Hypotheticals '09

[Johns Magic]

To be fair, Tupou was a shining light for the Chooks when Freddy took over last year.

Played a massive part in their win over the Storm last year.

You're right he played well during that purple patch but he'd done nothing in the previous couple of seasons.

He only ever seems to play well in a dominant team(Roosters dynasty, Freddy take-over, Friday night).

 

[Karmawave]

It seems like all the big big names seem to be re-signing with their current teams.

The free agent crop might be a bit thin on the ground for next year.

This offseason coming up will be the most important in recent memory, because I believe losing Danny Buderus from our team/club will have a much larger impact on the club than even losing Joey had.

 

[Johns Magic]

Id be ok with that if we could get a really good replacement fullback.

Gidley is going too good back there for us atm to move him.

Could look at possibly converting L MacDougall to a fullback since it doesnt look like he'll crack our first team at wing or centre.

Converting a centre who can't crack our first-grade side into a makeshift fullback wouldn't classify as a "really good replacement" to me.

Kidley isn't as physical in defence as Bedsy. I don't know how he'd handle taking on the big boppers front-on for 80 minutes. He could be a fantastic hooker though.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

Unless Hag's comes back to coach us (And I hope to f**king god he does not) Gidley
will not move from full-back.

Cause only a fool would move him. He at last has found his place in FG.

 

[roopy]

The Tupous all have huge motors - which is a very good thing as the number of interchanges drop.
Jon is a genuine goer for 80 minutes, it's just a pity he is so short. I reckon Jon should have shot his hand up at Flegg training a few years ago when Rip Taylor was looking for someone to fill in for Berry at hooker when he quit just before the season. As it was a fullback named Seu Seu stuck his hand up and got the gig - but little Jon has the prefect build for hooker and a bigger motor than Bedsy if that is possible.

Anyway, we now have Ben Tupou going full games at prop in SG Ball, and he is bigger than Anthony and about the same size as Willie with a bit of growth still in him.

I'd love to see three or four Tupous get some breaks and make firstgrade.
Anthony would be a walk up start.
Willie needs to keep injury free for a season and get some form and fitness.
Jon needs to find a position that suits a little fella.
Ben just needs to keep doing what he is doing and know Anthony made firstgrade at a year older than he is now.

 

[antonius]

Converting a centre who can't crack our first-grade side into a makeshift fullback wouldn't classify as a "really good replacement" to me.

Kidley isn't as physical in defence as Bedsy. I don't know how he'd handle taking on the big boppers front-on for 80 minutes. He could be a fantastic hooker though.

Exactly, has the attributes to be a great hooker I reckon, good out of dummy half (we saw that last year in his roving commission) I think his defense would be more than adequate, we could do worse. I don't think finding a replacement fullback would be to hard Wes maybe?

 

[Newie is God's Country]

1. Gidley
2. Uate
3. Naiqama
4. Inglis
5. Vuna
6. Mullen
7. Dureau
8. Cross
9. Ennis
10. Royal
11. Houston
12. Paterson
13. Simpson
--
14. Hilder
15. Wicks
16. Ciraldo
17. Fa'aoso

Nice

Jono, as much as that backline would wipe opposition teams like a dirty a###, Inglis is under lock and key at Melbourne. Hypothetically though it is awesome.

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Tupou is firming by the day to return home it would appear. Just quietly does anyone here think Smithy will cull players again this season? He got Wes for an absolute steal of a contract.

 

[Karmawave]

I think he'll cull some forwards for sure, with or without Tupou coming here.

 

[macavity]

I think he'll cull some forwards for sure, with or without Tupou coming here.

we are bound to have a small turnover of players every year - most every team does.

nothing like last year though - and I think the majority of our top-shelf guys are under contract for 09 anyway.

 

[Johns Magic]

I think he'll cull some forwards for sure, with or without Tupou coming here.

Who are the forwards you want to get rid of?

 

[roopy]

I'd say Jesse Royal might get a better offer than we are prepared to make for an old bloke, Tolar as well, and maybe White - which means a few guys like Houston and Ciraldo might have to move up to prop.
The McDougalls must be long odds to get another season.
Karawana would be on my shopping list if i were another club.
Scot Dureau must already be fielding offers for twice what we are currently paying him, and a good season could see an extra 0 on his contract.

 

[Karmawave]

Who are the forwards you want to get rid of?

I think you'll find Sargent is a potential " choppee ", and regardless of what we might all personally feel about a few of the players, Taia, Tolar, White and even an ageing Jesse Royal ( 28 this week ) are all likely to be playing for their futures this year. From that crew, Sargent is the most likely to go, with Royal needing to show he is getting better with age.

Alot will depend on who we can sign, but lets face it, Tupou craps all over the above mentioned players ability wise.

We won't get rid of them all, but I think we'll find a few are seen as expendable " IF " ( and only if ) someone of the quality of Anthony Tupou can be signed by the club.

One or both of the McDougalls will be gone too - with Adam likely calling this year his last. I don't imagine his contract is " small ".

In fact, the Knights should have $1Million dollars to spend at the end of this year, with probably $700,000 at least to spend from Mad Dog, Buderus, Seu Seu contracts alone.

 

[KniGhTs BaTTLeR]

It says on NRL.com that Hilder is the leader in the tackle count, they said he made 64? Thats bloody awesome seeing as he didn't play the whole 80. And also we feature in Meters gainded with mdad dog and wes up there and houston is on the tackle count too. Alot of workhorses in our pack, we really shouldn't get lazy.

Hilder should get a crack at the 9 besides that Isaac De Gois is the only fella I would be looking at.

 

[Karmawave]

It says on NRL.com that Hilder is the leader in the tackle count, they said he made 64? Thats bloody awesome seeing as he didn't play the whole 80. And also we feature in Meters gainded with mdad dog and wes up there and houston is on the tackle count too. Alot of workhorses in our pack, we really shouldn't get lazy.

Hilder should get a crack at the 9 besides that Isaac De Gois is the only fella I would be looking at.

Yeah I dont know why Hilder is listed as 64, he made 32. Ive seen that written a few places.

Even 32 was a good effort. I like Hilder - he is a good buy, and the sort of footballer that Brian Smith really likes.

Hilder is very much in the John Morris mould and we all know Brian Smith has a man crush on Bomber Morris.

 

[macavity]

I think you'll find Sargent is a potential " choppee ", and regardless of what we might all personally feel about a few of the players, Taia, Tolar, White and even an ageing Jesse Royal ( 28 this week ) are all likely to be playing for their futures this year. From that crew, Sargent is the most likely to go, with Royal needing to show he is getting better with age.

I think you are on the money.

One or both of the McDougalls will be gone too - with Adam likely calling this year his last. I don't imagine his contract is " small ".

big doogs is here for love this year. peanuts compared to what he would earn in the ESL. he wishes he never left.

In fact, the Knights should have $1Million dollars to spend at the end of this year, with probably $700,000 at least to spend from Mad Dog, Buderus, Seu Seu contracts alone.

probably not far off - I think we will sign 2 quality (but not overpriced) guys and re-sign the bulk of our squad, save perhaps 3-4 forwards. IMO Natusch, Ling and maybe Edwards and Toimoana are going to push out the likes of Tolar and Taia by 09 anyway.

 

[Johns Magic]

I think you'll find Sargent is a potential " choppee ", and regardless of what we might all personally feel about a few of the players, Taia, Tolar, White and even an ageing Jesse Royal ( 28 this week ) are all likely to be playing for their futures this year. From that crew, Sargent is the most likely to go, with Royal needing to show he is getting better with age.

Alot will depend on who we can sign, but lets face it, Tupou craps all over the above mentioned players ability wise.

We won't get rid of them all, but I think we'll find a few are seen as expendable " IF " ( and only if ) someone of the quality of Anthony Tupou can be signed by the club.

One or both of the McDougalls will be gone too - with Adam likely calling this year his last. I don't imagine his contract is " small ".

In fact, the Knights should have $1Million dollars to spend at the end of this year, with probably $700,000 at least to spend from Mad Dog, Buderus, Seu Seu contracts alone.

I reckon we would've got Sargent for a steal right after the whole coke incident, I doubt he's on as much money as you'd think. Could be wrong though.

Surely White would be on just about the minimum wage a first-grader can get. Whoever moved up from juniors into the top squad would probably be on similar money. That's not to say I want to keep White though.

Tolar is good value to have at the club, I don't see who we could get that would perform as well as he has for the money he's on.

Royal - we'll see. I'm not fussed at this stage.

Mad Dog was reportedly on match payments when we signed him.

We will not have $1 million to spend at the end of this year, I can guarantee it.

We lost Newton, Reynoldson, Tanner, Abraham, Johns, Thaiday, Seage, Carmont, Brown, Franze, Hinton, Perry, Snowden, Tighe and Woolnough last season.

If Seu Seu, Buderus and Macdougall are worth $700,000, then there's a whole salary cap between that bunch. It doesn't work that way.

 

[Karmawave]

JM, knowing the Knights, if they can spend less than the salary cap they will :lol:

The salary cap is there for a figure that cannot be exceeded.

I am certain the Knights don't spend up every dollar to the salary cap limit, and given the financial status of the club, if they can penny pinch in anyway at all, they will.

We have 12 year old cheerleaders who aren't getting paid a cent for gods sake :lol: Its fair to say our halftime entertainment costs $0, and our pre match entertainment not much more :lol:

Our website? Well lets not even go there...

 

[Johns Magic]

I am certain the Knights don't spend up every dollar to the salary cap limit

Haven't we been fined in recent years for minor salary cap infringements?

 

[Karmawave]

Haven't we been fined in recent years for minor salary cap infringements?

Yep, that was before losing 1.2M last year.

That was the time of Joey Johns and 20,000+ crowds ensuring healty profits.

Times have changed.