Rumoured Targets 3

[PhilGould]

So Toohey confirms Knights are keen to move Levi and says we're looking for a proven, first class hooker. I'd have to guess they're confident they've already got a replacement lined up if they're actively trying to move on our only genuine hooker with NRL experience.

 

[Pedge1971]

Nothing would surprise me with our rabble.

 

[Swarzey]

Kurt Baptiste, Wayde Egan, Manase Fainu, Robbie Farah, Craig Garvey, Sione Katoa, Apisai Koroisau, Karl Lawton, Michael Lichaa, Jacob Liddle, Issac Luke, Matt McIlwrick, Kaysa Pritchard, Mitch Rein, Reece Robson, Zac Woolford.

Current off contract hookers and I'm not aware of any other hooker dealing with any internal issues to prompt an early release. The only hooker I can see getting out of his contract early given his stagnation (probably tied to the changing team and a poor coach) and the fact they just recently signed an immensely talented prospect is Jake Granville. He's proven and can probably find some great form but would only be serving as a temporary solution to our hooker position; he's not a player we can invest in. At best, he can serve as a solid option to bridge us from Levi to Luke Huth.

Its really a massive dry period for hookers. Lot of young talent still 2+ years away so I'm surprised we're so eager to move Levi on (as depressing as that sounds)

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I'd give Griffin a chance. He deserves a spell to at least see if he can get some form when he comes back.
I'd be ok with keeping Levi except for this on again, off again situation with him. I'd drop him now. Watson, Buhrer and maybe Woolford to hooker in the short term.

 

[Old dog]

Griff saying he is ahead of schedule and expected back rd16 so he might be our go to man. If come back is no good then look elsewhere and hope we unearth a hooker in juniors, possibly Huth.
Can’t believe the problems we are having with both 6 & 9, looked pretty good spine prior to season start, Ponga, Watson, Pearce and Levi with solid if not great backup in Lino, Mann and Woolford, short term injury covered.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

While it’s being reported that we’re going to look for an elite hooker I don’t see how we can afford one. We’ve got a halfback on $1m a year and a fullback who will also be on $1m a year soon. There are only a few “elite” hookers in the game at the moment and I can’t see how we could find room in the cap for someone like that.

In terms of what we’ve got at the moment I think Griffin definitely deserves another go at starting hooker when he’s back, he didn’t put a foot wrong during the first half of last year before his injury and I rate him as a solid first grade hooker at least. The obvious problem is his knee so even if he comes back into first grade again he may not be at the same level again and who knows how long he might last.

Woolford came here with big wraps on him as well but apparently hasn’t shown it in reserves yet. We’ll need to see how he goes and if he can force his way into the first grade team by the end of the year.

Realistically if we hit the market for a hooker (even if it’s a relatively short term fix until a quality junior comes through) then we need to get someone who is of a decent first grade standard but won’t cost us too much.

Kurt Baptiste, Wayde Egan, Manase Fainu, Robbie Farah, Craig Garvey, Sione Katoa, Apisai Koroisau, Karl Lawton, Michael Lichaa, Jacob Liddle, Issac Luke, Matt McIlwrick, Kaysa Pritchard, Mitch Rein, Reece Robson, Zac Woolford.

Realistically from the above list the three who stand out as decent short/medium term options are Baptiste, Rein and Koroisau. They all have heaps of first grade experience and a solid all round game. I would be looking to get one of those three for a couple of seasons if we’re hitting the market.

 

[PhilGould]

I've been very impressed with Manase Fainu so far, it seems like they want more experience though. Korisau is decent.

 

[slotmachine]

Coach might finally be happy with the hooker situation if he builds a time machine and signs peak Cam Smith or buderus (or Nathan brown)

 

[Apey]

Coach might finally be happy with the hooker situation if he builds a time machine and signs peak Cam Smith or buderus (or Nathan brown)

Are you happy with our hooker situation?

 

[Knight Vision]

I'd give Griffin a chance. He deserves a spell to at least see if he can get some form when he comes back.

love the guy, has the heart of a lion. Be happy if he was our hooker.

 

[macavity]

Are you happy with our hooker situation?

He plays like that every game we all will be.

 

[PhilGould]

The Lurker is as unreliable as they come, so take it with a grain of salt.

Out-of-favour Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is believed to be seeking a release from the club to join the Knights.

Edwards has had a nightmare year in 2019, being embroiled in a sex scandal and then putting in a horror performance against the Storm earlier this month.

He was dropped to the Canterbury Cup following that game and is struggling for form and confidence.

Edwards hails from Bellingen on the mid north coast of New South Wales and will seek a release to the Knights on compassionate grounds to be closer to home and family.

If granted his release, he will make the move before the June 30 transfer deadline.

 

[Burwood]

I was really impressed with Edwards last year, but can’t see where he fits into our 2019 team- he’s too good to be playing in our reserves each week. If he could play a bit of centre, fair enough, but we don’t really need another fullback or winger.

 

[Silent Knight]

Sorry Burwood but I must respectfully disagree. I don't see how Edwards gets a look-in ahead of Ramien, Hunt or Moga for a centre spot, and then we've got outstanding young prospects like Best and Toa coming through.

I can only see Edwards as backup for Ponga in case of injury tbh. I would prefer if Watson just stuck to 5/8 for a season and see where that takes him, no going back to fullback. Enough with moving Watson around.

 

[Burwood]

Sorry Burwood but I must respectfully disagree. I don't see how Edwards gets a look-in ahead of Ramien, Hunt or Moga for a centre spot, and then we've got outstanding young prospects like Best and Toa coming through.

I can only see Edwards as backup for Ponga in case of injury tbh. I would prefer if Watson just stuck to 5/8 for a season and see where that takes him, no going back to fullback. Enough with moving Watson around.

Don’t worry, total agreement from me (I wasn’t very clear in my post). I’d take him if he played centre as back up to Ramien, Hunt and Moga, but don’t think he’d be happy to play the year in reserves. Don’t think we need him as a fullback when we have Mann and Watson as capable backups.

Best won’t get a look in until the last few rounds, and To’a can’t play unless he picks up one of the 3 development spots before June 30.

 

[League_God]

Does anyone else see 5/8 as our major weakness? If we splurge on any position, I’d like to see us buy a top flight no. 6

 

[Yosh]

Does anyone else see 5/8 as our major weakness? If we splurge on any position, I’d like to see us buy a top flight no. 6

Do we need one? I think we just need a decent first grade quality 6. Pearce and Ponga are good enough stars there.

If Levi keeps up the good work, I'm more than happy to see him stay but if he returns back to his old self, I would love to see us sign a star hooker.

 

[Knight Vision]

Just watched the highlights of the CC and I wonder when Phoenix Crossland is ready. He's a junior NSW SOO halfback and only 18 but he looks special no doubt that.

Does anyone else see 5/8 as our major weakness? If we splurge on any position, I’d like to see us buy a top flight no. 6

I do unless Watson can step up. Would be good to see Pearce have a quality 5/8 to ease the pressure and someone else with a good kicking game that could steer the ship if we lose Pearce mid game or out for a few games. A 5/8 who could fill the role like Kearey does at the Roosters with Cronk.

Watched the highlights of the CC on the weekend and Phoenix Crossland looks like he's going to be a special player. I wonder how far off he is to being eased into first grade.

At the moment, if we lose Pearce we're in trouble big time.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Just watched the highlights of the CC and I wonder when Phoenix Crossland is ready. He's a junior NSW SOO halfback and only 18 but he looks special no doubt that.

He was mentioned today in the team announcement as a future replacement for Pearce. He's on his way but a long way off unless something makes it urgent.

 

[Bartwah]

Just watched the highlights of the CC and I wonder when Phoenix Crossland is ready. He's a junior NSW SOO halfback and only 18 but he looks special no doubt that.

I do unless Watson can step up. Would be good to see Pearce have a quality 5/8 to ease the pressure and someone else with a good kicking game that could steer the ship if we lose Pearce mid game or out for a few games. A 5/8 who could fill the role like Kearey does at the Roosters with Cronk.

Watched the highlights of the CC on the weekend and Phoenix Crossland looks like he's going to be a special player. I wonder how far off he is to being eased into first grade.

At the moment, if we lose Pearce we're in trouble big time.

I think we won’t be as bad as we were last year without Pearce. Lino is a handy replacement when he’s the chief playmaker. He was outstanding when filling in for Johnson last year