We need a recruitment 'win'...

[ElleryHanley]

Hooker is a big problem. Such a critical position in the modern game - and we have been down the makeshift path before.

For about 4 off seasons, just stop gaps used for the most important position.

And stop gaps used for years for a goal kicker also.

Almost incomprehensible....

 

[tigeress]

Hooker is a big problem. Such a critical position in the modern game - and we have been down the makeshift path before.

For about 4 off seasons, just stop gaps used for the most important position.


And stop gaps used for years for a goal kicker also.

Almost incomprehensible....

Brett Hodgson would make a great fullback and goal kicker:hugging_face:

 

[tigeress]

@Spud_Murphy ..spud without doubt we are weaker than last year and by some distance. Of course still a few irons in the fire so that could change in a flash but at present you don’t need to be Einstein to know with no quality no1 and no quality no 9 and two quality forwards short of NRL quality pack, your going need all the luck in the world to be competitive...and than some.

Agree totally with this post. Things look a little gloomy at the moment, hopefully that changes soon:angry:

 

[Spud_Murphy]

So you don’t think that losing Matterson, Farah and to a lesser extent Marsters, and not signing anyone of note, will weaken us?

Not hugely, no. Matterson yes, the others can be covered.

But it's not that simple. The idea that "playing group 2019" minus "Player X" = worse side doesn't hold true. Tommy Talau might really kick on and there are a large number of other budding juniors that might come good earlier than we thought, or towards back end of the year.

Or players like Momirovski and Brooks will continue to develop, we might get Mbye back to peak fitness, Aloiai not injured etc.

Lots of 'mights' in there which doesn't fill me with great confidence, but I see your point and really hope some of these guys do come good, as you say. Still, it would be nice to pick up one or two proven first graders to fill the void left by our departing players, especially now the Mitchell deal has fallen through. Leilua is a start, but a game breaker in the backline would be nice also.

 

[happy_tiger]

Should have those lucky dip boxes ...you pay the money ....hand in the box ...hey presto .....million $$$ NRL superstar

 

[TillLindemann]

Losing Marsters didn't weaken us. He did nothing this year. Talau/Momirovski/Mbye all better options at centre.

 

[ElleryHanley]

I mentioned this a while ago and nothing much has changed.

We appear to have been completely ignored by the elite players yet again.

I have no doubt Madge is the right 'coach'...but I do doubt his recruitment skills. There is no evidence of him recruiting successfully (Crowe and Richardson did it at Souths)

We hired Hartigan from the Rorters to beef up our recruiting, as he had connections, but even he could not get someone like LM to bother turning up to a meeting.

We just need one big domino to fall, one bloke to jump on board and lead the way. A Gallen, Michael Crocker, JWH type who would change the perception of the club.

 

[ElleryHanley]

It's the club's image that is to blame for recruitment, nothing else. Look at how it all began.
We get rid of Sheens - who's legacy is still strong in the current game - and go through a merry-go-round of coaches, then with the constant media circus(plus ineptitude from club management) this was probably the final straw for certain players.
We need to be targeting players who not only wish to build their profile but also want to take "us" out of this hole or whatever it is, and make us competitive again.
But it's hard when we seem to be the least desirable club.

Like someone else said, we are the Susan Boyle of the NRL and everyone only wants to be with the Margot Robbies etc.,

All valid points.

I think Madge is a coach who will get the very best from the Garners and Aloais of the world, his work ethic will max out those guys who want a chance and want to work.

But elite blokes who have already won comps and played Origin are unlikely to want to sign up to be flogged by Madge.

Madge is known for having one way only...his way.

Bennet and Robinson are known for adjusting to each player's personality.

 

[newtiger]

Should have those lucky dip boxes ...you pay the money ....hand in the box ...hey presto .....million $$$ NRL superstar

Or a Jordan Rankin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[momo_amp_medo]

We Are going ok ..... couple of more signings coming up and I predict a good 2020 Season.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Should have those lucky dip boxes ...you pay the money ....hand in the box ...hey presto .....million $$$ NRL superstar

We have to make sure that when we recruit our juniors, they are the best in the age group. Expose them to the best development and training and we may have our own superstars.

 

[Ponyo]

Keep the faith my guys -
We'll find success soon

 

[ElleryHanley]

We Are going ok ..... couple of more signings coming up and I predict a good 2020 Season.

Signings coming up?

 

[momo_amp_medo]

We Are going ok ..... couple of more signings coming up and I predict a good 2020 Season.


Signings coming up?

Yaza Mr. Will have 29 by time we kick off.
Now not saying there won’t be complaining on here about this and that. But guarantee it!

 

[HabboTiger]

It’s inevitable and hush hush

 

[finnzo]

I swear we could sign jackwhiton and there woukd be people complaining on here hahaha

 

[matchball]

I swear we could sign jackwhiton and there woukd be people complaining on here hahaha

Yes. I would be one. He is a dopey bogan with a drinking problem.

 

[happy_tiger]

Should have those lucky dip boxes ...you pay the money ....hand in the box ...hey presto .....million $$$ NRL superstar

We have to make sure that when we recruit our juniors, they are the best in the age group. Expose them to the best development and training and we may have our own superstars.

Cloning works as well ...just takes a bit longer

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Hooker is a big problem. Such a critical position in the modern game - and we have been down the makeshift path before.

For about 4 off seasons, just stop gaps used for the most important position.


And stop gaps used for years for a goal kicker also.

Almost incomprehensible....

Brett Hodgson would make a great fullback and goal kicker:hugging_face:

Pretty sure he was a stop gap at Parra . Went on to be nsw 1 and win us a premiership . Was graded as a half . Same as Buderus. Ruben wiki started as a winger . So did Lewis. But you know , stop gaps suck bla bla

 

[Deleted member 3518]

It's the club's image that is to blame for recruitment, nothing else. Look at how it all began.
We get rid of Sheens - who's legacy is still strong in the current game - and go through a merry-go-round of coaches, then with the constant media circus(plus ineptitude from club management) this was probably the final straw for certain players.
We need to be targeting players who not only wish to build their profile but also want to take "us" out of this hole or whatever it is, and make us competitive again.
But it's hard when we seem to be the least desirable club.

Like someone else said, we are the Susan Boyle of the NRL and everyone only wants to be with the Margot Robbies etc.,


All valid points.

I think Madge is a coach who will get the very best from the Garners and Aloais of the world, his work ethic will max out those guys who want a chance and want to work.

But elite blokes who have already won comps and played Origin are unlikely to want to sign up to be flogged by Madge.

Madge is known for having one way only...his way.

Bennet and Robinson are known for adjusting to each player's personality.

Robinson’s not known for that at all ! Go ask Lattrell. He’s exactly like Madge . He’s just been given so much autonomy over the team now , and won a couple of premierships that, it’s blinded . One thing he does have , is , despite his training style , the players universally like him , whereas madge tends to be disliked by the soft , Prima donnas . Ie . He doesn’t stroke thier ego for better or worse .