The Rumours Thread

[Inisai Toga]

Interesting what 160 minutes of football does to your perspective. Wonder how the responses would differ if the same question was put forward two weeks ago at full time of the Charity Shield game......?

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

He'd be more value off the bench than Williame. He attracts 3 or 4 defenders and has a great offload and we could do with another big body in the middle. Short stints with Dufty under orders to follow him everywhere. I love Lawrie but Fifita makes big metres effortlessly and defends well. Put him on just before halftime and leave him on for 10 minutes to start the 2nd half.

He would likely replace Merrin not Lawrie.

 

[kit66]

He would likely replace Merrin not Lawrie.

Yeah, I didn't mean he'd replace Lawrie, just that he'd make more metres and attract more defenders than Lawrie. I'd actually go with 4 forwards on the bench putting Fifita in for Williame. Fuimaono can go to centre if we have any injuries in the backs.

 

[Saints Forever]

Perfect bench forward

pay $400k per annum

makes big metres

dangerous in the attacking third

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Yeah, I didn't mean he'd replace Lawrie, just that he'd make more metres and attract more defenders than Lawrie. I'd actually go with 4 forwards on the bench putting Fifita in for Williame. Fuimaono can go to centre if we have any injuries in the backs.

I would replace Merrin with Fifita and Wiliame with Ford. I feel Fuimaono would be too stuffed after a stint at lock to effectively defend at centre unless the injury happened early. If no injuries occur I’d bring Ford on to replace Sims to add a bit of speed.

 

[Maddragon99]

He played 68 minutes in the Round 1 win over us for the Jets, made over 200 metres and 25 tackles.

Been thinking about the possible Fifita signing & it’s a hard no from me. I think if we hang on a capable 2nd rower will become available & that’s where our deficiency is. An injury to a prop can be covered by Kerr if there’s a back up option at 2nd row.

 

[Maddragon99]

I would replace Merrin with Fifita and Wiliame with Ford. I feel Fuimaono would be too stuffed after a stint at lock to effectively defend at centre unless the injury happened early. If no injuries occur I’d bring Ford on to replace Sims to add a bit of speed.

Fuimaono has been the surprise package for me so far in 2021 it’s amazing how form lifts in a contract year. But Lock is definitely his position, he’s mobile & his defence has been excellent. I suspect if de Belin does return we’ll lose Fui to a rival club who can offer a starting spot. Shalom O’Ofou will be out long term Lock.

 

[Como Connection]

Fuimaono has been the surprise package for me so far in 2021 it’s amazing how form lifts in a contract year. But Lock is definitely his position, he’s mobile & his defence has been excellent. I suspect if de Belin does return we’ll lose Fui to a rival club who can offer a starting spot. Shalom O’Ofou will be out long term Lock.

JDB has stuffed the club for last two and a bit years.
Make him earn his spot.
Fui going well and I don't want to lose him.
CC

 

[Gardenia]

JDB has stuffed the club for last two and a bit years.
Make him earn his spot.
Fui going well and I don't want to lose him.
CC

Given he is training in reserves and they are already signing other forwards. I would guess the club are planning for him not to be available to play. Ill leave that there

 

[Maddragon99]

Given he is training in reserves and they are already signing other forwards. I would guess the club are planning for him not to be available to play. Ill leave that there

It’s a tricky one, Fuimaono has shown he’s a quality modern first grade Lock & at 25 there’s plenty of football left in him. de Belin a former rep player & club leader but at 30 he’s probably only got 2 years left him. Then there’s Shalom O’Ofou who’s in the system & will be first grade ready in a year or two.

My 2 cents worth is if his form continues Fuimaono deserves to keep the 13 Jersey & de Belin slots into the forward rotation. Kerr has handled 2nd row ok but de Belin has more footwork & a offload so maybe he’ll end up on an edge.

Either way if de Belin is able to make a comeback it does give Hook more flexibility.

 

[Como Connection]

It’s a tricky one, Fuimaono has shown he’s a quality modern first grade Lock & at 25 there’s plenty of football left in him. de Belin a former rep player & club leader but at 30 he’s probably only got 2 years left him. Then there’s Shalom O’Ofou who’s in the system & will be first grade ready in a year or two.

My 2 cents worth is if his form continues Fuimaono deserves to keep the 13 Jersey & de Belin slots into the forward rotation. Kerr has handled 2nd row ok but de Belin has more footwork & a offload so maybe he’ll end up on an edge.

Either way if de Belin is able to make a comeback it does give Hook more flexibility.

Fui deserves the lock spot for sure.
CC

 

[Maddragon99]

Fui deserves the lock spot for sure.
CC

I’m sceptical about the Fifita rumour but I suppose if it were to happen & de Belin comes back it adds 2 ex origin players to our pack.

 

[Gardenia]

I’m sceptical about the Fifita rumour but I suppose if it were to happen & de Belin comes back it adds 2 ex origin players to our pack.

All still up in the air - i know what my gut says but I am not allowed to voice it

 

[Gold_Coast Dragon]

I would replace Merrin with Fifita and Wiliame with Ford. I feel Fuimaono would be too stuffed after a stint at lock to effectively defend at centre unless the injury happened early. If no injuries occur I’d bring Ford on to replace Sims to add a bit of speed.

Ford is the obvious option for the 17 jersey. There must be something we don't know.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I’m sceptical about the Fifita rumour but I suppose if it were to happen & de Belin comes back it adds 2 ex origin players to our pack.

Maybe after the Hayne case they are making contingency plans...

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Ford is the obvious option for the 17 jersey. There must be something we don't know.

I just think he didn’t grab his chance in the trials and has only played one match in reserves. Let’s hope he plays a really good match this weekend and puts his name forward, he would really complete our bench.

 

[randomdragon]

All still up in the air - i know what my gut says but I am not allowed to voice it

I only ever see you comment when it has something negative to say about JDB

 

[Gardenia]

I only ever see you comment when it has something negative to say about JDB

To be fair. There has only been negative comments said about JDB since late 2018. If you can demonstrate a positive one then id like to see it.

I have no preconception and do not wish to discuss the case. I have a gut feeling of the outcome not an opinion a gut feeling. Could be either way im not saying

 

[Gardenia]

Maybe after the Hayne case they are making contingency plans...

Maybe or maybe Hook is just building his team?

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Maybe or maybe Hook is just building his team?

Nathan Brown from the Eels is available.