Rumoured & Confirmed Signings - Part 5

[MugaB]

Why would a club going for 5 in a row waste half a million in cap space?

Not sure, maybe Ivan thinks he can teach him not to ball watch in defence, just watched the last samoa vs England game, and Herbie Farnsworth targeted him twice to score, also he was jamming into 2nd rowers who didn't even have the ball, leaving his centre with 3 on 2s, watch the highlights...
I remember being at the parra v panthers game where we scored 3 tries in 3 minutes, daine laurie ran straight thru him, and tago scores at the end, by shrugging him off, so I'm really not impressed that we've bought him for 500k when there's a kid in cronulla called Atkinson, who can play anywhere in the backline and has far more upside, than tackleless talagi

 

[Iamback]

Why would a club going for 5 in a row waste half a million in cap space?

I have been told it scales up.

$300k
$500k
$700k

Seems more realistic and smart to do with his management.
As if he is playing 6 they will say he is worth more. The contract will reflect that once we teach him to be a FGer

 

[Chins get the wins]

Not sure, maybe Ivan thinks he can teach him not to ball watch in defence, just watched the last samoa vs England game, and Herbie Farnsworth targeted him twice to score, also he was jamming into 2nd rowers who didn't even have the ball, leaving his centre with 3 on 2s, watch the highlights...
I remember being at the parra v panthers game where we scored 3 tries in 3 minutes, daine laurie ran straight thru him, and tago scores at the end, by shrugging him off, so I'm really not impressed that we've bought him for 500k when there's a kid in cronulla called Atkinson, who can play anywhere in the backline and has far more upside, than tackleless talagi

I just think we have gun centres and Dyl can't play anywhere but fullback. The talk from some that he could play 6 is real special areas.

 

[maple_69]

Maybe we signed him to win 7 & 8 rather than 5?

 

[Chins get the wins]

Maybe we signed him to win 7 & 8 rather than 5?

Not for the amount we paid. Tago was going bad enough to be moved on but we already have the McLean brothers. He has to have been signed as a 6.

 

[Luke Bowden]

You guys are majorly over thinking this.

The vacant spots will go to the guys that show up after Christmas and impress the coaching staff.

Blaize has been signed to play footy, where he plays is up to him and how he performs.

He has the potential to be an excellent 6, but he needs to apply himself.

Cole has already proven he can do it, but needs to get his body right.

 

[WestyLife]

You guys are majorly over thinking this.

The vacant spots will go to the guys that show up after Christmas and impress the coaching staff.

Blaize has been signed to play footy, where he plays is up to him and how he performs.

He has the potential to be an excellent 6, but he needs to apply himself.

Cole has already proven he can do it, but needs to get his body right.

This is it. The shit clubs keep losing with underperformers or bad work ethic players because they're being paid certain amounts.

 

[MrBlack]

You guys are majorly over thinking this.

The vacant spots will go to the guys that show up after Christmas and impress the coaching staff.

Blaize has been signed to play footy, where he plays is up to him and how he performs.

He has the potential to be an excellent 6, but he needs to apply himself.

Cole has already proven he can do it, but needs to get his body right.

Tend to agree

Blaize at Parra was the next big thing. A lot of pressure was put on him to perform.

Here he is going to be a small cog in a well oiled machine. Ivan will simplify Blaizes game play with smaller KPI's. "just be part of the team and follow a simple plan". He doesnt have to win games for us (yet).

It's how we bring juniors through (slow and measured).

 

[Crashtest]

Not for the amount we paid. Tago was going bad enough to be moved on but we already have the McLean brothers. He has to have been signed as a 6.

The Panthers have updated the teams section on their website for 2025. Interestingly, they have Talagi listed as a centre, and Cole listed as a five eight.

I wonder if that’s the current pecking order at the start of preseason for the five eight spot, which means Talagi has to really impress across the preseason to leap frog Cole for round 1. Which may be hard for him to do enough, given the late return to training date for the rep footy players.

 

[Crashtest]

The Panthers have updated the teams section on their website for 2025. Interestingly, they have Talagi listed as a centre, and Cole listed as a five eight.

The teams section also shows 29 players, so we won’t be getting a top 30 preseason signing, given they usually leave spot 30 open for a mid season signing.

 

[IcemanCleary]

Anyone know who panthers train and trial players are?

 

[MugaB]

The Panthers have updated the teams section on their website for 2025. Interestingly, they have Talagi listed as a centre, and Cole listed as a five eight.

I wonder if that’s the current pecking order at the start of preseason for the five eight spot, which means Talagi has to really impress across the preseason to leap frog Cole for round 1. Which may be hard for him to do enough, given the late return to training date for the rep footy players.

Well for starters Cole knows how to tackle, so he is way ahead of Talagi

 

[Hooked]

I wouldn't read too much in the website's player positioning profiles. They only list one position as a general guide. And sometimes they are wrong.
Preston Riki is only listed as a second rower. He has been playing predominantly prop the last 18 months in NSW Cup.

The 2025 squad on Wikipedia, (which ironically is sourced from Penrith team profiles) has more versatility.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Well for starters Cole knows how to tackle, so he is way ahead of Talagi

Hmmmmm Cole's inability to get through 80mins of football is way harder to fix

 

[Hooked]

The teams section also shows 29 players, so we won’t be getting a top 30 preseason signing, given they usually leave spot 30 open for a mid season signing.

Unless someone leaves? Hosking left last pre-season. Momo and Tetevano other pre-seasons.

There were rumours of Hassett and Soni going a few months back.

 

[Munky]

Unless someone leaves? Hosking left last pre-season. Momo and Tetevano other pre-seasons.

There were rumours of Hassett and Soni going a few months back.

Luke to Manly would be a good move.

Can ask Hoppa Sr for pointers for his pointer at the family and friends functions.

 

[MugaB]

Hmmmmm Cole's inability to get through 80mins of football is way harder to fix

Well, that's probably coz he is trying above his weight, which is better than the 80min ball watching talagi produces