The Rumours Thread

[RedV11]

Oh rubbish, he is a mediocre player at best.

We were told we were chasing a marquee half a few weeks back and the first name we hear afterwards is Douehi, we should be aiming for much better.

Competition for spots is a great thing, however that competition can come from people like Nick T, Charlie Heidke and Hayden Buchanan, I thought they were all guns, so why do we need a journeyman to come in and compete for spots/block pathways?

Nick T is a second rower

 

[Corrimal Dragon]

How old is douhie? Didn't we sign 3 old blokes already?

 

[The Word]

I understand why people are talking about him with his recent good form and contract situation. However I've always thought of him as a decent player rather than a high level player. I'd prefer to keep going with this project of bringing our juniors through and if we are going to bring external players to the club make sure they are in the top drawer category, which I don't think he is. In saying that I'm not going to whinge too much if we bring him in for low money.

 

[qld redvee]

I understand why people are talking about him with his recent good form and contract situation. However I've always thought of him as a decent player rather than a high level player. I'd prefer to keep going with this project of bringing our juniors through and if we are going to bring external players to the club make sure they are in the top drawer category, which I don't think he is. In saying that I'm not going to whinge too much if we bring him in for low money.

The only positive with him is that if he was playing lock you could push him out wide if we copped an injury instead of Cook or sua going there and he gives a kicking option

 

[TheRev]

Nick T is a second rower

He is, but for some reason Flanno doesnt think of him as one.. my suspicion is its a mental switch he has.. because as a 2nd rower Nick makes the squad balance harder.. because he has Egan, Halangahu, Sua, Leilua already in his mind.. we dont really need a 5th... If Nick is ctr depth (or even a middle) then he fits in the squad much easier.

That said.. im rly happy hes finally been playing 2nd row the last 2 weeks in NSW Cup.. Im hoping Flanno will start to see him as a high energy 2nd rower that would be a great addition to 1st grade.. and push Leilua onto the bench...

That said with Vals injury, if he wants to play him @ctr, its fine.. he can get burnt if they run any fast backs at him.. but hes also a beast... and atleast its first grade experience.. I do feel like Nicks lack of 1st grade selection in the last month may have cost us a win or 2.. maybe not.. but it just takes 1 energetic run from him to flip a game.

How old is douhie? Didn't we sign 3 old blokes already?

Douiehi turns 27 next month.. thats actually a good age in theory.... its the risk of serious leg injuries.. I dont mind him in our system.. in hindsight if we had gotten him instead of Ilias we probably have 3-4 more wins this year.. thats the difference he and his kicking game could have made for us.. but then again maybe we sign him and boom he does the ACL again knowing our luck..... but how much do you pay for him.. and is he a potential 7 or just a Centre or 13.. like who knows.. As a 7 hes worth a lot more..

I think it will come back to money.. Tigers tried to pay 150k for him last time, 350k now.. Penrith r interested.. theyll pay him the minimum.. I dunno.. we need a possible 7 and we need a kicking game, im hoping we can find better, but maybe he's the one.. dunno.. not too fussed either way I feel.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Oh rubbish, he is a mediocre player at best.

We were told we were chasing a marquee half a few weeks back and the first name we hear afterwards is Douehi, we should be aiming for much better.

Competition for spots is a great thing, however that competition can come from people like Nick T, Charlie Heidke and Hayden Buchanan, I thought they were all guns, so why do we need a journeyman to come in and compete for spots/block pathways?

Agree that after his knee reconstructions, like Jack Bird, Douehi comes with the caveat emptor warning. Having said that, I rate him as a clever player at No 13 and a more than useful goal kicker and a big kicker of the ball in general play which we lack. I doubt we'll land a top prop for a couple of years and would promote Luch into an impact role there and Stewart to edge forward. Douehi's not a centre and Buchanan should be on the field now imo ahead of the very ordinary Corey Allan who's living off past glories.

 

[blacksafake]

He is, but for some reason Flanno doesnt think of him as one.. my suspicion is its a mental switch he has.. because as a 2nd rower Nick makes the squad balance harder.. because he has Egan, Halangahu, Sua, Leilua already in his mind.. we dont really need a 5th... If Nick is ctr depth (or even a middle) then he fits in the squad much easier.

That said.. im rly happy hes finally been playing 2nd row the last 2 weeks in NSW Cup.. Im hoping Flanno will start to see him as a high energy 2nd rower that would be a great addition to 1st grade.. and push Leilua onto the bench...

That said with Vals injury, if he wants to play him @ctr, its fine.. he can get burnt if they run any fast backs at him.. but hes also a beast... and atleast its first grade experience.. I do feel like Nicks lack of 1st grade selection in the last month may have cost us a win or 2.. maybe not.. but it just takes 1 energetic run from him to flip a game.

Douiehi turns 27 next month.. thats actually a good age in theory.... its the risk of serious leg injuries.. I dont mind him in our system.. in hindsight if we had gotten him instead of Ilias we probably have 3-4 more wins this year.. thats the difference he and his kicking game could have made for us.. but then again maybe we sign him and boom he does the ACL again knowing our luck..... but how much do you pay for him.. and is he a potential 7 or just a Centre or 13.. like who knows.. As a 7 hes worth a lot more..

I think it will come back to money.. Tigers tried to pay 150k for him last time, 350k now.. Penrith r interested.. theyll pay him the minimum.. I dunno.. we need a possible 7 and we need a kicking game, im hoping we can find better, but maybe he's the one.. dunno.. not too fussed either way I feel.

Flanno said recently on the propaganda podcast that he thinks Nick T is a second rower who’s been doing a good job at centre

 

[BIG RIG]

I don’t know what marquee halfbacks you guys are wanting but there is none on the market

 

[possm]

I thought Flanagan the great promoter of youth was going to give Hamish Stewart a start at lock next year? Guess we'll block that pathway with a Tigers reject instead, love the recruitment as usual

Stewart, Kyle, and LKT can't kick field goals.

 

[RedV11]

I don’t know what marquee halfbacks you guys are wanting but there is none on the market

Have to get a stop gap halfback like a George Williams/Clifford and hope Reed will be ready to take over 2028

 

[possm]

I don’t know what marquee halfbacks you guys are wanting but there is none on the market

I say give Reed a big off-season and bring him in to partner Atkinson in the halves. In fact, I'd be happy to give Reed a taste this year.-

Leilua is fully fit for most of the season. If his contract is up in November, let him go or include him in the prop rotation. Twenty minutes a game at prop may turn Leilua into an explosive middle.

Then let Suli and Nick T fight it out for the 17 spot on the bench.

 

[since77]

He is, but for some reason Flanno doesnt think of him as one.. my suspicion is its a mental switch he has.. because as a 2nd rower Nick makes the squad balance harder.. because he has Egan, Halangahu, Sua, Leilua already in his mind.. we dont really need a 5th... If Nick is ctr depth (or even a middle) then he fits in the squad much easier.

Flanno said recently on the propaganda podcast that he thinks Nick T is a second rower who’s been doing a good job at centre

Correct @blacksafake - Flanno recently said Nick was destined for 2nd row.

 

[Flinstone]

Correct @blacksafake - Flanno recently said Nick was destined for 2nd row.

isn't Ryan Couchman a second rower as well.

 

[TheRev]

Correct @blacksafake - Flanno recently said Nick was destined for 2nd row.

100% thats his longterm position... but Nick was overlooked for the NSW Cup position literally all year (i.e. he played ctr until 2 weeks ago), with Halangahu and RFM the first choice second rowers.. and then when they were out.... they selected anyone who could lace on boots to take the jersey.. usually MMolo.. I think even Treweek got a call up.

And in 1st grade... even with all the first grade injuries to Leilua, Sua, Egan, RFM.. Nick still didnt get the call up.. hes clearly going to be a 2nd rower, but Flanno doesnt see him in that light yet.. that could change @4pm today, but imo his lack of selection is a blind spot and cost us a couple of possible wins, I think Nick into 1st grade would have been the energy & xfactor we were missing... plus it gets Leilua onto the bench which strengthens us again.

 

[TheRev]

Sounding like DCE has some sort of 1yr roosters deal + coaching locked in.. so therefore I guess that ship has sailed.. not sure what Sandon Smith will do, I feel like his lack of selection last week is pretty brutal from Robbo and says a lot.

Doesnt leave a lot else, but agree Clifford, Douieh.. someone with a big boot could really boost us.. esp if Ilias is off the books.. supposedly he has clauses in there.. noone has elaborated on that though.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

I would lean towards swapping Ilias out and bringing Sandon in

makes sense and similar money

 

[thebigredv]

I don’t know what marquee halfbacks you guys are wanting but there is none on the market

We could have made a play at Fogarty, DCE or even Sexton... something there is better on a 2 year contract then the coach's son. We like excuses like no one available

 

[Dragonslayer]

Doueihi would be signed (if) as a utility who could play lock if needed.
He can also cover multiple positions in the backline and in the halves.

Penrith are also keen to sign him also, so it's no fait a compli

 

[I'm Hornby]

I don’t know what marquee halfbacks you guys are wanting but there is none on the market

Were you wondering the same thing when Tim Watsford said we want to sign a marquee half a couple of weeks back?

 

[I'm Hornby]

Doueihi would be signed (if) as a utility who could play lock if needed.
He can also cover multiple positions in the backline and in the halves.

Penrith are also keen to sign him also, so it's no fait a compli

Isn't Kyle supposed to be the 14 next year?

The fair a compli seems to be that Dad will keep son in the halves for next season.