Rumoured Targets 3

[Joel-22]

Just realised who he is. Yep, it's a big yes from me. I'd prefer Barnett over Rochow to be honest

 

[nick87]

I actually hope a club like the Knights winds up getting Barnett. I've rated him for a long time but im struggling to see where he get his chances for us in the next few years.
From a club perspective, he's a good young player on a cheap deal and those guys are critical for success over the course of a season because they never let you down for the 4-5 games they play each year... but I personally want to see young kids get a shot. He'd be a really good fit for the Knights, he's young, mobile, aggressive and knows how to run a good line.

 

[Frederick]

Nick, how do you rate the progress of Mataora this year? Given he's been thrown into the (rather sizable) hole vacated by Snowden as number 1 prop on the team, I think he's risen to the challenge excellently.

How does his current form rate against that of when he was a promising junior at the Raiders?

 

[Noname36]

I have to admit I was wrong about Mataora. Coming into this season I thought he had absolutely nothing and was just a bog average player. He's really done his job though. Obviously no world beater and never will be but I admit he does have more than I thought he did.

 

[Johns Magic]

Nick, how do you rate the progress of Mataora this year? Given he's been thrown into the (rather sizable) hole vacated by Snowden as number 1 prop on the team, I think he's risen to the challenge excellently.

How does his current form rate against that of when he was a promising junior at the Raiders?

I'm not really comfortable with this fact.

He is doing a good job and has obviously worked hard to strip his frame and get to where he is. But the fact he is our "number 1 prop" speaks volumes of our pack.

I have been really disappointed with Korbin in the last two years. There is no reason he can't be one of the better props(or at least middle forwards) in the game. He plateaued pretty quick and I think is doing himself a disservice. Someone tell him to start playing like Ashton.

I know its cliche but I hope Brownie hits the Super League for a prop target given he has links there. I have no idea who is over there but hopefully someone.

Until we start winning some games and looking like an attractive club on the up I can't see us signing any decent NRL players.

 

[Frederick]

He'll never be in the top 10-20 props in the game, but in our squad he's doing the job as good, if not better than, Snowden, and for a fraction of the cost.

Korbin is definitely lacking something. Pretty sure he was touted as the best of the three, but there's something definitely missing, which for mine is a bit of size. He gets dominated far too often, something which has been a common theme in our team.

There is definite talent over in the UK, as we've seen in recent years here with the burgess boys, whitehead, hodgson etc. No big Aussie names will ever come to us, so our only hope is Browny can raid the ranks over there and try and convince some of the cream to move over to us.

 

[nick87]

Nick, how do you rate the progress of Mataora this year? Given he's been thrown into the (rather sizable) hole vacated by Snowden as number 1 prop on the team, I think he's risen to the challenge excellently.

How does his current form rate against that of when he was a promising junior at the Raiders?

Ill lay my cards on the table here, i think i was the VERY last person on Mataora island in Raiders fans. I've ALWAYS rated him highly. As a junior he was REALLY good.
He got moved to the front row and tbh i think it hurt him for a long time, his entire game as junior was built on using his footwork outwide and he had a great offload

He played some front row for us and i thought he flashed some real potential but i was well and truly on my own there. I couldnt be happier to see him play this kind of footy and it's entirely consistent with what i saw from him as a junior. I think he's a guy who took longer than most to adjust his game to the middle and is finally under a coach who believes in him and is giving him the chance to show he can make it.

Really happy for the guy.

 

[Allstar Knights]

One thing I really like about Mataora that's underrated is his defence. He nearly always hits and sticks. Very rarely misses tackles.

 

[Noname36]

He'll never be in the top 10-20 props in the game, but in our squad he's doing the job as good, if not better than, Snowden, and for a fraction of the cost.

Korbin is definitely lacking something. Pretty sure he was touted as the best of the three, but there's something definitely missing, which for mine is a bit of size. He gets dominated far too often, something which has been a common theme in our team.

There is definite talent over in the UK, as we've seen in recent years here with the burgess boys, whitehead, hodgson etc. No big Aussie names will ever come to us, so our only hope is Browny can raid the ranks over there and try and convince some of the cream to move over to us.

Korbin's only issue is his size. He plays like a prop but unfortunately has more the build of a backrower.

It's a shame for him because his charges are always strong and committed - just struggles to make enough impact sometimes because of his build.

Can't move him to the back row either because he doesn't have the lateral movement to defend on the edge.

I rate Korbs highly but he needs another 5kgs.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Off Contract 2016: Cory Denniss, Bryce Donovan, Krys Freeman, Josh King, Tama Koopu, Alex McKinnon, James McManus, Robbie Rochow, Nathan Ross, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Tariq Sims, Bradie Smith, Jeremy Smith, James Taylor, Tekina Vailea, Paterika Vaivai

I reckon we might have an issue keeping both Ross and Denniss. Mamo, Uate and gagai are off contract 2017.
Brown has said that by playing the young guys he knows we are going to lose some. Ross and Denniss will be the first to be targets. Both have a lot of club loyalty. We sign them both and Mamo and Uate are sure to go. Gagai ... Tariq?

Smith will retire. I reckon Rochow will gther clubs will look at the Safiti's.

We might free up enough at the end of this year to go for a mobile 2nd rower.

 

[PhilGould]

Ross & the Saifiti's are definitely signed until the end of 2017, and we're already in negotiations to extend the Saifiti's.

 

[Pete Cash]

Barnett is a good player. Hes an actual crazy person though and can cross the line from aggressive to stupid.

With sias broken arm i reckon hes a shot to seeing some first grade time over the next few weeks.

I wasnt as keen as nick on sam but he looks good for you guys. Furner beefed him up too much and his movement especially in defence suffered.

 

[Jono078]

Luke Lewis the latest name to be thrown up if we don't re-sign Rochow which is now looking unlikely.

Not sure I like that move. Goes against Brown's policy. But maybe he's thinking we need a forward leader, especially if Smith retires.

 

[Zoidberg]

Luke Lewis the latest name to be thrown up if we don't re-sign Rochow which is now looking unlikely.

Not sure I like that move. Goes against Brown's policy. But maybe he's thinking we need a forward leader, especially if Smith retires.

Unlikely we won't sign Rochow or unlikely we will?

 

[The Showstopper]

Lewis would be a great forward leader. He has couple of good years in him.

 

[perverse]

Lewis would be more a replacement for Smith than anything, even though technically Randell is probably being groomed for Lock. Old fart forward to show the young guys how it's done. He'd be a good pickup at the right place. He's got a great footy brain. Reminds me of the backrow equivilent of a Luke Burt kinda player. Could play just about any position bar prop in his prime. Perhaps a better analogy than Burt is that he's like an old Jack Bird. Great football instincts and can play what is in front of him. Not many of our players fit that description, actually.

 

[knightsarmy]

Luke Lewis the latest name to be thrown up if we don't re-sign Rochow which is now looking unlikely.

Not sure I like that move. Goes against Brown's policy. But maybe he's thinking we need a forward leader, especially if Smith retires.

Not sure on this one , I would like them to have another shot at Robbie

 

[Burwood]

It's sounds like Rochow has met with about 4-5 sydney clubs since he turned down our initial offer- if true, I can't see him staying.

The problem with Lewis is that it is his final contract before retirement. Although he's 32 and on the decline, it's likely that he is looking for an upgrade or at least equal value of his current contract. Although he would be a good addition to our squad, I just don't think he'll be good value.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I expected a signing of an experienced player to take over Smith's role. Lewis would suit.
Tariq will be next in line of we hold on to him.

 

[otori]

Apparently Lyon may be released by Manly. I would take him even though he's old. Guy is still a weapon