The Rumours Thread

[RedVee]

Yeah.. you already know and can see from a mile away Flano's going to use Kerr incorrectly. He's not great, but if he's to be at all effective it's only going to be a 25-30 minute stint off the bench to provide some impact against tiring defences, preferably with Liddle going on at pretty much the same time to take advantage of Kerr's quick play the balls.

Instead, Flano will use him as a starter because he's a "big body" and then be left to wonder why it's not working. Tactically I find Flano is well off the pace, and he needs to change that.

Hopefully Ennis helps with that

 

[TheRev]

We probably need more than just impact out of Kerr unfortunately.. the young guys like Tonga and Halangahu (ok no Latu/Liu) and even potentially Leilua or NickT playing middle from the bench.. all possibly providing impact roles..

The long minute guys are hopefully both Couchmen staying healthy + Stewart.. and I'd say Sua/Egan will go 80mins no probs.. but still would like Leilua or Nick as backup given they can cover other positions hopefully.

Kind of need to see how they come out of the preseason I guess.. esp Leilua.. playing for a contract lets see how lean he can get.. or how serious he could be re: playing middle.

 

[possm]

Disagree, think the junior forward pack will hold their own most weeks

We need at least one marquedd prop to be competitive. In my opinion, we need a first-grade fullback with speed, an additional first-grade winger,, and a great halfback to compete in Vagos.

 

[possm]

If we had a prop rotation of:
8. Tino / 15. Kerr
10. Couchman / 16 Toga

If we have a back row of:
11. Egan / 17. Halangahu
12. Su'A
13. Stewart

 

[saints4ever]

Forget Tino

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Hopefully Ennis helps with that

Yes- my hope is that Ennis is given the job of game plan tactician- for want of a better title-he's the person I would trust to identify the threats coming from the opposition and devising tactics to shut them down while also identifying attacking opportunities for our team to exploit. We're not recruiting much on the field (at least until now) but his appointment could turn out to be the best signing we make.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Ennis will be out to make a name for himself so hopefully he does this. Both him and Flanno seem tight.

 

[possm]

Ennis will be out to make a name for himself so hopefully he does this. Both him and Flanno seem tight.

Ennis is a good replacement for our former attack coach. Now, get rid of Dean Young and hire a good defensive coach. Let's be one of the best defensive team in the comp. Teams with good defense usually win games.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Ennis is a good replacement for our former attack coach. Now, get rid of Dean Young and hire a good defensive coach. Let's be one of the best defensive team in the comp. Teams with good defense usually win games.

I also think we need some different thinking from our HP staff (or maybe different staff) in relation to body shape, fitness, line speed etc. Our defensive stats blew out pretty badly last season.

 

[TheRev]

At the end of the day NRL is still a battle of attrition.. 2 very elite teams smash eachother until one team starts making errors or drops off the pace with their linespeed and effort plays...

Until we can atleast even the contest in terms of a kicking game.. and/or a pack that can win the battle 50% of the time.. we are always going to tire before our opposition.. sure the odd exception.. but someone like Savala would instantly reduce 10-20% from our fitness load if you get me.. and that would reduce the defensive blowouts.

 

[John moz]

Prop Keon from Souths has mentioned he will meet with management to discuss offers he has 2 kids is looking to the future.
Possibly a big chance with Dragons to be announced by Friday.

 

[Adolf_Spritzer]

Prop Keon from Souths has mentioned he will meet with management to discuss offers he has 2 kids is looking to the future.
Possibly a big chance with Dragons to be announced by Friday.

Well f**k there goes our chances..

 

[blacksafake]

Prop Keon from Souths has mentioned he will meet with management to discuss offers he has 2 kids is looking to the future.
Possibly a big chance with Dragons to be announced by Friday.

Don’t be surprised to see him sign with the eels

 

[JubileeJeffro]

Prop Keon from Souths has mentioned he will meet with management to discuss offers he has 2 kids is looking to the future.
Possibly a big chance with Dragons to be announced by Friday.

Seen in Blakehurst Ray White?

 

[TheRev]

Roosters/Eels/Bears/Dragons all in the mix for Keaon.. only way we are a chance is if we beat those other offers by a fair margin. Journo's said hes already on ~1mil btw, so this will be a big payday.

 

[Victoire]

Roosters/Eels/Bears/Dragons all in the mix for Keaon.. only way we are a chance is if we beat those other offers by a fair margin. Journo's said hes already on ~1mil btw, so this will be a big payday.

Was thinking maybe Damien Cook and his old Mascot juniors buddy Emre Guler could put in a good word for us... but Cook's contract ends before 27 and hopefully Guler is long gone by then

 

[Parko1310]

He has actually been quoted as saying it's not solely about the money. If a team he thinks can win a comp soon gets close-ish monetary wise, we're cooked.

He's not coming here, we're not at all seen as a club that can provide a comp to players at the moment. And even if we can see marginal improvement through our juniors and management structures, players don't really look that deeply into things. We're still seen as a sinking ship (and may well actually still be one). Gotta move onto Henry and Mariota maybe now, Keaon's another pipe dream.

 

[CronullaSaint]

He has actually been quoted as saying it's not solely about the money. If a team he thinks can win a comp soon gets close-ish monetary wise, we're cooked.

He's not coming here, we're not at all seen as a club that can provide a comp to players at the moment. And even if we can see marginal improvement through our juniors and management structures, players don't really look that deeply into things. We're still seen as a sinking ship (and may well actually still be one). Gotta move onto Henry and Mariota maybe now, Keaon's another pipe dream.

2025 ended up being a disaster, but our young forward did show they are the real deal.
A small improvement from all of them and we will be a team that will come close to winning the comp. That's if our halves also improve.
Every year an unexpected team goes well & a favoured team drops out. Hopefully we will be the unexpected team in 2026.

 

[Parko1310]

2025 ended up being a disaster, but our young forward did show they are the real deal.
A small improvement from all of them and we will be a team that will come close to winning the comp. That's if our halves also improve.
Every year an unexpected team goes well & a favoured team drops out. Hopefully we will be the unexpected team in 2026.

As much as I'd love for this to happen, I'm just not seeing it. You can't rely on a pack of young and inexperienced players to take you that far up the table, no matter how good they are for their age.

I hate saying it, but I think the spoon is a real possibility in 2026. Our squad is an absolute abomination, and they've got to do something significant for 2027 or its not getting any better.

 

[Victoire]

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

Flanno’s moves to fill void after Dragons exodus; Sea Eagles swoop on Rooster — Nov 1 LIVE

www.foxsports.com.au

Setu Tu is a very curious case, even aside from the whole "aged 27 with 0 first grade games" thing.

He was actually signed to the inaugural Dolphins NRL squad on a T&T deal in 2023 and played in their opening trial.. but didn't stick it and was with the Warriors by March.
Then again last November he signed a 2 year deal with the Brisbane Tigers in Q Cup, but played 1 game for them and was back at the Warriors in April.

All very curious to me. He was highly rated but never cracked NRL. Perhaps he lacked maturity