Rumoured Targets 3

[Spot On]

Reports that Peta Hiku is heading home for compassionate reasons. Warriors are the favourites to sign him, but would we be interested?

He doesn't like to tackle. Hopefully we are trying to fix that issue with our outside backs.

 

[slotmachine]

re sione, why would you want a centre that never breaks the line?

 

[macavity]

re sione, why would you want a centre that never breaks the line?

Breaks the line and runs good angles with 11 on his back...

 

[slotmachine]

exactly

 

[Glendale]

I reckon Browny moving Sione back to the centres is a long shot.

 

[Spot On]

Is it fair to say Sione can not have another season where he is continually concussed though? Even the most innocuous bump seems to effect him now.

 

[Glendale]

Is it fair to say Sione can not have another season where he is continually concussed though? Even the most innocuous bump seems to effect him now.

To me it looks like a problem with tackle technique- tackles with his head and gets it in the wrong spot a lot. All the Mata'utias have this problem actually. Hopefully he can work on it and fix it in the offseason or ofcourse, it's a massive worry.

 

[PhilGould]

Sione's head knocks have nothing to do with the number on his back nor the position he plays. He was copping them in the centres as well. It's a technique thing as well as just some shit luck.

 

[Old dog]

When talking metres gained to players it is all relevant to time on field, get four very good props all sharing the workload then each individual might not make 100plus but the total of the four might be much larger. Dan might not make as much distance next year because others are making more than this years group and his playing time reduced.

 

[Old dog]

Sione is a worry, forward or back it only takes one tackle not quite right to come up hurt, he needs to fix his technique. Moving to the backs may reduce the risk due to less tackling but not fix the problem

 

[Bartwah]

When's Campbell-Gillard off contract? That bloke goes hard!

 

[Alex28]

Greg Bird? Catalans are about to be relegated, he'll head home if they do...

 

[perverse]

Is it fair to say Sione can not have another season where he is continually concussed though? Even the most innocuous bump seems to effect him now.

Yeah, I'm not a concussion expert, but he looked like he needed an off season in a lot of respects. He's had to shoulder a lot of responsibility for a 20-21 year old this year. He could definitely use a bit of time away from the training paddock. He needs to learn to tackle with more technique, though... it's admirable the way he throws himself into tackles against bigger men, we've admired a lot of our greats in the past for the same, but without the techinique to back it up it's pretty dangerous as we've seen.

 

[PhilGould]

Newcastle Sunday

• Jacob Lillyman poised to announce he's signed with the Knights on a 1-year deal for 2018. Lillyman had a similar offer on the table at the Warriors but he has chosen to come to Newcastle.
• Brendan Elliot is believed to be keen to stay in Newcastle but hasn't received an offer to. Has an offer on the table from the Titans which he may have to take. Also he unfortunately can take no further part in the NSW Cup finals run due to playing too much first grade during the season.
• Gerard Beale (3 years) and Adam Blair (4 years) have both taken up deals with the Warriors. It is believed the Knights refusal to budge on their 3 year offer for Blair is the primary reason he chose NZ. Similar story with Beale, Knights only willing to offer 2 years.
• Knights are continuing to monitor the James Maloney/Cronulla situation.

 

[Johns Magic]

Greg Bird? Catalans are about to be relegated, he'll head home if they do...

Have you actually heard he will come back to Australia in that case? Or just speculating?

I am a big Greg Bird fan, would love him in the 13. One of the game's biggest grubs but unlike others he backs it up.

His workload through the middle is immense as well. Would go a long way to making up for not landing a top prop.

 

[Alex28]

Have you actually heard he will come back to Australia in that case? Or just speculating?

I am a big Greg Bird fan, would love him in the 13. One of the game's biggest grubs but unlike others he backs it up.

His workload through the middle is immense as well. Would go a long way to making up for not landing a top prop.

Article in today's Telegraph. Just couldn't be bothered linking it...

 

[Johns Magic]

Wow. I would go in hard for him, he would change the mentality of our pack.

 

[slotmachine]

Dan
Levi
Lillyman
Guerra
Buhrer
Bird

Griffin
Ese'ese
Barnett
Jacob

 

[Spot On]

Would add aggression and depth to the backrow of the pack. Fitzy not even in that line up. Griffin to reserves, Buhrer to the bench to cover Levi (or almost anywhere else) if needed or be used anyway Brown sees fit. Very handy. Griffin to back up Levi and Buhrer. Not a fan of Bird's antics but we don't look like getting 2 more props atm.

 

[Johns Magic]

I think Ese'ese starts and I don't think Griffin will be in the full-strength 17. But otherwise yes please.