Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[MugaB]

You know the logjam we have at centre. So he certainly wasn't signed to play there.......

Cough, cough

 

[Iamback]

Call it what you want. Jack Cole is 21 years with 10 games. We haven't got a read on him at all and I've seen some put a line through his name.

For Tailagi put on top his shoulder surgery. Cleary walks back into the team but we don't parachute in Tailagi do we? Early wins are the key with another year of high representation at Origin time.

I still think Laurie is the closest like for like we have. Ivan doesn't seem to trust his defence

But comparing the 2. Cole has been in the system for a few years. He debuted in 2022 so has a bigger body of work. His game against Sharks is better than anything Talagi has done in the top grade.

Then you have Schneider. Ivan has paired with Nathan before who I don't rate but is still young where he might click this off season.

So there are many options but to answer your question. Depends how limited Talagi is in pre season, Matt Cameron said in the James Graham podcast that they said to Talagi only they would teach him how to be a FGer.

For me. There is no NSW Cup in Round 1. So he is the 14. I'd give a couple of weeks in NSW Cup in the 6 running with our system.

No doubt if Cole is the 6. He gets a few games in and then gets injured that gives Talagi his chance.

The net result is the same you have Talagi use to our system and playing 6 by Origin

 

[Iamback]

You know the logjam we have at centre. So he certainly wasn't signed to play there.......

Depends what Tago we get and how the Round 1 6 plays out.

I want guys earning their spot not being like the bum clubs and just giving jerseys away

 

[Iamback]

This is correct... its all I've been saying, handing him the keys to 6, when guys like romey had to sit behind maloney for several years, to become arguably the greatest 5/8th we've had, then to see this turnstyle take his place is laughable

Talagi maybe the best option round 1. If so great but nothing wrong with starting him not in the NRL 6. Hell even starting in NSW Cup didn't hurt Alamoti

 

[Chins get the wins]

I don't agree with the Talagi signing but I'll give him a fair chance

 

[snickers007]

Talagi coming in on a limited pre-season to join Cleary who will also have a limited pre-season is a recipe for disaster for both the team and Blaize himself, in my opinion.

2024 showed us that if we can get to the finals with minimal injuries and reps in the bank, we will put it together.

The plan has to be to bank the wins before Origin, survive Origin and then build for the finals.

As such, I'd be starting Cole/Cleary/Toelau as 6/7/14. Leaving Laurie, Talagi, Schneider, Somerton as 1/6/7/9 in Cup. Let them build their combinations at a lower level.

Come Origin with Edwards and Cleary out, we bring up Laurie, Talagi and Schneider. Give Cole a stint back in Cup and give him the chance to run the team.

Once Origin is done, re-assess and use the 6-7 weeks before finals as genuine selection shootout.

 

[Black Panther]

This is correct... its all I've been saying, handing him the keys to 6, when guys like romey had to sit behind maloney for several years, to become arguably the greatest 5/8th we've had, then to see this turnstyle take his place is laughable

Ok genius, let’s give the keys to Jack Cole then shall we. Talagi was obviously signed to play First Grade at Penrith or they would’ve signed an older journeyman.

I actually think Cole would do the job if required given time, but seems to be injury prone at this stage.

 

[Fangs]

Talagi coming in on a limited pre-season to join Cleary who will also have a limited pre-season is a recipe for disaster for both the team and Blaize himself, in my opinion.

2024 showed us that if we can get to the finals with minimal injuries and reps in the bank, we will put it together.

The plan has to be to bank the wins before Origin, survive Origin and then build for the finals.

And we will probably be weaker at Origin time than previous seasons.

Having a Kiwi front row always had a hidden benefit. Lindsay Smith now the starter? Has played for Australia and might find himself in an Origin jumper. Depends on Laurie Daley hopefully he just picks more Raiders.

We went 3/5 in Origin without Cleary and a host of others (4/6 if you include the Dolphins game backing up from Origin III). If we repeat that in 2025 it's a great result.

- Knights (Bathurst)
- Origin I
- Eels
- Tigers
- Bye
- Origin II
- Warriors (Away)
- Dogs
- Bye
- Origin III
- Eels

The NRL has gifted us the rest of those games at Commbank. The Warriors I'd guess is a loss. If anyone backs up over in NZ I'll be very surprised.

 

[Black Panther]

View attachment 97325
Cough, cough

So Preston Riki is listed as a second rower, how many games did he play there last year? What about Peach? What was he listed as and where did he play.

 

[Iamback]

Ok genius, let’s give the keys to Jack Cole then shall we. Talagi was obviously signed to play First Grade at Penrith or they would’ve signed an older journeyman.

I actually think Cole would do the job if required given time, but seems to be injury prone at this stage.

No one has said 1 single player should be handed the keys.

There are a few options and the player that earns it should get the jersey.

 

[Black Panther]

Mate if two tier samoa is what we call international, then Charlie Staines is a super international winger..
Stop with the arse licking BP, Ivan ain't pinning a medal on your chest for apple shinning

So players playing for Samoa aren’t classed as Internationals now either. Give me a break.

 

[Black Panther]

No one has said 1 single player should be handed the keys.

There are a few options and the player that earns it should get the jersey.

I want to know who MugaB wants as the 6. Talagi is obviously shit because he said so.

 

[Black Panther]

How many 6’s do we have in our ranks. It’s either Cole or Talagi and that’s it for me. According to the Panthers web page theory it’s Cole only.

 

[Iamback]

I want to know who MugaB wants as the 6. Talagi is obviously shit because he said so.

Talagi has yet to play 6 in NRL.
Has had shoulder surgery so isn't at full training
Has shown defence issues.

That does not say he is a walk up start for a side looking to win a comp

 

[Fangs]

How many 6’s do we have in our ranks. It’s either Cole or Talagi and that’s it for me. According to the Panthers web page theory it’s Cole only.

Bring back the olde days.

I'd love something left field. Soni Luke in the 6.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Blaize is freak, he’ll be a great player, but needs some time.

I think we’ll start with Cole at 6. That’s the safest bet

 

[Fangs]

Blaize is freak, he’ll be a great player, but needs some time.

I think we’ll start with Cole at 6. That’s the safest bet

I think Schneider or whoever they replace him with if rumours are true (Cogger/Madden who we took a stab at previously).

I'd rather Cole but I think Schneider is safer in Ivan's eyes.

 

[Chins get the wins]

If Cole ever completes 80 straight minutes of football then we can look at him

 

[MugaB]

I want to know who MugaB wants as the 6. Talagi is obviously shit because he said so.

Schneider, purely coz he is the right age and weight, and has the runs on the board in attack and especially defence, let talagi prove his worth in cup, then give him a shot during origin at 14, cole is the obvious next man up, just needs more bulk and time in and around the 1st grade side

 

[MugaB]

So Preston Riki is listed as a second rower, how many games did he play there last year? What about Peach? What was he listed as and where did he play.

So you agree he is a fringe player who won't make the 17 normally, coz you just picked 2 other guys who were just as fringe