Rumours (signings, sackings & other NRL stuff)

[Tiger05]

I was going to write just before masons first game at fullback last week..”he will become undroppable” …Not from any great knowledge just a hunch and hope ..I still think it but more so. we’ve won twice with him there. perhaps not insignificant

I think at this point Bula is better and considerably better. Mason looks good but he has too many mistakes in him.

I had a look at our squad and I think Bird could be okay on a fair contract to us. We do have heaps of kids.

 

[Nutz]

We just have to bide our time waiting patiently to pounce when the right fit for us forwards come on the market.

Yeh I'm not convinced that buying non marquee players is a good idea regardless of their experience. We've done that so many times before and it's not a good model. There's not enough room here to post all the flop signings.
We can carry over a portion of our cap money to next year so patience seems to be the best option.

 

[WA Tiger]

I think at this point Bula is better and considerably better. Mason looks good but he has too many mistakes in him.

I had a look at our squad and I think Bird could be okay on a fair contract to us. We do have heaps of kids.

I’m not saying mason will stay at fullback..just that he can’t be dropped

 

[Tiger05]

I’m not saying mason will stay at fullback..just that he can’t be dropped

You reckon. I think he had a good game but geez he had some shocking moments. If Bula was available I'd slot him straight back in.

He has an opportunity now but I don't think he has done anywhere near enough to hold onto the fullback spot.

 

[gordsy]

Mason seems like he's too small for first grade at the moment. If he was Jamie Soward type then yeah sure but I can't see him being our fullback anytime soon. .

 

[Pezz70]

I reckon we should be 16th at the moment , we have won more games than Parra, for and against should only be used if the number of wins are equal IMO

 

[BrotherJim05]

Mason went good. Not amazing or anything, just good. He's still very green, but coming along well. He will be our reserve grade fullback next year and slot into FG when needed, although I imagine he will be third string behind Turuva

 

[Nutz]

Mason went good. Not amazing or anything, just good. He's still very green, but coming along well. He will be our reserve grade fullback next year and slot into FG when needed, although I imagine he will be third string behind Turuva

Yep, third string at fullback and in the halves.
It wouldn't surprise me if he gets signed on potential elsewhere.
I've watched him in lower grades and he did alright but a stepup to fullback in the NRL seems too daunting a task.
I can't see him outleaping a Lomax at the back as he doesn't have the physicality to compete.
It's also apparent that covering tackles is not his forte.
His goal-line defence was tested when he jumped upwards and arm grabbed a crash ball from Turbo Tom. Being short is no excuse. Mason has a more muscular body than Gillmeister and Gilly thrived with front on tackling. The technique of squaring up the shoulders, bending the legs and driving under the ball and upwards.
Players these days have forgotten how to do this type of tackle.
If he wants to be a fullback he needs to fix up these three areas,
1. Sprint to the corner in cover D
2. Be safe under the high ball and
3. Be better at front on tackling.
Apart from that, he's very elusive runner with heaps of potential.
Depending on how things shake out next year with players form and injuries this will shape his development I guess.

 

[Tigerm]

Yep, third string at fullback and in the halves.
It wouldn't surprise me if he gets signed on potential elsewhere.
I've watched him in lower grades and he did alright but a stepup to fullback in the NRL seems too daunting a task.
I can't see him outleaping a Lomax at the back as he doesn't have the physicality to compete.
It's also apparent that covering tackles is not his forte.
His goal-line defence was tested when he jumped upwards and arm grabbed a crash ball from Turbo Tom. Being short is no excuse. Mason has a more muscular body than Gillmeister and Gilly thrived with front on tackling. The technique of squaring up the shoulders, bending the legs and driving under the ball and upwards.
Players these days have forgotten how to do this type of tackle.
If he wants to be a fullback he needs to fix up these three areas,
1. Sprint to the corner in cover D
2. Be safe under the high ball and
3. Be better at front on tackling.
Apart from that, he's very elusive runner with heaps of potential.
Depending on how things shake out next year with players form and injuries this will shape his development I guess.

He's 19 yo, who has played 6 games. Bula is 22 yo, who has played 39 games.

IMO, both have nowhere near peaked in their development as a footy player, in fact they are still learning what top tier footy is all about. That goes for all our kids.

We need to give both time, but agree, at this time, FB is Bula's to lose and I don't see that happening.

But we have had plenty of good small FB's in the past.

 

[Nutz]

He's 19 yo, who has played 6 games. Bula is 22 yo, who has played 39 games.

IMO, both have nowhere near peaked in their development as a footy player, in fact they are still learning what top tier footy is all about. That goes for all our kids.

We need to give both time, but agree, at this time, FB is Bula's to lose and I don't see that happening.

But we have had plenty of good small FB's in the past.

I'll reserve my judgement on this one.
As you said he's a baby but at this stage he doesn't have the attributes of other small fullbacks like Kini.