What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rumoured Targets 3

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,421
350k + whatever we save moving Houston doesn't buy a lot of quality.
Brown is stuck looking at the Lawrence's of the competition. At least he's a first grade player, we don't have 17 of those at the moment.
 

Noname36

First Grade
Messages
7,067
Any of them that chuck a tantrum because House was shown the door need to be f**ked right off too.

Neither Lawrence or McQueen excite me in the slightest but they're better than what we've let go and we're not in a position to be choosy. As long as they come with a good/fresh attitude that's the most important thing at the moment.
 
Messages
3,329
any player with nowhere else to go should be offered 12 month deals. Offer McQueen and Lawrence 12 month deals and get them to prove their desire to wear this jumper. If not then hit the road.
 

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,902
People aren't going to be sucked in by photos showing Aku hasn't packed more weight on and expect that's the magic cure for a bloke on 500K that can't (or won't) tackle and has never had the hands needed to stay in first grade?

Once again, we all hope he will provide the team with value for money but can anyone see it happening - for more than a couple of games a season?
 
Last edited:

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,700
People aren't going to be sucked in by photos showing Aku hasn't packed more weight on and expect that's the magic cure for a bloke on 500K that can't (or won't) tackle and has never had the hands needed to stay in first grade?

Once again, we all hope he will provide the team with value for money but can anyone see it happening - for more than a couple of games a season?
I think he'll play better than any other wing option we have. Do you think being fit is a non-factor for a guy who relies on his physical attributes above all else to play well? Do you think it's completely un-noteworthy that he's finally come back to pre-season not looking like Buddha?

It's like people want the bloke to fail at this point, to justify their frustration with him. I'm frustrated about him, but geez his problems are overblown by you lot. With a bit of luck Browny will either get him firing or see him off. Either way I'm not missing much sleep, but I much prefer a fit and firing Aku next year than losing another wing option when we have zero depth at the club. I think we all know he's on thin ice, but it's nice to see evidence that he might have picked up his act, imo.
 
Last edited:

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,902
I think he'll play better than any other wing option we have. Do you think being fit is a non-factor for a guy who relies on his physical attributes above all else to play well? Do you think it's completely un-noteworthy that he's finally come back to pre-season not looking like Buddha?

It's like people want the bloke to fail at this point, to justify their frustration with him. I'm frustrated about him, but geez his problems are overblown by you lot. With a bit of luck Browny will either get him firing or see him off. Either way I'm not missing much sleep, but I much prefer a fit and firing Aku next year than losing another wing option when we have zero depth at the club. I think we all know he's on thin ice, but it's nice to see evidence that he might have picked up his act, imo.

Good points Perverse. I respect your thoughts.

However, I'm one of the mob that thinks he's had enough time and enough chances to address the weak points in his game. I can't see much improvement in those areas and his defence is as bad as ever.

As for being fit - has he been fit the past 3 seasons? If the answer is no then what sort of pro athlete is the club looking for and is it the clubs fault for him being continually unfit, year in, year out or Akus?? Is that the reason his can't make contact when defending, can't make the reads a bloke on his $$$ should be making and can't gain any confidence or consistency with ball handling?

If he can address and improve out of sight in all those areas (hopefully he could also get fit enough to play in the top league in the world) then he'll be cheered. No one is going to to support a bloke, one of our highest paid players, continually being unfit, unable to commit to making contact with a ball runner or reading the attack down his side and dropping the ball in tackles when returning it, dropping it from high kicks and making a meal of it when it's bouncing around on the ground.

I think some people turn a blind eye to how bad he can be a lot of the time. His massive contract and the 2 years left on have assured him on going time in firsts. If someone would go close to matching the value of his contract he'd be gone tomorrow.

I don't WANT him to fail but seriously, how long can he be given. This will be the fourth season in a row I've said I hope the coach can turn him around.

Good luck Browny and all the best Aku.
 

Knight Vision

First Grade
Messages
5,066
I think he'll play better than any other wing option we have. Do you think being fit is a non-factor for a guy who relies on his physical attributes above all else to play well? Do you think it's completely un-noteworthy that he's finally come back to pre-season not looking like Buddha?

It's like people want the bloke to fail at this point, to justify their frustration with him. I'm frustrated about him, but geez his problems are overblown by you lot. With a bit of luck Browny will either get him firing or see him off. Either way I'm not missing much sleep, but I much prefer a fit and firing Aku next year than losing another wing option when we have zero depth at the club. I think we all know he's on thin ice, but it's nice to see evidence that he might have picked up his act, imo.

I think he's been playing for 2 seasons with a crook knee which hasnt helped
 
Messages
3,329
Dillon article today suggests Uate might have been told he is to be moved on if an offer is forthcoming. So in other words he is staying unless rugby comes calling.
 

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,902
Dillon article today suggests Uate might have been told he is to be moved on if an offer is forthcoming. So in other words he is staying unless rugby comes calling.

...and it's this sort of home truth that will have others playing with a totally different attitude in 2016. They have NO choice but to put in and be successful. If not, see ya later. The comfort zone of zero pressure from within the club to be accountable for performance is gone.

This can only be good for the club long term.
 

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Happy with this if true.

I am a fan of Buhrer and think he is a great club player who would not demand rep money. His failed Origin stint means he is a bit of an LU whipping boy but he has been great the last couple of seasons for Manly when on the field - regularly their best forward IMO(not too much competition admittedly). Remember too that he came on at hooker in Origin, not the back row where he belongs.

His knee is a gamble. Two big injuries in consecutive years. I imagine it drove down his price though on the plus side.

Maybe Tariq is going to play up front? Not sure how many minutes J Smith or Tapine will get if this is true. I see Tapine higher in the pecking order...wonder if Brown would have re-signed Smith last year if he was in charge at the time.

8. Snowden
9. Levi
10. Korbin
11. Rochow
12. Buhrer
13. Tariq

14. Paea
15. Stockwell
16 Tapine
17. J Smith
18. Randall

Personally I was looking forward to potentially seeing Tapine playing 80 minutes but I can't see that now. Rochow is a solid player and our team seems to go better with him in it so he gets the start there in my eyes but I see more potential in Tapine.

I think Fitzgibbon will get eased in this year as well.

Take out Smith and that is a young pack with more promise than previous seasons that is going in the right direction IMO.
 
Last edited:
Messages
3,329
Jamie Buerher is talented lad. Happy with that if true. Better than another year of Houston and he has also played Origin and from A winner culture.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,700
I think Buhrer's game will translate very well to the reduced interchange. Good, or even great pickup if true. I won't be surprised if the smaller, 40-tackles and a bit of ballplaying or hooker type Lock comes back into fashion soon enough, and Buhrer could fill that role well.
 
Last edited:

aqua_duck

Coach
Messages
18,636
I think Buhrer's game will translate very well to the reduced interchange. Good, or even great pickup if true. I won't be surprised if the smaller, 40-tackles and a bit of ballplaying or hooker type Lock comes back into fashion soon enough, and Buhrer could fill that role well.

Buhrer is pretty much an ideal player with reduced interchange, you can start him at hooker, and then move him to lock at around the 30 min mark and bring on Levi as that impact dummy half, Buhrer's mobility will also cause problems at the back end of each half
 

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Good point actually. Buhrer in for a spell at 9 could mean Randall is not required at all. Also frees some back row minutes up for Tapine/J Smith.

I have not seen enough of Buhrer at 9 to know how up to it he is on a weekly basis, but Randall is hardly a specialist there either.

Opinion seems split on this forum as to who will be the senior hooker this year but I see Levi streets ahead of Randall.
 
Messages
3,740
I reckon Tapine might get a go at centre. Jimmy most likely won't be back.
Buhrer might make it in but I can't see it happening for a while.

Is Feeney training with the main squad?
 

Swarzey

Bench
Messages
4,165
I rate him as a pretty handy player. Not a world beater, not a liability, would take him over Randell any day of the week.
 
Top