Rumoured/Confirmed Signings and General Drivel XV

[Craig Johnston]

McKendry would be a great signing.

+1

 

[hindy111]

Correct in what you say Stagger, but a guy like Mataora could end up a signing like Gower.
When Brian Smith was in charge our success had a lot too do with those cheap signings of players who gave you more output then price tag.

As ive stated before we are getting bad value for money from guys like Norman and Hoppa.Not that they are playing bad but they are being paid as stars.

When you consider what a guy like Gower -Mau or Semi are on you can see where value comes from. That enables you to sign or retain stars in key areas.

With Hayne and Peats there are two core positions covered, id go as far as saying that with Sandow and Norman our halves are good enough to win a title.Maybe not exceptional but good enough.

If you can pick a squad player and turn him into a genuine first grader for 2 yrs before he needs an upgrade is where you have won. Anyone can pay overs for a first grade player like Norman-Lussick -Hoppa who are not giving us good return on our investment

 

[hindy111]

Also injuries, Imagine Cam Smith missed as much first grade as Hayne has. Where would they be?

Im in a serious football mood today.I might look at our squad and give my take on what we need to do.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Dragons didn't pay a huge amount for Williams. Also Williams is off contract this year he only signed for one year.

 

[Tommy Coco]

As pointed out, Sam McKendry is 115kg, is closing in on 100 FG games, and has chalked up 8 tests for the Kiwis already.
Is noted for ripping in with both his charges and his defence.


Not sure what the complaint would be if he came our way?

McKendry would be a great signing.

I dont reckon the problem would be with the way he plays or as a replacement , cause it seems everyone here would pick him up. The prob has to be the cash he wants and the cap he is taking up at penrith (the only logical reason for letting him look around).

 

[The Elephant In The room]

Correct in what you say Stagger, but a guy like Mataora could end up a signing like Gower.
When Brian Smith was in charge our success had a lot too do with those cheap signings of players who gave you more output then price tag.

As ive stated before we are getting bad value for money from guys like Norman and Hoppa.Not that they are playing bad but they are being paid as stars.

When you consider what a guy like Gower -Mau or Semi are on you can see where value comes from. That enables you to sign or retain stars in key areas.

With Hayne and Peats there are two core positions covered, id go as far as saying that with Sandow and Norman our halves are good enough to win a title.Maybe not exceptional but good enough.

If you can pick a squad player and turn him into a genuine first grader for 2 yrs before he needs an upgrade is where you have won. Anyone can pay overs for a first grade player like Norman-Lussick -Hoppa who are not giving us good return on our investment

Possibly, if our pack was firing.

Looking at our spine, and locking in Hayne and Peats, in an ideal word, I recon we'd go for one star half, and one cheap but serviceable half, as opposed to two very well paid, above average halves like we have now in Sandow and Norman. The trouble is finding and luring that "star" half to the Eels in the first place. They are few and far between.

 

[hindy111]

8 Mannah
9 Peats
10 Mossop
11 Tanginoa
12 Tariq Sims
13 K.edwards/ Uelsai/Tepai Maoera/Santi ( Someone who defends well and can play big mins )

14 Mau
15 Jnr Paulo
16 Lussick
17 Pauli Pauli

We would still have Allgood,Terepo and Loko as potential forwards too.We would have some tough hard working props, second rowers who can bust the line and offload as well. One good second rower is all we need IMO.

Id also let Sio go. IMO Falou will be on the wing next year as BA has big WRAPS n him.Id also let Morgan go too and Vai toutai. Next year we have young Davis who might be ready and there is still Goodal and Hunt floating around.

Not sure what we should do with GOWER?? If we can sign him cheap might be worth hanging onto.

I still think we are a chance of winning the comp this year. A lot depends on Injuries and how much Mau-Edwards-Norman-Pauli-Hoppa progress so iw ouldnt go silly just yet

 

[hindy111]

Possibly, if our pack was firing.

Looking at our spine, and locking in Hayne and Peats, in an ideal word, I recon we'd go for one star half, and one cheap but serviceable half, as opposed to two very well paid, above average halves like we have now in Sandow and Norman. The trouble is finding and luring that "star" half to the Eels in the first place. They are few and far between.

Ha yes but they are being paid as STARS

Mcrone would do as good a job or better than Norman.Sorry guys but truth

 

[hindy111]

Actually Kelly would potentially as well do better than Norman. I still would of like too see how he went with Sandow. Norman doesn't have to do a lot bar move the ball.I realy thought he had a better running game TBH. His kicking game is sub -par an at the moment im disappointed in him. Expected more.

 

[Craig Johnston]

although some "stars" are inconsistent like sandow as an example, they are paid big bucks because they have the ability to produce big performances that other players simply don't have the ability to produce. they have the potential to provide those performances on a consistent basis. if sandow played to a level higher than say mcrone could acheive at his best on even a fortnightly basis, you would pay sandow double on that alone.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I dont reckon the problem would be with the way he plays or as a replacement , cause it seems everyone here would pick him up. The prob has to be the cash he wants and the cap he is taking up at penrith (the only logical reason for letting him look around).

I read somewhere it was $300k, with a % increase for next season, which the Panthers do not want.

Perhaps they are punting on the fact that the game has changed and the big boppers don't work anymore? But $300k for a quality prop isn't awful - reports are that Fui is on $250k and Ben Smith $180k - give $80k to Ualesi (which is an upgrade) and then the rest to McKendry, and we're stronger in both the front and back row...

 

[oldmancraigy]

As ive stated before we are getting bad value for money from guys like Norman and Hoppa.Not that they are playing bad but they are being paid as stars.

You are drunk if you don't think Hopoate is a world class talent. I'm not emotionally unstable enough to write him off after 8 solid games - he has hardly been 'poor' so far, played strongly in most games hasn't he?

And how much do you think a star gets paid? If Norman is on $400k, does that make him a 'star' paid player, or 'top 15 at a club' paid player?

 

[hindy111]

You are drunk if you don't think Hopoate is a world class talent. I'm not emotionally unstable enough to write him off after 8 solid games - he has hardly been 'poor' so far, played strongly in most games hasn't he?

And how much do you think a star gets paid? If Norman is on $400k, does that make him a 'star' paid player, or 'top 15 at a club' paid player?

Bring up how many line breaks Hoppa has made-try assits and tackle breaks.

He is on around 500k yeah? Done nothing at all bar been solid.Not won us a game or put in a MOM performance.Great prospect but that's all at this stage

Norman I don't recall being great. But hey its rnd 8.Id give them till rnd 15 to show what there worth.

Do you think Kelly was much worse then NORMAN??

 

[hindy111]

Im not saying Hoppa isn't class. But he is costing a lot for his return

 

[Stagger eel]

I think Norman is streets ahead of Kelly, he's been solid without being brilliant but some of his touched in the first few months have been class and have lead to some really classy tries...

He's a real footballer

 

[Craig Johnston]

I think Norman is streets ahead of Kelly, he's been solid without being brilliant but some of his touched in the first few months have been class and have lead to some really classy tries...

He's a real footballer

This

He's shown his talents without standing out, that says he's only scratching the surface with what he can do.

The reported 400k he's on for a 5/8th of his calibre is extremely good value imho

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Correct in what you say Stagger, but a guy like Mataora could end up a signing like Gower.
When Brian Smith was in charge our success had a lot too do with those cheap signings of players who gave you more output then price tag.

As ive stated before we are getting bad value for money from guys like Norman and Hoppa.Not that they are playing bad but they are being paid as stars.

When you consider what a guy like Gower -Mau or Semi are on you can see where value comes from. That enables you to sign or retain stars in key areas.

With Hayne and Peats there are two core positions covered, id go as far as saying that with Sandow and Norman our halves are good enough to win a title.Maybe not exceptional but good enough.

If you can pick a squad player and turn him into a genuine first grader for 2 yrs before he needs an upgrade is where you have won. Anyone can pay overs for a first grade player like Norman-Lussick -Hoppa who are not giving us good return on our investment

Spot on Hindy11.

 

[Gronk]

I think Norman is streets ahead of Kelly, he's been solid without being brilliant but some of his touched in the first few months have been class and have lead to some really classy tries...

He's a real footballer

Yeah some of his finger tip touches have very Glen, Garry, Mark Ella ish (if any of you go back that far).

 

[Avenger]

Norman has been solid but I must say I thought he was quicker.

 

[Tommy Coco]

Both Norman and Hoppa are very good players and I think they are well above pass marks to date this year. They are on the improve also.