Rumoured and Confirmed Signings Part2

[abpanther]

I find it funny how so many are banking so much on our youngsters. Yes they have huge potential, but so many of them will wash out and not make it (Masada Iosefa says hi), I mean from last year:

DWZ - Didn't really do much until later in the year where he had a couple of nice games before the injury
Blake - Was pretty woeful most of the year, terrible hands (yes he played out of position but that doesn't excuse poor handling)
Gennings - Definitely looked the goods
Rennings - Looked out of his depth

I don't see the issue with bringing in good first graders to make these kids work hard and earn their shot. Plus lets not forget we will get a few injuries throughout the year so having some depth and competition is a good thing

 

[MrAnonymous]

We have the strangest fan base, deadset pack of potatos you merkins.

 

[chrisD]

I find it funny how so many are banking so much on our youngsters.

I don't see the issue with bringing in good first graders to make these kids work hard and earn their shot. Plus lets not forget we will get a few injuries throughout the year so having some depth and competition is a good thing

1. Moylan
2. DWZ
3. Whare
4. ???
5. Mansour

4 of 5 established and one up for grabs, Smith, Jennings, Jennings and Blake with Yeo and other possible creative solutions at centre. It's not really a particular reliance on youth or inexperience, most teams would probably be looking at something similar or were within the last 3 years.

Out of curiosity how is the young PROP everyone raved on about in under 20s-Stepped into NSW cup this year.Saunders is it? Few people I heard said he was average and wont make it too NRL level.

Playing off the bench or lock NSW Cup most of last year, unlikely to make an NRL career I think.

 

[abpanther]

1. Moylan
2. DWZ
3. Whare
4. ???
5. Mansour

4 of 5 established and one up for grabs, Smith, Jennings, Jennings and Blake with Yeo and other possible creative solutions at centre. It's not really a particular reliance on youth or inexperience, most teams would probably be looking at something similar or were within the last 3 years.

Playing off the bench or lock NSW Cup most of last year, unlikely to make an NRL career I think.

But are we sure that Moylan isn't moving to 6? I haven't heard anything definitive and everything Gould has said previously implies that Moylan will shift into the halves.

If that's the case and DWZ moves to FB, that leaves 2 spots open, plus you know at some stage Mansour will be injured

 

[MrBlack]

Would love to get Hiku

Whare, DWZ and Hiku .... That's half the 2016 Kiwi test backline right there. Plus Taylor in their forwards.

Add possibly TMM in a year or two.

No wonder we are taking games to Christchurch.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

But are we sure that Moylan isn't moving to 6? I haven't heard anything definitive and everything Gould has said previously implies that Moylan will shift into the halves.

Moylan is tipping Martin for the halves next year.

The Panthers' star fullback has been mooted as a future playmaker but he downplayed any chance of seeing him in the No.6 or No.7 jersey next NRL season.
Instead, he expects boom youngster Te Maire Martin to be pushing Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace for a start.
While the Panthers' veteran playmakers are not expected back in full training until after Christmas, Wests Tigers recruit Martin is making a big noise in the pre-season.
Soward underwent minor back surgery last week while Wallace is on the long road back from his second ACL tear in as many years.
Moylan said the New Zealand under-20s playmaker had been one of the standouts as the squad slogged it out under new coach Anthony Griffin in the pre-season and shown his intent to break into the starting side.

http://www.skynewssport.com.au/rugb...ylan-tips-martin-to-push-panthers-halves/3048

 

[ACTPanthers]

All over twitter at the moment we've "blown the Dragons and Eels out of the water" for Hiku...

Reports are (obviously not confirmed) about $1.3M over 3 years and a car - Overs IMO

 

[mxlegend99]

But are we sure that Moylan isn't moving to 6? I haven't heard anything definitive and everything Gould has said previously implies that Moylan will shift into the halves.

If that's the case and DWZ moves to FB, that leaves 2 spots open, plus you know at some stage Mansour will be injured

Moylan has said he thinks he will be playing fullback. There's also talk in papers that our halves will start out as Wallace and soward.

Round 1 is 90% picked IMO.

1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. ?
4. Whare
5. DWZ
6. Soward
7. Wallace
9. Segeyaro
all those seem locked in. At most DWZ may shift to centre.

Front row is from:
Latimore
Mckendry
RCG
Latu
Matagi

One will miss out unless we go with a 3 prop bench.

Second row / lock
Cartwright
Peachey
Taylor
Merrin

If we sign Grevsmuhl then the only decisions for Round 1 are who plays in that free backline spot. Which front rower doesn't make the team.

If we don't sign him we have a bench soot open for one of TMM, Yeo,Garcia etc. Or for all 5 props to slot in.

 

[abpanther]

If we start Round 1 with Soward and Wallace as our halves I think I'll be sick

 

[meek]

If we start Round 1 with Soward and Wallace as our halves I think I'll be sick

Me too
Soward i could live with in the hope he may regain top form - but seriously Wallace is crap - and in MY opinion been as such for a long time
If he's again capt and starts the year - it will be a major mistake
He offers Nothing in attack and his much vaunted defence IMO is a no longer there.

Anyway time will tell hope im wrong
but please , please NO bloody Wallace,,,,,,,,,

 

[mxlegend99]

It looks a certainty unless the coach and players are hoping to keep Moylan playing halves a secret.

That said there's plenty of time for injuries to alter the round 1 team. I don't think anyone is in doubt at the moment. But that doesn't mean they can't get injured before then.

Fully fit though the only spot up for grabs is a centre spot. Which is why I think we should leave it up for grabs rather than make it impossible for even one of Gennings, Rennings, Blake and Smith to crack our full strength squad.

 

[Kilkenny]

I have watched Robert Jennings coming thru Harold Matts, Ball and onto Holden Cup and into the Seniors. He is a super talent who yes has not quite shown what he is capable off in the top grade. Make no mistake however he is a super talent, just needs to stay fit and play in a side which creates opportunities for the outside backs. If he get's space and opportunity watch out he is a potential superstar. Same applies to Waqa Blake although I think Robert has the ability to be the better player long term.

 

[mxlegend99]

Agreed Kilkenny. Waqa Blake has been disappointing so far but he was so far ahead of other players in reserve grade and Under 20's that it's hard to imagine anything other than a serious injury preventing him from one day bringing that ability into the NRL.

I think Waqa Blake will be like Blake Austin was. Dominate the f**k out of reserve grade, show a bit of his potential in first grade and just need a bit of time and patience for him to full deliver. But I think if we give up on him he will deliver elsewhere just as Blake Austin did and we will regret it massively.

He also hasn't been used in his favored position that many times. He and Robert Jennings kept getting picked on the wing due to ridiculous injury lists means they were played out of positions, in a team struggling with form, combinations and severely understrength.

If we can go into Round 1 and full strength and give a guy like Rennings or Blake a shot in their favored position with a strong side around them, I think they will do a much better job at proving themselves. Ontop of that, they have the experience of 2015 to learn from and we know what areas of the game they need to improve on.

I expect one of these two to become a superstar in 2016. Unless we sign Hiku in which case I expect we will lose one or both of them and they will become a superstar elsewhere.

 

[abpanther]

I really don't understand the argument of saying young centre failed because they played him on the wing, I think that it's a pretty common transition into FG for young outside backs so I think that argument is hogwash

Lets also not forget Greg Waddell, he was receiving similar comments at the time and never delivered.

I'm not saying these guys won't, but it's a very distinct possibility.

 

[mxlegend99]

I really don't understand the argument of saying young centre failed because they played him on the wing, I think that it's a pretty common transition into FG for young outside backs so I think that argument is hogwash

Lets also not forget Greg Waddell, he was receiving similar comments at the time and never delivered.

I'm not saying these guys won't, but it's a very distinct possibility.

On the same note, plenty of guys were fine with Blake Austin leaving because he wasn't a superstar immediately. I was never happy with that though, and it pissed me off that he never got a fair crack while here. He was so very clearly in a league of his own at reserve grade level. Yet it took him leaving us to get the run he deserved.

Waddell was injured. Constantly. From a young age. He never got close to making first grade. Not really. Blake and Jennings have actually played first grade. And shown glimpses of that potential at that level. There's certainly a lot of improvement needed, but they're not even close to the same as Greg Waddell was.

edit
If you want to compare those guys to someone. A Geoff Daniela type player would be better. But he was never rated in a class of his own like them.

 

[abpanther]

I hope you're right and they develop into superstars!

 

[mxlegend99]

One of them will atleast. Just hope it's with us. Seeing Blake Austin kick on at Tigers and Raiders while we chose to sign Peter Wallace instead of keeping him absolutely sucks.

Having 4 guys with first grade experience and being a class or two above everyone else in reserve grade increases our chances in getting them to reach their potential. The competition of 4 guys and one available spot means they're all needing the best their best and knowing that there's a realistic chance at getting a spot.

Although George Jennings is a winger primarily. I consider him fighting for the same spot as DWZ could move to centre. Since it seems fullback isn't happening for a while yet.

 

[Kilkenny]

I really don't understand the argument of saying young centre failed because they played him on the wing, I think that it's a pretty common transition into FG for young outside backs so I think that argument is hogwash

Lets also not forget Greg Waddell, he was receiving similar comments at the time and never delivered.

I'm not saying these guys won't, but it's a very distinct possibility.

In fairness to Greg Waddell he was the victim of the worst luck imaginable when it came to injuries.

From my perspective and based on my own observations, I do watch junior footy (Matthews, Ball, Holden Cup) most weeks during the season I honesty believe what we already have in Blake & Robert Jennings is at least the equal of Hiku and Lafai if not better.

I am always optimistic and I think our squad overall is potentially very strong and when you factor in half a dozen kids from our successful Holden Cup Squad why would you bring in the likes of Hiku and Lafai when we have those positions covered.

As I have said before our brains trust at the club knows better than me, so if we do sign one of the above then happy days, accept the fact there is more competition for places and that can only be a good thing I suppose.

Both Robert Jennings and Waqa Blake have enormous potential but they are competing for the same spot. They are both centers. There is a lot of footy to be played between now and 2017 but you can't help feeling a few of our current contracted outside backs including those mentioned may have to move on to secure there top grade futures.

 

[mxlegend99]

Yeah unless we can sign a superstar back like Jarryd Hayne. I think signing someone like Hiku, Walker or Lafai would just be a waste of cap space. We have a number of guys with the potential to be good there. Possibly even great. Moylan, DWZ, Mansour and Whare mean we have 4 players set in stone who are quality. We can afford to be patient in finding that 5th player.

 

[kinghippo]

You are right mx, the lafai rumours led me to think it may have been a targeted signing, but the new rumours about hiku feel like they are looking to sign someone just for the sake of it. they are good players but we don't " need " them. Maybe they are pushing up the prices as a strategy, but then again it's all rumour anyway, this may all be driven by journalists.