Rumours and Stuff

[Poupou Escobar]

I think it's possible. He's already better than him at some things. But we also have to accept that we'll probably have a worse bench next year than this year. Jennings will probably be a worse player and so might Ferguson. Hopefully it's all offset by having more experience in our spine.

 

[Eelementary]

Kaufusi will be better than Evans. The only area he'll never match up in is height.

I agree that he will be better - but in the next year, or so, we probably need to find a replacement for Evans, so that Kaufusi can develop his game at a reasonable pace.

 

[hindy111]

He’s really come good last year and so far this year after a very bad first year. Disappointed to see him go. I guess you got to take the better offer.

I'm not. Solid last year but not a world beater. This year been injured most of it. And yes been ok but hardly great.
He'd be on around 300k and anyone who thinks not has rocks in head. We can find a guy as good for that price or better.
He still doesn't bend the line for me. Gets an ok offload away but not like juniors.
Kane will be 29 next season. Best days are passed him even if he has a couple more seasons left. He isn't someone who ever looks like challenging a top 13 spot.

 

[hindy111]

Kaufusi will be better than Evans. The only area he'll never match up in is height.

He has better acceleration and power and looks for smart offloads and not just ones for the sake of it.

 

[hindy111]

Will he be better than him within 6 months?

Yes. 100%
How many minutes has Kafusi had? Once hits about 35 games he will be up to speed and start to come good. I reckon right now he isn't far off Evan's.

 

[hindy111]

I think it's possible. He's already better than him at some things. But we also have to accept that we'll probably have a worse bench next year than this year. Jennings will probably be a worse player and so might Ferguson. Hopefully it's all offset by having more experience in our spine.

I think MJ and Fergo will be a simmilar level.
The bench may be better due to Kafusi,Stone,Niakuore all getting better. Marata may however be at his peak but I reckon still has a bit more to add to his game.
Kafusi and Stone will improve out of sight. And odds on a junior pops up and makes an impression.

 

[hindy111]

I agree that he will be better - but in the next year, or so, we probably need to find a replacement for Evans, so that Kaufusi can develop his game at a reasonable pace.

He is ready. This isn't his first year in NRL.
I'd expect him to have 40mins a game next season. Between him,Stone and Niakuore.
The 4th bench member will be a utility

 

[eel01s]

I expect a bench hooker next year. We can't rely on Stone to fill in long term.

 

[IFR33K]

I think MJ and Fergo will be a simmilar level.
The bench may be better due to Kafusi,Stone,Niakuore all getting better. Marata may however be at his peak but I reckon still has a bit more to add to his game.
Kafusi and Stone will improve out of sight. And odds on a junior pops up and makes an impression.

Stone has ticker but he has his limitations.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Mahoney plays such long minutes can we afford to carry a specialist hooker? If Mahoney needs a rest we can use a smaller forward like Stone (or even Brown) or even just use Gutherson at dummy half during that period and bring in another middle.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I am NO Pangai fan let me tell you. But I have seen some things he can do which are elite esque... if Kane Evans is on circa 400-450 ish, why couldn’t we potentially look at a Pangai for an extra couple hundred? Surely his ceiling is higher.

Because Evans isn’t on contract next so him not being here doesn’t save anything in the cap.

Any cap available in 2021 would have been considered/used in signing Paulo / RCG / Matterson / Blake / Fergo , resigning our spine / lane etc etc.

additionally our squad doesn’t need a $500k plus (probably more like $750k) prop.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Mahoney plays such long minutes can we afford to carry a specialist hooker? If Mahoney needs a rest we can use a smaller forward like Stone (or even Brown) or even just use Gutherson at dummy half during that period and bring in another middle.

considering our starting middles play big minutes along with 3 middles on the bench, the 14 could be a good place to blood a rookie hooker with 10 or so mins each week.....sounds like a perfect role for Schneider next year if he is up to it.

 

[hineyrulz]

they not only read, a few are members here

Hi Buzz.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

considering our starting middles play big minutes along with 3 middles on the bench, the 14 could be a good place to blood a rookie hooker with 10 or so mins each week.....sounds like a perfect role for Schneider next year if he is up to it.

Fair point. And I suppose with his kicking game Schneider could cover the halves if one was injured during a game.

 

[eels_fan]

Could Lussick offer value for 12 months in 2021 taking on Evans role while Kaufusi has some more time to develop?

It’s hard to judge if any younger guys are ready to enter the fray as they are not playing, but I think we’ll have too much inexperience in our bench if we go into 2021 with a plan of

Kaufusi
Niukore
Stone
??

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

considering our starting middles play big minutes along with 3 middles on the bench, the 14 could be a good place to blood a rookie hooker with 10 or so mins each week.....sounds like a perfect role for Schneider next year if he is up to it.

Is Schneider eligible to play now? And does anyone know how he's been going?

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Is Schneider eligible to play now? And does anyone know how he's been going?

Yes, think he can play as was listed as a development player.

I think one of the dudes from TCT mentioned/posted here, he didn’t originally join the “bubble” but was now training with the squad.

Didn’t he have a few injuries last couple of years? Probably a year off could have helped his development, yeah playing is good, but the time could be spend building up his size / strength/ growing into his body - which is what some young players need.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Yes, think he can play as was listed as a development player.

I think one of the dudes from TCT mentioned/posted here, he didn’t originally join the “bubble” but was now training with the squad.

Didn’t he have a few injuries last couple of years? Probably a year off could have helped his development, yeah playing is good, but the time could be spend building up his size / strength/ growing into his body - which is what some young players need.

Yeah I remember he had injuries but not sure of late. I just read an article from November last year that mentioned he was going to train with the squad, though not a development player at that point. There's a picture of him at training.

 

[Gronk]

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I reckon @Gary Gutful would've breached a few 'biosecurity protocols' in his time.