The Rumours Thread

[Wolfgang90]

Moving around the spine players mid game will create instability, especially with a new halfback. I think either back LKT to replace Cook as hooker or play him for the full game at 5/8th & have Kyle/Cook rotating as hookers and Kyle or cook as a potential small lock.

Moving around the 5/8th on top of changing the hooker mid game is fraught with danger. Why cause ourselves more instability? If you're not confident with LKT defence then don't pick him for 1st grade. Liddle was a big attacking weapon for us, I think LKT can somewhat help cover that loss.

 

[Dragsters]

Rev,
There are still spots available on our roster, so it is not out of the question that we might go to market to pick up another back up hooker/utility styled player.
Liddle is way too important to risk injury wise going forward.
There are always players out there looking for an opportunity or being squeezed out of their current club at this time of the year.

This is now a priority imo.

Particularly now with Lids and Mul out for an extended period with significant injuries and hammys always are at risk of recurring.

We should be searching for a back up utility half/hooker for cover or one more injury and we're toast before the season even starts!

 

[Parko1310]

You either start LKT at 6 or you don't pick him in my opinion. I struggle to see the value of picking him at 14. I would not be moving our halves around mid-game, that is always an awful idea. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if this is what happens and he ends up getting on the park for 4 or 5 mins at the end of the game.

It's a real headache because aside from Cook and Liddle, we've got no 9's fit to play in the squad.

At least for round one against the dogs who have a smaller pack, maybe you go 4 forwards on the bench and just try and bash them through the middle.

The mental gymnastics to come up with a 4-man bench might yet prove to be completely irrelevant before the season starts anyway if the 6-man bench comes into play, in which case you probably do carry LKT, an outside back and 4 forwards on the bench.

Hope we don't rush Lids, he needs to get the hamstring right. We can't have another CT situation where he can't stay on the park, and it's not like we're winning the comp in 2026....

 

[sammymills]

Dragons star suffers Vegas injury blow; Knights discard’s Super League switch — NRL Daily

Dragons star suffers Vegas injury blow; Knights discard’s Super League switch — NRL Daily

www.foxsports.com.au

Sorry if im late to the party

 

[sammymills]

Is Haele Finau any shot? Ive only seen him a few time in ressies but he looked good impact off the bench

 

[Stewartliddle]

You either start LKT at 6 or you don't pick him in my opinion. I struggle to see the value of picking him at 14. I would not be moving our halves around mid-game, that is always an awful idea. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if this is what happens and he ends up getting on the park for 4 or 5 mins at the end of the game.

It's a real headache because aside from Cook and Liddle, we've got no 9's fit to play in the squad.

At least for round one against the dogs who have a smaller pack, maybe you go 4 forwards on the bench and just try and bash them through the middle.

The mental gymnastics to come up with a 4-man bench might yet prove to be completely irrelevant before the season starts anyway if the 6-man bench comes into play, in which case you probably do carry LKT, an outside back and 4 forwards on the bench.

Hope we don't rush Lids, he needs to get the hamstring right. We can't have another CT situation where he can't stay on the park, and it's not like we're winning the comp in 2026....

LKT goes to 6 when Kyle slots in at 9 for maybe the last 20min max. What more logic do you need for LKT to be the 14? Makes total sense to me

 

[Parko1310]

LKT goes to 6 when Kyle slots in at 9 for maybe the last 20min max. What more logic do you need for LKT to be the 14? Makes total sense to me

I think it's always a terrible idea to swap your halves mid-game. It pretty much never works, and it's a sign of a team all over the place. Disrupts continuity, and as a half coming on 60 mins into a contest it is extremely difficult to just impose yourself on the game as soon as you get out there, with no prior feel for the contest. It is not sustainable even in the short term.

 

[Wolfgang90]

Is Haele Finau any shot? Ive only seen him a few time in ressies but he looked good impact off the bench

I'd give him significant mins at hooker & lock during the trials & rest of pre-season. If he can play decently as a lock, looks to be a solid build then I'd have him above LKT. I also want to see LKT focus his development as a 5/8th rather than wasting time at hooker. His future is 5/8th.

 

[Stewartliddle]

I think it's always a terrible idea to swap your halves mid-game. It pretty much never works, and it's a sign of a team all over the place. Disrupts continuity, and as a half coming on 60 mins into a contest it is extremely difficult to just impose yourself on the game as soon as you get out there, with no prior feel for the contest. It is not sustainable even in the short term.

I don't agree. We will see what the coaching staff go with and I'm pretty certain it will be LKT at 14. Hopefully no more injuries over the next few weeks or we are well and truly screwed

 

[Parko1310]

I don't agree. We will see what the coaching staff go with and I'm pretty certain it will be LKT at 14. Hopefully no more injuries over the next few weeks or we are well and truly screwed

Fair enough. I agree that's the way the coaching staff will go, I just don't agree with it being the right move. In my view, our best halves combo is LKT/Atko anyway, and would rather see Kyle move to the bench, and then cup when Liddle is back.

Another spine injury would test us massively, so let's hope we can stay injury free.

 

[Stewartliddle]

Fair enough. I agree that's the way the coaching staff will go, I just don't agree with it being the right move. In my view, our best halves combo is LKT/Atko anyway, and would rather see Kyle move to the bench, and then cup when Liddle is back.

Another spine injury would test us massively, so let's hope we can stay injury free.

I am definitely not team Kyle but it's almost guaranteed it's Atkinson and Kyle as our halves. LKT wouldn't even be in the 17 if Liddle didn't get injured so it's a good opportunity for him as well even if he plays little minutes. Hopefully we are up by plenty before we have to give Cook a spell

 

[The Word]

Hooker is a specialist role in terms of the defensive side of the job, with most hookers making more tackles than anyone else in the team. And quite often they're tackling middles and their technique needs to be faultless. Kyle can do this. I don't think LKT can.

 

[Stewartliddle]

Hooker is a specialist role in terms of the defensive side of the job, with most hookers making more tackles than anyone else in the team. And quite often they're tackling middles and their technique needs to be faultless. Kyle can do this. I don't think LKT can.

Kyles best attributes is his fitness and defence so your spot on.

 

[Wolfgang90]

Service has to be great too

 

[SaintPeter]

Defence in the middle was where JDB made a gazillion tackles ?? shame we haven't still got him,, even as a back up.

 

[Macedonian Dragon]

Hopefully if Shane picks LKT at 6 and Kyle at 14 that LKT does extremely well to the point he is not droppable and once Liddle is back LKT stays at 6, Liddle goes to 14 and Kyle is dropped. That's the best scenario

 

[2218]

Hopefully if Shane picks LKT at 6 and Kyle at 14 that LKT does extremely well to the point he is not droppable and once Liddle is back LKT stays at 6, Liddle goes to 14 and Kyle is dropped. That's the best scenario

It's whether his defence has improved over the off season. Its a big game flanno won't risk it if it hasn't

 

[The Word]

Defence in the middle was where JDB made a gazillion tackles ?? shame we haven't still got him,, even as a back up.

JDB's tackle technique was as good as most hookers that's very true. However in my view he was slowing down with ball in hand and the juniors such as Stewart / Couchman's / Egan etc seem to have been taught similar strong tackle technique whilst having younger legs, so I think we'll be ok but time will tell.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Sonnie Luke just signed for the Caws from Penrith. He would have been a great pickup for the Saints at hooker. With the Cheese now at Souths, maybe Saints can snare Mamouzelos. He looks pretty good. They signed Bronson Garlick from Storm so Peter may be on the outer. Cookie would know him quite well and can maybe tempt him over. Titans have a few so maybe tempt Sam Verrills to come back to Sydney. Hopefully all his injuries are done as he is a solid player to have as backup. Maybe one of these will fall on Saints lap in the next few weeks or so.

 

[Como Connection]

Sonnie Luke just signed for the Caws from Penrith. He would have been a great pickup for the Saints at hooker. With the Cheese now at Souths, maybe Saints can snare Mamouzelos. He looks pretty good. They signed Bronson Garlick from Storm so Peter may be on the outer. Cookie would know him quite well and can maybe tempt him over. Titans have a few so maybe tempt Sam Verrills to come back to Sydney. Hopefully all his injuries are done as he is a solid player to have as backup. Maybe one of these will fall on Saints lap in the next few weeks or so.

I reckon they should try the young half from the dogs.
CC