Who do we need to recruit in 2018?

[BrotherJim05]

I have heard that Milne's future somewhat revolves around the outcome of the Dugan situation. If they keep Dugan it's more likely that Milne will need to leave Kogaragong. But if they lose Dugan (and there is a rumour that the Dogs are moving in big time on Dugan) then Milne may come back into favour at the Dragons. Other players in their stocks of backline players come into the mix as well with Mann and Lafai also both off contract as well as Dugan and Milne.

We should definitely chase Lafai. Always rated him but never really reached his potential after leaving dogs. I'd rather we sign Lafai over Hiku for sure

 

[Tiger Ted]

We should definitely chase Lafai. Always rated him but never really reached his potential after leaving dogs. I'd rather we sign Lafai over Hiku for sure

I'd prefer Hopoate who is better than both & the dogs have to shed a number of players.Both graham & Eastwood r on massive backended contracts & hoppa will command 3 times the money he's currently on if as expected he begins to play Sunday's.

If the dogs sign Dugan there cap issues will b enormous as they currently have major issues w/out another $1m player on there books !

 

[Vic Mackey]

ive never, ever rated hiku. he came into a very strong manly team, put in some ok performances and people went crazy over him. he is slow for an outside back, isnt big and i havent seen a lot of skill. the majority of panthers fans hate him and want him gone. granted he is a goal kicker but honestly i think naquima is a better winger then him.

milne looks a real good prospect though. assuming we dont keep idris id love to get him. he and suli in the centers would be a brilliant young pairing, that would be one position we wouldnt have to worry about anytime soon.

 

[Tiger05]

Hoppa would be the perfect signing if he plays Sundays. If we get him and a gun winger then we are starting to look good.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I'm with you brother jim. I'd go Lafai. I couldn't understand why the dogs let him go. He was terrible at the dragons last year but by his own admission he didn't have the right attitude and has corrected that this year. I've seen a fair of saints this year and his form has come right back.

Just to be a prick, and regardless of who we sign before June 30 I'd move Moses into prop and laugh at the hammering me cops. His team mates could yell abuse at him when he doesn't do his job. Stick Tedesco in 5/8 where there's a lot of lateral movement and see if he can't blow out his knee. Then if he does refuse all medical treatment. And put Woods at fullback. Make him do some work.

 

[gordsy]

Hoopa ? No thanks. No pace or skill. I'd rather take Dugan if we'd want a big body full back

 

[BrotherJim05]

If Hoppa is willing to play Sundays then I hope we sign him to play fullback, whilst simultaneously the Dragons re-sign Dugan which forces Lafai out who we also sign. If the rumours surrounding Fonua are true then our backline could look like:

1. Hopoate
2. Nofa
3. Suli (his preffered position is right side and I'd rather him there with Reynolds rather than Brooks)
4. Lafai
5. Fonua
6. Reynolds
7. Brooks

Loosing Moses and Tedesco to make way for this backline is a win and a half in my books

 

[Vic Mackey]

There's rumours going around social media that we've already signed Fonua and he may even come this season. IIRC I think Cleary tried to get him to Penrith.

 

[axl rose]

Hoopa ?

Seems like a lovely bloke, but no fire in the belly. We already have one of those in Idris.

 

[Snoop Shark]

Hey guys Bryson Goodwin is a done deal with you guys

 

[Tiger05]

If Hoppa is willing to play Sundays then I hope we sign him to play fullback, whilst simultaneously the Dragons re-sign Dugan which forces Lafai out who we also sign. If the rumours surrounding Fonua are true then our backline could look like:

1. Hopoate
2. Nofa
3. Suli (his preffered position is right side and I'd rather him there with Reynolds rather than Brooks)
4. Lafai
5. Fonua
6. Reynolds
7. Brooks

Loosing Moses and Tedesco to make way for this backline is a win and a half in my books

I like this backline. I would though consider Idris at 4.

 

[philgood]

Hey guys Bryson Goodwin is a done deal with you guys

Not the worst signing imo. Dependabe, experienced and can play centre or wing

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

I'm with you brother jim. I'd go Lafai. I couldn't understand why the dogs let him go. He was terrible at the dragons last year but by his own admission he didn't have the right attitude and has corrected that this year. I've seen a fair of saints this year and his form has come right back.

Just to be a prick, and regardless of who we sign before June 30 I'd move Moses into prop and laugh at the hammering me cops. His team mates could yell abuse at him when he doesn't do his job. Stick Tedesco in 5/8 where there's a lot of lateral movement and see if he can't blow out his knee. Then if he does refuse all medical treatment. And put Woods at fullback. Make him do some work.

I would laugh.

 

[Clifferd]

Would be good but not while we still have a chance at making the 8

For this year, tedesco is our best choice fullback no matter what

Woods is out for 8 weeks so doesn't matter

Moses should f**k off asap doing more bad than good

 

[tiger102]

We some backrowers with some aggression and line breaking ability, even a few up and comers.

 

[WT Unity]

There's rumours going around social media that we've already signed Fonua and he may even come this season. IIRC I think Cleary tried to get him to Penrith.

Is this Mahe Fonua ex Storm?

 

[Vic Mackey]

Is this Mahe Fonua ex Storm?

Yeah mate

Still only 24

 

[The Charlatan]

Fonua would be a good value signing IMO. We'll have some punch on the wing doing some dirty metres out of our half.

Connor Watson would be a good long term signing IMO. We could feasibly play him at FB until Reynolds finishes up (you'd have to think unless he's in career best form at 32 we'd be looking past him at that point,) and Watson could transition into the halves.

Lifting Unit's list from a few pages back:

(confirmed signings in bold)

1 - Watson
2 - Nofoaluma
3 - Fonua / Milne
4 - Suli
5 - Watene-Zelezniak
6 - Reynolds
7 - Brooks
8 - Matulino
9 - McIllwrick
10 - Packer
11 - McQueen
12 - Guerra
13 - Taylor

14 - Felise
15 - Aloiai
16 - Sue
17 - Lawrence

Lawrence can play in the back in a pinch. I think that's quite a well rounded side that will leave plenty under the cap to round out the 30 places.

Matty Mc is a must to resign, been a true moneyball signing that one. Guerra seems to be copping a little from Easts fans but he is a quality player on his day and would thrive around that pack.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear we've had a yarn to Hayne or Dugan though. I'm not particularly thrilled about either despite being great on their day, but a good coach would do their due diligence and ask what they are prepared to accept and what they can bring to the club.

 

[WT Unity]

Ok - Could be a good pick up...I can't say I clearly remember him playing at the storm, although I do remember him. I remember him being highlighted as the first home grown Melbourne player to make it to the NRL. Looked up his stats though and he's got a pretty good try scoring strike rate.

 

[Ned Kelly]

We some backrowers with some aggression and line breaking ability, even a few up and comers.

St George Illawarra prop Russell Packer - who makes a return to Test football after six years in representative exile in tonight's clash against the Kangaroos - is considering a shock move from the Dragons to the Tigers in 2018.

Packer came to grade under Tigers coach Ivan Cleary at the Warriors in 2008 and the pair have remained close.

The big front-rower is in the best form of his career and the Tigers have a heap of money to spend under the salary cap following the departure of superstars Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and James Tedesco.

Cleary sees him as an ideal replacement for Woods up front, despite also having signed another of his former Warriors’ big men, prop Ben Matulino.

And the Tigers will throw the kind of money at Packer that the Dragons will have trouble matching.

The Dragons have been good to Packer, throwing him a lifeline in 2015 after he spent time in jail on an assault charge.

But the big prop is off contract and the Dragons have cap problems, having paid a fortune for Ben Hunt and struggling to retain in-demand fullback Josh Dugan.

Packer is in no hurry to sign a new deal and wanted to wait until after the Test match to start serious talks.

But I’m hearing there is a huge chance he will be lost to the Dragons and in black and gold in 2018.

This is the first of The Mole's exclusive articles on Wide World of Sports. Stay tuned each week for scoops on your favourite NRL players