Five Gone - Confirmed

[Old Timer]

You obviously rate Host because you've been banging on about him all year.

What's odd to me is that you don't think Millward is doing a good job - so did he get the signing right?

Yes I do rate Host and the signing is only correct if the player is used and we know if he is up to 1st grade standard thus my dislike of our pathways programme and our coach because we are far too often left to wonder what if?
In respect of other signings we have made in the notable absence of a high quality player or 2 which believe it or not is what we require then I say Millward is not doing a good job thus far. It may be that he is handicapped due to the coach, club structure, money etc etc but as that is not offered as a reason as to why we do not attract the best players then I formulate my opinion on the basis Millward does not sign high profile and top quality players. Yes a few upgrades here and there but that IMO is not enough given the limitations of what we already have in roster and coaching.

So what's different about this statement compared to the post about Host not being a part of Mary's 21 at the start of the season? You were keen to jump on that without anything other than someone's random statement.

OK the difference is simple (can't believe you can't comprehend it but maybe you are being prickly).

1. The comment I made about Host and the coach's 21 was made after a couple of posts were made that Host was out of favour and the fact that he did not feature early in the season. Therefore the evidence / opinions at hand was what I based my opinion on.
2. In respect of Herbert I based my opinion on the evidence at hand which was, we let him go as he wasn't of 1st grade quality and lots of options pro & cons re his ability were offered as to why he should be released or kept. The information now offered up by DTW was not in the public domain prior to my post and if I had been aware of it then my opinion may well have altered depending on timing of said statement by Herbert.

 

[True_Believer]

Yes I do rate Host and the signing is only correct if the player is used and we know if he is up to 1st grade standard thus my dislike of our pathways programme and our coach because we are far too often left to wonder what if?
In respect of other signings we have made in the notable absence of a high quality player or 2 which believe it or not is what we require then I say Millward is not doing a good job thus far. It may be that he is handicapped due to the coach, club structure, money etc etc but as that is not offered as a reason as to why we do not attract the best players then I formulate my opinion on the basis Millward does not sign high profile and top quality players. Yes a few upgrades here and there but that IMO is not enough given the limitations of what we already have in roster and coaching.

So, in your eyes, Millward isn't doing a good job because he isn't signing 2 high quality players? Irrespective of signing and upgrading young players and trying to provide some depth - which we all agree we don't have, the fact he isn't signing a couple of top line players outweighs all the work he has done in trying to retain the best young talent we have, signing some first grade quality players (irrespective of how that comes about) and trying to get the best available depth at the best price?

And who do you want to provide a reason why we aren't attracting high profile players? Do you expect Millward himself to come out and say "I can't get any quality players because the coach and club are crap and we are skint"? Would you expect the club to say those things?

OK the difference is simple (can't believe you can't comprehend it but maybe you are being prickly).

1. The comment I made about Host and the coach's 21 was made after a couple of posts were made that Host was out of favour and the fact that he did not feature early in the season. Therefore the evidence / opinions at hand was what I based my opinion on.
2. In respect of Herbert I based my opinion on the evidence at hand which was, we let him go as he wasn't of 1st grade quality and lots of options pro & cons re his ability were offered as to why he should be released or kept. The information now offered up by DTW was not in the public domain prior to my post and if I had been aware of it then my opinion may well have altered depending on timing of said statement by Herbert.

I comprehend perfectly. It's got nothing to do with your 2 reasons, it's to do with your agenda.

1. One person said it - not multiple. SAP58 stated that his friend told him that Mary didn't like Host, he wasn't going to be included in the 21 and that he would be leaving the club soon. This was before the season even started. This suited your "youth first" stance and you jumped on it and pushed it hard - even though at least 2 people (me included) pointed out that an injury to Host pre-season had prevented him from being selected. You again brushed this aside and continued to pursue it aggressively even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
2. Dorothy has stated that Herbert has left due to wanting to move back to NZ and deciding not to resign with us. A decision he made, not the club. Unlike the Host situation, this doesn't fit with your "youth first" approach so you easily brush it aside as unsubstantiated and not worth discussing. You'd rather place the blame on Mary and club - because that is what you do.

Both comments have about as much substance as each other, but you pick and choose which one you want to believe based on what you believe the club should be doing.

 

[Old Timer]

So, in your eyes, Millward isn't doing a good job because he isn't signing 2 high quality players? Irrespective of signing and upgrading young players and trying to provide some depth - which we all agree we don't have, the fact he isn't signing a couple of top line players outweighs all the work he has done in trying to retain the best young talent we have, signing some first grade quality players (irrespective of how that comes about) and trying to get the best available depth at the best price?

And who do you want to provide a reason why we aren't attracting high profile players? Do you expect Millward himself to come out and say "I can't get any quality players because the coach and club are crap and we are skint"? Would you expect the club to say those things?




I comprehend perfectly. It's got nothing to do with your 2 reasons, it's to do with your agenda.

1. One person said it - not multiple. SAP58 stated that his friend told him that Mary didn't like Host, he wasn't going to be included in the 21 and that he would be leaving the club soon. This was before the season even started. This suited your "youth first" stance and you jumped on it and pushed it hard - even though at least 2 people (me included) pointed out that an injury to Host pre-season had prevented him from being selected. You again brushed this aside and continued to pursue it aggressively even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
2. Dorothy has stated that Herbert has left due to wanting to move back to NZ and deciding not to resign with us. A decision he made, not the club. Unlike the Host situation, this doesn't fit with your "youth first" approach so you easily brush it aside as unsubstantiated and not worth discussing. You'd rather place the blame on Mary and club - because that is what you do.

Both comments have about as much substance as each other, but you pick and choose which one you want to believe based on what you believe the club should be doing.

Ridiculous analysis on your part and just you pushing your pro club / coach agenda.
I pushed my agenda re Host and continued to do so until it was finally posted by the appropriate department within the club he had an injury and I then suggested the club erred in not announcing that much earlier which he could easily have done.
As I said re Herbert there was no information to suggest he was going home for family reasons prior to my post so if in fact that is the reason why, I again ask when did the club know that was the case?
On the basis of not knowing

So, in your eyes, Millward isn't doing a good job because he isn't signing 2 high quality players? Irrespective of signing and upgrading young players and trying to provide some depth - which we all agree we don't have, the fact he isn't signing a couple of top line players outweighs all the work he has done in trying to retain the best young talent we have, signing some first grade quality players (irrespective of how that comes about) and trying to get the best available depth at the best price?

And who do you want to provide a reason why we aren't attracting high profile players? Do you expect Millward himself to come out and say "I can't get any quality players because the coach and club are crap and we are skint"? Would you expect the club to say those things?




I comprehend perfectly. It's got nothing to do with your 2 reasons, it's to do with your agenda.

1. One person said it - not multiple. SAP58 stated that his friend told him that Mary didn't like Host, he wasn't going to be included in the 21 and that he would be leaving the club soon. This was before the season even started. This suited your "youth first" stance and you jumped on it and pushed it hard - even though at least 2 people (me included) pointed out that an injury to Host pre-season had prevented him from being selected. You again brushed this aside and continued to pursue it aggressively even in the face of evidence to the contrary.
2. Dorothy has stated that Herbert has left due to wanting to move back to NZ and deciding not to resign with us. A decision he made, not the club. Unlike the Host situation, this doesn't fit with your "youth first" approach so you easily brush it aside as unsubstantiated and not worth discussing. You'd rather place the blame on Mary and club - because that is what you do.

Both comments have about as much substance as each other, but you pick and choose which one you want to believe based on what you believe the club should be doing.

Re Millward let me make this really clear for you.
We didn't finish top 4, we didn't win the premiership, we capitulated yet again during the second half of the year.
IMO 2 major reasons for that coach & roster coincidently the one the coach wanted.
The greater limiting factor IMO is the coach so to get around that limitation you need a very strong roster and obviously the roster we had in 2018 was not strong enough.
The coach will be here again in 2019 and very likely beyond so therefore if the squad was not strong enough in 2018 it needs to be even stronger in 2019 if you want a chance at the main prize.
If you lose seasoned players and replace them with players with no NRL experience or very little experience you are hoping for an outcome instead of providing one.
If you buy proven players with SOO experience or they have played NRL for a number of years with good personal outcomes then you know what you are getting and can reasonably assume that you have strengthened your squad.
What category do you put Pearson & The Fijian Sensation in?
Can you safely assume they will be better than what we already have on the books or in the ISP or junior ranks?
Not sure whether Nene was a Millward signing or not but I suggested when he came it was bum deal for us and IMO it has proven to be exactly that way. A lack lustre 1st full season and a reasonable second year and now released with a year to go so what was the point in having him? 3 NRL clubs by the time he was 22 and now 4 clubs by the time he is 24.
Re Host yes I did go on the basis of what people / person / replies had to say and as there was no word form the club re injury and the fact he was unsighted I formulated my opinion. You condemn me for taking that position and ignoring you and 1 other who suggested an injury but no physical evidence from the club to support that. So IYO the voice of 2 is much more substantive than 1 and a few replies.
Re Herbert if the club was informed early on that he was not staying then they did the right thing in not playing him unless absolutely necessary however if the club didn't find out till very late in the season then I believe they erred in not playing him. The information provided by DTW which you countenance as accurate (remember you just upped me for taking the opinion of 1 person and running with it) means it is a hindsight position as it was not common knowledge or in the public domain so no allowance could be made for that in formulating an opinion.
Last but not least on Millward if he does come up with a big name signing I will alter my position but no way am I giving him accolades for Perreira, Pearson, Latimore & The Fijian Sensation but if they prove me wrong I will happily attest to making a mistake.
Remember my bar is a little higher than yours and therefore I am not as easily pleased.

 

[Drag Queen]

The Roosters signed Tedesco for 700k.
The Roosters lost Furguson and signed B Morris and Hall in replace.

We still need to sign a player like Oates and a first grade prop to have a chance to realize our potential.

TPA's might have pushed the limit Possum.

 

[True_Believer]

Ridiculous analysis on your part and just you pushing your pro club / coach agenda.
I pushed my agenda re Host and continued to do so until it was finally posted by the appropriate department within the club he had an injury and I then suggested the club erred in not announcing that much earlier which he could easily have done.
As I said re Herbert there was no information to suggest he was going home for family reasons prior to my post so if in fact that is the reason why, I again ask when did the club know that was the case?
On the basis of not knowing

Re Millward let me make this really clear for you.
We didn't finish top 4, we didn't win the premiership, we capitulated yet again during the second half of the year.
IMO 2 major reasons for that coach & roster coincidently the one the coach wanted.
The greater limiting factor IMO is the coach so to get around that limitation you need a very strong roster and obviously the roster we had in 2018 was not strong enough.
The coach will be here again in 2019 and very likely beyond so therefore if the squad was not strong enough in 2018 it needs to be even stronger in 2019 if you want a chance at the main prize.
If you lose seasoned players and replace them with players with no NRL experience or very little experience you are hoping for an outcome instead of providing one.
If you buy proven players with SOO experience or they have played NRL for a number of years with good personal outcomes then you know what you are getting and can reasonably assume that you have strengthened your squad.
What category do you put Pearson & The Fijian Sensation in?
Can you safely assume they will be better than what we already have on the books or in the ISP or junior ranks?
Not sure whether Nene was a Millward signing or not but I suggested when he came it was bum deal for us and IMO it has proven to be exactly that way. A lack lustre 1st full season and a reasonable second year and now released with a year to go so what was the point in having him? 3 NRL clubs by the time he was 22 and now 4 clubs by the time he is 24.
Re Host yes I did go on the basis of what people / person / replies had to say and as there was no word form the club re injury and the fact he was unsighted I formulated my opinion. You condemn me for taking that position and ignoring you and 1 other who suggested an injury but no physical evidence from the club to support that. So IYO the voice of 2 is much more substantive than 1 and a few replies.
Re Herbert if the club was informed early on that he was not staying then they did the right thing in not playing him unless absolutely necessary however if the club didn't find out till very late in the season then I believe they erred in not playing him. The information provided by DTW which you countenance as accurate (remember you just upped me for taking the opinion of 1 person and running with it) means it is a hindsight position as it was not common knowledge or in the public domain so no allowance could be made for that in formulating an opinion.
Last but not least on Millward if he does come up with a big name signing I will alter my position but no way am I giving him accolades for Perreira, Pearson, Latimore & The Fijian Sensation but if they prove me wrong I will happily attest to making a mistake.
Remember my bar is a little higher than yours and therefore I am not as easily pleased.

Firstly with Host, the club did announce it, but you actually continued to refute it because you believed it to be bullshit based on your belief that he wasn't in the top 21 (again, stated once by a single nobody on this forum) - hence my constant references to your "conspiracy theories" throughout the year. This just reinforces what I said in the previous post. Your desire to want to blame the club and coach for every single thing - irrespective of what is presented to you. Like I said, stubbornly ignoring the facts to push your agenda.

Next, with Millward, there is absolutely no way to know 100% whether any purchases we make are going to work out or not. We could get the best player in the world and they could play like shit for us, or we could get a nobody and they could turn out to be world beaters. The fact is, he needs to build more than 1 team, and not all of them are going to be representative stars. I'm not sure how much money you think we have (maybe you are using possm's figures), but it's impossible to build 2 teams full of stars. I don't disagree that we do need some quality players in the team, but I'm also not going to say Millward isn't doing a good job because we haven't signed any since seasons end - which incidentally is just on a month ago now.

I actually don't think you set the bar higher. I think I am an optimist and you are a pessimist. I think you look at everything negatively and therefore want to lay the blame at someone feet constantly - your constant negativity gives the illusion you set higher targets for the team. I also think you often look for perfection. And in the real world, that's completely unrealistic. How about you show a little patience in the recruitment for next year rather than jumping down the clubs throat immediately after we let go of one seasoned winger and announce 2 young wingers who should be keen to secure a spot. Millward even said he was still looking but didn't want to rush it - which I think is exactly what he should be doing. We needed outside backs as we have zero - that means no seasoned ones and no depth ones. I'm sure depth is easier to sign than seasoned.

As for Pearson and the Canberra winger, they aren't seasoned obviously (stupid question), but I'm not going to write them off before I've even seen anything of them. I'm glad we've now got at least a couple of actual wingers with enough youth and potential to step up and hold onto a spot. I'm keen to see what they can do. See the difference here is you would rather hang shit on Millward and call the players nobodies, whereas I will look at them as potential for long term club performers. They are like the young players we already have in the ranks - not sure why you see these as any different.

And not only that, you are putting words in my mouth. Yet again, as you've done with my posts in the past, you've failed to grasp what I am saying, or at the very least, neglected to read the post.

Nowhere have I pushed a pro club or coach stance in my post. In fact, I've stated in many threads discussing topics with other posters much more civil than you, that I agree we need a new coach and that the club could have done many things better. To use your approach - "go and have a look at past posts and you'll find that I have stated these things".

And not once did I say that what DTW said was the truth. I actually stated that both statements had about as much substance as each other - which, given my opinion of the Host comment, is actually the complete opposite of advocating it's accuracy.

 

[Drag Queen]

Firstly with Host, the club did announce it, but you actually continued to refute it because you believed it to be bullshit based on your belief that he wasn't in the top 21 (again, stated once by a single nobody on this forum) - hence my constant references to your "conspiracy theories" throughout the year. This just reinforces what I said in the previous post. Your desire to want to blame the club and coach for every single thing - irrespective of what is presented to you. Like I said, stubbornly ignoring the facts to push your agenda.

Next, with Millward, there is absolutely no way to know 100% whether any purchases we make are going to work out or not. We could get the best player in the world and they could play like shit for us, or we could get a nobody and they could turn out to be world beaters. The fact is, he needs to build more than 1 team, and not all of them are going to be representative stars. I'm not sure how much money you think we have (maybe you are using possm's figures), but it's impossible to build 2 teams full of stars. I don't disagree that we do need some quality players in the team, but I'm also not going to say Millward isn't doing a good job because we haven't signed any since seasons end - which incidentally is just on a month ago now.

I actually don't think you set the bar higher. I think I am an optimist and you are a pessimist. I think you look at everything negatively and therefore want to lay the blame at someone feet constantly - your constant negativity gives the illusion you set higher targets for the team. I also think you often look for perfection. And in the real world, that's completely unrealistic. How about you show a little patience in the recruitment for next year rather than jumping down the clubs throat immediately after we let go of one seasoned winger and announce 2 young wingers who should be keen to secure a spot. Millward even said he was still looking but didn't want to rush it - which I think is exactly what he should be doing. We needed outside backs as we have zero - that means no seasoned ones and no depth ones. I'm sure depth is easier to sign than seasoned.

As for Pearson and the Canberra winger, they aren't seasoned obviously (stupid question), but I'm not going to write them off before I've even seen anything of them. I'm glad we've now got at least a couple of actual wingers with enough youth and potential to step up and hold onto a spot. I'm keen to see what they can do. See the difference here is you would rather hang shit on Millward and call the players nobodies, whereas I will look at them as potential for long term club performers. They are like the young players we already have in the ranks - not sure why you see these as any different.

And not only that, you are putting words in my mouth. Yet again, as you've done with my posts in the past, you've failed to grasp what I am saying, or at the very least, neglected to read the post.

Nowhere have I pushed a pro club or coach stance in my post. In fact, I've stated in many threads discussing topics with other posters much more civil than you, that I agree we need a new coach and that the club could have done many things better. To use your approach - "go and have a look at past posts and you'll find that I have stated these things".

And not once did I say that what DTW said was the truth. I actually stated that both statements had about as much substance as each other - which, given my opinion of the Host comment, is actually the complete opposite of advocating it's accuracy.

 

[Drag Queen]

Don't waste your valuable sleep mate. I'm on my first night back at work. Only two OD's. A slow night at the office for a change. Pumping milk. Life could be worse I guess. Looking forward to some much needed sleep...

 

[New Dragon]

Yes I do rate Host and the signing is only correct if the player is used and we know if he is up to 1st grade standard thus my dislike of our pathways programme and our coach because we are far too often left to wonder what if?
In respect of other signings we have made in the notable absence of a high quality player or 2 which believe it or not is what we require then I say Millward is not doing a good job thus far. It may be that he is handicapped due to the coach, club structure, money etc etc but as that is not offered as a reason as to why we do not attract the best players then I formulate my opinion on the basis Millward does not sign high profile and top quality players. Yes a few upgrades here and there but that IMO is not enough given the limitations of what we already have in roster and coaching.


OK the difference is simple (can't believe you can't comprehend it but maybe you are being prickly).

1. The comment I made about Host and the coach's 21 was made after a couple of posts were made that Host was out of favour and the fact that he did not feature early in the season. Therefore the evidence / opinions at hand was what I based my opinion on.
2. In respect of Herbert I based my opinion on the evidence at hand which was, we let him go as he wasn't of 1st grade quality and lots of options pro & cons re his ability were offered as to why he should be released or kept. The information now offered up by DTW was not in the public domain prior to my post and if I had been aware of it then my opinion may well have altered depending on timing of said statement by Herbert.

Herbert made his decision when they elevated pieriera in front of him. The club clearly made a choice to keep Field at fullback in front of him also so obviously don’t see him as the centre solution if they let him go. Will be interesting to see how he goes at another club as it will be a good indicator of whether millwards thoughts on what constitutes a good outside back is correct. He has said it himself speed and good in the air which is interesting as he doesn’t seem to rate the strong defensive metre eaters like Herbert and Johns etc. time will tell I guess. I’m also keen to see what happens this year to players like sailor, field and dufty who are fast but small and defensively they all seem the same to me which is weak.

 

[True_Believer]

Don't waste your valuable sleep mate. I'm on my first night back at work. Only two OD's. A slow night at the office for a change. Pumping milk. Life could be worse I guess. Looking forward to some much needed sleep...

Hope that night got better DQ and you got plenty of sleep!!!

 

[jak]

Firstly with Host, the club did announce it, but you actually continued to refute it because you believed it to be bullshit based on your belief that he wasn't in the top 21 (again, stated once by a single nobody on this forum) - hence my constant references to your "conspiracy theories" throughout the year. This just reinforces what I said in the previous post. Your desire to want to blame the club and coach for every single thing - irrespective of what is presented to you. Like I said, stubbornly ignoring the facts to push your agenda.

Next, with Millward, there is absolutely no way to know 100% whether any purchases we make are going to work out or not. We could get the best player in the world and they could play like shit for us, or we could get a nobody and they could turn out to be world beaters. The fact is, he needs to build more than 1 team, and not all of them are going to be representative stars. I'm not sure how much money you think we have (maybe you are using possm's figures), but it's impossible to build 2 teams full of stars. I don't disagree that we do need some quality players in the team, but I'm also not going to say Millward isn't doing a good job because we haven't signed any since seasons end - which incidentally is just on a month ago now.

I actually don't think you set the bar higher. I think I am an optimist and you are a pessimist. I think you look at everything negatively and therefore want to lay the blame at someone feet constantly - your constant negativity gives the illusion you set higher targets for the team. I also think you often look for perfection. And in the real world, that's completely unrealistic. How about you show a little patience in the recruitment for next year rather than jumping down the clubs throat immediately after we let go of one seasoned winger and announce 2 young wingers who should be keen to secure a spot. Millward even said he was still looking but didn't want to rush it - which I think is exactly what he should be doing. We needed outside backs as we have zero - that means no seasoned ones and no depth ones. I'm sure depth is easier to sign than seasoned.

As for Pearson and the Canberra winger, they aren't seasoned obviously (stupid question), but I'm not going to write them off before I've even seen anything of them. I'm glad we've now got at least a couple of actual wingers with enough youth and potential to step up and hold onto a spot. I'm keen to see what they can do. See the difference here is you would rather hang shit on Millward and call the players nobodies, whereas I will look at them as potential for long term club performers. They are like the young players we already have in the ranks - not sure why you see these as any different.

And not only that, you are putting words in my mouth. Yet again, as you've done with my posts in the past, you've failed to grasp what I am saying, or at the very least, neglected to read the post.

Nowhere have I pushed a pro club or coach stance in my post. In fact, I've stated in many threads discussing topics with other posters much more civil than you, that I agree we need a new coach and that the club could have done many things better. To use your approach - "go and have a look at past posts and you'll find that I have stated these things".

And not once did I say that what DTW said was the truth. I actually stated that both statements had about as much substance as each other - which, given my opinion of the Host comment, is actually the complete opposite of advocating it's accuracy.

well written nice polite reply. well done

 

[Old Timer]

Herbert made his decision when they elevated pieriera in front of him. The club clearly made a choice to keep Field at fullback in front of him also so obviously don’t see him as the centre solution if they let him go. Will be interesting to see how he goes at another club as it will be a good indicator of whether millwards thoughts on what constitutes a good outside back is correct. He has said it himself speed and good in the air which is interesting as he doesn’t seem to rate the strong defensive metre eaters like Herbert and Johns etc. time will tell I guess. I’m also keen to see what happens this year to players like sailor, field and dufty who are fast but small and defensively they all seem the same to me which is weak.

According to others it was all about going home for family so a bit confusing to work out what actually happened.
As I said to others if the club new early he wasn't staying then no need to play him but if his decision to leave is based on what you have said then the club has erred IMO in its decision making protest.
I agree with your last sentence however out of all of them I hold more hope for Dufty learning to defend properly than the other 2 who will be little more than speed humps.
I hate seeing our capable juniors who are not given a proper chance in the top grade losing out to imports who on paper are no better and a bit of wish & hope.
I hope Johns & Herbert both go on to long and illustrious careers.

 

[giboz71]

Is Herbert going to the Warriors as reported ?

They have Kata, Hiku and Beale as their centres.

Not a lock to displace any of those guys. And clearly, he’s not going to get in front of RTS, Maumalo and Fusitua.

He’ll probably spend some time in Reggie’s over there as well before he cracks it in FG.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Hunt, Vaughn, Sims - 3 x Origin players since he started recruitment. Bought in McInness who is on the fringe of becoming an Origin player. Pretty sure he bought Nene as well.

Brought in James Graham on the cheap which we all like.

Retained Widdop, Jack Deb Belin, and Frizell. Extended Lomax and Dufty.

If he bought any other high profile we lose one of the above. I know what I would prefer and that is to keep what they have.

The current backrow (which is one of the best in the last 20 year imo) is all courtesy of him. I would not swap them for the world. The Halves as well are pretty good. He has bought in a quality spine. Better than what we had with Bennett years.

Since Bennett left they had a soft pack that was laughed at and no points in them thanks to Pricey. Now they have a great aggressive pack with a halving combo that can spring on plenty of points. 48 in a Finals game is great example. .

There is a salary cap and he is working well with what he has. Apart from Roosters, I think he has done a great job especially with no TPA's. He has more restrictions than other clubs

I think you are confusing him with Mary because he has provided Mary with awesome cattle, it is just that they are used poorly.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Is Herbert going to the Warriors as reported ?

They have Kata, Hiku and Beale as their centres.

Not a lock to displace any of those guys. And clearly, he’s not going to get in front of RTS, Maumalo and Fusitua.

He’ll probably spend some time in Reggie’s over there as well before he cracks it in FG.

I may be mistaken, but i think Hiku is going to England, and possibly Kata was shopped around as well...

 

[getsmarty]

I may be mistaken, but i think Hiku is going to England, and possibly Kata was shopped around as well...

Probably correct..I am sure Herbert will be going to the club were he thinks he may get a starting spot...unfortunately that's not with us..

 

[New Dragon]

According to others it was all about going home for family so a bit confusing to work out what actually happened.
As I said to others if the club new early he wasn't staying then no need to play him but if his decision to leave is based on what you have said then the club has erred IMO in its decision making protest.
I agree with your last sentence however out of all of them I hold more hope for Dufty learning to defend properly than the other 2 who will be little more than speed humps.
I hate seeing our capable juniors who are not given a proper chance in the top grade losing out to imports who on paper are no better and a bit of wish & hope.
I hope Johns & Herbert both go on to long and illustrious careers.

I agree OT. I may be a sceptic but Herbert was playing out of his skin and didn’t get a run so my money’s on him wanting out but hope it’s more the other way.

 

[possm]

I may be mistaken, but i think Hiku is going to England, and possibly Kata was shopped around as well...

Kata, Oates and AFB would be a good pickups for us.

If we could pickup Kata and Oats, our backline could look like this:

1. Lomax
2. Pearson
3. Kata
4. Lafai
5. Oats
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Graham
11. T Sims
12. Frizell
13. De Belin

14. AFB
15. K Sims
16. Leilua
17. Robson / Field

Now our back 3 has size, speed and good defensive capability; it really looks the goods. With Oats and Kata on the right edge the leaking should stop and yes, we get to keep our international halves pairing. This is a backline that will match most sides in attack and defence.

Then add in AFB to our prop rotation and we have an affordable team to die for.

With a good prop rotation and lots of good depth in ISP; Dufty, Aitken, Pereira, Ravalawa, Saab, Field, Robson, Latimore, Lawrie, Host and Kerr, we would have a genuine top 4 squad.

 

[New Dragon]

The flaw in your argument is that by releasing Sele, Garrick & Herbert we have only freed up small change whilst we have kept plodders who are on similar money of not more and will not deliver a premiership as their used by dates are up long ago.
The notion that Nicholls, Latimore & Allgood on old tired legs and little ability are better value to keep than youth who have been restricted due to coaching deficiencies is ridiculous.
We attract the Nicholls, Latimore, Allgood type player as we are tolerant of a coach that can't develop or in fact find out how good / bad our own youthful prospects really are and when we release them some fans support the assertion that they will not make it which has never been determined correctly.

I think there are definite issues with the way we develop juniors skill sets and I think it is due to a poor use of the little money we have in this new development system. I take a real interest in watching the juniors coming through and I can tell you other clubs approach it very differently. What is a big difference is how clubs give talented juniors first grade training experience ie pre seasons. In this new system if you bring up a player to train with first grade more than once a week you must pay them minimum wages of I think $1000 a week. So this preseason some clubs will bring more juniors to their squads and pay the $12k or so to get them fighting for a development spot over summer. What the dragons should have done instead of cutting deals is take the $65k from a development contract and brought up five of the best juniors to preseason. Pay them $12k and see who takes the final spot. The exposure alone would develoo them enormously. On another note the Melbourne system have things like the catch and pass club for everyone from Cameron smith down and a specific program for every player that has played 15 first grade games or less. Leaps and bounds ahead.

 

[MILEY CYRUS]

Kata was pretty poor this year and last year. Full of mistakes.

 

[Crush]

I wonder who will be the forum favourite that can do no wrong when Mann leaves?
My money is in on Host.