5/8 options

[ColdWetPanther]

I'm on the waiting list for a hip replacement, How has it been ?

It’s like they sliced open my leg, dislocated my hip, chiselled my old, deformed joint out and the banged a new one in!!

In all seriousness, thanks for asking. It sounds evasive and that has probably contributed to the swelling. But first class medical care (I did it privately in the north of England, I am sure you would get similar care in Oz whether private or public).

Feeling much better already almost a week out. Looking forward to being able to tie my shoelaces, and so not needing to look like a 5-year-old and wear slip-ins all the time!!

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

It’s like they sliced open my leg, dislocated my hip, chiselled my old, deformed joint out and the banged a new one in!!

In all seriousness, thanks for asking. It sounds evasive and that has probably contributed to the swelling. But first class medical care (I did it privately in the north of England, I am sure you would get similar care in Oz whether private or public).

Feeling much better already almost a week out. Looking forward to being able to tie my shoelaces, and so not needing to look like a 5-year-old and wear slip-ins all the time!!

Thanks. I have a body riddled with arthritis. I can't work without a walker. So hoping it helps a little.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Thanks. I have a body riddled with arthritis. I can't work without a walker. So hoping it helps a little.

I imagine it will help Alice; I’m only a week in and still addressing the surgery, but very hopeful about where I will get to.

You’ll be skipping up the stairs to the new grandstand at Penrith with your new body parts; we have the technology, we can rebuild her!!

 

[jane the pain]

Yep trent is the smokey for me. He looks quality. Has a real touch of class about him

How old?

 

[BxTom]

I thought that I would throw a dark horse option in here that nobody seems to have considered - Jarome Luai.

 

[Iamback]

I thought that I would throw a dark horse option in here that nobody seems to have considered - Jarome Luai.

I think most didn't see it as an option when he didn't re-sign earlier

 

[Luke Bowden]

I thought that I would throw a dark horse option in here that nobody seems to have considered - Jarome Luai.

That’s my preference

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

I thought that I would throw a dark horse option in here that nobody seems to have considered - Jarome Luai.

What is the 'dark horse' signing.

 

[murraymob]

What is the 'dark horse' signing.

Me

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Me

Told ya I was slow.

 

[The Realist]

I’ll personally be cheering for Daine Laurie, always liked him.

I like him but he won't be half the defender Luai was. Luai is an Elite defender in the halves. Daine's body type makes it very hard for him to be as effective.

 

[Luke Bowden]

I like him but he won't be half the defender Luai was. Luai is an Elite defender in the halves. Daine's body type makes it very hard for him to be as effective.

Jerome wasn’t always that good.

Daine can and will improve

 

[Iamback]

I like him but he won't be half the defender Luai was. Luai is an Elite defender in the halves. Daine's body type makes it very hard for him to be as effective.

Also IF Cleary is going to play both sides. We need more of a kicking game at 6

 

[Chins get the wins]

Also IF Cleary is going to play both sides. We need more of a kicking game at 6

Or 9 and 1 I'd trust Dyl to kick from time to time. No idea about Kenny

 

[Whino]

Also IF Cleary is going to play both sides. We need more of a kicking game at 6

Definitely. You wouldn't want Cleary to get injured or HIA in the first 5 minutes and be caught short.
Whoever the 6 is you want them to step up if required.

 

[betcats]

Or 9 and 1 I'd trust Dyl to kick from time to time. No idea about Kenny

one thing I don’t understand is why every hooker doesn’t have at least one kick in their arsenal - kick to corner from 50 metres out, it’s so hard to stop if a hooker does it right and can a big momentum swing and takes pressure of halves. Doesn’t have to be perfect just make sure it doesn’t go dead. Practice that one kick half an hour a day and surely any booker can get it, do it on 3rd or 4th so the wingers aren’t back.

 

[Chins get the wins]

one thing I don’t understand is why every hooker doesn’t have at least one kick in their arsenal - kick to corner from 50 metres out, it’s so hard to stop if a hooker does it right and can a big momentum swing and takes pressure of halves. Doesn’t have to be perfect just make sure it doesn’t go dead. Practice that one kick half an hour a day and surely any booker can get it, do it on 3rd or 4th so the wingers aren’t back.

Even Billy Walters the bum nailed a few in the GF

 

[Sime_11]

Definitely. You wouldn't want Cleary to get injured or HIA in the first 5 minutes and be caught short.
Whoever the 6 is you want them to step up if required.

this is why all in on Schneider - will suit the team more and take pressure of Nathan (short kicking especially)

Laurie just seems an x factor type player

 

[The Realist]

Part of the reason that I am starting to get annoyed with Luai is that he strung us along a little bit. Would have been great to know he wants to leave and chase the $$$ earlier so we could have had a chance to retain Cogger.

I also get a feeling that when he finally does leave there will be a few stories about how he was disgruntled with the club. We got a small snippet of that with Critta but once Luai is out, I am sure both of them and maybe even Leniu will have more to say.

It's quite telling that it's the Samoan Brotherhood - the players who we hoped would stick by the club they professed to love, and stick with each other and all the FTA jazz, are the ones leaving.

I am also not absolving the club from some of this. I get the sense that the FTA boys all felt like they were taken for granted to an extent. Critta alluded to this after speaking about his signing with the Dogs, about how he felt management didn't value him and he took the Tago and May deals as a shot against him. In the end he left the club of his mates that he loves - for around 50-100K more per season which isn't a big deal at all.

In saying all of the above though, I am glad we didn't get into a bidding war. Luai is not worth $1.2m for us, even factoring in all the cultural stuff and definitely not his on field performance. I think 2023 was his weakest year by far which was surprising given how good his 2022 was.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Part of the reason that I am starting to get annoyed with Luai is that he strung us along a little bit. Would have been great to know he wants to leave and chase the $$$ earlier so we could have had a chance to retain Cogger.

I also get a feeling that when he finally does leave there will be a few stories about how he was disgruntled with the club. We got a small snippet of that with Critta but once Luai is out, I am sure both of them and maybe even Leniu will have more to say.

It's quite telling that it's the Samoan Brotherhood - the players who we hoped would stick by the club they professed to love, and stick with each other and all the FTA jazz, are the ones leaving.

I am also not absolving the club from some of this. I get the sense that the FTA boys all felt like they were taken for granted to an extent. Critta alluded to this after speaking about his signing with the Dogs, about how he felt management didn't value him and he took the Tago and May deals as a shot against him. In the end he left the club of his mates that he loves - for around 50-100K more per season which isn't a big deal at all.

In saying all of the above though, I am glad we didn't get into a bidding war. Luai is not worth $1.2m for us, even factoring in all the cultural stuff and definitely not his on field performance. I think 2023 was his weakest year by far which was surprising given how good his 2022 was.

We got a better backup half than Cogger in Schnieder imo