Rumoured Targets 3

[Johns Magic]

Toohey today quotes Brown saying we haven't offered Scott anything yet because he hasn't had a chance to visit Newcastle.

 

[macavity]

Toohey today quotes Brown saying we haven't offered Scott anything yet because he hasn't had a chance to visit Newcastle.

Can confirm the strategy now is we don't make an offer to a big target until we have had them visit and had the "I wouldn't mind living here" thing ticked off. The club think living in Newcastle is a massive attraction, they are looking for people who want to be here, and it stops us being used as a bargaining chip to get better offers from other clubs.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Can confirm the strategy now is we don't make an offer to a big target until we have had them visit and had the "I wouldn't mind living here" thing ticked off. The club think living in Newcastle is a massive attraction, they are looking for people who want to be here, and it stops us being used as a bargaining chip to get better offers from other clubs.

It also allows the club to sus-out if the player is genuine or not. If a guy makes the effort to come and visit Newy and spend a little time getting to know the club and town then they're clearly serious about playing for us. If not then we know that they're either using us for a bargaining chip or they just want a payday without being that committed to the culture.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Does anyone think that Brown might look to sign a young guy in the next few weeks as a short term fix at fullback for the rest of the year? Given we don't really have a stand out replacement available and obviously Brown is looking for a fullback with a bit of playmaking skill maybe he'll look outside of the club and offer someone a 1 year deal? It could be an attractive option for a young player who wants to break into first grade.

I know the Bulldogs have a young fullback with some playmaking skill who's stuck behind Hopoate/Morris and isn't too likely to see game time unless there's a few injuries. I can't think of his name but he's got big wraps on him and surely would be worth the risk on a short contract for peanuts.

Alternatively maybe there's an older player out there who wouldn't mind coming along for the rest of the year and giving us a playmaking option from the back? Not sure who might fit that bill but it would not be a bad idea imo if we found the right guy to fill the role.

I know that Brown is all about the long term (which I'm very happy about) but I also think it's important to at least be competitive and win some games this year to keep the fans on-side. Last year was very testing on all of us and I think we deserve to see our team get some wins on the board.

 

[Caped Crusader]

The player would have to be ok with it being a 1 year deal though given Ponga coming here in 2018.

A young guy looking to get some exposure to FG to boost his price for 2018 onwards would be great. We need some ball playing and more importantly kicking from the back as our halves have been awful in that area and unfortunately we wont get that from Pete, Ross or Gagai who are our most likely fullback replacements

 

[slotmachine]

Brad Abbey is the dogs player but he's on big money, came out of NZ with huge rep.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Brad Abbey is the dogs player but he's on big money, came out of NZ with huge rep.

Yeah that's the guy who I was thinking of. Didn't know much about his current contract though so maybe not him if what you say is true. Anyone know of any other guys who would fit the bill though? Or even an ESL player perhaps?

 

[Johns Magic]

I would be looking at Kurt Mann

 

[slotmachine]

Why bother when ponga is coming, Pete will do till then.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Why bother when ponga is coming, Pete will do till then.

Probably because Id prefer to have Pete, Ross and Gagai stay out of the fullback spot for 2017, simply because we gain more from them developing in the centres and wing as thats where theyll be in 2018

It may or may not matter. Thing is, we are now down a fullback/outside back for the year. As our NSWCup side is plodtastical, id prefer to bring in someone rather than promote any of them

 

[Johns Magic]

Why bother when ponga is coming, Pete will do till then.

I think our results are important this year to attract potential recruits.

 

[Burwood]

There's some guy from warrington in the ESL who might be happy to sign up for only a year. His name has slipped my mind at the moment.

It's a shame that someone can't be signed on a loan deal. You'd have to imagine that the Bulldogs or another club would be happy to let a young guy in the U20s play first grade for us if it would help his development and benefit their club in the long term. If your first choice players pick up injuries, then you can have the player straight back again. With Ponga coming to the club next year, it would be pretty obvious that we weren't trying to poach a fullback and that they'd only be needed short term.

 

[GetUpstandup2k]

There's some guy from warrington in the ESL who might be happy to sign up for only a year. His name has slipped my mind at the moment.

It's a shame that someone can't be signed on a loan deal. You'd have to imagine that the Bulldogs or another club would be happy to let a young guy in the U20s play first grade for us if it would help his development and benefit their club in the long term. If your first choice players pick up injuries, then you can have the player straight back again. With Ponga coming to the club next year, it would be pretty obvious that we weren't trying to poach a fullback and that they'd only be needed short term.

Kurt Gidley?

 

[macavity]

Lolohea would take a year to play FB I reckon...

 

[PhilGould]

BIRD IS THE WORD

What’s the secret to landing Jack Bird’s signature?

It’s all in the position.

That’s why Newcastle are still hopeful they can land Bird.

So where does he fit into the mix?

He’s currently playing centre but the Knights view Bird as a ball playing lock or five-eighth.

They’ve told him that too.

Bird has met with Knights officials and will ramp up talks in the next week or so.

If Bird was to join the Knights he would be given the license to play his natural game.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...d/news-story/d0572683ac90145b9ab8dd93617a9581

 

[macavity]

So bird can't kick, Levi can't kick, Hodko won't kick...

Am I right to assume Ponga and Barnett will be sharing the kicking duties next year?

 

[perverse]

Lamb hasn't done anything to come close to securing the #6 yet. Give it to Bird for sure.

 

[macavity]

And Kurt Mann is a good one to be talking to

 

[PhilGould]

Hodko can kick, he just refuses to for some reason.

 

[perverse]

Hodko can kick, he just refuses to for some reason.

Can only assume that his legs aren't up to it. If he's at that point then he's surely on borrowed time already. Brown can't seriously be entertaining carrying a halfback that can't kick or run long term.