Rumours and Stuff

[lingard]

Dearden and Townsend are both battlers I reckon. One of them should be in reserve grade, even if their salary suggests they shouldn't be

I disagree. I think they're both very good first grade halves - with more potential in Dearden.

 

[hindy111]

*Hughes

Well the players profile page has been updated. Russel is on there and so is Hughes.

 

[hindy111]

He's on $1m. What is the right price and where would you play him ?

PS. If you are going say 6, I'd like to know if you have actually seen any of his 140 games at 6 ?

Not us. He isn't needed. Right price is 400k. Maybe Canberra

 

[hindy111]

Exactly my thoughts. I have been very impressed with his improvement. Your eye for talent rivals @hindy111 .

f**king rabbit

 

[lingard]

This is true, however in the context of last week, Fergo would have been more aggressive than Dunster, however Haze definitely made better decisions in D. With respect to Waqa on the wing, what does he bring other than his ability with the high ball ? Wondering out loud why Waqa is being considered for the wing ? Is he likely to be better than Haze ? Is shifting Waqa improving the side ?

Shifting him out of it would be.

 

[yy_cheng]

I think he'd make a decent #14. I'd offer him 450K. He's still young. And he was better than decent in his first year in the halves at the Broncos. In fact, if it wasn't for Ben Hunt he'd be a premiership winning half now. He's completely lacking confidence right now but is young enough to re-capture his best form IMO.

In saying all of that, there's likely a club out there that would be willing to pay him 600K+.... Cowboys would surely be kicking themselves for signing Townsend on that stupid 3 year deal. They jumped in way too early there....

Nah,will would be cheaper and if we keep carty,he can be the one that adds the frilly stuff

 

[Gronk]

Not us. He isn't needed. Right price is 400k. Maybe Canberra

FFS

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I disagree. I think they're both very good first grade halves - with more potential in Dearden.

Both solid at least. If you can kick and tackle you're an NRL level halfback. That's how rare they are.

 

[Incorrect]

I disagree. I think they're both very good first grade halves - with more potential in Dearden.

Dearden and potential, yes, I can get on board with that. But Townsend on the money they are paying him I cannot see positive ROI given the stage of his career.... Especially right now when he can't crack 1st grade at his incumbent club and is allowed to walk in to a Warriors team that he swiftly f**ks his way up to costing them a win v the Dragons lady week....

 

[crocodile]

This is true, however in the context of last week, Fergo would have been more aggressive than Dunster, however Haze definitely made better decisions in D. With respect to Waqa on the wing, what does he bring other than his ability with the high ball ? Wondering out loud why Waqa is being considered for the wing ? Is he likely to be better than Haze ? Is shifting Waqa improving the side ?

Dunster has the advantage of playing outside Dillybags and Oppo. Both stout defenders. No such luck for Fergo. Who makes good decisions when there's two running your way.

 

[crocodile]

Lol. Gagai = 2yr Max and 350k Max

He's played about the same number of games as Fergo, similar age and half the tries. Why would we want him.

 

[crocodile]

Not saying that we should sign him for overs, but suggesting that he's only worth $150k is crazy AF. Fringe NRL players like Salmon would get that.

He's a 30yo current origin player with 200+FG games, 7 Kangaroo games and 18 origins. He's certainly not a washed croc up like Inglis etc, as he has played 23 + NRL games every year since 2013.

Leave the crocs alone festerhead.

 

[King-Gutho94]

I haven't seen anything in deardon that suggests he is anything but average.

He has lost his last 18 games when starting in the halves.

Hasnt won a game when starting since 2019.

Only win involved in since then was a 5 min cameo off the bench at the end in round 3 this year against the dogs.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Russell is listed as 188cm / 90kg and only 19 this year. Has only had 1 NRL offseason.

He will be a decent size by the time he is 21. Probably 95 kg or so. Not massive but big enough for the backs especially if he keeps his speed.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I haven't seen anything in deardon that suggests he is anything but average.

He has lost his last 18 games when starting in the halves.

Hasnt won a game when starting since 2019.

Only win involved in since then was a 5 min cameo off the bench at the end in round 3 this year against the dogs.

He is only 21 years old , with only 20 or so games, mostly in the worse side of the last year. And without a decent run of games starting. While playing in the hardest position on the field…….of course he hasn’t looked great…..needs time

 

[hineyrulz]

I haven't seen anything in deardon that suggests he is anything but average.

He has lost his last 18 games when starting in the halves.

Hasnt won a game when starting since 2019.

Only win involved in since then was a 5 min cameo off the bench at the end in round 3 this year against the dogs.

How shit is his WSPYPOU18 rating?????? He reminds me of a poor mans Kris Keating.

 

[Glenneel]

I’d rather we adapt the Melbourne Storm model. Solid centres and express or strong wingers. We already have one strong winger. I’d probably go for someone like that Xavier Savage that I suggested to the club via Rammy’s endorsement.

Raiders have recently extended him. Looks like an aboriginal player and like most of them moves effortlessly and beautifully across the ground. We can see what might have been.

 

[lingard]

The thing is he looks size wise a fullback. He might be an option on wing for a year or two.

I honestly would not be worried if we don't sign anyone next season. Who are we losing that's in our best 17?
I see the likes of top 30 players Hollis,Greig all being closer to NRL. I see back ups like Arthurs,Penisini,Russel all being better and may push into the side.(Not Arthurs)
Perhaps best we sign if can a few good juniors and maybe if comes up a few guys looking for chances. Like Bryce.

Players like Stone maybe let go.

I agree, up to a point. The thing is that premiership windows only stay open for a certain period, and I agree with Ram that we really need at least one 'gun' player in the backline - whether that be wing or centre. We haven't got any at present. Souths have Cody Walker and Latrelle; Melbourne have Papenhuysen and Munster; Penrith have Cleary; Easts have Tedesco; Manly has Turbo. We don't really have anyone. Gutherson and Moses are like half a 'gun' player each IMO. I feel we need someone really explosive in the centres or on the wing to make us a real contender for the premiership.

 

[TheRam]

Maybe we should turn our attention to Tolutau Koula from Manly. He is big, skillful strong and above all else fast. So fast in fact that he was the fastest guy at the Sea Eagles by a long shot, at least until Saab arrived. I would guess that Saab has overtaken him, but then again I think Saab is the quickest player in the NRL now. But this kid can motor too. He is considered a future star and has been rated as one of the best young attacking players seen in either rugby league or rugby union at school and representative level in recent years. He has also been fast tracked into the Sea Eagles top 30 last year just out of school at 18 years of age.

I have to hand it to Scott Fulton, he seems to have a great eye for talent, like his old man. He and his dad have always valued speed almost above everything else. I don't ever recall Manly ever having a slow or average speed backline and even their forwards over the years were amongst the quickest. As Bozo always used to say, "you can't train speed." I think he is exactly the type of player that we could use and he is just about ready for NRL too.

He is off contract at the end of 2022, so that means we can make an official offer to him in November. If they haven't extended him by then we would be mad not to take a serious look at him. It would also be awesome if we were to seal another one of their development players like we did King Gutho. It is the least we can do seeing all the raiding they are doing in our backyard.

Also the kid broke the AAGPS Athletics Carnival Open Championship 100m record in a time of 10.58s at Sydney Olympic Park in 2019, which is just another example of just how fast he is.

Like I said, this kid is a player and has speed to burn. Manly are fairly settled in the backs at the moment and we are not. We could be a very attractive option if we sell ourselves well. I hope our recruitment team are looking for real speed to fill our backline with. If they are, they need not look farther then this guy.

Tolutau Koula | 2020 Highlights​

 

[TheRam]

I agree, up to a point. The thing is that premiership windows only stay open for a certain period, and I agree with Ram that we really need at least one 'gun' player in the backline - whether that be wing or centre. We haven't got any at present. Souths have Cody Walker and Latrelle; Melbourne have Papenhuysen and Munster; Penrith have Cleary; Easts have Tedesco; Manly has Turbo. We don't really have anyone. Gutherson and Moses are like half a 'gun' player each IMO. I feel we need someone really explosive in the centres or on the wing to make us a real contender for the premiership.

I couldn't agree more. See my above post.