Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Tigers Tale]

Interesting pickup. He was very fast from memory, hope he still is. Scored one of the best long range tries I have seen. He was a bit like Lachlan Coote (at his best) so I really do hope he is still up for it.

 

[Leigh Howlett]

I'm a bit of a Footy card collector and I'm sure he was a Rookie in 2010, sounds about right!., can't imagine him cracking the NRL again but should be a solid NSWRL/Intrust player.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Seems like hes been around forever huh Vic -

He was a decent prospect if I remember correctly. Change might do him good.

Yeah not sure what happened to him, seemed to fall off the face of the earth about 2 years ago. You’d think he would have at least gone to England but looking at Wikipedia seems he’s been running around for Wentworthville. Maybe had injuries or lacked commitment as he surely had too much talent to be on a part time contract.

 

[simmo05]

Was just watching the coach/ceo q&a and they said we dont need the 30th player until June 30, and we still had a bit of coin left. Hopefully Gardner was not our last pick up

 

[Vic Mackey]

Was just watching the coach/ceo q&a and they said we dont need the 30th player until June 30, and we still had a bit of coin left. Hopefully Gardner was not our last pick up

Believe it’s a nsw cup contract mate

 

[gordsy]

Hopefully we spend that money on a player that can help us score points. Our game plan last year seemed to be throw it to Teddy and pray. With him gone it falls onto Brooks and Reynolds to do that job. From memory Reynolds was way down the bottom in try assists and I'm not convinced Brooks is the star in the making so many seem to think he is but because he and Reynolds are both of huge coin I don't see either getting punted to reggies no matter how bad they perform.. Interesting times ahead for us.

 

[Shredder]

Gordsy, Im not sure they are on huge coin at all.

Reynolds media contract number was about $700,000 and Brookes was $500,000. At $1.2mln for both of our halves that would make them towards the bottom in terms of cost for 6 and 7. Didnt Parra pay $900,000 for Moses?

Given that we have bought Benji, Gamble and lolo who can all cover these possys and given that Ivan has always said they would get "first crack" if they dont perform Im fairly sure they will get dumped if they dont follow the game plan.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Hopefully we spend that money on a player that can help us score points. Our game plan last year seemed to be throw it to Teddy and pray. With him gone it falls onto Brooks and Reynolds to do that job. From memory Reynolds was way down the bottom in try assists and I'm not convinced Brooks is the star in the making so many seem to think he is but because he and Reynolds are both of huge coin I don't see either getting punted to reggies no matter how bad they perform.. Interesting times ahead for us.

Keen to see how Lolohea goes at 1 but admit I’m not totally convinced he’ll be a success.

I think our halves will surprise and be good along with Liddle who will own the 9. Brooks hasn’t lived up to expectations however if you look at the stats I’m fairly confident he’s been in the top 5 when you combine try’s, TAs, line breaks and LBAs generally every year he’s played first grade.

When Ivan coached Penrith he dropped Kevin Kingston who was the captain for a young James Segeyaro, if Brooks or JRey aren’t performing and Benji/Gamble look a better option I have faith Ivan will make the big call.

 

[Leigh Howlett]

Hope that Tyson Gamble can place heaps of pressure on the halves to perform!.

 

[Das Hassler]

And having no-one with their position guaranteed makes the pressure real and hopefully effective

 

[BrotherJim05]

I think the biggest pressure will come from Nathan Cleary being off contract at the end of 2019

 

[Vic Mackey]

I think the biggest pressure will come from Nathan Cleary being off contract at the end of 2019

Huge

Brooks will pretty much have to win the Dally M to stop the media going crazy over this.

 

[Shredder]

Heres my 5c on Brooks.

I actually think he goes OK.
Its the perception we all have that he will be "great" that has tarnished him.
No matter who you are, if Joey Johns is saying you will be great in your first grade debut, its pretty hard to live up with that.

His defence has improved. What needs to improve now is his field vision and I think Reynolds will help him with that.

I just hope that Ivan allows him to play more of his natural game this year. I think with a decent pack (which we now have) it takes the pressure off Brooks.

My concern this year remains depth at hooker. We have three on the roster (if you dont include makeshift hookers) and none have ever played 80 mins at hooker as far as I remember / know.

So, at least for the opening rounds, we are going to need to run on with one on the paddock and one on the bench, meaning we only have one back-up.

I think its unfair to expect any of our hookers to go from 55 min players to 80 minute players for the entire season.

 

[Das Hassler]

I know it's a suggestion that elicits groans but i wouldn't be too upset if Liddle spent another year in the lower grades....get the most out of Benji and let him have his last season with Brooks ...a win / win and play Reynolds at hooker for one season before bringing Liddle back ...with his energy and skillset ( not least being his long kicking game) Reynolds could replicate a young Farah.....anyway just a thought ..we don't pick 'em
BTW....wishing a happy '18...it may well be!

 

[gordsy]

Pretty sure someone else has mentioned that Reynold's shoulder/s aren't up to the task of making 40 tackles a match.

 

[Das Hassler]

There you go....oh well...that won't work too well then

 

[dogz08]

reynolds also isn't the best passer..

 

[Crazyperpman]

Reynold's go is not tackling or passing or even game managing. It's being the first player chasing a kick, letting the opposition know when you are on top or getting in tired forwards ear and asking for an extra run. What he lacks in creativity he more than makes up for with competitiveness, desire & effort. In the right playing group he can be the heartbeat of the team, in the wrong group he can be a bog ordinary half. The unanswered question is what will he be at Wests.

For Hooker I hope Liddle has been running some sand hills somewhere and eating extra weeties because this team needs an 80 minute hooker. If he is not ready this year he bloody well better be next year. The benefits an 80 minute hooker give you is like having an extra player on the bench as most teams (including us) waste a spot with a 25 minute hooker/utility.

 

[Das Hassler]

Its fair to say what each player is or isn't but... i really believe that for the next few years it will be more a case of potential x coaching staff ....Cleary and Hodgson will create players ..pre existing medical conditions aside for a moment i believe that if Reynolds was told what's needed of him in the middle by a coach who believes in him he would deliver ....he has the mongrel and an eye for opportunity. ...his new club enthusiasm and natural determination would have him learn the technical side of a good dummy half game in double quick time....every perception of him is based on him.being at the dogs with varying degrees of happiness ....not gonna happen in any case...just what if's

 

[BrotherJim05]

*Groan

Reynolds is not a hooker. He has played maybe 2 games in FG at hooker and to my knowledge both games he was bog ordinary. He has played over 150 games at 5/8, including grand finals and SOO. He has trained all off season as Brooks halves partner. It won't be happening

What may actually be far more realistic is ET filling in at hooker for 20 min stints. ET has a superhuman motor, I could see him playing 70 mins a game, 20 at hooker, 50 at lock. Our middle forwards have plenty of grunt, I don't see why ET can' be used in this specialist role