2 year deal if he was open to that.

Others
**James Tamou**
**Alex Johnston**
**Mitchell Aubusson**

Before I get panned for the above, ***check the off-contract list and you'll find there's not much out there.***

If we signed any of your suggestions I'd be very disappointed. If there is "not much out there"....dont spend the money and either promote from within or wait.

For years we have had bad buys stinking up our roster and counting the days until we could offload them.

 

[JD Tiger]

We need three things I reckon
1) a goal kicker
2) raw speed
3) a gun playmaker

Are there any players out there, or coming off contract, who we could realistically sign and can fill these roles? (Hopefully filling multiple roles eg a goal kicking winger).

Not a lot out there off contract next year. However, I still think we should make a play for Isaako, I know he’s playing busted in a busted team, but he does have talent and he can kick goals, we’ve all seen what he can do. He’s not off contract, but I think a change of club will do him the world of good.

I’d also look at a couple of the Titans players who are off contract - Anthony Don & Tyrone Roberts. Don is big, reasonably fast and can score tries, Roberts is an experienced, versatile half. The Cowboys John Asiata is another player off contract who I think would be worth a look, he has that touch of xfactor about him and can play in the forwards or the halves.

As I said, not a real lot of talent off contract, there maybe other more high profile players willing to switch clubs, but I’m just being realistic as to who we could actually have a chance to pick up.

Does anyone know how much cap we have spare?

Unless some trading of players currently contracted is done, there isn't much on the market. Personally, I would try to sure up our depth and wait until Reynolds and Packer are off contract to go hard on some decent players.

Honestly, I think we've done well with our older guys (yes, even Reynolds). It's worth having some of these guys in your team and they come to fill in the gaps until we can buy the player we want for the future.

I think we get the $300k back from the salary cap fine, so that's $300,000 already. Off-contract are:

**GAINS**
Stefano ($300K)

**OFF CONTRACT**
Sam McIntyre (Keep)
Chris Lawrence (Keep for depth as only on $120K or so)
Benji Marshall (Keep for depth as only on $175K or so)
Matthew Eisenhuth (keep unless suitably replaced)

Oliver Clark (release - $100K)
Robert Jennings (release)
Chris McQueen (release - $350k)
Alex Seyfarth (release - $100K?)
Dylan Smith (release - $100K?)
Elijah Taylor (release - $300K?)

**TARGETS**
**Jack Bird** - on $250k - $300k, he's a steal because he would be replacing a player that doesn't play anyway, i.e. McQueen. If he ends up going well, then it's a great buy. If he gets injured and never plays, then nothing lost. Calculated punt on this guy at the right price is worth a shot.
**Jamil Hopoate** - Good talent, would be fairly cheap and quality back up in the 2nd Row.
**Bryson Goodwin** - Depending on Momorovski. Depth signing and quite honestly, he seems to be able to find the try line and kick goals. Can play centre/wing. If you could get him for under $200K, it's a steal.
**Blake Green** - If Marshall retires and at the right price, I would take Green for experience on a 1 or 2 year deal if he was open to that.

Others
**James Tamou**
**Alex Johnston**
**Mitchell Aubusson**

Before I get panned for the above, ***check the off-contract list and you'll find there's not much out there.***

If we signed any of your suggestions I'd be very disappointed. If there is "not much out there"....dont spend the money and either promote from within or wait.

For years we have had bad buys stinking up our roster and counting the days until we could offload them.

James Tamou, depending on money and length of contract, wouldn't be bad. We need an experienced pack leader, and though Packer has finally put his hand up, if not him, maybe Tamou could? There's not many other options out there. Yeo, woud be great but hell might freeze over first.

 

[teddy23]

Christian Tuipulotu From the Roosters is the name I have heard. Huge talent.

Didn’t one poster suggest we were looking at this guy as well a week or two ago, or was that another roosters player...