Rumours and Stuff

[hindy111]

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.

But he is still behind Iongi who is 23. Your asking Twiddle to stay to be a back up. He has more potential then Joash for sure but doesnt mean he will be better. Either way he probably wants the chance of a starting gig and the Bears offer a clear pathway.

Joash probably know by now he is probably only ever going to be a back up/utility and is happy with that role and 250k a year.
I hope he becomes a star. Best of luck Apa

 

[King-Gutho94]

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.

Joash can't break the line, his passing game is shit and doesn't have top speed to break away when he does make a break or find some space.

His defence is above average but nothing elite.

I am not sure his kicking game is that great.

He doesn't bring any traits i can see that make you go his a first grader and even should be kept around even as a backup post 2027.

Plus he plays way too fast for his own good and comes up with plenty of dumb errors.

I would have been flicking him off to Perth next year instead personally.

 

[85 Baby]

maybe have a look at who's already there?

1: Riley, Bamblett, Joash and Iongi

6/7: Moses, Fletcher, Riati, Talataina and Volk

Yeah sad to see him go but it’s the smart play for both parties

 

[Timana]

Onya apa i hour tree for a good pay increase

I'm more worried about Sam. If i was the bears, I'd offer him a mozza

 

[King-Gutho94]

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.

Is anyone worth extending that's off contract though atm. I am not getting fooled by one good win when i saw 6 weeks of complete crap.

The ones you highlighted

Mataele gets a chance to prove himself over the next 4-5 weeks with our injury toll maybe his been stuck in reggies too long and stalled as a player.

Playing first grade and getting a decent crack at it he might be able to improve his ceiling and become a decent first grader.

Paulo needs to do more then show up once every 7 weeks to justify any extension imo.

Like the side don't be fooled by Sunday just yet his first 6 weeks were average.

Volkman well that was his best game in FG i guess we will see if he can play like that consistently now. I think his worth keeping anyway as depth/backup.

Dylan Walker a yes but i wouldn't lose sleep if he left.

The rest whoever are left should be out the door ASAP.

 

[Timana]

People need to consider Volkman is 23 and spent 2-3yrs injured. If fixes defense he can really play.
Lorenzo in cup last week was electric. He created space literally everytime he touched the ball. His kicking game along with Volkman is also very good.

I've only seen him in the trials but he sounds like a katoa type player

 

[85 Baby]

Is anyone worth extending that's off contract though atm. I am not getting fooled by one good win when i saw 6 weeks of complete crap.

The ones you highlighted

Mataele gets a chance to prove himself over the next 4-5 weeks with our injury toll maybe his been stuck in reggies too long and stalled as a player.

Playing first grade and getting a decent crack at it he might be able to improve his ceiling and become a decent first grader.

Paulo needs to do more then show up once every 7 weeks to justify any extension imo.

Like the side don't be fooled by Sunday just yet his first 6 weeks were average.

Volkman well that was his best game in FG i guess we will see if he can play like that consistently now. I think his worth keeping anyway as depth/backup.

Dylan Walker a yes but i wouldn't lose sleep if he left.

The rest whoever are left should be out the door ASAP.

I reckon that Matterson bloke could be good

 

[hineyrulz]

Oh well you can’t keep em all!!


Oh and Wayne Bennett and Scott Minto.

 

[Avenger]

Funny that Perth didn’t go after Joash.

 

[Parrapat]

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.

Ok, just got back from my walk during which I dutifully got the source for you.

The Extended Bench podcast, episode dated 16/04/2026 titled "Latrell called out as James Maloney unloads on Flanno's Dragons failure" from timestamp 25:13 and following discussion of Flanagan's refusal to select Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, here's revisionist historian* James Maloney reflecting on his own early career:

Yeah. Well, I think that's important because you can it's not hard to understand if you're playing the grade NRL and you're playing in a good side, you're winning games and you're playing good footy and if top grades doing it and you still can't then where what what else can you do you know?

And I I think back to me when I sat for two years in reserve grade at Parramatta, got really close, and I had some feelings like that that was part of me going down to Melbourne for an opportunity was because I thought what else? I was playing good footy in reserve grade and I sort of thought what else can I do you know ? I'm sort of playing as good as I can in this sort of um competition.

So yeah, I I think around coaching, if the the good coaches have a really good line of communication and everyone knows where they stand if you're if you're a coach and you're upfront and honest, people might not like what they're told, but they'll respect the fact that they know where they stand, you know? And there's different coaches, you know, the thing that play mind games and different stuff which I don't I don't really understand the point of it or whatever. You know, you talk about, you know, your Craig Bellamies and you success successful coaches like if you're a coach, you've got to be willing to have tough conversations. That's a hard part of coaching, telling guys you're not in this week. You know, that's but tell them and say this is why, you know, you're not in because of this. this isn't up to scratch, go back, sort that out, and we'll we'll look to bring you back, you know. So, I think if if [snorts] you've got a heap of guys that are sort of sitting there going, "What do I do? Where do I go?"

If I were drinking and ruminating on our retention and recruitment team right now I'd probably link Butthole Surfers - merkins.

*Isn't all history subject to revision? If history isn't subject to revision then what's to separate it from religion? Do people deploy the term "revisionist historian" as a pejorative to undermine the character of the historian?

 

[Gronk]

Is anyone worth extending that's off contract though atm. I am not getting fooled by one good win when i saw 6 weeks of complete crap.

The ones you highlighted

Mataele gets a chance to prove himself over the next 4-5 weeks with our injury toll maybe his been stuck in reggies too long and stalled as a player.

Playing first grade and getting a decent crack at it he might be able to improve his ceiling and become a decent first grader.

Paulo needs to do more then show up once every 7 weeks to justify any extension imo.

Like the side don't be fooled by Sunday just yet his first 6 weeks were average.

Volkman well that was his best game in FG i guess we will see if he can play like that consistently now. I think his worth keeping anyway as depth/backup.

Dylan Walker a yes but i wouldn't lose sleep if he left.

The rest whoever are left should be out the door ASAP.

I think you just need to be careful not to cull all your forward experience at once. Otherwise you'll end up with Jack Williams and Jayden Su-a ---daylight ---- Hopgood ----12 rookies

 

[Tmars]

For sure Lorenzo is the long term 6 and they will probably sign someone like a Jack Cole for depth.
Iongi is the long term 1 and Bamblett amd Davies are looking good.
Joash will also be depth for injuries next year.
Good luck to Api he has shown great attack and terrible defence as a fullback but I guess Drinkwater has made a career out of that.

 

[Avenger]

Ok, just got back from my walk during which I dutifully got the source for you.

The Extended Bench podcast, episode dated 16/04/2026 titled "Latrell called out as James Maloney unloads on Flanno's Dragons failure" from timestamp 25:13 and following discussion of Flanagan's refusal to select Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, here's revisionist historian* James Maloney reflecting on his own early career:

Yeah. Well, I think that's important because you can it's not hard to understand if you're playing the grade NRL and you're playing in a good side, you're winning games and you're playing good footy and if top grades doing it and you still can't then where what what else can you do you know?

And I I think back to me when I sat for two years in reserve grade at Parramatta, got really close, and I had some feelings like that that was part of me going down to Melbourne for an opportunity was because I thought what else? I was playing good footy in reserve grade and I sort of thought what else can I do you know ? I'm sort of playing as good as I can in this sort of um competition.

So yeah, I I think around coaching, if the the good coaches have a really good line of communication and everyone knows where they stand if you're if you're a coach and you're upfront and honest, people might not like what they're told, but they'll respect the fact that they know where they stand, you know? And there's different coaches, you know, the thing that play mind games and different stuff which I don't I don't really understand the point of it or whatever. You know, you talk about, you know, your Craig Bellamies and you success successful coaches like if you're a coach, you've got to be willing to have tough conversations. That's a hard part of coaching, telling guys you're not in this week. You know, that's but tell them and say this is why, you know, you're not in because of this. this isn't up to scratch, go back, sort that out, and we'll we'll look to bring you back, you know. So, I think if if [snorts] you've got a heap of guys that are sort of sitting there going, "What do I do? Where do I go?"

If I were drinking and ruminating on our retention and recruitment team right now I'd probably link Butthole Surfers - merkins.

*Isn't all history subject to revision? If history isn't subject to revision then what's to separate it from religion? Do people deploy the term "revisionist historian" as a pejorative to undermine the character of the historian?

I think Maloney didn’t get a crack because of the now disgraced convicted pedophile

 

[Gronk]

Ok, just got back from my walk during which I dutifully got the source for you.

The Extended Bench podcast, episode dated 16/04/2026 titled "Latrell called out as James Maloney unloads on Flanno's Dragons failure" from timestamp 25:13 and following discussion of Flanagan's refusal to select Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, here's revisionist historian* James Maloney reflecting on his own early career:

Yeah. Well, I think that's important because you can it's not hard to understand if you're playing the grade NRL and you're playing in a good side, you're winning games and you're playing good footy and if top grades doing it and you still can't then where what what else can you do you know?

And I I think back to me when I sat for two years in reserve grade at Parramatta, got really close, and I had some feelings like that that was part of me going down to Melbourne for an opportunity was because I thought what else? I was playing good footy in reserve grade and I sort of thought what else can I do you know ? I'm sort of playing as good as I can in this sort of um competition.

So yeah, I I think around coaching, if the the good coaches have a really good line of communication and everyone knows where they stand if you're if you're a coach and you're upfront and honest, people might not like what they're told, but they'll respect the fact that they know where they stand, you know? And there's different coaches, you know, the thing that play mind games and different stuff which I don't I don't really understand the point of it or whatever. You know, you talk about, you know, your Craig Bellamies and you success successful coaches like if you're a coach, you've got to be willing to have tough conversations. That's a hard part of coaching, telling guys you're not in this week. You know, that's but tell them and say this is why, you know, you're not in because of this. this isn't up to scratch, go back, sort that out, and we'll we'll look to bring you back, you know. So, I think if if [snorts] you've got a heap of guys that are sort of sitting there going, "What do I do? Where do I go?"

If I were drinking and ruminating on our retention and recruitment team right now I'd probably link Butthole Surfers - merkins.

*Isn't all history subject to revision? If history isn't subject to revision then what's to separate it from religion? Do people deploy the term "revisionist historian" as a pejorative to undermine the character of the historian?

Cool, but when Maloney was playing for Wenty he was no better than Footy Dean last year. If anyone wants to tell me otherwise, then I am here to listen.

This is the same narrative that some dish out with Jamal Fogarty - that WE failed to get the best out of him.

Sometimes the player is accountable.

 

[King-Gutho94]

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.

If past history is anything to go by the answer is NO.

I have no faith in our current recruitment, development and retention based from years of evidence where its delivered diddly squat.

The ones you listed are still a few years away and none of them are still any guarantees.

And when we lose them we will be talking up and pumping up the next batch 2-3 years down the track and we remain in the same cycle.

When we won the SG ball in 2023 our HOF then had a Telegraph puff piece who then talked up all these guns coming through the article they listed 7 players

Blaize Talagi, Apa Twidle, Ethan Sanders, Matt Arthur, Richard Penisini, Sam Tuivati, Saxon Pryke.

So here we are 3 years later

Out of those seven players we have let four go out the door.

One (R Penisini) has been given rail run with contract upgrades and Top 30 spots based off his surname and yet played 13 cup games in 4 years and should be out the door next year

We still havent locked up Sam Tuivati post 2027.

Saxon Pryke just made his debut on the weekend.

Forgive me if i have little confidence in the club to actually get it right they clearly failed on that awesome crop of 2023 they were happy to pump up.

 

[Parrapat]

Point being, Avenger, that people can list off all the names of the replacements as the current crop go to other clubs and excel. This club has made it a habit of letting go stars to retain dross and there's nothing I've seen to convince me it won't happen again.

It just happened. Again.

 

[Parrapat]

Cool, but when Maloney was playing for Wenty he was no better than Footy Dean last year. If anyone wants to tell me otherwise, then I am here to listen.

This is the same narrative that some dish out with Jamal Fogarty - that WE failed to get the best out of him.

Sometimes the player is accountable.

Thanks for reminding us of Jamal Fogarty.

No matter what wall of fame list of current and past stars we've let slip through our grasp, the fans are: "oh well, who could have known? This time we've got it right.!"

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Ahhh Daniel Wagon aka the nipple. Rushing out of the line against Nth Qld. Single handedly turned the tide of that Semi.

One missed tackle doesn’t leak 29 points.

 

[Avenger]

Cool, but when Maloney was playing for Wenty he was no better than Footy Dean last year. If anyone wants to tell me otherwise, then I am here to listen.

This is the same narrative that some dish out with Jamal Fogarty - that WE failed to get the best out of him.

Sometimes the player is accountable.

Then why did Ando get rid of Finch if he was so good?

 

[Poupou Escobar]

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.

If he got the chance to play more then 20 minutes on the wing against 12 men, merkins would probably f**king hate Twidle.