David "the half pom" Gower

[Bazal]

Aren’t those three off contract?

They are. Tep isn't, though.

My opinion that I would move him on to make way for a better middle was originally in response to Avy saying Gower deserves an extension. Maybe he does, but he's off contract and if he is part of the sacrifice we have to make to improve the side then so be it, sadly.

 

[Bazal]

There's no law saying you can't re sign an off contract player if you think he still has 1 or 2 good years left. I'd offer him 1 more year. Anyone should be happy to be in the trenches with that merkin.

I'm not saying I wouldn't. I actually said I would...pending other signings.

 

[Joely01]

Aren’t those three off contract?
(penis, Vave and Matagi)

I hope they are, because I’d get rid of all 3

 

[hineyrulz]

I said ir during the game thread what a champ he is, give him another year BA because he never ever lets us down. And a champion bloke to boot.

 

[Happy MEel]

They are. Tep isn't, though.

My opinion that I would move him on to make way for a better middle was originally in response to Avy saying Gower deserves an extension. Maybe he does, but he's off contract and if he is part of the sacrifice we have to make to improve the side then so be it, sadly.

My opinion is that I’d place Gower above all three of those off contract and he will
also cost us less than them so I’d be resigning him before anyone else. I raised Tep because there is more chance of another club being interested in picking up most of his cap space. This effectively frees up a top 30 spot and some additional cap space for someone like Klemmer.

With Kaufusi already playing ISP you’d have to think he is a chance at a top 30 spot (at minimum wage) and ray stone should be ready next year. I’d rather fill our 25-30 spots with these kinds of players (along with Salmon and Marata) and spend big on a top 17.

 

[Bazal]

My opinion is that I’d place Gower above all three of those off contract and he will
also cost us less than them so I’d be resigning him before anyone else. I raised Tep because there is more chance of another club being interested in picking up most of his cap space. This effectively frees up a top 30 spot and some additional cap space for someone like Klemmer.

With Kaufusi already playing ISP you’d have to think he is a chance at a top 30 spot (at minimum wage) and ray stone should be ready next year. I’d rather fill our 25-30 spots with these kinds of players (along with Salmon and Marata) and spend big on a top 17.

It's a fair point, I think we're essentially on the same page tbh. I also said earlier I'd give Gower an offer once any imports are confirmed and sorted.

All I'm saying is I'd be waiting on new signings (whether that be Klemmer, TPJ, Ah Mau, by some miracle Taupau, whatever) before I offered ANY of our off contract middles a new contract and that includes Gower.

 

[strider]

My opinion is that I’d place Gower above all three of those off contract and he will
also cost us less than them so I’d be resigning him before anyone else. I raised Tep because there is more chance of another club being interested in picking up most of his cap space. This effectively frees up a top 30 spot and some additional cap space for someone like Klemmer.

With Kaufusi already playing ISP you’d have to think he is a chance at a top 30 spot (at minimum wage) and ray stone should be ready next year. I’d rather fill our 25-30 spots with these kinds of players (along with Salmon and Marata) and spend big on a top 17.

I agree ... i would like to see us fill out the roster with cheapish young guys who can bring enthusiasm

I dont know how far off the kids getting talked up are tho

 

[Bazal]

I agree ... i would like to see us fill out the roster with cheapish young guys who can bring enthusiasm

I dont know how far off the kids getting talked up are tho

Well really they can't be worse than the experienced plods we've got, lol.

Kaufusi and Stone would do a job at worst I reckon.

 

[strider]

Yeah if stone is now in our 30 then he can probably play the defensive oriented role scott plays

I dont know what standing scott has with the playing group ... but hard to imagine anyone is getting "inspired" by his presence this year

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Every time I saw a bald bloke make a good run I wondered if Scott had his mojo back. But no, was always Gowie.

 

[Noise]

The problem is we have so many ‘plod’ forwards. Arthur wanted these blokes

 

[hineyrulz]

The problem is we have so many ‘plod’ forwards. Arthur wanted these blokes

It's very exciting.

 

[jason taylor]

Maybe Danny Wicks will come out of retirement?...

 

[forward pass]

He seems to be the only forward we have that does not get pushed back on contact. It amazes when I watch us play how many of our blokes hit the line hard but end on their back a metre or so back - even big guys like Tep and Taka.

 

[emjaycee]

Yeah if stone is now in our 30 then he can probably play the defensive oriented role scott plays

I dont know what standing scott has with the playing group ... but hard to imagine anyone is getting "inspired" by his presence this year

Got some info yesterday that Stone is still in development squad (at the moment).
Apparently development squad players can be named in 21 but special dispensation/approval needed from NRL to actually play them in the 17.

 

[strider]

He seems to be the only forward we have that does not get pushed back on contact. It amazes when I watch us play how many of our blokes hit the line hard but end on their back a metre or so back - even big guys like Tep and Taka.

NRL has turned into just big pricks barrelling straight into groups of other big pricks ... and its all we ever measure the f**kers on - how many people they can barrel over .... gower effectively uses some footwork and hit n spin ... its actually nice to see for a change

 

[Avenger]

Got some info yesterday that Stone is still in development squad (at the moment).
Apparently development squad players can be named in 21 but special dispensation/approval needed from NRL to actually play them in the 17.

I think that may come with Scott and Williams out for the season.

 

[emjaycee]

I think that may come with Scott and Williams out for the season.

Interesting that they don't seem to have asked to replace Williams in the top 30 with anyone from the development squad yet. If Scott is out for the year AND we lose Edwards (as believed) we may have 4 spots to fill before June 30.

 

[strider]

Interesting that they don't seem to have asked to replace Williams in the top 30 with anyone from the development squad yet. If Scott is out for the year AND we lose Edwards (as believed) we may have 4 spots to fill before June 30.

do you have to replace injured players? .... do they have any concept of salary cap dispensations?

 

[Eelementary]

He seems to be the only forward we have that does not get pushed back on contact. It amazes when I watch us play how many of our blokes hit the line hard but end on their back a metre or so back - even big guys like Tep and Taka.

I like Tepai, but at he is inconsistent with the ball in his hand.

Taka makes more of an indent running it than Moeroa does.

Tepai has been a huge disappointment, imo.

I thought he'd flourish, running off the hip of Moses, but he hasn't really kicked on.