Rumours and Stuff

[Gronk]

As most of u know I don’t make a lot of predictions, because quite frankly I’m not very good, and this is probably no surprise considering article today regarding RM, but I have heard he has all but signed with the Dolphins, in saying that wish him the best and send him on his way…..BUT there must be a forensic involved in why we have let quality players go, with no apparent back ups, someone has to be accountable, as this is the reading we will be viewed as an ordinary club, not attracting marquee players

Letting players go = can't compete with overs from the shit clubs.

I agree not ideal, but we're just going to hold firm and patch around our 1, 6, 7, 8 & 10.

Marquee players ? Our 1, 6, 7, 8 & 10 are marquee players*.

* Just before the pile on starts, Gutho is an elite fullback even though most of you will object to this.

 

[The Predictor]

Beginning of the year basically no one here (think I did post something suggesting we should) wanted to keep Matterson (and nothing is confirmed yet), couple of weeks of good form and he is now a must keep…….

Gee we are lucky we don’t get to change the board every year or so …..

Anyhow yes I am concerned we are loosing forward experience and depth on the edge (not in particular the players), however until we have finalised our 2023 squad and played half season we don’t know what the right path is……..

additionally the potential signing of the panthers forward does suggest the club is following same path it has followed over the last few years successfully, signing players we can develop to perform above their contract….while also looking for an experienced forward…

I agree regarding Matterson, that’s why I said if he goes, so be it, I’m hoping things are happening in the background, and also hope Hopgood is as good as the say, ta ta Ryan

 

[Joshuatheeel]

No, it’s just my thoughts, what do u think we have half dozen top liners ready to sign? I don’t

Why do we need to sign top liners?

Papa / Marata were hardly “top liners” when we signed them …….but yes Matterson was ..

Who is to say we don’t find another Marata / Papa? We are signing the panthers forward in a more “developed” stage then when we got Marata….while Matterson was a late season signing for the following year.

 

[yy_cheng]

Why do we need to sign top liners?

Papa / Marata were hardly “top liners” when we signed them …….but yes Matterson was ..

Who is to say we don’t find another Marata / Papa? We are signing the panthers forward in a more “developed” stage then when we got Marata….while Matterson was a late season signing for the following year.

Exactly. I mentioned this ages ago, our best recruitment policy is finding rejects from other clubs.

1. Gutho
2. Sivo
3, Blake
4. Oppa
5. Simmonssen
8. RCG
11. Paps
12. Marata
13. NRown

all not wanted by other clubs and we either get them cheap or the other club pays a bit for them.

I know everyone hates Lodge but he could be cheap coz he got a payout.

 

[Gronk]

I know everyone hates Lodge but he could be cheap coz he got a payout.

Wise words.

 

[Happy MEel]

Letting players go = can't compete with overs from the shit clubs.

I agree not ideal, but we're just going to hold firm and patch around our 1, 6, 7, 8 & 10.

Marquee players ? Our 1, 6, 7, 8 & 10 are marquee players*.

* Just before the pile on starts, Gutho is an elite fullback even though most of you will object to this.

2 of which are off contract come the 1st November. There’s no guarantee we even keep them against “overs from shit clubs”. Then we’re left with an inferior forward pack and the real possibility of an inferior spine. That’s when a club slides out of the top 8 and finds itself having to pay the overs as a shit club. Sometimes you just have to pay what the market dictates, considering the quality we’ve already lost in that role.

 

[TheRam]

Imo, Hodgson is a better player, and I rate Mahoney.

Hodgson's issues are his age, and his bad knees.

If he stays on the field, he is a better player than Mahoney.

The whole point for everyone's angst isn't his ability but his age and bad knees. You are stating the obvious here.

The deed is done now, it is what we have as backup that will really count. I think we can all kind of guess that he probably won't go unscathed injury wise during the season, so who have we got as understudy and will he/they be up to it?

 

[lingard]

We might change our style of play next year. Looking good

What, no forwards at all - just a massive backline?

 

[Gronk]

2 of which are off contract come the 1st November. There’s no guarantee we even keep them against “overs from shit clubs”. Then we’re left with an inferior forward pack and the real possibility of an inferior spine. That’s when a club slides out of the top 8 and finds itself having to pay the overs as a shit club. Sometimes you just have to pay what the market dictates, considering the quality we’ve already lost in that role.

You're playing slippery slope rugba leeg politics right there.

 

[lingard]

Imo, Hodgson is a better player, and I rate Mahoney.

Hodgson's issues are his age, and his bad knees.

If he stays on the field, he is a better player than Mahoney.

Much better.

 

[84 Baby]

Maybe BA is looking to next year, that’s why Maka is getting picked each week and only getting small minutes at this stage …slowly developing him (yes I know he is well pass rookie age but still is inexperienced) for longer minutes next year …..

I think Maka is being selected because he isn’t going to develop his game any differently to what he does now. Whereas Greig may be able to develop into a proper NRL prop, even if he is more suited to an unlimited interchange era style 10 minute interval type prop.
It may be a good thing in next 2-3 seasons but I don’t think BA has too much luxury in looking to next season

 

[84 Baby]

Wise words.

I don’t think it requires that much wisdom to realise everyone hates Lodge.

 

[emjaycee]

I reckon the club is actually happy enough to see Matto go elsewhere to be honest.
If not, they would have probably upped their offer and tried to keep him which by all accounts, they didn't.
And I am sure there are reasons for this, most of which we mere mortals would not be told about.

My mail is that the focus is on our 3, 6 & 7 and getting all 3 of them locked up with 1, 8 & 10.

So for '23 and into 2024 without buying anyone of note, we would have:
1. Gutho
2. Sivo
3. Penisini
4. Blake
5. Simonsson/Russell/Dunster
6. Drown
7. Moses
8. RCG
9. Hodgson
10. Parlo
11. Lane
12. Cartwright
13. Nrown

14. Hands
15. Greig
16. Hopgood
17. Rodwell
18. Makatoa
19. El-Zakhem
20. Moretti
21. Yates

And my mail is that we are still looking around hard to buy an experienced edge forward or 2.

 

[yy_cheng]

What, no forwards at all - just a massive backline?

Actually, in the interview with Caylo, Caylo said that in 2009, DA wanted to implement a structure and game plan that he used to success in England.

However, our players didnt suit that style and we ended up at the bottom of the table in the first half of the season.

He then scrapped it and said lets play a style where we promote the football and that led to 2009's parra ball where we offloaded at will and on the back of Hayne and Fui, we made it to the GF.

So BA, might have to tweak a few thing to suit the squad in 2023.

What it is I wouldn't know.

In terms of edge players, the Cini kid played centre and looked like a lump of a lad.

He could probably be a potential edge.

We already have Lane and Carty as edge who could play for the 80mins.

Probably only need one more and if injuries occur, well then unfortunately, need to use the backups

 

[yy_cheng]

I don’t think it requires that much wisdom to realise everyone hates Lodge.

Though I reckon get him for this year at the least. We haven't filled out top 30 and if we lose a prop, he could fit in.

If not, replace Maka or Kafusi.

 

[84 Baby]

The whole point for everyone's angst isn't his ability but his age and bad knees. You are stating the obvious here.

The deed is done now, it is what we have as backup that will really count. I think we can all kind of guess that he probably won't go unscathed injury wise during the season, so who have we got as understudy and will he/they be up to it?

He isn’t ideal if Hodgson breaks down completely but I’d be sniffing around Kurt Mann. Less understudy, more in game cover

 

[Avenger]

I reckon the club is actually happy enough to see Matto go elsewhere to be honest.
If not, they would have probably upped their offer and tried to keep him which by all accounts, they didn't.
And I am sure there are reasons for this, most of which we mere mortals would not be told about.

My mail is that the focus is on our 3, 6 & 7 and getting all 3 of them locked up with 1, 8 & 10.

So for '23 and into 2024 without buying anyone of note, we would have:
1. Gutho
2. Sivo
3. Penisini
4. Blake
5. Simonsson/Russell/Dunster
6. Drown
7. Moses
8. RCG
9. Hodgson
10. Parlo
11. Lane
12. Cartwright
13. Nrown

14. Hands
15. Greig
16. Hopgood
17. Rodwell
18. Makatoa
19. El-Zakhem
20. Moretti
21. Yates

And my mail is that we are still looking around hard to buy an experienced edge forward or 2.

Assuming Matterson leaves I’d be looking at either Tapine, Frizzell, Crichton or Talakai.

 

[emjaycee]

Assuming Matterson leaves I’d be looking at either Tapine, Frizzell, Crichton or Talakai.

Isn't Tapine more of a middle these days?

 

[lingard]

Actually, in the interview with Caylo, Caylo said that in 2009, DA wanted to implement a structure and game plan that he used to success in England.

However, our players didnt suit that style and we ended up at the bottom of the table in the first half of the season.

He then scrapped it and said lets play a style where we promote the football and that led to 2009's parra ball where we offloaded at will and on the back of Hayne and Fui, we made it to the GF.

So BA, might have to tweak a few thing to suit the squad in 2023.

What it is I wouldn't know.

In terms of edge players, the Cini kid played centre and looked like a lump of a lad.

He could probably be a potential edge.

We already have Lane and Carty as edge who could play for the 80mins.


Probably only need one more and if injuries occur, well then unfortunately, need to use the backups

That's really interesting about Anderson.
On Cartwright; I'm just really struggling to understand where he fits into BA's plans.
It's a real puzzle.

 

[lingard]

Isn't Tapine more of a middle these days?

Isn't Matterson?