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Signings/Losses

elyod138

elyod138

Bench
Messages
3,063
I'd only keep Webb if he took a significant pay cut, we have some good young players to take his spot if he leaves.
 
D

Dee

Juniors
Messages
208
elyod138 said:
I'd only keep Webb if he took a significant pay cut, we have some good young players to take his spot if he leaves.
Click to expand...
Agree with that there.

Best case scenario I would like to keep Webb in the team with a paycut. Whether he comes off the bench and makes some impact or starts in the 2nd row and runs wide like he was doing late last season. Such a frustrating player because when he fires, he is brilliant, but it just doesn't happen consistently enough. Hopefully we see more of the stuff like he shows late last season, I don't think anyone would disagree that having a player like that in the team helps so much.

Our forward pack is right up there in terms of a mixture of power, experience, enthusiasm and skill. The team is only as strong as its weakest link, and that is easily our outside backs. For that reason I'd be willing to let go a few of the big boys to secure a few outside backs. How good would another Willie Tonga be, hopefully the young guys like Malone, Bani, Geia, etc can deliver a bit more given their chance next year.

We gotta have O'Donnell in the back row, no way he'll get a run in the centres next year, he will get found out defensively up against the skillful centres like Hodges, Inglis, the Morris brothers etc.

Ideally I'd like to start the season with:

1. Shannon Gallant
2. John Williams
3. Donald Malone
4. Willie Tonga
5. Michael Bani (A full off season should do the world of good)
6. Ray Thompson/Ryan Stig, whoever has the better off season
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. James Tamou
11. Carl Webb
12. Scott Bolton
13. Luke O'Donnell

14. Anthony Watts
15. Steve Southern
16. Sam Rapira
17. Kafusi/Manuokofoa/Ah Mau brothers...

Strengths:
Back Row
The big 4, 1,6,7,9. If Ray Thompson or Ryan Stig can live up to potential, I think we're in good stead.
No Ash Graham

Weakness':
Wingers
Front Row
 
Talanexor

Talanexor

Juniors
Messages
1,798
Dee said:
We gotta have O'Donnell in the back row, no way he'll get a run in the centres next year, he will get found out defensively up against the skillful centres like Hodges, Inglis, the Morris brothers etc.
Click to expand...

Not ideal I know - but our other options are even worse (unless Malone spends a lot of time getting used to playing at right centre). O'Donnell can tackle and read the play well - that's all we need to plug that hole on our right side. Or we switch Tonga to right side - he was just as good there when he played origin.

Dee said:
Ideally I'd like to start the season with:

1. Shannon Gallant
2. John Williams
3. Donald Malone
4. Willie Tonga
5. Michael Bani (A full off season should do the world of good)
6. Ray Thompson/Ryan Stig, whoever has the better off season
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. James Tamou
11. Carl Webb
12. Scott Bolton
13. Luke O'Donnell

14. Anthony Watts
15. Steve Southern
16. Sam Rapira
17. Kafusi/Manuokofoa/Ah Mau brothers...

Strengths:
Back Row
The big 4, 1,6,7,9. If Ray Thompson or Ryan Stig can live up to potential, I think we're in good stead.
No Ash Graham

Weakness':
Wingers
Front Row
Click to expand...

I'd like to start the season with Sam Rapira too, but I doubt the Warriors would let him go...his brother Steve, on the other hand, is an absolute gun.

Wouldn't touch Ryan Stig with a ten-foot pole after what Roopy said about him. We need a tackline machine with a giant boot as a five-eigth, anything else is just a bonus. JT's only real shortcoming is that his long-kicking game is pretty average, and with Bowen out for half the season, we really need a 5/8 who can kick well.

Also - we need to get Tonga and John Williams playing on the same side of the field. Williams is the best wing option we have by far, but he hardly saw any ball at all last year, because he was playing outside Graham for most of the season. Either switch Tonga to the right or Williams to the left. Otherwise we're leaving one of our best weapons isolated.
 
The Pain Game

The Pain Game

Juniors
Messages
135
I really like the idea of Tonga playing alongside John Williams. They both compliment each others games, but King Neil Henry seemed to either want to keep them on their preferred sides of the field or wanted to balance things out by moving them to either sides of the field where we would have more options. I think he was doombed if he did, and doombed if he didn't.

In saying that, Taebo, Farrar and Donald Malone also looked good when playing alongside Tonga, so I could see King's logic (just need some luck with left centre to pull it all off). I just hope he notices that Ash Graham hogs the ball, Ben Harris unfortunately left the NRL (although a good attacking player then) in developmental years (for a lesser competition) and Donald Malone has probably lost too much size for centre (came to the club in the 90 kilos and is down to 80 something).

I know it would have annoyed the likes of Ash Graham, but I wonder why we did not go after Matt King. I heard he was looking to return to the NRL and he could be a perfect fit for that possession.
 
Nth-Qld-Raider

Nth-Qld-Raider

Juniors
Messages
710
Hey guys.

Its just been reported on seven local news up here in Nth Qld, that Steve Rapira will be returning to the Warriors next, sounded like he is home sick. The Cowboys offered him a 3 yr deal but family ties were to strong.

He's a talent thats for sure, will play for NZ pretty soon.
 
elyod138

elyod138

Bench
Messages
3,063
Not a massive loss if true, it would have been good to re-sign him though.

I hope the rumours about Tamou leaving if we re-sign JT aren't true.
 
Charlie124

Charlie124

First Grade
Messages
8,509
Its a shame to lose Steve, he's a real tallent but i dont think he will be a massive loss to the team overall. There are plenty of backrowers out there, we need to get an outside back more than we need to retain another backrower.
 
Charlie124

Charlie124

First Grade
Messages
8,509
Ill be very happy to see Tate in Cows colours, a classy, defensive centre and a great finisher is exactly what we're missing right now
 
Big Pete

Big Pete

Referee
Messages
29,108
Aye, I see Tate as a good fit for the Cowboys.

I just remember Brent was one of those players Shorty didn't like. I've been in a similar position before, when Clinton came to the club I didn't know whether to let my true feelings show or just embrace him.
 
Desert Qlder

Desert Qlder

First Grade
Messages
9,380
How much will Kaufusi free up if he pisses off to Newcastle? Should be a bit of cash to spend there surely.
 
Didgi

Didgi

Moderator
Messages
17,260
I lol'd.

Hopefully Kaufusi is our Tate money, Kaufusi can f**k off, we get Tate.

Currently we have 3 of our outside 4 cocking up tries, now we'll hopefully only have 1.
 
Talanexor

Talanexor

Juniors
Messages
1,798
Didgi said:
I lol'd.

Hopefully Kaufusi is our Tate money, Kaufusi can f**k off, we get Tate.

Currently we have 3 of our outside 4 cocking up tries, now we'll hopefully only have 1.
Click to expand...

1. Bowen
2. Winterstein
3. Tate
4. Tonga
5. Tupou

Which "1" are you referring to?

I would ALMOST consider switching Winterstein and Tupou. Tupou and Tonga are both big, strong linebreakers, while Tate and Winterstein are speedy and agile. Switch the wingers and you have more balance IMO.

As long as Williams and Bani are nowhere near first grade I'll be happy.
 
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