2025 recruitment & retention

[Mark from Brisbane]

I believe they tried to offload Lawton last year but couldn’t find a buyer.

Sad to see players go but will open an opportunity for a youngster.

 

[Disco]

I think its the right call.

Has a role to play this year though.

 

[frank stokes]

Like this but wouldn't come cheap. At least $500-$600k per season. Not sure we can afford it.

Imagine if we could put API in a Manly jersey…

I sometimes have these vivid dreams/nightmares where he is playing for Manly but I can hear ST contributors in the background screaming that he can’t pass and we need to get rid of him…

Amazing the tricks that your mind plays, it seems SO real…

 

[JenEagle]

Imagine if we could put API in a Manly jersey…

I sometimes have these vivid dreams/nightmares where he is playing for Manly but I can hear ST contributors in the background screaming that he can’t pass and we need to get rid of him…

Amazing the tricks that your mind plays, it seems SO real…

We could have won the comp in 2021 with Api. 2033 and 2023 would have also looked so much different.

Sliding doors with Manase. Des would still be here rather than coaching the titans to the spoon. That one decision was prob the most crucial turn of events in des coaching career.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Lawton has been excellent for us this year, and has never let us down since he got here, really (although his body has often let him down). But yeah, we have other options coming through so it probably makes sense. Good for him, too. Now he doesn't have to relocate his young family to England's north.

 

[frank stokes]

We could have won the comp in 2021 with Api. 2033 and 2023 would have also looked so much different.

Sliding doors with Manase. Des would still be here rather than coaching the titans to the spoon. That one decision was prob the most crucial turn of events in des coaching career.

You can’t keep them all but API’s leadership abilities and role in our “dual-hooker” approach were both seriously under-rated and undervalued…

We ended up with the result we deserved really and API has just looked better and better ever since… the guy is a tackling machine and an absolute gun player that never stops and does not know how to give up…

always amused me when contributors tried to undermine his ability and blame him for the p*ss-poor coordination of our attack…

 

[LeonardCohen]

I really like Lawton. He seems like a good fella and plays with heart each week.

Personally, I don’t think the club are set on Gordon CKT or Humphries. Just a feeling I get. They tried to offload Lawton over the summer and suddenly he was 2nd drop at 9?!

Gordon’s defence is questionable and his left to right pass is an abomination at times. Humphries is still working the position out.

I hope we sign De Silva from the Tigers. He could be a 10 year number 9 for the club.

 

[frank stokes]

I really like Lawton. He seems like a good fella and plays with heart each week.

Personally, I don’t think the club are set on Gordon CKT or Humphries. Just a feeling I get. They tried to offload Lawton over the summer and suddenly he was 2nd drop at 9?!

Gordon’s defence is questionable and his left to right pass is an abomination at times. Humphries is still working the position out.

I hope we sign De Silva from the Tigers. He could be a 10 year number 9 for the club.

Another signing suggestion from the Tigpies? Really, Leonard?

I think you need a time-out in the naughty corner…

 

[LeonardCohen]

Another signing suggestion from the Tigpies? Really, Leonard?

I think you need a time-out in the naughty corner…

Yeah good point, didn’t even think about it being another Tigers signing haha

 

[BOZO]

Lawton was a reasonable player and gave reasonable service

We are left with a reasonable makeshift hooker and his apprentice in GCKT

We now also have a great opportunity to discover a real impact game changing hooker just like the Strom have with Grant , and previously Smith and Cameron Smith .
Where the fck do the Storm find these guys ???

Time to Seek and find the new young Hooker Sensation

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I wonder who we have our sights on.

 

[Seagles68]

Josh gone, Aloili released to super league, a lot of money there.

Is this confirmed coz I can't see it anywhere?

 

[Disco]

I really like Lawton. He seems like a good fella and plays with heart each week.

Personally, I don’t think the club are set on Gordon CKT or Humphries. Just a feeling I get. They tried to offload Lawton over the summer and suddenly he was 2nd drop at 9?!

Gordon’s defence is questionable and his left to right pass is an abomination at times. Humphries is still working the position out.

I hope we sign De Silva from the Tigers. He could be a 10 year number 9 for the club.

Da Silva is a talent, don't mind the shout.

Humphreys is an interesting one. Lots of positive media on him as a potential 9 in the off season but actions point a different story.

Only re-signed late and to a 1 year deal. Constantly bumped between hooker, halves (and even banch??). Not making extended squads and Vegas.

I agree that the club don't seem convinced.

 

[frank stokes]

Is this confirmed coz I can't see it anywhere?

I recall this being a rumour at the end of last season but have not seen/heard it recently…

 

[Jay Eagle]

For 2025
Lawton gone
Schuster gone
Woods will surely hang up the boots..

That leaves us with 26 players for a roster of 30.. and around 1.5mill under the cap..we must be looking at bringing in at least 2 really top notch NRL players..

Also I notice we only have 10 backs on our top 30.. considering 7 play each week we could be in trouble if we get multiple injuries or suspensions in the backs..
Thankfully as one back drops out another has become available..so far that is.
Just a thought
With Staggs and Cobbo waiting until 1 Nov I wouldn't mind either one of them.. come on Daly start playing the Qld captain card.haha

I think we should have a crack at Wayde Eagan too.. contracts mean nothing in today's world

 

[Seagles68]

I recall this being a rumour at the end of last season but have not seen/heard it recently…

Ok, thanks. I thought it was new post. I'd be surprised if he went, particularly now that there is some real grunt in the pack

 

[sheridanstand78]

Now that Karl Lawton is confirmed as leaving can the club please do something about our hooker role?

For 5 years we had makeshift guys do this role and do it competently. We need a specialist who is able to run to the line and distribute the ball, someone who can kick from dummy half and someone who is prepared to take the line on.

We have lacked this for too long and all the top clubs have a hooker who can do at least 2 of the things I mention easily!

If we are going to be a premiership threat this must be addressed!

 

[Ben]

Interesting the Roosters are after Gagai. They were also reportedly looking at Staggs along with us.
I find it hard to believe if they did land Gagai they would also go for Staggs as well. They also already have Billy Smith locked up in the centres.
This could open the door for us to finally land Staggs signature.

 

[Saabnaldo]

Interesting the Roosters are after Gagai. They were also reportedly looking at Staggs along with us.
I find it hard to believe if they did land Gagai they would also go for Staggs as well. They also already have Billy Smith locked up in the centres.
This could open the door for us to finally land Staggs signature.

Staggs is top but I don’t see why we would be going for him when we have glaring issues in other positions. We have koula (potential superstar) and Garrick at centre now plus Young hoppa coming through. The money should be spent on a proper #9 and new forward

 

[Rocky]

Good discipline by Manly to let Lawton go.

I think he's a really good utility but the money can be better spent elsewhere.