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Rumoured Targets 3

Mr_Knightside

Mr_Knightside

Juniors
Messages
2,377
Spot On said:
Does their cap drama mean they need to offload a larger contracted player possibly?
Click to expand...

There’s been rumours about them shopping players around all season but I don’t think anyone’s of note has left yet.

Fanua-Blake would be a really good pickup imo. He doesn’t get the raps that Tapau gets but he was really impressive this year, massive unit with lots of mongrel.
 
PhilGould

PhilGould

Bench
Messages
3,469
Toohey's News

- Brown just got back from a family holiday overseas and has already been busy meeting with players and player agents. He was tight lipped on the identity of 3 senior players on the clubs radar but confirmed he has a meeting scheduled with James Segeyaro.
- Young Broncos halfback Troy Dargan is on the radar but no meeting yet. Matt Frawley no longer being considered.
- There is a whisper that Newcastle are considering Bevan French as a potential fullback if he becomes available.
- Huddersfield seem favourites to land Nathan Ross if he's moved on though Knights would have to chip in for some of his deal. There were discussions of a player swap deal with Ross going to Catalans and David Mead returning to the NRL with the Knights but Knights went cold on the trade. Ross' first preference is to stay in Newcastle.
- Jamie Buhrer has taken up the player option in his contract so will remain with the Knights in 2019.
 
Johns Magic

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
PhilGould said:
Toohey's News

- Brown just got back from a family holiday overseas and has already been busy meeting with players and player agents. He was tight lipped on the identity of 3 senior players on the clubs radar but confirmed he has a meeting scheduled with James Segeyaro.
- Young Broncos halfback Troy Dargan is on the radar but no meeting yet. Matt Frawley no longer being considered.
- There is a whisper that Newcastle are considering Bevan French as a potential fullback if he becomes available.
- Huddersfield seem favourites to land Nathan Ross if he's moved on though Knights would have to chip in for some of his deal. There were discussions of a player swap deal with Ross going to Catalans and David Mead returning to the NRL with the Knights but Knights went cold on the trade. Ross' first preference is to stay in Newcastle.
- Jamie Buhrer has taken up the player option in his contract so will remain with the Knights in 2019.
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Thanks mate, always appreciate you writing this up.

I haven't seen Dargan play.

French is interesting. I barely watched a second of the Eels this year, not sure why he fell off the radar so much. Obviously physicality may be an issue.

No thanks to Mead.

I don't mind holding on to Ross, not sure how much he's on though.

Three senior players plus Segeyaro sounds promising.
 
O

Old dog

Bench
Messages
2,658
Something amiss with French, not playing 1sts in team running last is not good especially the way he was playing previously. Happy for Ross to stay and with us looking at Segeyaro and others.
 
Mr_Knightside

Mr_Knightside

Juniors
Messages
2,377
The Bevan French one is a bit weird if true. Why do we need to shop for fullbacks when we have Watson? He played some of his his best footy there this season when filling in for Ponga and he was great at fullback last year at the Roosters too.

Maybe this points to Brown wanting to use Watson as a utility moving forward which I think is pretty tough on Watson given he signed to get a starting spot and barely got a chance to play alongside a recognised half this year given the injuries when had.

For the record I think French is better at fullback than wing because his lack of size is less of an issue and he’s bloody quick and would be good sniffing around the ruck but still I think Watson possesses these qualities as well so why not play him there?

I’d be interested to know who these senior players are that we’re looking at. As far as I’m concerned if we can get 2 or 3 genuine first graders to pad out our squad that makes us stronger. We need to put as much distance between guys like King, Denniss, Yates, Stone etc and first grade as possible.
 
Johns Magic

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Spot On said:
Let's hope it doesn't fall apart re recruiting now.

Bevan French - I just can't see why if true.
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I think there's plenty of upside to getting French, particularly if it's for a steal which it looks like it could be.

There is none better in the business at sniffing out a try through support play and he has serious pace.

He has flaws yes, but his form this year was largely injury-related it seems. Came back from a shoulder injury needled up, said he was still in pain then got dropped for not getting involved enough. Then he was vocal throughout the year that he wants to play fullback and was in the bad books.

What Brown will be dreaming of is French running off Ponga's hip all day. They are both instinctive players and potentially a match made in heaven the way Ponga creates gaps for those around him.

In saying all this I like the idea of Watson as well, but it sounds like we could have both.
 
Johns Magic

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Yeah I wouldn't be putting all my eggs in his basket but you don't score 19 tries in 13 games for nothing.

Only 22 and maybe just a confidence thing. He's always had Gutherson/Hayne/Hoffman breathing down his neck for that fullback spot and injuries hurt his hold on the position.

Natural talent like his is worth the gamble at the right price for me, especially when we have other options in the frame.
 
S

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,902
French can sniff a try out no doubt but he will never save one.

If that's what Brown is after then he fits the bill.
At such a small, light and weak frame, he should be a big target at fullback for opposing kickers and chasers. We should expect very poor starts to our sets, something this side can not afford.

If Brown sees his future at fullback then no doubt Watson will go to hooker.
 
Johns Magic

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Spot On said:
French can sniff a try out no doubt but he will never save one.

If that's what Brown is after then he fits the bill.
At such a small, light and weak frame, he should be a big target at fullback for opposing kickers and chasers. We should expect very poor starts to our sets, something this side can not afford.
Click to expand...

Yeah I get that but our wingers next year are likely to be Edrick and SKD. They will do a lot of that dirty work like Holmes and Feki did for Barba, and that worked a treat.

His ability under the high ball I can't really comment on to be honest, haven't seen enough.

I do understand the concerns though, just feel it's worth the gamble and people saying he has nothing to offer are overlooking the extreme talents he does have.
 
S

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,902
Yeah, I think he'll be easily targetted JM. On longer kicks it is easy to bring your wingers into play. Unfortunately our defence does not allow us to keep sides pinned down their end too much, so long kicks are not often needed against us.

Interesting to see how it all plays out.
 
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Yosh

Yosh

Coach
Messages
11,942
The Dragons fullback is pretty small but gird alright. We used to have Milton Thaiday, Uate and Vuna at the back. I'll take SKD, Lee and French.
 
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