Rumoured Targets 3

[Spot On]

Would signing Fin

Finucaine would be a terrible use of cap space. Just terrible. It would make me really lose faith that AOB has any idea how to build a team at all.

We need a centre (not Gagai) and an edge back rower not named ShitGibbon.

Absolutely.

I hope we aren't going back to Barnett as an 80 min edge player.

We'll be carrying Pearce, Gagai at centre and Barnett on an edge. FFS.

 

[aqua_duck]

If we're after forward why not someone like Jaydn Su'a who's a specialist edge and only 23 plus he was a high school union team mate of KP's

 

[Knight Tales]

If we're after forward why not someone like Jaydn Su'a who's a specialist edge and only 23 plus he was a high school union team mate of KP's

A younger side full of kids having an absolute proper go every week and being a close unit, is a much better option than paying for veterans based on this ‘myth’ of inexperience. Panthers have made a mockery of that concept. What Gould has done out there is incredible. That side is a joy to watch. It can feasibly work here cos the Safs are going into the middle phase of their career now and Can be leaders for the younger ones.
Brails reminds me of Bedsy and no doubt being around the great man has shaped that in part.
so yeah a kid like Su’a is a great idea. The fans here would hopefully get behind a team like the Panthers where they are much like a band of brothers. They work hard for each other as much as they have great talent.

 

[Woosh]

If we're after forward why not someone like Jaydn Su'a who's a specialist edge and only 23 plus he was a high school union team mate of KP's

Su’As biggest asset is he can put on a big hit. With the high contact crackdown his game is nullified. He has already been sin-binned couple times this year.
He doesn’t run great lines and while he can put on a hit he has poor lateral movement. He is currently languishing in reserve grade. If you can get him for minimum wage then sure but he’s just another Michael Chee Kam that will be in and out of first grade.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Yeah Su'a sucks. Might transition into a prop ok but there isnt much future for him as a backrower

 

[K-Man]

We're desperately missing a real point of difference in the forward pack. We already have the Finucane role covered, yes he's a quality player but we're not lacking go-forward or getting ripped apart up the middle. Where we let ourselves down is missing x-factor and dominance out wide, both edge forwards and outside backs, and Finucane doesn't fix that.

I'd so much rather invest in younger, more powerful forwards with skill, mobility and footwork. That's the way the game is heading now. Find the next Koloamatangi or pick up a bargain like Papali'i at the Eels. we've got the metre eaters and tacklers already, but we don't have anything that breaks up the play, gives our spine an option to play to that's not Bradman, or takes ownership of that left edge that Fitz is stinking up.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Are we being premature in our recruitment given we have barely had a full strength side for 3 years now.? In particular our spine? Maybe if we fail to win games now KP is back then we can ask questions. Our forward pack is imo no better off with Finucane. They do their job holding the middle. So why do we need Finucane? Our edge is our weakness. It is like a vanity project for O’Brien. D Saf is growing into a great leader as is Brails. It takes time.
I would be playing the long game into 2023 when guys like Kikau are OC and at long odds to stay at Penrith unless they move players on.

Kikau is overrated, he gets away with some really loose play and a low work rate being in that Penrith side. He’s great as an attacking weapon if you’ve got a side that is dangerous across the park like they are but his defence isn’t that great and he was found out big time in the GF last year. It was being discussed by some Penrith fans recently and they weren’t that keen on him despite how good the media make him out to be.

 

[Knight Tales]

Kikau is overrated, he gets away with some really loose play and a low work rate being in that Penrith side. He’s great as an attacking weapon if you’ve got a side that is dangerous across the park like they are but his defence isn’t that great and he was found out big time in the GF last year. It was being discussed by some Penrith fans recently and they weren’t that keen on him despite how good the media make him out to be.

Fair points.
The facts are that next season a lot of quality players are off contract for 2023. We should be thinking longer term. We have now real need to run out and panic buy players just cos they are available. The fact we have not had a full strength squad for 2-3 years is completely ignored in these discussions. Somehow it has turned into we need experience and ‘culture’ driven players. I thought that is why we bought Frizell.

 

[macavity]

Still want TPJ. Give him an off-season working on an edge and set him loose. He could well tighten his game in a more disciplined setting (presuming we are heading that way)

wonder if Dom Young is ready to move in to centre next year.

 

[Jono078]

Finucane scores a try in Newcastle tonight. Why do I feel like that’s something that would seal the deal for us.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

TPJ needs people around him to keep him grounded, telling him to pull his head in when needed. That's not our club

 

[Yosh]

Good try that by Dale. If he does sign, I just hope he stays healthy. So worried we will be paying for someone to spend more than half the season on the doctors table.

TPJ is seeming like a good option if we pick up Finucane as well. Maybe go all out on TPJ instead of Gagai and promote Young to full time centre?

 

[GidleyTwinz]

TPJ needs people around him to keep him grounded, telling him to pull his head in when needed. That's not our club

Why not? We've got a very experienced forward pack, and by the time next season starts, 3 of them will have played for Australia. He's exactly what our pack needs - get him away from that Brissy bikie scene and let's see.

 

[Old dog]

We hardly need one forward let alone two, we need quality backs, we not only don’t need fwds but can’t afford more

 

[Yosh]

Watching Finucane with a keen eye that half. What I saw:

- Great at running decoys ahead of the forward receiving the pass from the ruck (is there a name for this?). Makes sure to hold up the middle defenders from the Roosters so the Storm ball carrier isn't hammered.
- Makes himself available from the other side of the ruck to out opposing defenders in two minds. Looks like he is concentrating the whole 40 minutes.
- Played a little like a link forward. Wasn't exactly Yeo or Trbojevic but not terrible.
- Great defensive impact on every tackle.

Can't find a fault with his performance so far. Seems a top player and professional. Seems super expensive also...

 

[Knight Tales]

Watching Finucane with a keen eye that half. What I saw:

- Great at running decoys ahead of the forward receiving the pass from the ruck (is there a name for this?). Makes sure to hold up the middle defenders from the Roosters so the Storm ball carrier isn't hammered.
- Makes himself available from the other side of the ruck to out opposing defenders in two minds. Looks like he is concentrating the whole 40 minutes.
- Played a little like a link forward. Wasn't exactly Yeo or Trbojevic but not terrible.
- Great defensive impact on every tackle.

Can't find a fault with his performance so far. Seems a top player and professional. Seems super expensive also...

Out of the Storm system I doubt he will be the same player. He has also only scored 16 tries in 208 games as an edge backrower/lock. So where does he offer strike?

 

[aqua_duck]

Watching Finucane with a keen eye that half. What I saw:

- Great at running decoys ahead of the forward receiving the pass from the ruck (is there a name for this?). Makes sure to hold up the middle defenders from the Roosters so the Storm ball carrier isn't hammered.
- Makes himself available from the other side of the ruck to out opposing defenders in two minds. Looks like he is concentrating the whole 40 minutes.
- Played a little like a link forward. Wasn't exactly Yeo or Trbojevic but not terrible.
- Great defensive impact on every tackle.

Can't find a fault with his performance so far. Seems a top player and professional. Seems super expensive also...

I don't think there is a single person who would dispute that Finucane is an excellent player but I feel like his value will be vastly inflated because of all those leadership and experience factors that I don't think we're really lacking. He'd be sensational for a side like the tigers or Broncos that lack that leadership and steel, what we lack is class and polish (and quality outside backs).

 

[perverse]

We're not lacking experience, but until recently I would have said we're absolutely lacking leadership. I do think DSaf and Brailey are growing into those roles as the year goes on, though. It has sucked not having Ponga and Pearce on the field for most of the year, because all of our direction comes through those 2. Clifford has some time now before Pearce leaves to slot into that role with Kalyn so we should be ok there if he comes along as we hope.

Even if we did have a desperate need for any of these things, paying overs for Finucane when he's in hot demand is not the answer. I get what they're trying to recruit, they do want that old, hard head around the club a la Jeremy Smith to go out there and hurt a few blokes. Barnett wishes he was that, but he isn't. That isn't a role you should be paying overs for to have in your team, though. We just don't need him, although if he ends up here I doubt we'll be super disappointed with his contributions on the field either. It's just too much money to be spending on the pack when we have real depth issues out wider.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I saw on twitter Barry Toohey was asked if he thinks we’ll get both Gagai and Finucane and he said the chances are very slim for getting both.

 

[slotmachine]

TPJ would be a lazy flop in Newie, when he's not sitting on the sidelines suspended that is.

He should go to the Roosters if he wants to do something with his career.