Rumours and Stuff

[Gronk]

Wow, thank you for that well considered and explained reply.

I've had 4 coffees and tonguing for a drink. Think I'll go for a walk to compose myself.

Bears have probably offered him the No.1 Jumper. From the looks of it, they have Wishart and Meaney only so far.

As much as you say we "lost him", did we have a chance to really keep him under those circumstances ?

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[Joshuatheeel]

You can say that, but it doesnt make the fact that Tago and Renisni are in the top 30, but they couldn't offer Apa a top 30 contract any better.

They play different positions (not commenting on their ability or if they should be top 30).

Api is a FB and maybe half, those 2 are winger/centre.

 

[Parrapat]

Bears have probably offered him the No.1 Jumper. From the looks of it, they have Wishart and Meaney only so far.

As much as you say we "lost him", did we have a chance to really keep him under those circumstances ?

Perth Bears Team | Players & Coaching Staff

Meet the Perth Bears team - players, coaches and support staff working together to bring competitive rugby league to Western Australia. More announcements coming soon.

perthbears.com.au

In normal circumstances I'd hit the bottle and queue Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards.

Sigh.

 

[EppingEel]

Different positions mate.

I don't disagree, neither of those two should be top 30 and probably wouldn't be at any other club but you are comparing apples with oranges.

The bloke "ahead of him", is a midget. You could argue Joash is marginally better at the moment, but his long term potential is substantially lower than Apa's.

Apa also has the frame to be successful anywhere in the backline, from 1-6. Where Joash is only playable at fullback, and maybe five-eighth in a pinch.

 

[Parrapat]

The bloke "ahead of him", is a midget. You could argue Joash is marginally better at the moment, but his long term potential is substantially lower than Apa's.

Apa also has the frame to be successful anywhere in the backline, from 1-6. Where Joash is only playable at fullback, and maybe five-eighth in a pinch.

Spot on. Joash is 175cm whereas Twidle is 190cm.

I think there's a lot of copium going on above and I'm in danger of imbibing.

 

[Delboy]

Bears have probably offered him the No.1 Jumper. From the looks of it, they have Wishart and Meaney only so far.

As much as you say we "lost him", did we have a chance to really keep him under those circumstances ?

Perth Bears Team | Players & Coaching Staff

Meet the Perth Bears team - players, coaches and support staff working together to bring competitive rugby league to Western Australia. More announcements coming soon.

perthbears.com.au

Maybe for the first time, this opinion is spot on , Api is a really nice guy, can play but has faults and is not a difference maker really at our club. Can’t deny a great opportunity for him in Perth who have the space and cash available immediately to overpay more than a couple of players.

What is the real crunch, who will the R&R team sign not to replace Api but strengthen the roster who is more than a prospect like Twidle. That’s the big question , and what confidence do we have in MON and Rogers getting that right and reassuring the fans.

 

[Lemon Squash]

The bloke "ahead of him", is a midget. You could argue Joash is marginally better at the moment, but his long term potential is substantially lower than Apa's.

Apa also has the frame to be successful anywhere in the backline, from 1-6. Where Joash is only playable at fullback, and maybe five-eighth in a pinch.

Disagree. I would probably say Apa would cover 6 better than Joash in terms of natural ball playing ability but is defence is ordinary.

Apa is not athletic to compete in the outside backs at NRL level. Don't let a 20 minute sample size fool you.

Regardless I don't think either of them are long term options. We can facilitate keeping one of them for depth for the next couple of years while the next crop come through. The club obviously have seen more of Joash in Reserve Grade and training, fair outcome.

 

[Parrapat]

Maybe it's time for a new thread, current NRL top 13 we let go because we had better options:

Fullback - Twidle
Centre - Russell
5/8 - Talagi
1/2 - Sanders
Prop - Utoikamanu
2nd Row - Olakau'atu

 

[EppingEel]

Disagree. I would probably say Apa would cover 6 better than Joash in terms of natural ball playing ability but is defence is ordinary.

Apa is not athletic to compete in the outside backs at NRL level. Don't let a 20 minute sample size fool you.

Regardless I don't think either of them are long term options. We can facilitate keeping one of them for depth for the next couple of years while the next crop come through. The club obviously have seen more of Joash in Reserve Grade and training, fair outcome.

You keep mentioning the 20 minute sample size. You do realise I have been watching him since SG Ball.

I genuinely dont understand what you people see in Joash. He constantly forces passes in attack that rarely ever work, he isn't as quick and athletic as he should be as a small bloke, and just never seems a chance to break the line.

 

[Gronk]

The bloke "ahead of him", is a midget. You could argue Joash is marginally better at the moment, but his long term potential is substantially lower than Apa's.

Apa also has the frame to be successful anywhere in the backline, from 1-6. Where Joash is only playable at fullback, and maybe five-eighth in a pinch.

I think we have bigger fish to fry. We have some better kids coming through that @Stagger eel mentioned.

We have these players off contract this year -->Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo, Richard Penisini, Will Penisini, Jake Tago, Kelma Tuilagi, Ronald Volkman, Dylan Walker <-- plus Jack DB has an option in the club's favour.

 

[JokerEel]

Congrats to Apa. Nothing against him at all leaving and taking up a good deal that will hopefully set him up for the future.

I will enjoy watching him play in the NRL.

 

[Lemon Squash]

You keep mentioning the 20 minute sample size. You do realise I have been watching him since SG Ball.

I genuinely dont understand what you people see in Joash. He constantly forces passes in attack that rarely ever work, he isn't as quick and athletic as he should be as a small bloke, and just never seems a chance to break the line.

As have I... how many games have you seen him play at centre or wing?

I already said I don't think Joash is a long term option... as of right now though he has proven to be an okay backup Fullback option who can do a job while Iongi is out. I don't think Apa would be any better/worse and Joash is already signed till the end of 2027... there is no room to keep both that would end up costing us one of our youngsters.

Realistically we already won't be able to keep all of Lorenzo, Fletcher, Bamblett, Davis, Risati etc they will see better pathways at other clubs. Lets just hope Parra identifies the ones that need to be kept and make the correct calls. Honestly Twidle moving on creates an opportunity and gives these young guys more a reason to hang around.

I am more than happy to eat my words if Apa ends up going to Perth and proves himself to be an NRL player, I'd honestly be stoked for him he's a good kid.

 

[Parrapat]

I think we have bigger fish to fry. We have some better kids coming through that @Stagger eel mentioned.

We have these players off contract this year -->Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo, Richard Penisini, Will Penisini, Jake Tago, Kelma Tuilagi, Ronald Volkman, Dylan Walker <-- plus Jack DB has an option in the club's favour.

Was listening to the podcast with James Maloney the other night and he mentioned how he was frustrated in Eels reserve grade for two years, with little feedback and opportunity, so he left for the Scum.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[EppingEel]

I think we have bigger fish to fry. We have some better kids coming through that @Stagger eel mentioned.

We have these players off contract this year -->Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Junior Paulo, Richard Penisini, Will Penisini, Jake Tago, Kelma Tuilagi, Ronald Volkman, Dylan Walker <-- plus Jack DB has an option in the club's favour.

I do agree with this. Although I would not be confident that MON and company will be able to retain them.

 

[Parrapat]

I do agree with this. Although I would not be confident that MON and company will be able to retain them.

Exactly.

And when that list of players go we'll be told it's ok, we've got these new names coming through.

 

[Gronk]

Was listening to the podcast with James Maloney the other night and he mentioned how he was frustrated in Eels reserve grade for two years, with little feedback and opportunity, so he left for the Scum.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Facts are that he was with Bears, then Wenty, played 4 games for Storm early in the 2009 year where Brett Finch was the choice 5/8 over him. Left for Warriors.

I think there is a bit of revisionism there.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

The bloke "ahead of him", is a midget. You could argue Joash is marginally better at the moment, but his long term potential is substantially lower than Apa's.

Apa also has the frame to be successful anywhere in the backline, from 1-6. Where Joash is only playable at fullback, and maybe five-eighth in a pinch.

Yeah but if he’s getting offered the chance to start as fullback on a much bigger pay packet, why would he stay? He’s not going to EVER be our fullback while Iongi is here and for now Joash appears happy to play second fiddle.

 

[EppingEel]

Yeah but if he’s getting offered the chance to start as fullback on a much bigger pay packet, why would he stay? He’s not going to EVER be our fullback while Iongi is here and for now Joash appears happy to play second fiddle.

I'm upset that we only ever offered him a developmental contract.

 

[Matty Bhoy]

I'm upset that we only ever offered him a developmental contract.

I’d rather we didn’t block a pathway for another junior coming through. I certainly don’t have a lot of faith with who our club is signing etc but this isn’t the hill to die on IMO.

 

[hindy111]

We've lost Ethan Sanders, Blaize Talagi and now Apa Twidle.

Feeder club to the comp.

What do we keep? Dross.

What makes you think we'll keep Fletcher, Riati or Talataina? Past and present behaviour predicts we'll feed them out to the comp in the future as well.

Lorenzo,Bamblett and Fletcher I'm fairly sure are all signed up for atleast 2 more years. Guys like Teancum,Poppo have also been extended. We keep losing kids cause we are not patient and end up signing a quick fix to keep everyon3 happy but its just a sugar hit. It doesn't work long term.

In a side note if we want a halfback depth id be looking at Conti from dogs. 19yld. He looks a ripper.