2025 recruitment & retention

[Dion Johnson]

Jake been out marquee forward is a huge issue, yes he has heart and yes he will tackle all day, but when was the last time you saw him pop an offload, break a tackle, get a quick play the ball or smash the ball out if someone with a huge under the ribs tackle. These deficiencies in his game are actually how i would’ve described him as a player not that long ago.

He was brilliant, now he is a tireless worker only, which is fine (and required in all packs) but not as your highest paid forward

And What about his awesome Short balls inside and outside to Tom, another nice memory, hadn’t happened in about 5 years.

Surely he hasn’t lost the skills, and surely it hasn’t been coached out of him. What gives

I think Jake is a good player still, though agree his current remuneration is way overs and doesn’t get mentioned in the media like JT from the Cows.

Playing 80 minutes each week he looses some impact in games, a 10-15 minute spell would help him and the team.

 

[double hoops]

Centres why? A Mobile front rower and a work horse edge please.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

We were interested in Angus Crichton but we didn’t want to pay overs which I applaud us for.

See, I would have thrown every spare cent we had at Crichton because I think a player that good has the potential to transform our pack, and I would have done it last time he was off contract when it might have been slightly cheaper. But by all reports he always wanted to stay at the Roosters, despite them being prepared to let him go to rugby or walk for David Fifita (which blows my mind), so it wouldn't have made any difference.

This goes to what @LeonardCohen said earlier: it doesn't really matter who you want if you've got no chance of landing them.

 

[Scorpio]

Its funny only last week there was discussion on here about who we will have to let go in the backs because nobody will want to play Reggies next year, yet this week we didn't have enough of them. Depth is key and bench selections are becoming crucial. You really need a back on the bench, a utility forward that can play dummy half and two front rowers.

But again, the club wants and needs very good backs available in reserves or on the bench if needed; that's not the issue.

The issue is that if a rival club offers to make one of those said players a guaranteed starter every week, they might not be so keen to stick around to be a bench or reserve player.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Part of it with Garrick is he’s just a really good player. His form at centre for most the season hasn’t reflected how good he actually is.

I agree that Garrick on the wing and Talau centre would be our best backline though. However, hopefully he can continue to improve as he gets more games under his belt there.

Garrick is a much better attacking threat at centre than Talau, who butchers a lot of half chances with his lack of acceleration and ability to link with his winger. He usually just takes the yards on offer and surrenders what was a try scoring opportunity into a nice 20m carry.

He might be a better defensive option but that’s about it.

 

[Disco]

A starting left edge a must for me....or at the very least a left edge that can compete with Burbo for that spot.

Id almost say then another young squad edge is required and a prop with through into the mix.

I have high hope for Navale so a more mobile 4-6th string prop. Basically soneone to replace Lodge

 

[manly al]

Garrick is a much better attacking threat at centre than Talau, who butchers a lot of half chances with his lack of acceleration and ability to link with his winger. He usually just takes the yards on offer and surrenders what was a try scoring opportunity into a nice 20m carry.

He might be a better defensive option but that’s about it.

That pretty much sums it up but not to detract from Talau 's really good contributions in the general sense this season and ideally to continue .
Guess that it is still going to come down to a choice between him and Lehi for a wing spot and all backline contenders available , short term and to whatever extent slightly longer

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Bird is not the answer

Yes, I say give Bird ‘the bird’.

 

[manly al]

A starting left edge a must for me....or at the very least a left edge that can compete with Burbo for that spot.

Id almost say then another young squad edge is required and a prop with through into the mix.

I have high hope for Navale so a more mobile 4-6th string prop. Basically soneone to replace Lodge

See Navale more suited to a middle role [ well maybe what you are suggesting ? ]
Be interesting what Lodge may be able to offer in his comeback soon , just unfortunately in his limited appearances this season , quite ordinary .
Maybe a Luke Garner type and no doubt there would be others out there for an edge role but Burbo has still progressed O K so far this season
Always should add Jake as a game day big minutes prop option with Brown available but does not look to be any emerging props in the club to take the likely place of Lodge

 

[manly al]

Yes, I say give Bird ‘the bird’.

The Bird definitely is the Word [ well in a non Manly connotation ]

 

[Disco]

See Navale more suited to a middle role [ well maybe what you are suggesting ? ]
Be interesting what Lodge may be able to offer in his comeback soon , just unfortunately in his limited appearances this season , quite ordinary .
Maybe a Luke Garner type and no doubt there would be others out there for an edge role but Burbo has still progressed O K so far this season
Always should add Jake as a game day big minutes prop option with Brown available but does not look to be any emerging props in the club to take the likely place of Lodge

Yep, sorry, that is exactly what Im suggesting

I see our pool of middles as

Jake
Brown
Paseka
Aloiai
Bullemor
Toff
Navale

I think Navale should garner more minutes so I think a young mobile prop to add to that mix or a mobile solid depth prop works a treat. We'd all love a big name but that was no dice one Aloiai resigned.

I see our edges as
Olakau'atu
Burbo
Waddell

I dont mind Wadell but I'd like to see him as 5th option. Bring in one starter and one young talent ideally.

 

[Disco]

If we are talking actual names.

Knights are in salary cap strife and have both Lucas and Pearce Paul off contract at the end of 25. I'd be looking there and trying to get one early, preference probably Lucas but happy with either.

For a younger backrow option, Teague, Puru, Geyer all off at the end of 25, again, see if there is room to move there. Also not sure the status of Steep or Foketi but Id be delighted with either.

For a 5th/6th prop...someone like a Matt Croker maybe on a shorter deal

 

[Eagle 1]

Jake been out marquee forward is a huge issue, yes he has heart and yes he will tackle all day, but when was the last time you saw him pop an offload, break a tackle, get a quick play the ball or smash the ball out if someone with a huge under the ribs tackle. These deficiencies in his game are actually how i would’ve described him as a player not that long ago.

He was brilliant, now he is a tireless worker only, which is fine (and required in all packs) but not as your highest paid forward

And What about his awesome Short balls inside and outside to Tom, another nice memory, hadn’t happened in about 5 years.

Surely he hasn’t lost the skills, and surely it hasn’t been coached out of him. What gives

Jake is now basically a tackling machine, but bobs up every now and then with something different, a needed try from close up or that last ditch tackle 1meter out from our line.
I believe Tom and Jake were signed together as a package deal at the time. Didn't the Bulldogs put in an offer at 1.5m each for both players at the time, hence, our big offer.

 

[Ohgeez]

I don’t think we really need a winger but To’o is apparently being shopped around. He is clearly the best winger in the comp & we would have some spare money from Schuster so will be interesting to see if we are 1 of the teams in the hunt. I agree with the people saying a 2nd row/lock signing is more important but To’o is so powerful with his runs it would basically be like signing a forward too when it comes to metres made

 

[Disco]

Honestly I think the Panthers shopping To'o is madness. He is probably the most influential, in terms of of impacting the teams outcone, winger ever Imo.

I'd let most of the team ho before To'o

 

[Ohgeez]

Honestly I think the Panthers shopping To'o is madness. He is probably the most influential, in terms of of impacting the teams outcone, winger ever Imo.

I'd let most of the team ho before To'o

Yea it doesn’t really make sense. You’d have to think he has had a falling out with the coach or core players. If he does leave I think Tigers would be strong favs to sign him with some of his best friends Luai, API & Turuva all there - they will probably offer him big overs of $900-k - $1m a season too

 

[Rocky]

Honestly I think the Panthers shopping To'o is madness. He is probably the most influential, in terms of of impacting the teams outcone, winger ever Imo.

I'd let most of the team ho before To'o

Yeah its super weird..i dont think he is on a crazy contract either..maybe 600k.

Is there another move to come? Stefano perhaps?

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Yeah its super weird..i dont think he is on a crazy contract either..maybe 600k.

Is there another move to come? Stefano perhaps?

Imagine offloading To’o to get Stefano…..

 

[Ohgeez]

Imagine offloading To’o to get Stefano…..
View attachment 27740

Or maybe they are after the swap deal with Lachlan Galvin…

 

[KNUCKLES]

Check the prices in the Eastern Suburbs. You'll find property three times the cost of the Northern Beaches. Yet, somehow, Easts can attract any player they want...

My point exactly