Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

[Luke Bowden]

He gone ok but he's too old and like you said not a fit for us.

Too old? He’s 28, since when is that too old?

 

[Chins get the wins]

Too old? He’s 28, since when is that too old?

For someone his level he's too old and not worth persisting with

 

[Luke Bowden]

For someone his level he's too old and not worth persisting with

It’s not about persisting with him, he can play, it’s weather or not its worth making changes to our style in order to utilise him.

I personally don’t like making changes to a winning formula, but it may well come down to how our 6 goes next year, Ivan might need to attack the ruck more to counter a lack of creativity on our left.

It’s going to be a big off season.

 

[MugaB]

Sport Confidential: Blaize Talagi shoulder surgery puts Penrith Panthers’ halves plans in disarray​

Penrith’s plans for 2025 have hit a major hurdle with star recruit Blaize Talagi set for surgery and racing the clock to be fit for round one.

Penrith’s plans to start the 2025 NRL season with Blaize Talagi and Nathan Cleary in the halves have hit a major stumbling block after Talagi suffered a shoulder injury that has left him racing the clock to be fit for round one.

Sport Confidential understands that Talagi, signed from Parramatta to wear Penrith’s vacant No.6 jersey, damaged his shoulder while in England with the Samoan team.

It is understood he underwent a clean-out this week and is expected to spend much of the off-season recovering, as he bids to be fit and available for the season opener in Las Vegas.

The Panthers already have headaches in the halves as captain and talisman Nathan Cleary recovers from shoulder surgery along with fullback Dylan Edwards.

Cleary underwent his own operation earlier this month, having returned from England after holidaying with partner, Matildas player Mary Fowler.
If Cleary and Talagi are unavailable, the Panthers could be forced to turn to Brad Schneider and Jack Cole for the Las Vegas season opener against Cronulla.
The pair have just 36 NRL games experience between them.

However, the Panthers are confident that Cleary won’t miss any of the regular season, although that will be contingent on how he recovers from surgery.
The same goes for Talagi as the 19-year-old looks to cement a place in the halves for the four-time premiers and help compensate for the loss of long-time No.6 Jarome Luai.

The exciting Talagi, who was in contention to win rookie-of-the-year honours after a standout season with Parramatta, is expected to get first shot at playing alongside Cleary, although the Panthers may be forced into a rethink given his injury setback.
Talagi’s younger brother, Ryda, re-signed with the Eels this week until the end of 2027.
The Eels feared the Australian Schoolboys prop would join his brother in defecting to the Panthers, but the local junior opted to remain at Parramatta, where he will play SG Ball Cup next season.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-blaize-talagi-shoulder-surgery-puts-penrith-panthers-halves-plans-in-disarray/news-story/6ce916a07f221490ea09527a8b6014f2

God what a piss take.... almost got rookie of the year, the club came 2nd last, almost got the spoon, saved by the tigers, and they only got that close coz of the gaping black hole talagi was offering on his edge either in centre or at five-eighth

 

[Chins get the wins]

God what a piss take.... almost got rookie of the year, the club came 2nd last, almost got the spoon, saved by the tigers, and they only got that close coz of the gaping black hole talagi was offering on his edge either in centre or at five-eighth

Everything you just wrote could pretty much apply to 2023 Alamoti

 

[MugaB]

Everything you just wrote could pretty much apply to 2023 Alamoti

Not really, he had a sliding reading issue in his defence, but he could still defend, obviously he has improved in cup, which is exactly what talagi will have to do... but with this shoulder surgery, healing time, and not even getting a pre season with us, he isn't playing 5/8th for us, not in first grade anyways..
If daine laurie can't get a starting spot, talagi has a mountain to climb

 

[Luke Bowden]

Not really, he had a sliding reading issue in his defence, but he could still defend, obviously he has improved in cup, which is exactly what talagi will have to do... but with this shoulder surgery, healing time, and not even getting a pre season with us, he isn't playing 5/8th for us, not in first grade anyways..
If daine laurie can't get a starting spot, talagi has a mountain to climb

What on earth is a sliding reading issue?

No one has used sliding defence in last probably 15 years, maybe more. Is that what you mean?