Rumours and Stuff

[Poupou Escobar]

So we should change the rules cause our management was incompetent and signed LAZY guys for 4yrs with a PO?
Maybe instead we should own up to our mistakes and hopefully learn from them

So lazy they played consistent finals for four straight years? Have you seen Matterson with his shirt off? The merkin isn't lazy.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Not sure Bailey has a PO.

Instead he just pissed and moaned and demanded a release. It's no different to a PO. Clubs don't want players who don't want to be there.

 

[Gronk]

Instead he just pissed and moaned and demanded a release. It's no different to a PO. Clubs don't want players who don't want to be there.

Didn't Charlie's manager ask for a release?

 

[King-Gutho94]

Didn't Charlie's manager ask for a release?

Different circumstances i believe that one was more manager driven trying to get a better deal while Charlie's stocks were high after 2 games and Ryles hadn't even had a chance to look under the hood.

Compared to Bailey's request is more player driven.

 

[Zoso]

There is a difference between worthwhile offers and no offers.

Mal Meninga beats you to a job. Says it all…

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Interesting. I think Big Sam has the potential to be a 7 or 8.
8+ being origin level.

Morretti I think can become a 6.5 maybe even 7 but id say mostly a 6.
Kautoga legs speed and play balls are sluggish. Unless improves that I reckon he wont be anything more then a 5. But who knows. Maybe they can drop some weight and make him more explosive.

No concerns about Moretti's play the balls?

last 4 games his average BTB speed is 3.82 s

For comparison (last 4,games) KK is 3.35 sec. While Crichton's is 2.95, Martin's is 3.26 and Young 3.72 (the NSW second rowers).

While KK is already averaging as many TB as Moretti (1.5). While the last 4 games is Moretti 1.5 v KK 3.

 

[Gronk]

Different circumstances i believe that one was more manager driven trying to get a better deal while Charlie's stocks were high after 2 games and Ryles hadn't even had a chance to look under the hood.

Compared to Bailey's request is more player driven.

Every release request would be a different circumstance to the next. That goes without saying. My point is that the club doesn't go all cat's-bum-face just because a player asks for a release. Normally, the player and the club just get on with it.

 

[Noise]

While KK is already averaging as many TB as Moretti (1.5). While the last 4 games is Moretti 1.5 v KK 3.

Not a good comparison. It's much easier to bust tackles on an edge than in the middle

 

[85 Baby]

No concerns about Moretti's play the balls?

last 4 games his average BTB speed is 3.82 s

For comparison (last 4,games) KK is 3.35 sec. While Crichton's is 2.95, Martin's is 3.26 and Young 3.72 (the NSW second rowers).

While KK is already averaging as many TB as Moretti (1.5). While the last 4 games is Moretti 1.5 v KK 3.

But remember when Kautoga dropped the ball that time?!? That puts him on the shit list forever.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Not a good comparison. It's much easier to bust tackles on an edge than in the middle

Ok let's compare to the 3 origin edge forwards.

Last 4 games TB, Critchon 3.75, Martin 3.25 and Young 2 v KK 3.

Definitely a small sample size. And maybe KK doesn't kick on. But so far he is doing ok.

 

[Noise]

Ok let's compare to the 3 origin edge forwards.

Last 4 games TB, Critchon 3.75, Martin 3.25 and Young 2 v KK 3.

Definitely a small sample size. And maybe KK doesn't kick on. But so far he is doing ok.

Is there a reason you picked the last 4 games? . Martin played limited minutes off the bench in 2 of them.

 

[85 Baby]

Interesting. I think Big Sam has the potential to be a 7 or 8.
8+ being origin level.

Morretti I think can become a 6.5 maybe even 7 but id say mostly a 6.
Kautoga legs speed and play balls are sluggish. Unless improves that I reckon he wont be anything more then a 5. But who knows. Maybe they can drop some weight and make him more explosive.
For reference 5 is a Bailey Simmonson level player and Russel is a 4

I concur with Tuivati but think he needs to put the work in other wise he’ll probably be max 4. I actually don’t think he’ll wind up in the middle (other than long term). I reckon he’ll either be Origin class or struggle to make it out of reserves.

Moretti I feel has now been typecast. I think 6 is generous if he can’t break perception of him purely being an impact player.

Pre-injury I think you’re underselling Kautoga. Runs a good line, high defensive work rate (not always effective though), good lateral movement. 5 is probably where he’ll wind up, but even that would make him our best legitimate 2nd rower since Mau (discounting all the not quite edge, not quite middle forwards we’ve used in between, and also Cartwright because he was a 3-8 rating every week).

Agree with Simonsson/Russell at the moment but I think Simonsson has peaked. Russell may have peaked but the Reddy comparisons may also be accurate and if Russell can maintain his current athleticism but get smarter then he could easily surpass Simonsson. Whether waiting for that to occur is best move for club is debatable.

 

[Delboy]

Spoke to Kautoga at the members evening, he said he hasn’t been able to do a full pre season for 2 years due to injuries and ops.
Basically he is desperate to get started this year and be In a position to improve and show what exactly a 100 % fit start to the year would like it, confident and very keen to play even harder and faster.

Moretti basically wants to get a little bigger without losing speed and said they are working on a program to do that in this off season with the dieticians and trainers.

Was a really good and confident feeling across the younger players that 2026 will be much improved, don’t know why but the whole group including the more senior players were the most relaxed and happy for years.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Is there a reason you picked the last 4 games? . Martin played limited minutes off the bench in 2 of them.

Last 4 games Martin has played 274 mins, KK has played 279 min

Yes, there is. KK is still a rookie with limited NRL games (18 games). Obviously his early games were fairly average.

However his form was improving as he got more experience - thus the reason I selected last 4 games. To show a comparison of his more recent form compared to the elite edge forwards (and no way am I saying he is as good as them).

Yep small sample size, and who knows if his form continues. But so far his development is pretty promising. Additionally he hasn't had the opportunity to build much of a combination with a "settled" halves partner either.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Didn't Charlie's manager ask for a release?

I reckon he just wanted more money.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Different circumstances i believe that one was more manager driven trying to get a better deal while Charlie's stocks were high after 2 games and Ryles hadn't even had a chance to look under the hood.

Compared to Bailey's request is more player driven.

ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Every release request would be a different circumstance to the next. That goes without saying. My point is that the club doesn't go all cat's-bum-face just because a player asks for a release. Normally, the player and the club just get on with it.

There’s a good chance we want him gone to free up a roster slot, but had to make it seem like his idea to minimise our payout.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I concur with Tuivati but think he needs to put the work in other wise he’ll probably be max 4. I actually don’t think he’ll wind up in the middle (other than long term). I reckon he’ll either be Origin class or struggle to make it out of reserves.

Moretti I feel has now been typecast. I think 6 is generous if he can’t break perception of him purely being an impact player.

Pre-injury I think you’re underselling Kautoga. Runs a good line, high defensive work rate (not always effective though), good lateral movement. 5 is probably where he’ll wind up, but even that would make him our best legitimate 2nd rower since Mau (discounting all the not quite edge, not quite middle forwards we’ve used in between, and also Cartwright because he was a 3-8 rating every week).

Agree with Simonsson/Russell at the moment but I think Simonsson has peaked. Russell may have peaked but the Reddy comparisons may also be accurate and if Russell can maintain his current athleticism but get smarter then he could easily surpass Simonsson. Whether waiting for that to occur is best move for club is debatable.

Don't think Russell has peaked, reckon he still has a fair bit of "upside". He is only 23 with 60 NRL games, and 22 or so at centre.

He pretty much has only just got that 50 plus games experience (no longer just surviving in the NRL) with less then a seasons experience at centre.

Another season at centre, he could get a lot better.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I suspect we never wanted to release Simonson (he had to ask a few times) as we have got him on a pretty decent valued contract, and provides good coverage (with his experience, ability and able to cover all backline spots) as our "next" back.

It now leaves us, short of experience in the backs. We do have some rookies that can fill in but probably now have to look for someone else.

 

[Avenger]

I suspect we never wanted to release Simonson (he had to ask a few times) as we have got him on a pretty decent valued contract, and provides good coverage (with his experience, ability and able to cover all backline spots) as our "next" back.

It now leaves us, short of experience in the backs. We do have some rookies that can fill in but probably now have to look for someone else.

I agree but I think that if the rumours are true that Averillo wants to return to Sydney then he would be the perfect replacement for him. Can play anywhere in the backline too.