Rumours and Stuff

[Stevie]

It is my humble opinion that our club doesn’t just lack talent, but we severely lack player leadership.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Tell me how Norman is a poor half when all his stats are up near the top. On stats alone Moses is a very poor half. Norman is the scapegoat for BA to blame for the team's poor performance. Maybe BA should look at his shit poor tactics, especially at the 20 metre line, where we appear to have NFI. That is not the halves problem alone but a team problem thru lack of creativity especially amongst the forwards.

Why wouldn’t he blame Moses then?

 

[Happy MEel]

Why wouldn’t he blame Moses then?

Because it was only a year ago he recruited Moses so it certainly appears a questionable signing if he punts him so soon. I genuinely think it’s a saving face venture more than anything.

 

[Glenneel]

Why wouldn’t he blame Moses then?

Who knows? Most probably BA deflecting to take the heat off his poor tactics so Norman the scapegoat. Certainly has most on here believing it, especially you Pou. I don't know, and there's been no news on Norman's supposedly bad behaviour, unlike prior years, so I tend to not believe it.

Btw, irrespective of who we recruit, unless our tactics change, we'll be down near the bottom again. I believe BA is solely responsible for our current predicament.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Because it was only a year ago he recruited Moses so it certainly appears a questionable signing if he punts him so soon. I genuinely think it’s a saving face venture more than anything.

I doubt it, do you really think BA is going to keep a player just because he was signed last year to “save face” when his whole coaching career and future is probably dependant on how we go next year ?

If he is happy to move Norman on (and rumoured to be willing to let French and Jennings also leave), I doubt he wouId have an issue with tapping Moses on the shoulder, if that is what he believes we require.

Don’t forget he put Evans in NSW cup for most of the year, who was meant to be an important signing for our top 17.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Who knows? Most probably BA deflecting to take the heat off his poor tactics so Norman the scapegoat.

So BA is pushing Norman out of the club, to deflect criticism of himself? Really ? FFS!!

That is deadset one of the dumbest things I have heard!!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I doubt it, do you really think BA is going to keep a player just because he was signed last year to “save face” when his whole coaching career and future is probably dependant on how we go next year ?

Exactly. Arthur needs to win, not 'save face'. If he was into making excuses he would blame the refs when it's warranted.

If he is happy to move Norman on (and rumoured to be willing to let French and Jennings also leave), I doubt he wouId have an issue with tapping Moses on the shoulder, if that is what he believes we require.

Don’t forget he put Evans in NSW cup for most of the year, who was meant to be an important signing for our top 17.

Yep. After 'experts' like chiefy1 said Arthur would never drop a new recruit for fear of looking bad.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Who knows? Most probably BA deflecting to take the heat off his poor tactics so Norman the scapegoat. Certainly has most on here believing it, especially you Pou. I don't know, and there's been no news on Norman's supposedly bad behaviour, unlike prior years, so I tend to not believe it.

Btw, irrespective of who we recruit, unless our tactics change, we'll be down near the bottom again. I believe BA is solely responsible for our current predicament.

So Arthur is your scapegoat?

 

[Gronk]

Ha! Good one Gronk. BTW, I originally thought your username was taken from the character 'Gronk', from the short lived TV comedy from the '60's 'It's About Time'. But, I'm sure it's from the NRL player.

100% correct.

 

[Dibs]

I doubt it, do you really think BA is going to keep a player just because he was signed last year to “save face” when his whole coaching career and future is probably dependant on how we go next year ?

If he is happy to move Norman on (and rumoured to be willing to let French and Jennings also leave), I doubt he wouId have an issue with tapping Moses on the shoulder, if that is what he believes we require.

Don’t forget he put Evans in NSW cup for most of the year, who was meant to be an important signing for our top 17.

Exactly

 

[hindy111]

I have a fully fledged member

We would throw you in the bacon room Twiz

 

[hindy111]

So BA is pushing Norman out of the club, to deflect criticism of himself? Really ? FFS!!

That is deadset one of the dumbest things I have heard!!

BA is under pump in 2019. Could be the end of him. He would want the best squad available. The selfish thing to do for his own ass would be to sign older guys who will improve team short term rather then look long term. Replacing Norman,Bevan and MJ with say Salmon,Brown or Dunster is thinking of the club first not his coaching career. That is a non selfish act and I would respect him for that.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

BA is under pump in 2019. Could be the end of him. He would want the best squad available. The selfish thing to do for his own ass would be to sign older guys who will improve team short term rather then look long term. Replacing Norman,Bevan and MJ with say Salmon,Brown or Dunster is thinking of the club first not his coaching career. That is a non selfish act and I would respect him for that.

He did the same entering the 2017 season, went into the season with only Norman in our halves rather then making a “desperate” half signing (obviously whether Moses is the right option is another debate). It was a fairly risky move, imagine if we lost Norman early in the year.

 

[hindy111]

Normans in better form. But we won't rue letting him go. He is what he is.
Moses maybe a dud. If is we dont have to sign back up. But he has the potential still to be elite and one where we may regret letting go big time.
Personally id prefer we kept both for 2019. With jnrs and additions made and a healthy squad I would like too see how they go

 

[JokerEel]

Apparently last night on Triple M Brent Read said we are keen on trying to get Munster for 2020.

Not Munster he is a poor mans Norman playing for the Storm... Imagine Munster in our squad this year...

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Replacing Norman,Bevan and MJ with say Salmon,Brown or Dunster is thinking of the club first not his coaching career. That is a non selfish act and I would respect him for that.

Also, I reckon it has always been BA’s long term plan to place the majority of the squad with juniors. Build a solid squad then start replacing with younger players / juniors.

He has been here for 5 years and now we have quite a few promising juniors, most will be around 19/20 next year and so they could have been identified by BA and co as 14/15 years old (around the time BA started)

Additionally if you look at our squad a fair chunk are off contract next year around the time these juniors could actually be NRL players (20/21 year olds).

Obviously this year has been a stuffed up but the next few years could be quite promising.

The following are all good chances of becoming NRL players:

Mahoney
Dunster
Brown
Stone
Marata
GL
Salmon
Kaufusi
Utoikamanu
Schneider

That is decent batch of juniors which could transform our side over the next 2-3 years

 

[Incorrect]

If it turns out that there are no takers for Norman at a price we're willing to contribute for 2019, does anyone think the relationship between BA and Normz is untenable or could they both work together for another season I wonder...

Personally I don't think we're all that far away and would hold on to Norman. Moses has been the disappointment of the 2 this year.... I don't know why Ricky Stuart hasn't snapped him up to be honest, he needs a half, any half, and must have oodles of cap space with Austin, Paulo and Boyd all off the books for 2019....

 

[Joshuatheeel]

If it turns out that there are no takers for Norman at a price we're willing to contribute for 2019, does anyone think the relationship between BA and Normz is untenable or could they both work together for another season I wonder...

Personally I don't think we're all that far away and would hold on to Norman. Moses has been the disappointment of the 2 this year.... I don't know why Ricky Stuart hasn't snapped him up to be honest, he needs a half, any half, and must have oodles of cap space with Austin, Paulo and Boyd all off the books for 2019....

BA and Norman seem to be ok together now, so I can’t see any issues there.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Not Munster he is a poor mans Norman

Now I don't mind Norman, but that statement is living up to your name.

 

[hindy111]

Also, I reckon it has always been BA’s long term plan to place the majority of the squad with juniors. Build a solid squad then start replacing with younger players / juniors.

He has been here for 5 years and now we have quite a few promising juniors, most will be around 19/20 next year and so they could have been identified by BA and co as 14/15 years old (around the time BA started)

Additionally if you look at our squad a fair chunk are off contract next year around the time these juniors could actually be NRL players (20/21 year olds).

Obviously this year has been a stuffed up but the next few years could be quite promising.

The following are all good chances of becoming NRL players:

Mahoney
Dunster
Brown
Stone
Marata
GL
Salmon
Kaufusi
Utoikamanu
Schneider

That is decent batch of juniors which could transform our side over the next 2-3 years

I dont see GL as a first grade player ever. His powerull runs in 20s will be not kuch in nrl and his a midget who comes with heaps of deficiencies.
Dressler had big wraps too. History however shows that if can get 2 or 3 nrl players from an age group it is above average. Granted this is perhaps 3 or 4 ages it does seema high amount . But deff possible