Rumours and Stuff

[Glenneel]

But it worked the previous two years, meaning we don’t need a complete overhaul. It would be throwing the baby out with the bongwater.

The previous two years just papered over yawning gaps with our forwards. The intelligent people on this site (Hindy, Ram and myself) saw it and commented on it but a few (un-named) merkins just couldn't see it. Its all come home to roost this year.
I hope BA can jag a few more wins to get us away from the spoon which now is our only requirement for the rest of the season. Oh and blood a few juniors in ISP to get some indication for next year.

 

[84 Baby]

Assuming Salmon is already top 30 and he may be seen as more of an utility - so signing another half won’t affect him.

Norman leaves and is replaced by Lamb, while we have to fit Brown into the squad. WouId he be on a development contract next year ? Maybe it depends how on he goes over the next few weeks in NSW cup. Also we did start the year with a 29 men squad without any real back up half this year.

The ages between Moses, Lamb & Brown are probably still too close to fit all 3 in squad if they develop as one would hope. I guess Moses has played fullback. There might be enough of a gap to Brown, but then we'd still be banking on him replacing Moses or Lamb before either were well and truly on decline and there'd even be a chance they'd be peaking at that time.

 

[Glenneel]

I’ll go on record and say if French is our fullback all season next year we won’t make the 8.

I'll put my balls on the line here, I reckon French can be as good as Dufty with the right players and tactics. With his speed and skill set should be as good or better but our tactics obviously don't suit him as he has rarely impressed at fb. Sack BA!

 

[hindy111]

This would be my problem with signing Lamb. How many similar level players can you fit in your squad?

I think same with posters on here

 

[84 Baby]

Not really, say Norman leaves and we let Moses be the dominant half, we obviously need another half.

The coaching staff may see something in Lamb and offer him 2 year contract as he does have some NRL experience and there is no guarantee Brown will be ready.

While we also have Brown signed for 2 years (until he is 20, which seems to be a common practice within the club with our promising juniors). Also I doubt he wouId be on stupid money, even it’s around $150-200k (a lot for a rookie with no NRL experience)so it’s not going to stuff our cap.

Now we have 2 years to see which half we should keep, and Lamb/Brown wouId have plenty of time to show what they can do. Don’t forget Brown is only 19 next year and I doubt we wouId have him as a definite top 17 player.

Also with injuries etc, both could potentially get plenty of NRL game time. While brown could easily spend the next 2 years in NSW cup with the odd NRL game without it affecting his career.

Actually I've changed my opinion on it. If we save some money on Lamb and he is capable enough to play NRL (that's a big if though) and spend that money elsewhere improving squad then by the time Brown is ready, he could probably slip straight into Lamb's contract. Lamb has to come off contract at least at the same time as Brown though in that case. The other issue then would be how much we would be paying Norman

 

[Happy MEel]

I'll put my balls on the line here, I reckon French can be as good as Dufty with the right players and tactics. With his speed and skill set should be as good or better but our tactics obviously don't suit him as he has rarely impressed at fb. Sack BA!

I think the main difference between the two is Dufty is a tougher player and is prepared to put his body on the line, engage the line at speed and get belted if need be. French seems hesitant to me. I also think French’s playmaking is a bit overrated.

 

[84 Baby]

I think same with posters on here

Is that why you had to kill off fanbase & parrachilean?

 

[Glenneel]

While I have no real opinion on whether Lamb is going to kick on and have a successful NRL career as I haven’t watched him that much.

I do find it interesting the club is criticised for letting Maloney leave many years ago when he was a 22 year reserve grader without an NRL game to his name and is also criticised when they may be looking at a 21 year old rookie half with 30 or so NRL games, who kicks goals and is “fairly” big for a half.

Maloney, green, Hunt (was a bench utility for a few years), Townsend, DCE (and probably a few others too) have all shown that halves don’t always debut at young age and become quality halves within a few games. It takes time and experience!!

Additionally if lamb did come he wouId potentially be fighting with Brown and Salmon for a spot.

Actually hope the rumour is just that. Our front row badly needs fixing first. If he fails as a half he might make a decent dummy half.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I'll put my balls on the line here, I reckon French can be as good as Dufty with the right players and tactics. With his speed and skill set should be as good or better but our tactics obviously don't suit him as he has rarely impressed at fb. Sack BA!

I agree, but BA is changing the squad, he has added Paulo and Ferguson which gives us more “go forward” which suits French. Imagine French following Paulo through the middle. We don’t have the players or time to make massive changes to attack mid season.

Also did you watch the game against the knights, in the first half we went to french’s wing a few times which was a BA tactic. We got one try from french’s ability and may have got another but French dropped it after Jennings passed to him with no one in front of him.

 

[Happy MEel]

Actually I've changed my opinion on it. If we save some money on Lamb and he is capable enough to play NRL (that's a big if though) and spend that money elsewhere improving squad then by the time Brown is ready, he could probably slip straight into Lamb's contract. Lamb has to come off contract at least at the same time as Brown though in that case

With Brown already moving into ISP, I’d be hoping that he is ready for 1st grade towards the end of next year/start of 2020. That would mean a 1 year contract for Lamb. Is it really worth punting Norman a year early then as the reallocated cap space is only going to benefit us for 1 year? I say it isn’t.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/18...illawarra-dragons-sign-brisbane-broncos-prop/

FFS. DWETTH?

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Actually hope the rumour is just that. Our front row badly needs fixing first. If he fails as a half he might make a decent dummy half.

So we can’t look at recruiting players for several positions at the same time? It’s not like shopping for the weekly groceries when you look at one item at a time.

 

[hineyrulz]

Our spine isn’t looking great next year if we turf Norman. It’s young and has a bit of potential but at this stage, that’s all it is:

1. Gutho or French
6. Salmon, Brown, Smith or new signing
7. Moses
9. Kaysa or Mahoney

There won’t be too many clubs with a worse spine than that.

That has a spoon quality feel to it.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/18...illawarra-dragons-sign-brisbane-broncos-prop/

FFS. DWETTH?

Might indicate Musgrove is coming to the eels

 

[Joshuatheeel]

With Brown already moving into ISP, I’d be hoping that he is ready for 1st grade towards the end of next year/start of 2020. That would mean a 1 year contract for Lamb. Is it really worth punting Norman a year early then as the reallocated cap space is only going to benefit us for 1 year? I say it isn’t.

Even if he is ready for 2020, a decent back up wouId be good. It’s a big task expecting a 20 year old to play a full year of NRL, physically and mentally.

Lamb could be dropped if Brown is ready.

 

[hineyrulz]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/18...illawarra-dragons-sign-brisbane-broncos-prop/

FFS. DWETTH?

Korbin Sims is a plodder of epic proportions, I’d rather Mannah.

 

[hineyrulz]

Honestly guys Brock f**king Lamb??? Have you guys seen him play?? He’s absolutely shithouse. We need an experienced head in the halves to replace Norman and help Moses out not some reserve grade struggler.

 

[hineyrulz]

With Brown already moving into ISP, I’d be hoping that he is ready for 1st grade towards the end of next year/start of 2020. That would mean a 1 year contract for Lamb. Is it really worth punting Norman a year early then as the reallocated cap space is only going to benefit us for 1 year? I say it isn’t.

I’d be looking to bring back Robbo for a season than giving Lamb a start.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Korbin Sims is a plodder of epic proportions, I’d rather Mannah.

I actually would be surprised if we did talk to him. Clearly Brisbane happy to let him go to help fund retention of Sewer and TPJ, and probably happy to go to Dragons to play with his brother and live in the the SE Qld suburb of Gerringong where he grew up.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Honestly guys Brock f**king Lamb??? Have you guys seen him play?? He’s absolutely shithouse. We need an experienced head in the halves to replace Norman and help Moses out not some reserve grade struggler.

No one has said we should sign him!! We are just talking about the rumour.

Additionally my point was he is young enough to kick on big time as shown by what a few other halves have done with some experience (hunt, Maloney green etc etc).

I havent seen him play enough to really know how good or bad he may be. But he did play good against us last year.