2018 Signings

[eaglebuzz]

Kelly starting the season ok, but then spending most of the year struggling in first grade is like the Walker at 5/8 experiment. Good idea in theory, but the reality is that there were better options from the start.

Brad Parker is no superstar but he showed more in two games before getting injured than Kelly has in the past 4 months.

In the past 4 months since the day Aitken made him look average at Brookvale (8 April), Kelly has only scored 2 tries - one against the Warriors in Perth, the other last week - but has let in a whole lot more. Unfortunately during the middle of the year when we were one of the form teams, his deficiencies were hidden. Since we began our slide he has been exposed to the point where even the Dogs, who couldn't score in a brothel all year, were almost crossing the line at will down our left.

As for our recruitment.....I'll admit I'm starting to get a bit worried that we're running out of time to sign anyone decent, even just for depth, as there aren't that many currently on the market. Still holding out hope we can sign someone like Klemmer though.

Just like we were running out of time to sign Walker, Taupau, and Uate?

 

[Tomay]

Is Aiden Tolman available in the fire sale?

For mine he is one of the most underrated props in the competition and I would like to see either he or Graham end up in Maroon and White. He can play big minutes, gets through a hell of a lot of work and is an excellent defender. Graham probably has better leadership qualities, but I'd assume Tolman is better value for money. He reminds me of the sort of guy QLD like to have in their SOO teams.

 

[brad]

It's not off season yet, we don't need to have signed 100 players as of this moment. They'll have a plan and will be targeting many you'd have to think

I was thinking about this last night. 2 years ago we were on a signing frenzy and so far zip . Waiting on cap space no doubt. If we are after anyone probably not on massive coin, Cambell- Gillard would be worth a shot. The big Bastard hits the line hard .

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Dribble, dribble, dribble.

Doesn't change the fact that centre is a harder place to defend than fullback. Dylan Edwards is a top young player. Using him to criticise Kelly is laughable though, considering they play in completely different positions.

Clint Greenshields looked great at fullback when he was young, how'd that turn out? Plenty of successful centres struggled in defence at a young age, due to the difficulty involved in defending in that position.

If centre is a hard position to defend from, then Kelly shouldn't be anywhere near there. It's not through lack of trying. He just cannot tackle and is often out of position. He doesn't have the size to hold his own or the technique like api to stop anyone from rolling over him. Barrett finally saw it and dropped him.

 

[madmax]

I love the optimism................do you really think there's a plan???

It seems to me the quality business on the quality players is done well before the off season.
The off season is where you get the homeless dreggs, players dumped by their clubs!!

Is our plan to be the NRL dumpster club?

I think we've done quite well with "our" homeless dreggs......Uate, Walker, Sironen, Taupau, AFB > all signed during various 'off seasons' as you put it!

 

[lsz]

Contracts mean nothing - of the club has a view on a player and the player is agreeable (and their clib) it will happen...much like Marty and Walker

 

[Volley]

If centre is a hard position to defend from, then Kelly shouldn't be anywhere near there. It's not through lack of trying. He just cannot tackle and is often out of position. He doesn't have the size to hold his own or the technique like api to stop anyone from rolling over him. Barrett finally saw it and dropped him.

Who plays there then?

 

[Fluffy]

Kelly starting the season ok, but then spending most of the year struggling in first grade is like the Walker at 5/8 experiment. Good idea in theory, but the reality is that there were better options from the start.

Brad Parker is no superstar but he showed more in two games before getting injured than Kelly has in the past 4 months.

In the past 4 months since the day Aitken made him look average at Brookvale (8 April), Kelly has only scored 2 tries - one against the Warriors in Perth, the other last week - but has let in a whole lot more. Unfortunately during the middle of the year when we were one of the form teams, his deficiencies were hidden. Since we began our slide he has been exposed to the point where even the Dogs, who couldn't score in a brothel all year, were almost crossing the line at will down our left.

As for our recruitment.....I'll admit I'm starting to get a bit worried that we're running out of time to sign anyone decent, even just for depth, as there aren't that many currently on the market. Still holding out hope we can sign someone like Klemmer though.

Parker was injured in pre-season and did not return for a month or 2 so was not an option for round 1.

 

[Supreme Leader]

We need to find another winger to replace wright, I didn't realise how slow he was after that intercept. Most wingers in same situation you would see them running off in the distance. Then there is the issue on who would be the goal kicker. Been an Achilles heal for a couple of seasons.

 

[Kevinward777]

I think we've done quite well with "our" homeless dreggs......Uate, Walker, Sironen, Taupau, AFB > all signed during various 'off seasons' as you put it!

The veil cannot be removed for some, they're happy to believe the fabricated tales that they base their outlooks upon. Evidentially, based upon the last couple of seasons signings will come. Ivan Cleary was on Fox last night saying that there will no doubt be a rush of player signings during the off season.

 

[BOZO]

Just like we were running out of time to sign Walker, Taupau, and Uate?

Good point eaglebuzz !!! And for those players that are currently contracted to other clubs , we all know how secure contracts can be .
I think we are in store with a few surprises

 

[BOZO]

Who plays there then?

Any one that can tackle .

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Who plays there then?

Anyone but Kelly! Reshuffle the side. Perhaps Turbo there and Hastings in fb as some have suggested. If we have "over achieved" this year, are "rebuilding" and have nothing to lose as many have been saying then best to try something different. If something isn't working then you need to make changes. Give someone else a run and see how they go. Now is a good opportunity to blood some more youngsters in case they are required down the track

 

[Volley]

Anyone but Kelly! Reshuffle the side. Perhaps Turbo there and Hastings in fb as some have suggested. If we have "over achieved" this year, are "rebuilding" and have nothing to lose as many have been saying then best to try something different. If something isn't working then you need to make changes. Give someone else a run and see how they go. Now is a good opportunity to blood some more youngsters in case they are required down the track

Who replaces Blake Green? His defence is poor as well, and makes Kelly's look worse.

 

[The Who]

I think next season we'll have to give Tom Wright a shot at first grade. While I have seen him plays some shockers he is potentially a match-winner and is always trying something. If the coach is looking for a player with spark then its Tom Wright. He's probably like Phil Blake who was dynamic for a couple of seasons, but guilty of over-playing his hand which is why Manly let him go.
If you want a solid five-eighth then Tom Wright is not the player.
Ideally, Cronk would give us his last year of service and allow DCE to play 5/8. Tom Wright would no doubt gain valuable insights into playing the percentages if Cronk was part of our set-up.
As for a forward I'd like to recruit Angus Crichton from Souffs.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Who replaces Blake Green? His defence is poor as well, and makes Kelly's look worse.

I don't know but he has a lot more to offer than Kelly does in the team and he is not a liability like Kelly.

 

[Volley]

I don't know but he has a lot more to offer than Kelly does in the team and he is not a liability like Kelly.

We must've been watching different games. Blake Green made a few crucial poor defensive reads, which left Kelly out to dry. But hey, everyone likes a scapegoat.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

We must've been watching different games. Blake Green made a few crucial poor defensive reads, which left Kelly out to dry. But hey, everyone likes a scapegoat.

So has Tapau, Walker and the rest of the team of late.. Kelly is no scapegoat. He just can't defend... You brought up Green and I agree with you he's made some poor errors defensively. You absolutely can't put Green and Kelly in the same breath though. Kelly has been consistently shown up + they are miles apart in what they have to offer. If I was Green I'd certainly be making a lot more defensive reads and be second guessing if I had someone with the defensive liabilities of Kelly to think about. Especially when it is clear as daylight that the opposition are targeting the youngster.

 

[Snake]

@Snake any news on the possible 2nd rower we are signing?

No, nothing of note at this stage.

I know they have big plans for Sipley...the club expect him to play a lot of FG and not just hang around as depth.

I know Hoppa has been training exclusively with the NSW Cup squad but he will pop up again soon and could become a regular next season...he is super talent and looks to finally be getting his act together.

It's all very quiet at the moment. I have a feeling Bozo will attempt the same fate as two seasons ago when he snared Walker and Taupau in the off-season.

 

[NLSeaEagle]

Just like we were running out of time to sign Walker, Taupau, and Uate?

And would you care to list the failures too...................