Rumoured Targets 3

[slotmachine]

New TV deal money comes in next year, cap could be $10m. Then your 400k player is suddenly 600k.

 

[Johns Magic]

Outside backs? How are you all forgetting Rossdawg

And I must be out of touch because I didnt hear nor read anything about Meaney leading up to the 9s. I'd never even heard of the kid until then

He was like 25 when he turned up to Newcastle that's not the same discussion.

 

[Johns Magic]

New TV deal money comes in next year, cap could be $10m. Then your 400k player is suddenly 600k.

I realise that the cap is going up but 650K still seems a lot to me. If that is the standard for a solid no-frills lock then things are scary.

 

[Johns Magic]

Also to note that article says the Knights are viewing Bird as a 5/8 or backrower, so there we have it(assuming this journo is legit).

 

[slotmachine]

Wonder where that leaves Wardle/Buhrer/Sione.

Or lamb/cogger.

Probably a case of who cares.

 

[Johns Magic]

Wonder where that leaves Wardle/Buhrer/Sione.

I notice you've mentioned this trio twice but not Barnett?

I know the general feel on this forum has been that we are set for backrowers, but I reckon you can carry 5 quality backrowers in a 17. The Sharks did it last year with Gallen/Graham/Lewis/Bukuya/Heighington. The key is that one of the locks has to have the ability to spend some minutes in the front-row.

When it comes to building a pack I'm becoming more of the opinion that a quality player is a quality player. No you wouldn't necessarily have three top-class second-rowers as that's a bit more specialised and minutes less shared, but middle forwards are more adaptable as long as you have a couple of legitimate front-rowers to play big minutes.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Agree with that JM. Barnett is a versatile player who could move into a middle role easily imo. I'd be very surprised if he isn't played there this year tbh.

 

[Johns Magic]

The lock I would go after is Jai Arrow.

 

[Frederick]

Agree with that JM. Barnett is a versatile player who could move into a middle role easily imo. I'd be very surprised if he isn't played there this year tbh.

Pretty sure I've read stuff from Toohey that says Buhrer will be on the edge and Barnett at Lock

 

[Johns Magic]

Pretty sure I've read stuff from Toohey that says Buhrer will be on the edge and Barnett at Lock

Yeah Barnett is replacing Smith at lock this year.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Barnett can do at lock. He's got a good offload and hopefully creates some chances for our backs with second phase play. Also he definitely doesn't lack effort on the field and having him closer to the action in the middle of the field will hopefully encourage the rest of the boys.

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

If Barnett can go the season without getting suspended I will be happy. He's a dead set lunatic.

Could you imagine this 2018 team.

1. Ponga
2. Sio
3. Gagai
4. Ross
5. Pythian/meany/Dennis/Chanel
6. Bird
7. Hodkinson
8. Scott
9. Levi
10. D. Saifiti
11. Sione
12. Buhrer
13. Barnett

14. Kostjaysn
15. Finucane
16. Grevsmul
17. J. Saifiti

Top 4 written all over it. Hokko is a handy half when he has decent go forward.

 

[slotmachine]

According to Barry Toohey Gagai has an option in his favour for 2018.

 

[Johns Magic]

According to Barry Toohey Gagai has an option in his favour for 2018.

I suspect with Ponga and possibly Scott & co coming he would be inclined to take it. Not sure any club will blow the amount we have given him out of the water.

 

[umina panther]

If Barnett can go the season without getting suspended I will be happy. He's a dead set lunatic.

Could you imagine this 2018 team.

1. Ponga
2. Sio
3. Gagai
4. Ross
5. Pythian/meany/Dennis/Chanel
6. Bird
7. Hodkinson
8. Scott
9. Levi
10. D. Saifiti
11. Sione
12. Buhrer
13. Barnett

14. Kostjaysn
15. Finucane
16. Grevsmul
17. J. Saifiti

Top 4 written all over it. Hokko is a handy half when he has decent go forward.

Lol top 4 settle down champ

 

[Johns Magic]

Greg Bird might be the last of his kind, Jack Bird is the wrong body shape for a modern lock

Toohey has confirmed the Sharks want Jack Bird to play lock next year and replace Gallen.

 

[Spot On]

Toohey has confirmed the Sharks want Jack Bird to play lock next year and replace Gallen.

I wonder which position he really wants to play in???? We can offer the 6 and lock.

 

[Johns Magic]

I wonder which position he really wants to play in???? We can offer the 6 and lock.

He doesn't want centre according to Toohey hence Sharks offering him 13.

 

[Spot On]

He doesn't want centre according to Toohey hence Sharks offering him 13.

Bird said in an interview only last week was happy he wasn't playing fullback and that he was very content to keep playing centre. Obviously that's just for this year as he has trained there in the off season.

You think he'd sign up here for the lock position and would Brown accommodate him??

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

You think he'd sign up here for the lock position and would Brown accommodate him??

Toohey was asked where he would play and the response was "anywhere he wants".
Giving a position guarantee is risky and I don't think we would do it. Better to focus on what the club,community and environment can do for him.
Players get shuffled around often but it seems Brown has taken their preference into account. He encouraged Sione to 2nd Row and asked who would give it a go when Gagai tried fullback.

I wonder how Lamb and Cogger are feeling knowing that Ponga is a potential 6, but a way off, and Bird is on the radar. Time to step up boys.
Interesting that Bird played half in the 2015 City v Country.