The Rumours Thread

[redVinme]

For those here who place any trust or belief at all in Wikipedia, as at a few minutes back Christian Tuipulotu is listed as being with St George Illawarra from 2024.

Anyone can edit Wikipedia. I just did then. Now see where he lands this year

 

[possm]

Most of the try's against us are scored down our left side I believe, by quite some margin. We need speed for sure but a great defensive winger would be fantastic - someone who's both (like BMorris) would be even better.

That was in 2023; the old days. Now we have Flanno and the players are super fit. Now we have a defensive structure and a plan.

For us fans, 2024 will be like living in a different world.

 

[Dragon David]

Anyone can edit Wikipedia. I just did then. Now see where he lands this year

Dapto Canaries. That's good. He will be in the Illawarra Region ready to sign up with the NRL Dragons early in the season after killing it in Canaries.

 

[SnowDragon]

i feel...........renewed

Energetic perhaps?

 

[Dragsters]

Energetic perhaps?

Powerful at the very least!

 

[BLM01]

Now this is exciting news after being leaked earlier. Confirmation finally.
Welcome Squadron Energy to the greatest and most famous club in the world! Sign me up to whatever you want. I'm on board!

Goodie all players get a windmill each with their name and photo on it viewed from boats off Port Kembla.
Seriously lets hope that the company take a real interest with the on field output

 

[Chook99]

Dapto Canaries. That's good. He will be in the Illawarra Region ready to sign up with the NRL Dragons early in the season after killing it in Canaries.

Christian Tuipulotu - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Latest has him with Mudgee Dragons

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Christian Tuipulotu - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Latest has him with Mudgee Dragons

Last time for a long while before I mention the Dragons and Wikipedia here again.

 

[Wolfgang90]

With the new rule change, we need to pick an outside back who can leap to catch the high balls. Players to compliment Suli & Rawa who aren't the best leapers. Imo position Lomax on one side & I've heard Sione Finau is good leaper too but might be wrong. Anyone know who would be our best catchers/leapers after Lomax?

Feel like this rule change could really screw some teams over (like us) while others (roosters) will love it.

 

[BLM01]

With the new rule change, we need to pick an outside back who can leap to catch the high balls. Players to compliment Suli & Rawa who aren't the best leapers. Imo position Lomax on one side & I've heard Sione Finau is good leaper too but might be wrong. Anyone know who would be our best catchers/leapers after Lomax?

Feel like this rule change could really screw some teams over (like us) while others (roosters) will love it.

You raise a good point. Something we have lacked for a while and no one bothered to identify it or just thought these short dropouts and leaping etc is just for AFL and too hit and miss and it was clear we were clueless around it. It even took us an eternity to work out we needed to escort our catchers and when we do we stand in the wrong position trying to make out we were going for the ball and either get penalised or get in each others way. I hate it too but unfortunately it has become part of the game and apart from Lomax our backs would be 17th in the comp around ability at it. We need to practice and practice it like other clubs

 

[Wolfgang90]

You raise a good point. Something we have lacked for a while and no one bothered to identify it or just thought these short dropouts and leaping etc is just for AFL and too hit and miss and it was clear we were clueless around it. It even took us an eternity to work out we needed to escort our catchers and when we do we stand in the wrong position trying to make out we were going for the ball and either get penalised or get in each others way. I hate it too but unfortunately it has become part of the game and apart from Lomax our backs would be 17th in the comp around ability at it. We need to practice and practice it like other clubs

I still remember the game v souths at kogarah where hunt (i think) had to tell our outside backs where to stand to defend the short drop out because they had no idea. I also remember hook in commentary saying he doesn't really care for short drop outs, he likes to keep it simple by kicking long. I can guarantee we didn't practice anything to do with short drop outs.

I really hope we've addressed this deficiency in our game because it looks like getting further exposed this season with the new rule change.

 

[Dragon David]

Christian Tuipulotu - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Latest has him with Mudgee Dragons

Boy oh boy, this kid won't know where he will end up. Definitely not the NRL Dragons then?

 

[Dragon David]

You raise a good point. Something we have lacked for a while and no one bothered to identify it or just thought these short dropouts and leaping etc is just for AFL and too hit and miss and it was clear we were clueless around it. It even took us an eternity to work out we needed to escort our catchers and when we do we stand in the wrong position trying to make out we were going for the ball and either get penalised or get in each others way. I hate it too but unfortunately it has become part of the game and apart from Lomax our backs would be 17th in the comp around ability at it. We need to practice and practice it like other clubs

The following are some comments from Flanagan and Hunt about the New Rule for 2024 -

Hunt, Flanagan fear new rule makes NRL more predictable

Ben Hunt has warned the NRL's new rules around line dropouts risk making the game more predictable, labelling...

www.illawarramercury.com.au

By the sound of things they don't like the idea but know that it will be necessary to accept the concept and I hope that they will be practising as much as is possible particularly with getting the right men in place to take any short kick offs.

 

[Wolfgang90]

The following are some comments from Flanagan and Hunt about the New Rule for 2024 -

Hunt, Flanagan fear new rule makes NRL more predictable

Ben Hunt has warned the NRL's new rules around line dropouts risk making the game more predictable, labelling...

www.illawarramercury.com.au

By the sound of things they don't like the idea but know that it will be necessary to accept the concept and I hope that they will be practising as much as is possible particularly with getting the right men in place to take any short kick offs.

They don't like it because they know it's an area of weakness for us. Apart from Lomax we've been abysmal with the high ball/aerial threat. We had such good wingers in that area in the recent past with likes of morris, nightingale, nene mcdonald.

I really hope they start practising (if they haven't). If we're bad at it again this year then it'll really piss me off because it shows a lack of footy iq & laziness.

 

[justadragon]

Flannos latest interview, looks like Feagai on the outer with Lomax and Sloan interchanging, Bird at CTR. I like the idea if the interchange, but unless Bird has done something amazing in the off season he will get burnt.

 

[Illusion]

They don't like it because they know it's an area of weakness for us. Apart from Lomax we've been abysmal with the high ball/aerial threat. We had such good wingers in that area in the recent past with likes of morris, nightingale, nene mcdonald.

I really hope they start practising (if they haven't). If we're bad at it again this year then it'll really piss me off because it shows a lack of footy iq & laziness.

I for one don't really care about what Hunt thinks ......... and should not be captain because soon as things get hard again the sooking will start all over again .........

 

[Wolfgang90]

Flannos latest interview, looks like Feagai on the outer with Lomax and Sloan interchanging, Bird at CTR. I like the idea if the interchange, but unless Bird has done something amazing in the off season he will get burnt.

Bird at ctr worries me too & so does the interchanging tbh. It's hard to be successful in either positions when you're continuously swapping around, especially with players who aren't established in either position (fb/wing). I would rather just them stay in whatever position selected rather than swapping around.

I'm happy for either sloan or lomax to play fb & the other wing. One thing for sure is Sloan has to improve his aerial ability, especially with the introduction of the new rule. It'll also give him more opportunity to play in 1st grade if he can be consistent in catching the high balls.

 

[Wolfgang90]

I for one don't really care about what Hunt thinks ......... and should not be captain because soon as things get hard again the sooking will start all over again .........

He makes a fair point though. Really hope we don't go through the hunt drama all over again lol. I hope the club has a plan if Hunt starts whining again. We need to nip it quickly if it happens.

 

[BLM01]

Flannos latest interview, looks like Feagai on the outer with Lomax and Sloan interchanging, Bird at CTR. I like the idea if the interchange, but unless Bird has done something amazing in the off season he will get burnt.

I did not here it that way that they will be flip flopping through a game They are doing it at training just incase of injury. Same with Bird playing centre..back up in need and will try things in trials of course
Main thing Sloan and Lomax are starting is set in stone. I have heard Sloan will get first crack at fullback come R1 but as I expected in trials but they will flip flop then. If he underperforms than Lomax may get the gig
Flanno will take these trials more seriously than others

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Shane is a strong leader by all accounts will have Birdy in his place…….if that is even possible

Injuries strike and Bird will be a handy back up at either centre, halves etc or even edge backrow

But unless Birdy goes to a whole new level I can only see him as a bench player at this stage but atleast he can play a few roles