Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[BuffaloRules]

imo the reason is because there simply aren't any 80 minute hookers available. I don't see Liddle or MM being able to last 80 minutes, maybe with time and development they will but until then I'd rather see that bench spot filled with Liddle.

MM is a pretty solid dude, you could move him to lock for a bit if we get a couple of injuries mid game.

If either can't play 80 than so be it...

I have hopes that Liddle might be able to get there one day.... Otherwise I'm not sure of his long term value of him

We need size.... The better teams have gigantic benches and you need to be able to rotate the big bodies....

 

[magpie_man]

Yes, we are going to have a small back row, assuming it'll be:

Lawrence-Taylor-McQueen

We will definitely need a minimum of 3 big forwards on the bench.

 

[Tiger05]

Yes, we are going to have a small back row, assuming it'll be:

Lawrence-Taylor-McQueen

We will definitely need a minimum of 3 big forwards on the bench.

I can't see that backrow cutting it. I think they are all good players but I can't see them matching it with teams that have big packs.

 

[Shredder]

We cant be all things for all teams.

The way the game is changing having wide running, strong defending back rowers that play 80 mins is a real bonus. Thats what we have.

The Dogs have a huge pack - its not doing them much good.

 

[Tiger05]

Shredder you make a good point. Maybe we have to wait and see how it turns out but I hope IC has a plan B if out backrow isn't having any impact.

 

[Shredder]

05, I suspect his plan B is next years player market.

Considering what he inherited and where we are so far for 2018 he has done an outstanding job of clever buys and depth signings. I cant remember a club ever go through a cull like we have in one season. Looks like we are going to have about 20-25 new players in our top group. Which is what we desperately needed.

Not too many "stars" left unsigned in the market and I take with a grain of salt the talk of clubs having to off load players to fit under the cap.

I mean, if good clubs are over the cap, they just pay the fine..... THATS what the roosters do. If they are digging their heels in over Watson, they are certainly not going to offer other players an early release. This guy isnt even first grade.

For what its worth, I like the idea of buying Ferguson for the wing, maybe another 2 or 3 depth forwards, then look for another marquee signing next year.

 

[madunit]

A few off contract back rowers at the end of 2018 that I can think of.

Josh Papalii, Jayson Bukuya, Coen Hess, Angus Crichton, Joel Thompson, Boyd Cordner

We don't have many off contract next year. Taylor, Sue and Felise I think.

 

[Shredder]

MU is that all we have off contract across the entire squad?
What?
Stability???

 

[madunit]

At the end of next year. I think so.

MWZ may be on that list as well

 

[magpie_man]

I can't see that backrow cutting it. I think they are all good players but I can't see them matching it with teams that have big packs.

I'm pretty comfortable with that back row so long as, as mentioned, we have a good rotation of fresh-legged big units in the front row.
My biggest concern is what happens when Packer and Mautalino take a breather or, even worse, pick up an injury.

 

[Tiger05]

Considering what he inherited and where we are so far for 2018 he has done an outstanding job of clever buys and depth signings.

Cleary to me is a fantastic coach. I remember Taylor coming in and he sounded and acted like a muppet. He also made a lot of poor decisions however I can't crucify him too much for that because it's only with hindsight that it's obvious how poor the decisions made regarding the dud 4 were.

I think Taylor may have learnt a lot from this experience and may be able to be a first grade coach in the future. It's a shame though that he had to learn whilst coaching us. Potter to me was heaps better than Taylor but Cleary seems a class above all the coaches we've had excluding Sheens when he initially came here.

 

[Clifferd]

I'm pretty comfortable with that back row so long as, as mentioned, we have a good rotation of fresh-legged big units in the front row.
My biggest concern is what happens when Packer and Mautalino take a breather or, even worse, pick up an injury.

This to me is our biggest concern. Yes Packer and Matulino are brilliant but imo if we are unlucky and suffer a long term injury to one of them then we could be in a little trouble

If we are to have success next year it will be on the back of these two big units being fit for majority of the season.

 

[The Charlatan]

I still believe we need a workhorse prop.

I had thought MM had already resigned?

 

[Shredder]

We need 6 first grade quality props.
I think it was actually Sheens that said you need 6 props, 2 on the field, 2 on the bench and 2 on suspension.

Not that he ever actually DID that.....

But it makes sense.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I still believe we need a workhorse prop.

I'd like to see us sign someone like Tagatese. He would be fairly cheap, he is a big unit and he does make pretty good metres. With a rotation of Matulino, Packer, Tagataese and then one of Twal, Sue, Felise and Aloiai I think we'd go OK.

 

[Tigerm]

Not sure with this line of thinking....

If they are both signed so be it- doubt either will be breaking the bank, and I don't see why this needs to mean they both make the 17.....

The good teams don't waste a bench spot on a hooker....

Agree and MM is going very well so I don't see the need either.

 

[Tigerm]

We cant be all things for all teams.

The way the game is changing having wide running, strong defending back rowers that play 80 mins is a real bonus. Thats what we have.

The Dogs have a huge pack - its not doing them much good.

Yep and in 2005 a small forward pack won the premiership, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[super_coach]

Rome was not built in a day. Next year we are going to be solid and fingers crossed lay the foundations and make the culture changes we have been screaming out for. We might get bottom of the eight if things go right, but I am expecting to see a team that earns plenty of respect. I would love to see another quality backrower on the books, but you also have to leave the door open for one or two kids like Masters to walk through if they are good enough. Close all the doorways and they can loose interest quickly

 

[Tiger05]

I honestly thought that this year we could have a good year. Our players that needed to step up haven't and the big 4 have been basically been well below average.

Hopefully next year we have a more solid squad and they compete week in and week out and that actually love the club. I'd be happy with that.

 

[super_coach]

I honestly thought that this year we could have a good year. Our players that needed to step up haven't and the big 4 have been basically been well below average.

Hopefully next year we have a more solid squad and they compete week in and week out and that actually love the club. I'd be happy with that.

Any remote chance we had went out the window with the three egos contract negotiations. The writing was on the wall late 2016 that we did not have the quality to be a real chance. Next year trying to get a heap of new players playing a new structure is going to be a real challenge, but we will see a hard competitive side