Rumoured Targets 3

[Frederick]

Johnson would benefit from being at another club imo. He’s been in his comfort zone for too long and could also benefit from not being the chief playmaker. I doubt we’ll pursue him but the following spine would be ridiculously talented.

1. Ponga
6. Johnson
7. Pearce
9. Levi/Watson

You know who that would suck for? Mason Lino

 

[Bartwah]

You know who that would suck for? Mason Lino

Especially now that Ponga is starting 5/8. The kid can play

 

[Pedge1971]

yep he's always been a 5/8 and not a halfback. That would be a Premiership winning spine with the Pong at the back and Watson at 14.

But for the 6 to 8 guys u need up front....

 

[Pedge1971]

Possibly in the minority, but it's a fair argument. My counter would be we have 2.2 million sitting there, and I think it's at least somewhat possible that you could have both. If the Warriors want to move him on, then he's going to be limited on options if his price is too high.

I'm generally fairly against putting Ponga at 5/8th this early in his career, too. He's not fully physically developed yet, and as much as he coped with the workload in Origin - it probably contributed to busting him up for the rest of the year. I think there's a real possibility he goes all the way on his line break if he wasn't gassed from all the extra defence, too. I think Kalyn can play anywhere in the backline and be effective, but it's about where he can be most effective - and I think for the next few years that's definitely fullback. It's also where he wants to play himself... and I feel like we risk losing him long term putting him at 5/8th right now. I just don't see it as a smart decision, yet.

Lastly, it's hard to argue that Johnson wouldn't significantly improve our team... even with his inconsistency. He is a freak talent... and I like having as many of those in my team as possible. Given the cash we have free, I don't see why having a serious look at him should preclude us from also getting some quality middles. Kalyn Ponga and Shaun Johnson playing off each other in the same team is an absolute nightmare for any opposition team. I think SJ would thrive in an environment where he didn't have to steer the ship and could play as an opportunist.

In fact, the more I think about it and the more I type - the more I love the idea. It could be a real boon for us on the market if we could get a name like SJ over the line. What prop wouldn't want to play in front of that spine?

Dude. With all respect. It aint the spine, its the town. Most young blokes dont want to move there.

 

[perverse]

Dude. With all respect. It aint the spine, its the town. Most young blokes dont want to move there.

I totally agree with you, but that wouldn't stop me trying to make the deal sweeter, either.

 

[Knight Vision]

Most young blokes dont want to move there

This is something I just dont get. Now I must admit I havent lived in Newy for 30 years but I was born in Newcastle hospital and was raised there. So unless things have changed a shit load what gives ? Great coastline, surf , smoking hot chicks , great live music scene, vineyards etc etc, I also lived in Sydney for a year and hated every minute of it, deadset shithole of a place with way too many cars and pollution, crowded beaches and yuppies up their own ass.

Each to their own I guess.

 

[mozza91]

This is something I just dont get. Now I must admit I havent lived in Newy for 30 years but I was born in Newcastle hospital and was raised there. So unless things have changed a shit load what gives ? Great coastline, surf , smoking hot chicks , great live music scene, vineyards etc etc, I also lived in Sydney for a year and hated every minute of it, deadset shithole of a place with way too many cars and pollution, crowded beaches and yuppies up their own ass.

Each to their own I guess.

Yeah it’s strange isn’t it. Newcastle shits on Sydney from a great height. The hard part is getting them here. Once they are here they realise how great it is.

 

[Bartwah]

Baz Toohey’s article today:
We’re announcing Zac Woolford as a signing this week.
Still looking at Troy Dargan from the Broncos, and likely to offer him a contract if no better playmakers come on the market.
James Gavet a potential signing down the road

 

[perverse]

Baz Toohey’s article today:
We’re announcing Zac Woolford as a signing this week.
Still looking at Troy Dargan from the Broncos, and likely to offer him a contract if no better playmakers come on the market.
James Gavet a potential signing down the road

Super depressing

 

[Frederick]

Woolford could be a good pickup. Was super impressive in the Dogs NSW cup premiership win

 

[Burns]

Gavet goes alright, would be a handy pick up

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Gavet would be an alright bench signing, at least runs harder than most of our current props.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

There's no point having the best spine in the comp if we don't have a forward pack that creates room. I'd rather miss out on Johnson as he'd probably be asking for 800K plus.

We lack metre eating forwards and that needs to be our focus. D Saifiti goes OK when it comes to metres as does Ese'ese, but after that we fall away considerably. Our back row has strengths, but making metres isn't one of them. Fitzgibbon runs good lines and is threatening, but he's not in the Ben Kennedy or Steve Simpson mold where they would make 10-12 metres each run. Guerra is a tackling machine which we need, but again, he isn't the best ball runner.

I really hope we can get some forwards who can get over the advantage line as well as offering second phase play. TPJ and Klemmer would have been awesome signings as they are the type of forwards we need.

 

[Burns]

Fitz better deliver the form he had in the early part of this year if he wants this big pay deal raise.

 

[Yosh]

Baz Toohey’s article today:
We’re announcing Zac Woolford as a signing this week.
Still looking at Troy Dargan from the Broncos, and likely to offer him a contract if no better playmakers come on the market.
James Gavet a potential signing down the road

I have heard exactly none of them before... They are at least middle forwards right?

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Woolford is basically his father, Dargan is a halfback. Gavet plays through the middle, but hs the brain of a peanut

 

[Frederick]

As reported by Danny Wiedler this morning:

Mad Dog?
The most interesting whisper to emerge from the Kangaroos camp was David Klemmermoving to Newcastle. Players brought it up with me, and even Mitchell Pearce was asking about it.
The whisper relates to third-party payments allegedly not being met. Heads would roll at the Bulldogs if Klemmer left.

Surrounded: David Klemmer wraps up Jason Taumalolo in the Tonga Test in Auckland.CREDIT:AAP

The giant front-rower staked a claim to be the best prop in the game during the recent two-Test series. His aggression and workrate were phenomenal.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ha...foran-back-to-sea-eagles-20181027-p50cef.html

 

[Spot On]

Weren't we reading about this 12 months ago or longer???

 

[Frederick]

We were, and if the story hasn't gone away by now then you'd think there might be something to it

 

[perverse]

Doesn't seem like the news has changed much in that time. Klemmer isn't happy with his financial situation at the Dogs, and we've shown interest. Perhaps we'll have him on the books by 2024.