Rumours and Stuff

[TheRam]

Paulo
Joe o
Williams
Hopgood
Matterson
Lane
Morretti

Is that weak? I'd say it's pretty decent

Volume isn't quality and besides I am referring to pure front rowers and of that we have very little up front quality as of right now. You will see this reveal itself as the 2025 season plays out. If we get really lucky Lane may step up somewhat up front but I'm not holding my breath. We need a real workhorse up front that can also bend the line consistently. We don't have that.

 

[AnonymousLurker]

Volume isn't quality and besides I am referring to pure front rowers and of that we have very little up front quality as of right now. You will see this reveal itself as the 2025 season plays out. If we get really lucky Lane may step up somewhat up front but I'm not holding my breath. We need a real workhorse up front that can also bend the line consistently. We don't have that.

I don’t feel we really ever had that , even RCG and Paulo at their best I think their impact overstated , it was during the time fergo and the backs would be giving us a roll on from our own end and they would make a run at the end of the tackle count. Whenever they had to run it off the line they didn’t do much and we always relied upon Mitch’s big boot to get us out of trouble . I feel that’s why the riff where able to smash us in the grand final

 

[TheCrowe]

I was really critical of the JoeO signing. I thought we overpaid for an under performer.
He did step up this year and we need him to step up again.
Jack Williams might be the surprise packet. Good leg speed, fast play the balls, mobile in defence.
Have no idea how 25 will go but at least it will be something new to watch.

 

[JokerEel]

Volume isn't quality and besides I am referring to pure front rowers and of that we have very little up front quality as of right now. You will see this reveal itself as the 2025 season plays out. If we get really lucky Lane may step up somewhat up front but I'm not holding my breath. We need a real workhorse up front that can also bend the line consistently. We don't have that.

I think Ryles is going for a mobile defensive forward pack.

You watch the Riffs sets their backs take most of the runs from their own 50.

Bending the line is overrated btw. It's getting a fast play the ball that matters.

 

[JokerEel]

I was really critical of the JoeO signing. I thought we overpaid for an under performer.
He did step up this year and we need him to step up again.
Jack Williams might be the surprise packet. Good leg speed, fast play the balls, mobile in defence.
Have no idea how 25 will go but at least it will be something new to watch.

I think Williams may play lock with Hopgood starting in the front row.

Joe Hopgood Barlow Moretti Matto Front row rotation

 

[Incorrect]

^^^

I reckon Hopgood stays at 13, Jnr and Joe O start and rotate with Lane/Matto and Williams respectively...

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Just like the bush coach had nothing to do with the roster he had, right pau pau ?

I’m sure he had some input, just like Ryles. They’re not going to be given players they don’t want. They just don’t get to recruit (or keep) all the ones they do want. It’s not their job.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Did I say that??? Obviously you don't think he had any influence in having a major say in all the changes made since he was appointed. I believe all the changes implemented were on his instructions and shows he has a holistic strategy for the organisation as a whole from the juniors up. These changes show a glaring difference from the previous coach. It mightn't work immediately but believe long term we'll be a successful club and my even jag a premiership or two.

Ryles told us about his involvement in recruitment a few weeks ago (from 1m 45s):


"...and especially for our list management group, they've been very busy. So they do most of the work and I just give them a hand."

So there you go. There is still a committee of people that is responsible for management of the roster, and the coach has some input into that. Just like under the previous coach. If you've seen the Dawn of the Dolphins doco on Stan you will know that it even works this way when Wayne Bennett is the head coach, though you'd assume he has earnt the right to have more input than the majority of other coaches in the NRL.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

No he doesn't but again I believe he has suggested that the club overall be the very best with all their teams including women.

A suggestion to "be the very best with all their teams"? A visionary like that, it's no wonder he ended up coaching the Parramatta Eels.

Parra has developed a new focus with the women which just happened with Ryles appointment and believe both are related.

I think it's all related to funds freed up by the completion of the Kellyville joint.

 

[JokerEel]

^^^

I reckon Hopgood stays at 13, Jnr and Joe O start and rotate with Lane/Matto and Williams respectively...

Possibly it's going to be interesting what Ryles does with our forwards.

 

[TheCrowe]

Possibly it's going to be interesting what Ryles does with our forwards.

I wouldn't rule out the Emu either. Looking fit and having a big preseason. Its really his make or break year.

 

[JokerEel]

I wouldn't rule out the Emu either. Looking fit and having a big preseason. Its really his make or break year.

There are a few players that could make it in first grade next year emu being one of them. I assume though Ryles wants a defense first forward pack so if Emu's fitness or defense is lacking he won't be near first grade as good as his attack is.

 

[TheCrowe]

There are a few players that could make it in first grade next year emu being one of them. I assume though Ryles wants a defense first forward pack so if Emu's fitness or defense is lacking he won't be near first grade as good as his attack is.

Has to really step it up to get a new contract. I think he might benefit from the new functional training regime.
Will see. Hoping Moretti also steps up. He probably suits the new mobile style better. I just like the idea of the Emu getting some minutes of madness to smash some merkins.

 

[JokerEel]

Has to really step it up to get a new contract. I think he might benefit from the new functional training regime.
Will see. Hoping Moretti also steps up. He probably suits the new mobile style better. I just like the idea of the Emu getting some minutes of madness to smash some merkins.

Moretti seems to have embraced the new regime. He was very aggressive in his defense during the Fairfield fan day.

Ryles may go for an impact player off the bench and Emu may play that role. But I think he may have competition though.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

I must say, the Fox is really growing on me.

 

[Delboy]

Caught up with the youngest of my relatives today at the Town Centre.

Hopefully the new system creates interest for a lot of younger fans, my youngest grandson has been a member for a couple of years and plays league tag at a junior club. He and his mum were going every home game as ticket holders, this year he said ( and he’s now 7 years old), don’t join me this year I will follow Penrith.

Can’t blame him as a new relatively , young fan but he was told he’s not getting any Panthers gear and as far is the family goes, he’s not allowed to change clubs.Just underlines the issues of the past couple of years, confident he will ask to attend if they start to win and look more than just a bash and barge, and he used to get very upset at losses at CommBank. The Riff have gained a lot of fans locally here in the Hills District, and good that the club is trying to embrace the supporters more and be positive.

Not a big deal , but worth a comment and possibly is constructive on how the club needed a fresh start, particularly for the younger set of fans.