Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Nutz]

Luai will b the much needed dominant voice & leader of this shit sandwich.Hes a born leader & winner & wont surprise if he becomes our greatest ever recruit surpassing the peerless Gareth Ellis

Big call but I'm with you Ted

 

[Pezz70]

P

Pole has been our best forward imo.
Agree that an Angus Chrichton type would totally transform our pack.
Liam Fulton too. He's not a big unit but like you say has a big motor. Have you noticed hiw Curran from the dogs has done the same.
I thought Bateman was going to be our energizer man but he's been ill disciplined and ineffective.
Benji hasn't had a roster yet to get it done but next year when he starts to get some troops there's no excuse to at least get off the bottom of the ladder.

Pole is a bit of a liability in defence, I’ve seen him standing and watching players run past him (or at least close enough to him to attempt a tackle) too many times. His stats show that his tackle success has dropped from 95-90%, still pretty good but it’s the times he makes no attempt that cost both him and us. I wouldn’t go dropping him or anything but like most of the dudes in the team there’s room for big improvement.

I’ve got no idea how Benji operates but identifying these areas and talking to the boys about them wouldn’t hurt. I’m of the opinion that Benji and his staffs depth of analysis might not be the best because the fellas make the same errors every week it shows in the scorelines and the discipline levels. Might be a good idea to get Simon on those videos picking each players weaknesses and maybe some highlights, through out 2024 and have one on ones with video presentations for every individual in the squad. Not as a kick up the arse but as a constructive exercise. Make each bloke watch themselves play. This is what you do well, this is what you need to improve

I’m probably dribbling shit but it is very frustrating being a tigers tragic

 

[Nutz]

.Might be a good idea to get Simon on those videos picking each players weaknesses and maybe some highlights,

Simon is probably playing Holo Infinite in the coaches box.

I’m probably dribbling shit but it is very frustrating being a tigers tragic

Your not dribbling shite mate, at least your consistent. I change my opinion like the tide..ebbs and flows which I blame on the tigers being a continual rock show.
Pole apparently has been carrying niggling injuries but that's no excuse for slacking off in D.
He may need to have a rest if we lose today ..no use flogging a dead horse even though he comes off the bench tonight.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I love Royce.

He's had a wretched run with injuries since he dislocated his knee cap and ruptured his patella tendon at the end of 2021. He was just starting to show what he could do around that time then had to fight his way back. It seems each time he was getting back to his best he'd cop another injury.

He's strung a few games together this year though, which I'm happy to see.

In all honestly, I'd hate to lose him but, if he had to go, I'd be happy to see him go to you guys.
He's precisely what you need - though you'd need to work on his conditioning to get more minutes out of him.
Fitzy has conditioned him for just 15-20 minutes of impact.

Of the big boppers in our team, he's always been seen as number 2 behind Hamlin-Uele,
But I've always thought he was a better player, and that that was only because BHU came through first, and Royce kept getting injured just as he started to hit his straps.

I can't believe the Sharks have given him permission to look around, but re-signed that other powder puff.

I shakes me head...

The sharks have a stack of middles and with AFB coming will have to release at least one, maybe two:

AFB
Hunt
Rudolph (interestingly managed by Richos son)
Hazelton
BHU
Kaufusi
Hau Tapuha
Colquholan
Jack Williams (prop/second row)
Then McInness at 13

You cant have 10 guys in your top 30 as middles. All these guys are firstgraders and all make our 17. Who do you see being let go?

 

[DJDL]

The sharks have a stack of middles and with AFB coming will have to release at least one, maybe two:

AFB
Hunt
Rudolph (interestingly managed by Richos son)
Hazelton
BHU
Kaufusi
Hau Tapuha
Colquholan
Jack Williams (prop/second row)
Then McInness at 13

You cant have 10 guys in your top 30 as middles. All these guys are firstgraders and all make our 17. Who do you see being let go?

Agreed there needs to be some blood-letting.
It's a tough one though.
I tend to think of these guys in groups, and that you need balance in those.

Toby, Herb (Kaufusi), Williams, McInnes and Colquhoun are the workers.
AFB, BHU, Hunt and Hau Tapuha are the power.
Hazelton kind of sits between the two.

Given you need 5-6 middles in your 17, and you need backup, I'd only be looking to shed 2 - one from each group.

Of the workers it'd be one of Toby or Herb.
I think Toby is slightly more effective atm, but Herb has more upside.
So I think Toby there.

Of the power, I've been telling anyone who'll listen on the Sharks forum for 18 months that BHU is a bum.
I was hoping he'd change my mind this year, but he hasn't.
He's had limited games and, of those he's played, he's Been Highly Underwhelming.
So he can go (sadly, we re-signed him a few months ago).

McInnes is needed for leadership, but I don't think I'd be extending him.

That's about it.

Reading between the lines of the Sharks retention though, I get the impression it will be Royce and Williams.
I'd be gutted if it is.
But, if that is the way it goes, you guys would be mad to not have a look.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Agreed there needs to be some blood-letting.
It's a tough one though.
I tend to think of these guys in groups, and that you need balance in those.

Toby, Herb (Kaufusi), Williams, McInnes and Colquhoun are the workers.
AFB, BHU, Hunt and Hau Tapuha are the power.
Hazelton kind of sits between the two.

Given you need 5-6 middles in your 17, and you need backup, I'd only be looking to shed 2 - one from each group.

Of the workers it'd be one of Toby or Herb.
I think Toby is slightly more effective atm, but Herb has more upside.
So I think Toby there.

Of the power, I've been telling anyone who'll listen on the Sharks forum for 18 months that BHU is a bum.
I was hoping he'd change my mind this year, but he hasn't.
He's had limited games and, of those he's played, he's Been Highly Underwhelming.
So he can go (sadly, we re-signed him a few months ago).

McInnes is needed for leadership, but I don't think I'd be extending him.

That's about it.

Reading between the lines of the Sharks retention though, I get the impression it will be Royce and Williams.
I'd be gutted if it is.
But, if that is the way it goes, you guys would be mad to not have a look.

I like Royce however am wary about signing a 28 year old whos played 60 NRL games and just having a breakout year. He still averages 30mins a game. Personally think he or BHU would be a good fit for us as our middles are all a bit samey. Klemmer, Twal, Seyfarth all the worker/defensive middles. Pole is the exception, then Sione Fainu has great footwork. Young Johannssen looks promissing however again I think hes a Twal type with better leg speed.

Id love Jack Williams as our right edge back rower moving forward. 27, 120 games is the exact type of player we need. Our squad are either under 22 or veterens, we really lack in that 25-28 good first grader level who are so important.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Luai will b the much needed dominant voice & leader of this shit sandwich.Hes a born leader & winner & wont surprise if he becomes our greatest ever recruit surpassing the peerless Gareth Ellis

It’s more than likely I’d say.

I’ve thought about it and for a package and given his motivation, he’s about the absolute best recruit we could pick up.

There’s plenty of quality ex smug out there, but he’s the most enigmatic by some distance.

We desperately need some workhorses in the pack. I was looking at our for and against the other day, sober reading.

McInness might be on his way out, held together by string and bandages, but at the right price, we could sure make use of what’s left of him.

And as a curve ball, I’d be ok to send Bula on his way to make way for Gutho.

We are crying out for dominant footy players with the right attitude. 1 or 2 is not enough. We need a side that turns up every week and players for whom nothing is too much trouble. Especially with our kids. I want good footy mentors for them to help them come on strong.

For and against, ouch. It’s nightmare stuff.

Gutho at fullback would solve a lot of problems.

 

[DJDL]

Id love Jack Williams as our right edge back rower moving forward. 27, 120 games is the exact type of player we need. Our squad are either under 22 or veterens, we really lack in that 25-28 good first grader level who are so important.

Jack would be immense for you guys.
I mentioned somewhere in here a few weeks back you should be looking at him.

I can't believe he's not signed for next year.

@The Silverdale Phantom regarding Bula to the wing to accommodate Gutho - do you post in the Sharks forum under the name Stake Removed?
That's the kind of batshit crazy idea he would come out with.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Jack would be immense for you guys.
I mentioned somewhere in here a few weeks back you should be looking at him.

I can't believe he's not signed for next year.

@The Silverdale Phantom regarding Bula to the wing to accommodate Gutho - do you post in the Sharks forum under the name Stake Removed?
That's the kind of batshit crazy idea he would come out with.

No, batshit crazy is following the same set of values, doing the same things, and whatever exercises and other unpleasant bodily distortions one can manage to duly widen the already agonised cheeks to accomodate a third spoon.

A good and wholesome win against a terminally depressed south’s team is like finding a neighbours lost dog while on your way to a tax audit.

Gutho is an alpha footy player, we don’t have much of that atm.

 

[DJDL]

I’m going to have to respectfully, and vehemently disagree with you @The Silverdale Phantom

Bula is starting to come into his own.
Gutho is a good 2 years beyond his best.

He gives his all, no question. But there’s a reason the Eels, with the “names” they have, are battling you guys for the spoon.

Gutho at fullback being chief amongst them IMHO.

Make the move and you can kiss goodbye to that left edge combo that’s been developing nicely.

He’s also on $950k.
Unless the Eels are happy to chip in about $600k of that it’s a waste of money that is more needed elsewhere in your squad.

 

[Tiger05]

I’m going to have to respectfully, and vehemently disagree with you @The Silverdale Phantom

Bula is starting to come into his own.
Gutho is a good 2 years beyond his best.

He gives his all, no question. But there’s a reason the Eels, with the “names” they have, are battling you guys for the spoon.

Gutho at fullback being chief amongst them IMHO.

Make the move and you can kiss goodbye to that left edge combo that’s been developing nicely.

He’s also on $950k.
Unless the Eels are happy to chip in about $600k of that it’s a waste of money that is more needed elsewhere in your squad.

I much prefer Bula as well.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

I was told that Fittler mentioned this morning on TV that there’s talk that Gutho and a big forward will both be heading from Pawwa to Kogarah/ The Gong.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I've got a sneaking suspicion that AJ Brimson will come onto the open market over the off season.

Not exactly sure what he's on but he's played a fill-in game / role in at least one origin I remember and went well. A proven 1st grade performer and coming into the prime years of his career.

Thoughts?

 

[Tigerm]

I've got a sneaking suspicion that AJ Brimson will come onto the open market over the off season.

Not exactly sure what he's on but he's played a fill-in game / role in at least one origin I remember and went well. A proven 1st grade performer and coming into the prime years of his career.

Thoughts?

A reasonable footy player, no doubt.
But I hope we concentrate on forwards now, we’ve already got some handy backs coming.

 

[Fordy20]

I've got a sneaking suspicion that AJ Brimson will come onto the open market over the off season.

Not exactly sure what he's on but he's played a fill-in game / role in at least one origin I remember and went well. A proven 1st grade performer and coming into the prime years of his career.

Thoughts?

While I think Brimson is a good player, I don't have any time for him. Both him and Lomax had the opportunity to come here and make the fullback position their own under Madge. Instead, both of them chose to re-sign with their clubs and for their loyalty they f**ked around and forced to play in other positions. Brimson was also extended at the Titans until 2030. Can't see him being turfed now.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I’m going to have to respectfully, and vehemently disagree with you @The Silverdale Phantom

Bula is starting to come into his own.
Gutho is a good 2 years beyond his best.

He gives his all, no question. But there’s a reason the Eels, with the “names” they have, are battling you guys for the spoon.

Gutho at fullback being chief amongst them IMHO.

Make the move and you can kiss goodbye to that left edge combo that’s been developing nicely.

He’s also on $950k.
Unless the Eels are happy to chip in about $600k of that it’s a waste of money that is more needed elsewhere in your squad.

I think if you were to make enquiries with eels forum giants such as @Poupou Escobar you may find that a significant factor in the decline of the eels was the premature excision of their gallant coach.

I tend to agree with a previous comment about forwards and our need for them.

In the not too distant future, the fire sales of the eels, south’s and others will commence in earnest.

I don’t expect to see any of your high brow and talented Sharks r&r with any discount vouchers. We will push our way to the front I am sure.

Thank you for your contribution, we like visitors with good intent and something positive to add.

Gutho at 500 for 2 years would be a sound purchase. He’s got plenty left.

I was watching your game, I thought the knights were gone after the first 10 minutes.

 

[The Rosco]

I think if you were to make enquiries with eels forum giants such as @Poupou Escobar you may find that a significant factor in the decline of the eels was the premature excision of their gallant coach.

I tend to agree with a previous comment about forwards and our need for them.

In the not too distant future, the fire sales of the eels, south’s and others will commence in earnest.

I don’t expect to see any of your high brow and talented Sharks r&r with any discount vouchers. We will push our way to the front I am sure.

Thank you for your contribution, we like visitors with good intent and something positive to add.

Gutho at 500 for 2 years would be a sound purchase. He’s got plenty left.

I was watching your game, I thought the knights were gone after the first 10 minutes.

Phantom, please stop with the gutho thing. He is a very unlikeable person.
There's a word for exactly what he is, that rhymes with prik.
I'll let you know when I remember it.

 

[DJDL]

I don’t expect to see any of your high brow and talented Sharks r&r with any discount vouchers. We will push our way to the front I am sure.

Another one I just remembered is Herb (Kaufusi).
He has a mutual option for next year which is yet to be taken up.
You might be a chance there.
He's not a world beater by any stretch, but if you landed him and Royce it would be a massive improvement to your pack.

Gutho at 500 for 2 years would be a sound purchase. He’s got plenty left.

Hmmm, maybe.
I still think that's overs for him.
The guy is basically playing on a Zimmer frame.
His leadership would be invaluable for you, but I think you have that covered with Luai.

I was watching your game, I thought the knights were gone after the first 10 minutes.

You and me both.
But, as was bound to happen with our genius coach's team selections, the big fellas ran out of gas mid way through the first half and we had scant coverings on the bench.

 

[Tigerm]

Over on the eels forum, in the rumours thread, they are talking about signing Doueihi?

 

[Nutz]

Over on the eels forum, in the rumours thread, they are talking about signing Doueihi?

Good luck to him/them