Rumours and Stuff

[Eelementary]

No just proves they are better at identifying talent than us, as in Lattrel Mitchell.

Also they identify where they are lacking in their squad and buy players to plug the holes, this year 5/8 and fb were 2 positions filled with good players, one being a Parra junior btw.

What do we do, buy other teams cast offs, cheap players, but where has it gotten us? Fritchard, Vave and Matagi certainly haven't set the world on fire or played many games. French is struggling (needs to be dropped to ISC to gain more experience), Hoffman is just solid, both Taka and Auva'a are liabilities in defence, Moses another liability in D and goes missing too often, and most of our forwards are park standard players and too light so get dominated by bigger packs and no decent dh.

BA might be a good coach, BUT, until he stops being players friends and drops players for poor games, AND identifies decent talent we will continually be a mid table team.

Cleary in a little over a month has bought 3 good forwards and a couple of backs. I can guarantee these purchases will transform Tigers next year. What have we done, bought Evans (still not sold on him yet) and that's about all. So where are we? Still middle of the pack!!!! WTF.

Hang on - who does he drop? More importantly, who does he replace them with?

Pritchard? Dr Gois is out indefinitely, and King is not the answer.

Mannah and/or Matagi? Who steps up? I like O'Brien, but he's a bench player at the moment. He's only able to play limited minutes. Twal? Not good enough for First Grade at the moment.

French - who replaced him? Davis? Faraimo? George Jennings?

I think it's not a matter of BA being friends with the players, and refusing to drop players - I think it's more to do that, on form and given unavailable players, this is the best squad he can assemble.

We do have a lot of depth, but as of right now, our unavailable player list (off the top of my head) reads something like:

Hoffman
Terepo
Jennings
Vave
Gower

That's 5 genuine First Graders unavailable right there.

Assuming blokes from the ISP were in good enough form to warrant a call up, BA has to be astute with the cap, too; he can't just promote blokes without repercussions.

 

[Bazal]

Hang on - who does he drop? More importantly, who does he replace them with?

Pritchard? Dr Gois is out indefinitely, and King is not the answer.

Mannah and/or Matagi? Who steps up? I like O'Brien, but he's a bench player at the moment. He's only able to play limited minutes. Twal? Not good enough for First Grade at the moment.

French - who replaced him? Davis? Faraimo? George Jennings?

I think it's not a matter of BA being friends with the players, and refusing to drop players - I think it's more to do that, on form and given unavailable players, this is the best squad he can assemble.

We do have a lot of depth, but as of right now, our unavailable player list (off the top of my head) reads something like:

Hoffman
Terepo
Jennings
Vave
Gower

That's 5 genuine First Graders unavailable right there.

Assuming blokes from the ISP were in good enough form to warrant a call up, BA has to be astute with the cap, too; he can't just promote blokes without repercussions.

Who CARES who replaces them. They have to BE DROPPED!!!!! We aren't coming first so we NEED TO CHANGE EVERYTHING!!!!

Because it worked so well from 2010-2014, after all....

 

[Avenger]

Hang on - who does he drop? More importantly, who does he replace them with?

Pritchard? Dr Gois is out indefinitely, and King is not the answer.

Mannah and/or Matagi? Who steps up? I like O'Brien, but he's a bench player at the moment. He's only able to play limited minutes. Twal? Not good enough for First Grade at the moment.

French - who replaced him? Davis? Faraimo? George Jennings?

I think it's not a matter of BA being friends with the players, and refusing to drop players - I think it's more to do that, on form and given unavailable players, this is the best squad he can assemble.

We do have a lot of depth, but as of right now, our unavailable player list (off the top of my head) reads something like:

Hoffman
Terepo
Jennings
Vave
Gower

That's 5 genuine First Graders unavailable right there.

Assuming blokes from the ISP were in good enough form to warrant a call up, BA has to be astute with the cap, too; he can't just promote blokes without repercussions.

We severely over rate our players. Besides Jennings none of those missing players that you mention are anything special.

 

[Chipmunk]

No.... Inu and Mateo bog average careers.

Hindmarsh x 2 , Ryan,Vella,Cayless,Lyons,Vaeleki,Tonga,Burt, Grothe jnr,P.Richards came onto scene within a few years of each other.

Only 3 of those players above (Vella, Cayless and Richards) began their rugby league career with a club in the Parramatta District. All the others were recruited into the District.

 

[Bazal]

We severely over rate our players. Besides Jennings none of those missing players that you mention are anything special.

Did he say they were?

He said they were genuine first graders. And they are. So with them missing, who do we replace these players everyone wants dropped with?

 

[84 Baby]

Better ones der

 

[Noise]

You're speaking far too much sense today

The main things is the off field shit seems to be behind us. That changes everything. You cannot be a top club without a properly functioning administration, it really is that simple. Jack Gibson knew it and he's arguably the greatest coach of all time....

Manly's admin were/are as f**ked as ours but they still managed to keep it together on the field

 

[Bazal]

Manly's admin were/are as f**ked as ours but they still managed to keep it together on the field

It's cute that you think a bit of in fighting is anywhere near comparable to a complete administrative collapse....

 

[Noise]

It's cute that you think a bit of in fighting is anywhere near comparable to a complete administrative collapse....

Yes it collapsed last year but it was purely in fighting the 6 years before that - same as Manly

 

[Eelementary]

We severely over rate our players. Besides Jennings none of those missing players that you mention are anything special.

To other clubs, perhaps not.

But they're not in other clubs' systems - they're in ours.

Hoffman has been steady and reliable; Jennings is just class; Vave was brought to the club because we needed some size and power, so not having him immediately means we are lacking that same size and power; Gower is a genuine First Graders, with strong defence, ball skills, and able to make metres.

Our first choice left centre, right winger, and big bench prop are all unavailable; good quality bench players like Terepo and Gower are also not available.

I dare say if you took 5 regulars First Graders out of most sides for a long time, that they'd struggle.

The difference between the top sides and us is that they still have rep-quality players to help pull them out of the hole.

The Sharks have Fifita.

The Storm have the big 3 - and we saw just how much they missed having one of those 3 unavailable, in that famous Grand Final...

A lot of Broncos fans were happy to see Norman go, and look at him now.

A player who is considered ordinary at one club cab switch clubs and totally transform themselves - Jennings aside, the 5 blokes we have out are not world-class, but they don't need to be; they have to fit into our system, and play their roles, and having them unavailable makes us weaker for not having them.

 

[Avenger]

To other clubs, perhaps not.

But they're not in other clubs' systems - they're in ours.

Hoffman has been steady and reliable; Jennings is just class; Vave was brought to the club because we needed some size and power, so not having him immediately means we are lacking that same size and power; Gower is a genuine First Graders, with strong defence, ball skills, and able to make metres.

Our first choice left centre, right winger, and big bench prop are all unavailable; good quality bench players like Terepo and Gower are also not available.

I dare say if you took 5 regulars First Graders out of most sides for a long time, that they'd struggle.

The difference between the top sides and us is that they still have rep-quality players to help pull them out of the hole.

The Sharks have Fifita.

The Storm have the big 3 - and we saw just how much they missed having one of those 3 unavailable, in that famous Grand Final...

A lot of Broncos fans were happy to see Norman go, and look at him now.

A player who is considered ordinary at one club cab switch clubs and totally transform themselves - Jennings aside, the 5 blokes we have out are not world-class, but they don't need to be; they have to fit into our system, and play their roles, and having them unavailable makes us weaker for not having them.

As always you make some good points. I'll give you Hoffman. He is experienced and reliable. Gower I would have in the side (when fit) before Mannah. Mannah must be injured because he has been very ordinary.

 

[hindy111]

Only 3 of those players above (Vella, Cayless and Richards) began their rugby league career with a club in the Parramatta District. All the others were recruited into the District.

So what? If they make there first grade debut at club ots as good as a junior unless you paid silly over for.

 

[Avenger]

If we do not try and purchase Klemmer iI'll lose faith in BA's judgement. Graham is another we should enquire about. I'd even consider taking George Burgess. He is still young and needs a change of scenery.

 

[hindy111]

Jennings,Vave, Hoffman would make a difference.
Terepo and Frank would create options and if going well may of forced Mannah and Matsgi out of team.

 

[Noise]

So what? If they make there first grade debut at club ots as good as a junior unless you paid silly over for.

The discussion is about the need of a big junior base and how much success we get from it. The debate is about whether we are better off just bringing in guys at 16-18 years of age and paying them (like we did with french and co) rather than paying money for a huge junior base.

 

[hindy111]

If we do not try and purchase Klemmer iI'll lose faith in BA's judgement. Graham is another we should enquire about. I'd even consider taking George Burgess. He is still young and needs a change of scenery.

Kane Evan i like.
If Meehan is signed and I would also look at Pauli Pauli who is off contract.
All of a sudden we have some big strong fast project players to work with.
Pauli if can become aggressive has Jnr Paulo potential.

 

[hindy111]

The discussion is about the need of a big junior base and how much success we get from it. The debate is about whether we are better off just bringing in guys at 16-18 years of age and paying them (like we did with friend and co) rather than paying money for a huge junior base.

Well yeah I would say yes. Bring them in at 16 - 18 would be just as beneficial.
The NRL should be paying for junior footy under 18. Then perhaps letting teams draft guys from 19 up for next level of competition. Best way. The bottom clubs get a chance to spot the best 19ylds to join. It also helps teams not getting juniors doubling up in positions.

Look at the Roosters. If a gun fullback comes through there is not future for him with teddy and Mitchel so they be better to draft a position in need.

 

[IFR33K]

We severely over rate our players. Besides Jennings none of those missing players that you mention are anything special.

Come on avenger, you're smarter then that!!! When we lose a genuine first grader, we are generally replacing them with fringe first grade players.

Peni, Corey, Degois, Jennings, vave, mannah, Edwards and French are all decent players that could of made a huge difference in some of our losses. Add to that, guthbus hasn't had a regular position all year and kaysa has struggled with the first half of the season, it was to be excepted we'd be behind the 8 ball a little.

Let's not forget we've been playing with one genuine half most of the year, with smith and Robson filling in too. Not an ideal situation, but that's the nature of the beast.

If we manage to field our strongest 17 for the latter halfof the year, anything is possible.

 

[IFR33K]

Kane Evan i like.
If Meehan is signed and I would also look at Pauli Pauli who is off contract.
All of a sudden we have some big strong fast project players to work with.
Pauli if can become aggressive has Jnr Paulo potential.

Pauli Pauli would be a good pick up for the right price.

 

[Delboy]

We can have all the target signings we like, but there's to more to a signing these days

Hayne and Peats got the cash, but doesn't appear their heart is in it, you have to homework on players if they fit and also if they want to be there

Even the richest team in the world, Man Utd, can't go to and sign who they want. Other teams can also offer big cash and in some cases that isn't enough, location and desire mean so much.

Think it's obvious we need size up front and a better hooker , would be surprised if those aren't the positions being searched for by BA

Understand the club made it clear they saw Dargan as their back up half and told the Fog it would be in his best interests to return to Qld