Season 2025 Changes I'd like to see.

[Manu Vatuvei]

Goalkicking (and field goal kicking) has been a season-defining issue since CHT took over, but at the same time I don't think you can plan for that. CHT was arguably our 5th choice kicker this year. SJ was #1, Metcalf was his back-up, Pompey kicks when he's in the team, and Tuaupiki kicks ahead of CHT when he makes the team (albeit clearly we are not going out of our way to select Tuaupiki to kick).

Also keep in mind that CHT wasn't even supposed to be in the starting line-up.

No team is making signings based on having a good 5th string kicker, that's just horrible luck.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Also I really don't think Tuaupiki is going to play wing or centre. I literally can't think of a single player like him in the whole comp who plays those positions. If you're a little bloke who can ball play a bit these days you play in the spine or nowhere. The only way a guy his size might play on the wing is if he had absolutely elite speed, which he doesn't (I can't even think of a comparable small speedster on the wing these days anyway, but maybe in the past).

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Nah, Tuaupiki will have to go somewhere else to play, unless there's injuries to both RTS and CNK. Good player, and was epic in that Penrith win, but I don't think he's the player that Kini is, or even Faalogo from the Storm. And as MV says, I can't really see him playing elsewhere in the backline.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Goalkicking (and field goal kicking) has been a season-defining issue since CHT took over, but at the same time I don't think you can plan for that. CHT was arguably our 5th choice kicker this year. SJ was #1, Metcalf was his back-up, Pompey kicks when he's in the team, and Tuaupiki kicks ahead of CHT when he makes the team (albeit clearly we are not going out of our way to select Tuaupiki to kick).

Also keep in mind that CHT wasn't even supposed to be in the starting line-up.

No team is making signings based on having a good 5th string kicker, that's just horrible luck.

The weird thing is, Barnett actually has a pretty decent record from his knights days, granted not over a big sample size but he may have been worth a kick

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Nah, Tuaupiki will have to go somewhere else to play, unless there's injuries to both RTS and CNK. Good player, and was epic in that Penrith win, but I don't think he's the player that Kini is, or even Faalogo from the Storm. And as MV says, I can't really see him playing elsewhere in the backline.

I told my best mate that Tuaupiki will likely join another team. He also mentioned that Ali might leave if he doesn't get more game time. I really hope the coach doesn't stick with Pompey or Berry. They should be our backups, while Ali and Charnze could take the starting spots in the centres.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Are there really any other options for Tuaupiki to go that puts him in a better position to play first grade than he is currently in ?

 

[Izz]

I told my best mate that Tuaupiki will likely join another team. He also mentioned that Ali might leave if he doesn't get more game time. I really hope the coach doesn't stick with Pompey or Berry. They should be our backups, while Ali and Charnze could take the starting spots in the centres.

Berry's developed into a pretty good centre, imo. I'd like our centre pairing next year to be him and Ali.

I'm really not sure what the best option re CNK/RTS is. A lot of CNK's value comes from his mammoth work rate. Put him anywhere else on the park and you lose a lot of that.

RTS was a great signing from a promotional point of view, but I can't help thinking he wasn't a great signing in terms of playing group balance.

 

[Izz]

Are there really any other options for Tuaupiki to go that puts him in a better position to play first grade than he is currently in ?

Can't think of anywhere

 

[JJ]

I’d like to see them be a seriously good team…. Top 4…. But don’t see that without better quality halves

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Are there really any other options for Tuaupiki to go that puts him in a better position to play first grade than he is currently in ?

Considering the upcoming expansion, it's quite likely that he could move to Western Australia or, alternatively, to the ESL to secure a lucrative deal.

 

[Campion]

I'd rather live in Perth than North England. The towns/cities there are just awful.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Secret settlement sets up Volkman’s NRL comeback after Dragons dispute

Ronald Volkman was at the centre of one of the most bizarre contract squabbles in NRL history. After nine months in limbo, the matter is settled.

www.smh.com.au

Volkman’s looking for another crack. Would he consider coming back? Is he worth trying to entice back?

 

[Big Marn]

Secret settlement sets up Volkman’s NRL comeback after Dragons dispute

Ronald Volkman was at the centre of one of the most bizarre contract squabbles in NRL history. After nine months in limbo, the matter is settled.

www.smh.com.au

Volkman’s looking for another crack. Would he consider coming back? Is he worth trying to entice back?

if we could get him relatively cheaply, i would take him back as a depth signing.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Just heard Volkman has signed with Manly

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Signed Samuel Healey, 21 year old hooker and son of Mitch who played 200+ for the Sharks.

Interesting signing given we have Egan, Lussick and Roache on our books.

 

[Izz]

Signed Samuel Healey, 21 year old hooker and son of Mitch who played 200+ for the Sharks.

Interesting signing given we have Egan, Lussick and Roache on our books.

Yeah, very interesting. Both Lussick and Egan extended this year, too. Roache isn't really on the books (as in, no top 30 contract - not even sure if he's on a development contract).

I actually thought our top 30 for next year was already full (though I could've counted wrong), so maybe there'll be an announcement soon that's someone's leaving. Afoa's been given permission to talk to other clubs, and potentially Montoya too (though haven't seen quotes anywhere that the club has confirmed that, unlike with Afoa).

 

[Izz]

Just heard Volkman has signed with Manly

Hope that goes well for him. I think he could be an NRL-level half but he just hasn't had things go his way yet. Means he can link up with his buddy Jazz, too

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Hope that goes well for him. I think he could be an NRL-level half but he just hasn't had things go his way yet. Means he can link up with his buddy Jazz, too

Could be a good opportunity for him for a few games a year with DCE in Origin, and Humphries and maybe Arthur potentially moving on

I’ve never been a Jazz fan, will be interesting to see how he goes in a different environment

 

[Gordie]

I’d rather lose RTS than tuaupiki as he is the future.

how long a contract is RTS on?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

I’d rather lose RTS than tuaupiki as he is the future.

how long a contract is RTS on?

Two more years.