Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

[Crashtest]

Wonder where Papa plays next year? I'd assume backrow but he played his best this year at 13 so maybe could play prop for fish..

He returns from injury tomorrow night against the Warriors, and the Tigers have named him at lock again, so will be interesting to see how he goes.

But from his comments in his Dally Telegraph interview this week, it seemed like the Panthers spoke to him about playing back row:

It took a week and single meeting in May, while Papali’i was sidelined with an ankle injury, for Cleary to snap up the Kiwi international.

“I had a meeting with the coach (Cleary). He’s seen me over the years, and seen the footy I like to play,” Papali’i said.

“They are well stacked in terms of middles and when Fish (Fisher-Harris) made his decision, it opened up the door for them to fill a spot they needed and they thought a backrower was what they could go looking for. I was lucky to sit down with him.”

 

[Crashtest]

I wouldn’t hate TPJ for a year to plug a gap. Ivan has got the best out of him in the past, he shouldn’t be too expensive and we might be a good option for him to springboard to a good final deal elsewhere when Patea is nicely seasoned.

Agree TPJ would be a good signing, and he would give us more X factor and offloading than our current props. But he stated when he left the Bulldogs that he hated living in Sydney, so can’t see him signing with any Sydney club.

 

[YoungPanther]

Prop - Moses/Henry/ Smith/Patea/(Martin/Sorro)
2nd Row - (Martin/Sorro)/Garner/Papali'i

Don't think we can afford another prop who would be starting, (can't promise that with Henry/Smith completing their apprenticeships) so difficult to get anyone of quality to sit on the bench.

 

[Big Mick]

Would suggest it'll end up:
8. Leota
9. Kenny
10. Henry
11. Martin
12. Papali'i
13. Yeo

14. Cole
15. Smith
16. Sorro
17. Garner

Sorro to be hybrid Prop/backrow. Patea to compete with Garner for spot later in season and be first selected in case of prop injury.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Would suggest it'll end up:
8. Leota
9. Kenny
10. Henry
11. Martin
12. Papali'i
13. Yeo

14. Cole
15. Smith
16. Sorro
17. Garner

Sorro to be hybrid Prop/backrow. Patea to compete with Garner for spot later in season and be first selected in case of prop injury.

Sorro seems to be struggling a bit out wide. That part of his career might be coming to an end

 

[Luke Bowden]

Would suggest it'll end up:
8. Leota
9. Kenny
10. Henry
11. Martin
12. Papali'i
13. Yeo

14. Cole
15. Smith
16. Sorro
17. Garner

Sorro to be hybrid Prop/backrow. Patea to compete with Garner for spot later in season and be first selected in case of prop injury.

That’s solid.

 

[Munky]

Sorro seems to be struggling a bit out wide. That part of his career might be coming to an end

His footwork near the line is ineffective against the more mobile edge defenders.

His best work for us was using his footwork and acceleration against tiring middles. Most 'athletic' second rowers avoid contact with the ball against anyone over 90kgs so he was a point of difference in 2021/22.

His effort is always 100% and his edge is incredibly solid in defence.

 

[Munky]

IMO Garner is the most valuable bench player in the league since he can play both second row and centre at a NRL standard length.

Not a world beater at either but isn't a target in defence if moved to centre and can run the lines in attack.

 

[chrisD]

I know nothing of Ryda, but I would not sign Blaize. Far from a sure thing, we would be paying too much money for potential, the ratio isn't in the buyer's favour, it's for struggling clubs playing catch up to take these gambles. Don't need outside backs.

If we could have had TPJ I'd assume we would have had TPJ, I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'll take any half proven NRL half, we are certainly capable of carrying him to a premiership but I don't think Cole is ready and the position we could most improve on through the market.

 

[Whino]

As already posted.

PANTHERS SNARE TIGERS GUN​

The Panthers have snuck under the guard of cross-town rivals Wests Tigers by signing highly touted forward Zak Clarke on a one year deal from next season.
Penrith pounced when Clarke was unable to come to any terms with the Tigers.
The goalkicking forward, 20, has spent time in NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg this year.
His brother Cooper – who was also a Tigers junior – has impressed at the Storm’s feeder club and has only recently inked a five-year contract. At just 18 he won the Mal Meninga Cup’s weapon of the year award.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-nrl-rejects-bulldogs-bid-to-signed-sacked-forward/news-story/c2e6cc2234e83a2f1848e9ea12eaa312

 

[Luke Bowden]

I know nothing of Ryda, but I would not sign Blaize. Far from a sure thing, we would be paying too much money for potential, the ratio isn't in the buyer's favour, it's for struggling clubs playing catch up to take these gambles. Don't need outside backs.

If we could have had TPJ I'd assume we would have had TPJ, I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'll take any half proven NRL half, we are certainly capable of carrying him to a premiership but I don't think Cole is ready and the position we could most improve on through the market.

Blaize is an absolute stud, no risk what so ever there. I’ve seen enough to say he’d slot straight into our 6 next year and be great. His running game is next level.

Ryder is the bigger risk, but plenty of potential there to gamble on. I think he’ll be a weapon, but I’ve only seen him play a couple of times.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Blaize is an absolute stud, no risk what so ever there. I’ve seen enough to say he’d slot straight into our 6 next year and be great. His running game is next level.

Ryder is the bigger risk, but plenty of potential there to gamble on. I think he’ll be a weapon, but I’ve only seen him play a couple of times.

Would he be better than Laurie who's surely going to be GREAT value under the cap for a few years?

 

[Westernised Panther]

Would suggest it'll end up:
8. Leota
9. Kenny
10. Henry
11. Martin
12. Papali'i
13. Yeo

14. Cole
15. Smith
16. Sorro
17. Garner

Sorro to be hybrid Prop/backrow. Patea to compete with Garner for spot later in season and be first selected in case of prop injury.

I’m liking the look of that pack. Bench looks strong as well, particularly if you have the likes of Toelau and Patea (and Geyer) vying for a spot.

Papa coming in to play 2nd row should keep Henry at prop where he belongs.

 

[maple_69]

It’s a much better balanced pack than this year with the obvious downside of the best prop in the game departing. Good edge depth, good prop depth, solid versatility and a bit more impact on offer. I wonder when we will start looking at Yeo moving to the bench to start. Henry/Leota/Smith to start with Yeo playing the back 60 and Sorro the middle 40 would give us some good punch through that middle section.

 

[Iamback]

Sorro seems to be struggling a bit out wide. That part of his career might be coming to an end

and Garner is 30 next year... need to find options not involving props out therr

 

[Luke Bowden]

Would he be better than Laurie who's surely going to be GREAT value under the cap for a few years?

I’m massive Daine Laurie fan, I think he’s awesome, but I think Blaize has him covered. In most areas.

 

[Iamback]

I’m massive Daine Laurie fan, I think he’s awesome, but I think Blaize has him covered. In most areas.

Not in value for money. He has that scumbag Moses as a Manager.

His next deal will be on way way overs

 

[Chins get the wins]

I’m massive Daine Laurie fan, I think he’s awesome, but I think Blaize has him covered. In most areas.

Yeah the hype is huge on Blaize but do we want him on 500k+ or Daine on 200k?

 

[Luke Bowden]

Not in value for money. He has that scumbag Moses as a Manager.

His next deal will be on way way overs

Yeah the hype is huge on Blaize but do we want him on 500k+ or Daine on 200k?

Managers and Money aside.

Blaize is an unreal player, he’ll be a superstar, I’m really only talking about playing ability and I froth over him being with us, under Ivan in our system. He and Nathan would be incredible.

The Money situation I don’t really know much about so I don’t ever really comment or factor that into my observations.

But I will say, players of his experience, don’t get offered that sort of cash, without good reason.

 

[Kilkenny]

Yeah the hype is huge on Blaize but do we want him on 500k+ or Daine on 200k?

I will confess I haven’t watched him closely, but when I have watched him in action I not totally convinced about the hype.

Im sure there are better judges than I who do watch him closely but I wouldn’t be going anywhere near him for obvious reasons.