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The Rumours Thread

Dragonslayer

Dragonslayer

First Grade
Messages
8,021
I'm not sure thus Bula rumour has any legs tbh.

Gutho is signed until end '27, he'll be fullback at the very least for most of that time.

We've put our eggs into young Olie Burton as his replacement and even then there is a succession plan in place after him.

Signing Bula wouldn't be the right course of action, unless we are pinning him as a winger or even a halves prospect.
 
S

st.phil

First Grade
Messages
5,344
Dragonslayer said:
I'm not sure thus Bula rumour has any legs tbh.

Gutho is signed until end '27, he'll be fullback at the very least for most of that time.

We've put our eggs into young Olie Burton as his replacement and even then there is a succession plan in place after him.

Signing Bula wouldn't be the right course of action, unless we are pinning him as a winger or even a halves prospect.
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Can’t hold off recruiting based on prospects… we’ve learned that from the past. Burton is what 16 or 17?
 
The Word

The Word

Juniors
Messages
719
It's looking increasingly like there is a clear and coherent plan for recruitment of both top 30 and pathway players for the next few years. This kind of roster management is what we've been hoping for. Gone are the days of ill-equipped coaches blundering about in the player market poorly supported by club administrators. It looks like we're building for the future by bringing quality additions to add to and synch with the juniors, and plug any quality gaps we might have.
 
Ronnie Dobbs

Ronnie Dobbs

Coach
Messages
17,887
With our roster soft spots and the coaches blind spot, it’s going to a long year in 26.

Upside is the young forwards getting NRL games under their belts. We need luck with injuries.

Also, contract years bring out best in players.

Still lack depth up front and outside backs. I hope Atkinson is what we need and the Coach isn’t shy in dropping players if need be.

I have my doubts.
 
L

lombard

Juniors
Messages
1,899
st.phil said:
Can’t hold off recruiting based on prospects… we’ve learned that from the past. Burton is what 16 or 17?
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Agree, Burton is playing Matts still this year. He may be 4 to 5 years away if he even makes it.
I doubt he also starts in FG at fullback from day 1, maybe wing first to ease in so plenty of time to pass yet.
 
D

Desperate Dragon

Juniors
Messages
988
maestro1 said:
Bula is definitely worth 900K. He is only young and he is a spine player who has footy smarts and is already in the top fullback group. He is always in the game in both attack and defence. He is quick in leg speed and between the ears. Very impressive.
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Good summary.
But how real is the Dragon's interest??
I have my doubts about anything content wise that is posted on Zero Tackle.
The Dragons are believed to be "monitoring the situation" and "gathering information".
Stuff like this is very non committal.
Whilst I think Bula would be a really good addition to our squad, I still have not seen or heard anything that makes me think he is seriously looking at leaving the Tigers.
 
possm

possm

Coach
Messages
17,266
We should have a plan for the future but not at the expense of success in current times. For me;

1. Gutherson at fullback in 2026.
2. Bula at fullback on a 3 year deal from 2027.
3. Buton (if he shapes up) to replace Bula in 2030.
4. If we could get Bula at fullback for 2026 on, I'd have a halves partnership ofAtkinson 7 and Gutherson 6 in 2026.
 
L

lombard

Juniors
Messages
1,899
Desperate Dragon said:
Good summary.
But how real is the Dragon's interest??
I have my doubts about anything content wise that is posted on Zero Tackle.
The Dragons are believed to be "monitoring the situation" and "gathering information".
Stuff like this is very non committal.
Whilst I think Bula would be a really good addition to our squad, I still have not seen or heard anything that makes me think he is seriously looking at leaving the Tigers.
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I read previously that Ando only gets serious once he believes a player is really willing to possibly leave so I think he needs to know that first up.
 
R

redandwhite4evr

Juniors
Messages
2,181
Macedonian Dragon said:
If we get Bula where does Gutho play in 2027? He’s too slow for centre and Holmes and Suli are there. Can’t play lock because Hamish Stewart is there. Can’t be the 14 as he’s on too much money and liddle or cook is there if he re-signs, only position left is 6 but he doesn’t have the kicking for it and we have King-Togia there by then. Also Shane Flanagan said we want to get another half so don’t think he’ll put Gutho at 6.

If we sign another fullback in 2027, we might have to let Gutho leave early. Maybe go to Perth bears or pay him out.
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One of the issues you identify for 2027 (slowness) was evident in the latter stages of last year when he was being beaten by fast moving attackers running laterally and around him leaving him grasping at thin air.

I can envisage that Fale and Tu- possibly Faigai as well-may be discussed as FB alternatives to Gutho as the season progresses. And then Flanno will have the dilemma you identify- where do you play your captain and most highly paid player with the limitations he now has?
 
The Word

The Word

Juniors
Messages
719
Slippery Morris said:
Teddy had one of his best season at the Chooks at 33 years of age. Everyone was writing him off. I know Gutho (31 y.o) is no way near as quick but he is still training the house down with the boys. He may surprise us all and put in the best season of his career.
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I love it when older players have an "Indian Summer" type season and roll back the years, would be great if Gutho gave us one of those in 2026 and steers us into Finals.

Not sure Gutho ever really had pace and hopefully as our squad continues to transition to younger, faster type players around him there will be less need for him to make the one on one type try-saving 50 metre runs. Hopefully he can concentrate on what he does best, organising, talking, leading by example, joining the attacking line and putting his winger/centre in for a try. We'll see.
 
Gareth67

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
9,098
Slippery Morris said:
Teddy had one of his best season at the Chooks at 33 years of age. Everyone was writing him off. I know Gutho (31 y.o) is no way near as quick but he is still training the house down with the boys. He may surprise us all and put in the best season of his career.
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I was rather surprised that Gutherson put in such a great first season at the Dragons , more so after he was unceremoniously dumped by the Eels incoming coach Ryles .

I believe that you are right Slippery that some players age like fine wine Teddy from the Roosters and now we have Clint for the Big Red V in the twilight of their careers but still going strong .

My view is to leave King Gutho at fullback for now where he is truly giving value for the dollars spent on him .
 
possm

possm

Coach
Messages
17,266
Gareth67 said:
I was rather surprised that Gutherson put in such a great first season at the Dragons , more so after he was unceremoniously dumped by the Eels incoming coach Ryles .

I believe that you are right Slippery that some players age like fine wine Teddy from the Roosters and now we have Clint for the Big Red V in the twilight of their careers but still going strong .

My view is to leave King Gutho at fullback for now where he is truly giving value for the dollars spent on him .
Click to expand...
If we do this, then have a plan to bring in our young wingers to assist with ball return; Gutho to sometimes pass the ball to one of them after fielding the high ball.
 
The Silverdale Phantom

The Silverdale Phantom

Referee
Messages
20,359
We are discussing Bula over on our forum.

The general consensus is that you’d be expected to pay more than you’d want to at the moment.

DA is critically interested in defence and Bulas general stats are not quite where they should be.

But against that, his defence has been steadily improving and he is in the goldilocks zone for upwards physical and mental development for a strike fullback.

I think any deal would need to be 3 years, but he wouldn’t be too difficult to offload if he doesn’t perform.

He arrives with the baggage of Moses and playing for Flanno means adjusting to serious expectations and fierce pressure he simply wouldn’t be used to.

We’ve just bought Penriths second best junior player as an insurance ( fullback) and we have truckloads of young players for fullback.

If he keeps insisting on his ridiculous demands, neither of us will want him!

We absolutely want to keep him, he’s a very good player, but he’s got to be realistic.

He doesn’t have any bad humour about him except he’s got Satan for an agent.

Anyway, the way our luck is, I’m sure both clubs find a way to make the worst decision!
 
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