Finau Latu's Move to Canterbury Bulldogs

[Auntie.Gerald]

Definite head scratcher at times especially when you see some of the dead wood being carried in the top 30 at the moment. Sione Finau, another one too.

Latu, Nick T, Liu, Finau should all be locked up in my opinion and all be in the top 30 for 2026

I have watched closely Liu and Fafita...........the last game in particular when both started as props

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What did you make of them first 20mins?

I felt they really struggled to get back on side. There are some clear times when they strolled straight backwards and left a big gap between the play and didnt close it nearly quick enough.

BUT in saying that Liu and Fafita if they can get their tanks up to speed could be really exciting project players. FAfita has been injury plagued for two years at the Dragons which is frustrating.........but a little disturbing that Liu at 20yrs old (now) looked no worse than Fafita who has been in the system quite a while now. They are a little erratic in their injection into the games and have a stack to work on in their intensity in defence.

They do look pretty good on the hitups though.

Nick T ran some good lines, was given some hospital passes and was up ended and driven back hard. But I have seen enough of him to to see he is a goer.........but versus Egan, Stewart etc ? and Halangahu only just turned 18yrs old and is starting to build his tank 2 or 3 years young than Nick T...........where does he rank for a top17 spot?

Overall do have a good strategy in place with youth coming through that could be genuine NRL players.

 

[Harry Bath]

Sorry mate but I disagree here and I hate the bulldogs with a passion. They had 6 months to tie him down and there was crickets as per usual. The communication between the club and some of the up coming youngsters is poor/non existent.

He was available from November and nothing happened till April and by then it was all over red rover. Dogs swooped in, showed some love, game over. Flanno having a rant was more of trying to save face than anything in my opinion.

Agree Flanagan and the non existent recruitment manager need to take the full blame here

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Should we be making an offer to Toby Sexton, in lieu of Kade Reed?
Opinions?
(Ducks and covers head in anticipation...)

Same thought went thru my mind- in a way, he owes us meaning he's played a major role in our demise in past encounters going back to when he was with the Titans. I could be persuaded as long as his overall kicking game is better than what we've got.

 

[redv13]

I have watched closely Liu and Fafita...........the last game in particular when both started as props

VIDEO: The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 12 - Canberra Raiders v Dragons

Watch streaming video, automated highlights and live scores for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 12 - Canberra Raiders v Dragons on BarTV Sports.

www.bartvsports.com.au

What did you make of them first 20mins?

I felt they really struggled to get back on side. There are some clear times when they strolled straight backwards and left a big gap between the play and didnt close it nearly quick enough.

BUT in saying that Liu and Fafita if they can get their tanks up to speed could be really exciting project players. FAfita has been injury plagued for two years at the Dragons which is frustrating.........but a little disturbing that Liu at 20yrs old (now) looked no worse than Fafita who has been in the system quite a while now. They are a little erratic in their injection into the games and have a stack to work on in their intensity in defence.

They do look pretty good on the hitups though.

Nick T ran some good lines, was given some hospital passes and was up ended and driven back hard. But I have seen enough of him to to see he is a goer.........but versus Egan, Stewart etc ? and Halangahu only just turned 18yrs old and is starting to build his tank 2 or 3 years young than Nick T...........where does he rank for a top17 spot?

Overall do have a good strategy in place with youth coming through that could be genuine NRL players.

At the end of the day it’s about a squad of 30. There’s a bit of deadwood that needs to be trimmed and replaced with these young, hungry, talented players. Just hope the slow management process doesn’t cost them a few more young guns

 

[St Tangles]

Watching Hamish play i'm not as upset at losing Latu as I was when it happened

Stewart is a machine

Of the young bunch he flew under the radar

 

[Gazzamataz]

Should we be making an offer to Toby Sexton, in lieu of Kade Reed?
Opinions?
(Ducks and covers head in anticipation...)

I don't think so. Kade Reed is not that far off 1st grade. A year in Reggies next year and he'll be just about ready to go. I think we have to hold firm with what we have, which is an exercise in patience. I think if we do it will pay off. Reed looks a good prospect.

 

[Dragsters]

Should we be making an offer to Toby Sexton, in lieu of Kade Reed?
Opinions?
(Ducks and covers head in anticipation...)

I don't think so. Kade Reed is not that far off 1st grade. A year in Reggies next year and he'll be just about ready to go. I think we have to hold firm with what we have, which is an exercise in patience. I think if we do it will pay off. Reed looks a good prospect.

I agree. Hold firm unless we go big for someone like Katoa...

 

[possm]

Watching Hamish play i'm not as upset at losing Latu as I was when it happened

Stewart is a machine

Of the young bunch he flew under the radar

We can't keep then all and really don't want to keep those who do not want to stay.

T Couchman
R Couchman
LP Tonger
Stewart
Eagan
Jett Liu

The above-listed players are local junior forwards who have agreed to stay. All have a great chance of playing at NRL level. All want to stay playing with the big red V. I think we are blessed to have the opportunity to bring them through.

 

[John moz]

Do a swap before June 30 for Conner Tracey he is signed till 2026 but he would be a handy x factor plays Fullback also no 6 and no 7 remove Kyle Flanagan to nsw cup would be a much better no 7

 

[Get2dachopper!]

Sexton and their number 10 Fifita, could be two very handy pick ups.

 

[mattw5]

Will we ever make moves in the player market becoming really frustrating. I would try get Papali for 2026 to help the forward pack

 

[mattw5]

Side note Fifita is garbage no way would i want him. Averages 55 run metres per game in 2025.

 

[Dragon David]

Dogs finish strong a lot of the times in the second half of their games. How in hell have they managed to keep their salary cap intact? They have at least 24 good players they can choose from in their top 30 to pick for their 17 team list. They can cover backs, halves and forwards. Just amazing and I am so pi--ed off with that. Buggers!!

 

[matPORTS]

I would be more than happy to take either of Sexton or Tracey prior to the end of the month. Either would give us the options and creativity we need, and are currently lacking.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita would also be a handy pick up, if we can negotiate an immediate swap with Finau Latu.

Instead of sitting in the Mahogany Room getting high on the smell + drunk on the Crown Lagers... it's time for board to actually do some work. Mr Watsford, this could also be an opportunity to stamp your authority in the job.

The good clubs don't sit on their hands and think of these ideas, especially if they have open spots currently in their Top 30 list.

It's time for us to stop being perennial losers !

 

[mattw5]

I would be more than happy to take either of Sexton or Tracey prior to the end of the month. Either would give us the options and creativity we need, and are currently lacking.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita would also be a handy pick up, if we can negotiate an immediate swap with Finau Latu.

Instead of sitting in the Mahogany Room getting high on the smell + drunk on the Crown Lagers... it's time for board to actually do some work. Mr Watsford, this could also be an opportunity to stamp your authority in the job.

The good clubs don't sit on their hands and think of these ideas, especially if they have open spots currently in their Top 30 list.

It's time for us to stop being perennial losers !

Fifita is very average

 

[Draginzaaar]

Dogs finish strong a lot of the times in the second half of their games. How in hell have they managed to keep their salary cap intact? They have at least 24 good players they can choose from in their top 30 to pick for their 17 team list. They can cover backs, halves and forwards. Just amazing and I am so pi--ed off with that. Buggers!!

Not a lot of 'Superstars'.