Team 2017

[Joel-22]

I'd look into Justin O'Neill & Marika Koroibete.
I think Marika could be an absolute weapon at centre.

Between the money from Smith, Snowden, Rochow, McManus surely to f**k we could give one of them an offer they'd have to at least consider

 

[The Showstopper]

If we sign Koribete I will be a happy supporter. Would be nice if we can subsidise with a TPA.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

I'd look into Justin O'Neill & Marika Koroibete.
I think Marika could be an absolute weapon at centre.

Between the money from Smith, Snowden, Rochow, McManus surely to f**k we could give one of them an offer they'd have to at least consider

I was under the impression that Mcmanus's $$$ were already being spent this year so they won't come into consideration for next year.

Smith, Snowden and Rochow would free up a cool million.

 

[League_God]

1.Dane Gagai
2.Aku Uate
3.Sione Mata'utia
4.Pete Mata'utia
5.Nathan Ross
6.Brock Lamb
7.Trent Hodkinson
8.Sam Mataora
9.Danny Levi
10.Daniel Saifiti
11.Jacob Saifiti
12.Korbin Sims
13.Pauli Pauli

14.David Bhana
15.Robbie Rochow
16.Micky Paea
17.Josh King

 

[ryana87]

If we have pauli in the team, I'd have him off the bench...... He was just so bad for the first 15-20mins today, he only came semi-good when people were tired and couldn't tackle his massive frame

 

[K-Man]

It won't happen, but I'd focus the majority of my recruitment on adding creativity and points of difference. There's nowhere near enough skill and speed in our team.
I'd get rid of Gagai too if possible, but I'm working off the theory Brown will try to add to what he sees as as our best attacking player, not try to replace him. In that case I'm moving Dane back to the centres, bulking him up, giving him a winger that's not Uate, and putting a fringe back-rower inside who can pass and create (Peachey). If he can't get back to his best well at least we tried. I don't really see Gagai at fullback long term though. I thought he'd have done better there, he doesn't look as much of a natural as I was hoping.

1. Holmes
2. Ross
3. S Mata’utia
4. Gagai
5. Mead
6. Lamb
7. Hastings
13. K Sims
12. Lewis
11. Peachey
10. D Saifiti
9. Levi
8. Mataora

14. Bhana
15. Pauli
16. J Saifiti
17. Stockwell

18. Barnett
19. King
20. Paea
21. P Mata'utia
22. Randell
23. Cogger

OUT: Uate, McManus, Pat Mata'utia, Mullen, Hodkinson, Smith, T Sims, Rochow, Snowden.
IN: Holmes, Mead, Hastings, Lewis, Peachey, Barnett

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Holmes would be commanding a lot of money. Would jizz if we got him, the golden carrot for him would be that he gets to play fullback.

 

[K-Man]

Holmes would be commanding a lot of money. Would jizz if we got him, the golden carrot for him would be that he gets to play fullback.

Oh absolutely. But I've shed Hodkinson and Mullen from the spine, not to mention Uate and a bunch of forwards. We'd have the money. And we'd have a fullback that belongs in the NRL and doesn't want to be stuck on the wing.

 

[slotmachine]

You can't just sack these guys, they have contracts.

 

[K-Man]

You can't just sack these guys, they have contracts.

I said it won't happen. It's a fantasy. Also more of a 2018 kinda team than next year. I guess I'd like to see us heading in this type of direction. Half those players are likely to be leaving anyway, but obviously Hodkinson is an example of one who we are pretty much stuck with.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Based on who will be on contract and buys:
1. Gagai
2. Ross
3. S Mata’utia
4. Pete or a buy - big robust back
5. Uate
6. Mullen
7. Lamb
8. Mataora
9. Levi
10. D Saifiti
11. Korbin
12. J Saifiti
13. Luke Lewis

14. Hodkinson
15. Pauli
16. King
17. Stockwell

Needs a recognised goal kicker in the starting 13. I'd have a recognised kicker and train Gagai as a backup.

 

[The Showstopper]

If we can put together a gun side for 2018 I am happy for another 18 mths of ups and downs.

 

[slotmachine]

We won't have a gun anything in 2018, apart from a pair of front rowers.

 

[Knights_2016]

Based on who will be on contract and buys:
1. Gagai
2. Ross
3. S Mata?utia
4. Pete or a buy - big robust back
5. Uate
6. Mullen
7. Lamb
8. Mataora
9. Levi
10. D Saifiti
11. Korbin
12. J Saifiti
13. Luke Lewis

14. Hodkinson
15. Pauli
16. King
17. Stockwell

Needs a recognised goal kicker in the starting 13. I'd have a recognised kicker and train Gagai as a backup.

Very realistic scenario for next season however i think despite losing the majority of the little experience we already have i believe buying Lewis would be a poor move- I still rate him as a player but he won't be around for long enough to rebuild and would likely take a larger contract than he's worth. I could be contradicting myself for this in terms of contract value however i'll throw a smoky out there........ Kalyn Ponga. I know the kid hasn't yet played first grade and we'd be running the risk of paying for a player who would never fulfill expectations however if he was to fulfill said potential and become our long term fullback it would be awesome....

 

[PhilGould]

Kalyn Ponga will have every League and Union (probably AFL too) club in the southern hemisphere after him. We're no chance.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Very realistic scenario for next season however i think despite losing the majority of the little experience we already have i believe buying Lewis would be a poor move- I still rate him as a player but he won't be around for long enough to rebuild and would likely take a larger contract than he's worth. I could be contradicting myself for this in terms of contract value however i'll throw a smoky out there........ Kalyn Ponga. I know the kid hasn't yet played first grade and we'd be running the risk of paying for a player who would never fulfill expectations however if he was to fulfill said potential and become our long term fullback it would be awesome....

I seriously get the impression that Gagai might seek a release. A few things he has said and the way he has said them ...

I'd be pushing for the younger guys from "outside" in reserves where we don't have locals up to par or with potential. Reserves have been decimated and that needs to be where we develop many of our firsts, but not all.Some of these current guys we have tried will drop down to reserves but some are going to get market attention.I reckon the club won't hold anyone back who gets a deal elsewhere.

I'm thinking of Lewis as an "old head". I reckon we probably need 2 but we'll have trouble attracting anyone without paying overs. We've been let down by those we had on the books last year that haven't stepped up and taken on a leadership role. Many of them simply aren't that type of player and don't have the experience themselves. I wonder if "Uncle Milton"is still in Newie. Sam ... - j/k

Lewis could cover for a loss during the game in our backs and add more grunt out wide as well as leadership and example. Tariq was out wide yesterday but did very little.
I'd be happy with Lewis for 2 seasons (maybe 1) and look at our cap and progress in 2018 and after.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Lewis on a 2 year contract would provide much needed experience to our team.

 

[The Showstopper]

Toohey adamant we aren't after Lewis.

 

[aqua_duck]

If we're being realistic, these are the guys I'd go after:

Ken mamalo-warriors winger/centre, 191cm and 105kg
Shaun Lane-warriors backrower, young guy who I thought looked good for the dogs last year
Tyrell Fuimoano-eels backrower/centre, junior kangaroo rep who offers versatility and abit of spark
Patrick Kaufusi-cowboys prop, fringe player at the cowboys which means he'd walk straight into our side
Brenton Lawrence-manly prop, mature forward who'd at least offer depth and experience

 

[Frederick]

I still have nightmares about the last kaufusi to play for us