Rumours and Stuff

[Stevie]

Who’s the Ryley kids from Penrith again. Is he a hooker option to break through for 25? I can’t remember him but he has top pedigree doesn’t he?

 

[Gronk]

Weekend Read: Matt King has built the right resume to take over from Michael Maguire at the Blues​

Plenty of names have already been floated but it appears the one certainty is that assistant coach Matt King will be near the top of the list.

King has quietly gone about building one of the most impressive resumes in the coaching game. He played nine games for the Blues himself and when he retired, joined South Sydney’s coaching staff and helped the club break their premiership drought.

He moved to the Sydney Roosters at the end of 2016 and has been there ever since, a period in which the club has enjoyed sustained success.

It’s easy to forget King was a hell of a player. He quit at a young age, worked as a garbage collector among other things, and then returned to the game with the Melbourne Storm.

Those who know him suggest he has the makings of a quality coach as well. Remarkably, despite his credentials, his name is rarely mentioned when club roles are discussed.

Perhaps it is because he doesn’t go out of his way to promote himself. He is happy to work in the background and play the role of loyal lieutenant.

He hasn’t come out and said he wants the NSW job but this column has been told he won’t say no if he is asked. The beauty of King is that he worked alongside Michael Maguire last year so he knows what it takes to win a State of Origin series.

The Blues hierarchy have been told that continuity and consistency is the key after this year’s performance. The vast majority of staff will remain in place. King will be there regardless.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/weekend-read-even-the-strongest-nrl-clubs-will-have-to-move-on-disgruntled-stars-if-they-chuck-enough-grenades/news-story/c899016674982f3baf6145e92d67c3d7

See this is where the media are trying to pick the coach again. They used to manipulate Brad Fittler with team selections this way. They want to parachute King in so they can have him in their pocket.

Or am I being paranoid ?

 

[MarkInTheStands]

Who’s the Ryley kids from Penrith again. Is he a hooker option to break through for 25? I can’t remember him but he has top pedigree doesn’t he?

Came to us during the year, has a good head on his shoulders and a decent kicking game as well.

 

[Incorrect]

Or Josh Lynn

*Joash

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Or Josh Lynn

Or Hands

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Came to us during the year, has a good head on his shoulders and a decent kicking game as well.

And is 22 next year

 

[Stagger eel]

he's a decent young player but I wouldn't be pinning my hopes on Ryley Smith to solve our 9 issues immidiately.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Who’s the Ryley kids from Penrith again. Is he a hooker option to break through for 25? I can’t remember him but he has top pedigree doesn’t he?

Lachlan Coinakis is the future dummy half the club seriously rates.

 

[King-Gutho94]

See this is where the media are trying to pick the coach again. They used to manipulate Brad Fittler with team selections this way. They want to parachute King in so they can have him in their pocket.

Or am I being paranoid ?

Your being paranoid.

Nothing wrong with Matt King and we can shitcan the roosters all we like on here about how they rort the system.

But they don't employ blokes who are no-good dummies or keep them around if they are useless.

 

[Gronk]

Lachlan Coinakis is the future dummy half the club seriously rates.

Reed made his NRL debut at age 20 years and 48 days.

Coinakis was still in high school last year, so I am guessing he is

18 in 2025
19 in 2026
20 in 2027

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Reed made his NRL debut at age 20 years and 48 days.

Coinakis was still in high school last year, so I am guessing he is

18 in 2025
19 in 2026
20 in 2027

19 in 2025, was 1st year SG Ball this year.

 

[Gronk]

19 in 2025, was 1st year SG Ball this year.

Well that's one better than I thought !

 

[Tiger5150]

An upgrade on Stefano you say?

100%. Did you watch Stef last year?

 

[T.S Quint]

Hooker, or second-rower, I'd hope.

I was thinking about our team yesterday, and we seem a little light on troops up front:

1. Iongi
2. Addo-Carr
3. Penisini
4. Lomax
5. Simonsson
6. Brown
7. Moses (C)
8. Oafhengaue
9. Hands
10. Paulo (C)
11. Tuilagi
12. Matterson
13. Hopgood

14. Lussick
15. Williams
16. Moretti
17. Lane

Once I got past Moses, the pack was hard to try to define.

We could use a hooker, and some second-rowers, imo.

I think that Matterson is done in terms of being an edge player. I think he starts on the bench and comes on into the middle when Paulo/Joffa/Hopgood need a rest. Can probably cover edge if needed due to injury mayybe.

I'm assuming we begin the year with Cartwright and Lane on the edges, which worries me as they are two of our weakest defenders. If they go with Tuilagi there instead it's still the same issue. Our edge defence has been horrendous the last few years, I wish we had a tackling machine on at least one of our edges.

 

[T.S Quint]

See this is where the media are trying to pick the coach again. They used to manipulate Brad Fittler with team selections this way. They want to parachute King in so they can have him in their pocket.

Or am I being paranoid ?

I'm sure that's what the media is doing.
Having said that, at least King has a pretty decent resume to back up their argument. When they start mentioning failed idiots (like Laurie Daley for example) that's a worry.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

An upgrade on Stefano you say?

Stefano (and Papali'i) just didn't want to play for the tigers. May doesn't want to play footy at all, huge upgrade

 

[TheCrowe]

Who’s the Ryley kids from Penrith again. Is he a hooker option to break through for 25? I can’t remember him but he has top pedigree doesn’t he?

Look at my recent posts on Smith. After a full preseason and some more games in cup I wouldn't write him off for later in the season.

 

[Eelementary]

Backline def improved. But that forward pack is not winning the comp let alone making the 8. RCG massive loss.

That's my concern, as well - our pack used to be our crowning jewel.

I'm not sure now.

Although, given the new rules of the past few seasons, perhaps a more mobile, and lighter, pack may be the way to go.

 

[Eelementary]

I think that Matterson is done in terms of being an edge player. I think he starts on the bench and comes on into the middle when Paulo/Joffa/Hopgood need a rest. Can probably cover edge if needed due to injury mayybe.

I'm assuming we begin the year with Cartwright and Lane on the edges, which worries me as they are two of our weakest defenders. If they go with Tuilagi there instead it's still the same issue. Our edge defence has been horrendous the last few years, I wish we had a tackling machine on at least one of our edges.

I forgot about Cartwright.

I think Lane has plenty still to offer, but as a middle, where his defensive deficiencies are easier to cover for.

I agree with you wholeheartedly - I would love to have a Nathan Hindmarsh clone in the second row.

I think Tuilagi, Cartwright, and Doorey offer plenty with the ball, but are poor/average defenders, and they don't offer what we need.

Maybe Guymer could take one of the spots?

Keir went ok in his foray into First Grade, but at 26, he's a risk.

 

[Eelementary]

Any optimism or excitement for 2025 is tempered immediately when I see Lussick's name in any proposed team list....

JL's gotta go...

Look, I'm no fan of Lussick (anymore; I thought he was good for us in his first stint with us).

But we have nobody else available.