2025 recruitment & retention

Hope there's no impromptu secret Mormon mission in his future like a lot of his flock, particularly with this huge new investment cap wise onto him.
 
silvereagle said:
From what I have seen and heard, Patolo could be THE surprise package in 25. Big statement I know given some of the newbies on board. This kid has already played over 25 NRL games so could be a perfect complement to our forward pack. Look forward to seeing him in action.
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Yeah i reckon he will “chip” in with some strong performances he maybe our next spud. Dont worry i will let myself out 🫣
 
double hoops said:
Yeah nah. Big Tony only last week said that we had 2 spots left but both were minimum wage.

So upgraded from 80 to what's minimum now like 120k may be.
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Well that’s certainly the end of any signings , so what we have is what we have.

Still firmly believe we are short a hard working back rower.

Burbo isn’t in the league that we need , I know he gives it his all , and at times shows glimpses but it’s just not consistent.

Unless we get a lot stepping up I’d expect us to struggle to make the top 4, but we should make the 8.
 
Mark from Brisbane said:
Well that’s certainly the end of any signings , so what we have is what we have.

Still firmly believe we are short a hard working back rower.

Burbo isn’t in the league that we need , I know he gives it his all , and at times shows glimpses but it’s just not consistent.

Unless we get a lot stepping up I’d expect us to struggle to make the top 4, but we should make the 8.
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This could be Patolo @Mark from Brisbane I think the Bulldogs made a mistake by turning him into a middle, when he had so much more to offer as an edge backrower. Its only injury recovery that will hold him back from playing alongside Haumole in my opinion.
 
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Pick your players. I'm looking at the 2008, versus probable (Siebold picked) 2025 team. I wonder if you could pick a player in each position, who would you choose (my choices in brackets) ?

01. Brett Stewart / Tom Trbojevic (Stewart)
02. Michael Robertson/ Jason Saab (Robertson)
03. Steven Bell / Tolu Koula (Bell)
04. Steve Matai / Reuben Garrick (Matai)
05. David Williams / Tommy Talau (Wolfy)
06. Jamie Lyon / Luke Brooks ((Lyon)
07. Matt Orford / DCE (Ox)
08. Brent Kite / Taniela Paseka (Kite)
09. Matt Ballin / Lachlan Croker (Ballin)
10. Josh Perry / Josh Aloiai (Perry)
11. Anthony Watmough / Olakau'atu (Olakau'atu)
12. Glenn Hall / Ben Trbojevic (Hall)
13. Glenn Stewart / Jake Trbojevic (Gift)

14. Heath Le'Strange / Jazz Tevaga (Le'Strange)
15. Jason King / Taukeiaho (King)
16. Mark Bryant / Ethan Bullemor (Bullemor)
17. Steve Menzies / Nathan Brown (Menzies)

I know everyone will come up with every excuse and reason under the sun for us regressing to where we are now talent wise, but I think the above speaks volumes about our quality in the recruitment ranks.

I really can't get excited about our current 8-17. They just aren't up to scratch. Watching guys like Croker, Jake, Tevaga, Burbo waddle around the field next year is going to be tough.
 
Ryan said:
Pick your players. I'm looking at the 2008, versus probable (Siebold picked) 2025 team. I wonder if you could pick a player in each position, who would you choose (my choices in brackets) ?

01. Brett Stewart / Tom Trbojevic (Stewart)
02. Michael Robertson/ Jason Saab (Robertson)
03. Steven Bell / Tolu Koula (Bell)
04. Steve Matai / Reuben Garrick (Matai)
05. David Williams / Tommy Talau (Wolfy)
06. Jamie Lyon / Luke Brooks ((Lyon)
07. Matt Orford / DCE (Ox)
08. Brent Kite / Taniela Paseka (Kite)
09. Matt Ballin / Lachlan Croker (Ballin)
10. Josh Perry / Josh Aloiai (Perry)
11. Anthony Watmough / Olakau'atu (Olakau'atu)
12. Glenn Hall / Ben Trbojevic (Hall)
13. Glenn Stewart / Jake Trbojevic (Gift)

14. Heath Le'Strange / Jazz Tevaga (Le'Strange)
15. Jason King / Taukeiaho (King)
16. Mark Bryant / Ethan Bullemor (Bullemor)
17. Steve Menzies / Nathan Brown (Menzies)

I know everyone will come up with every excuse and reason under the sun for us regressing to where we are now talent wise, but I think the above speaks volumes about our quality in the recruitment ranks.

I really can't get excited about our current 8-17. They just aren't up to scratch. Watching guys like Croker, Jake, Tevaga, Burbo waddle around the field next year is going to be tough.
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Scary thing at first I thought "C'mon Ryan it's gotta be a stitch up" - you sinply tagging all the 2008 players for fun....then I sort of went back over and 90 - 95% agree

I mean Turbo is a freak, but my opinion of Snake Stewart is sky high and he delivered in the "big games' which I feel Tom dominates in the 40+ point Manly wins, but in the crunch games has not proven the match winner like Snake done - constantly !

The only changes for mine, I thnk Bryant was that underrated tough cog in the middle, no frills but very effective and edges out the improving and far more mobile Bullemore, who is not as "reliable", yet you could argue with the speed of the modern game he is a better fit.
The only other change is Watmough "has to be there' was the best forward in the world at this particular time imo....learned some off BK but was blessed with Mad DNA and such a strong agile robust forward...and bt the way - Oka is my favourite current player.
DCE and Ox - tough call but during that 2008 final series, have never seen a more dominant performance froma 7 than Matt Orford, until now with he Moon Cleary off the charts !!
 
Ryan said:
Pick your players. I'm looking at the 2008, versus probable (Siebold picked) 2025 team. I wonder if you could pick a player in each position, who would you choose (my choices in brackets) ?

01. Brett Stewart / Tom Trbojevic (Stewart)
02. Michael Robertson/ Jason Saab (Robertson)
03. Steven Bell / Tolu Koula (Bell)
04. Steve Matai / Reuben Garrick (Matai)
05. David Williams / Tommy Talau (Wolfy)
06. Jamie Lyon / Luke Brooks ((Lyon)
07. Matt Orford / DCE (Ox)
08. Brent Kite / Taniela Paseka (Kite)
09. Matt Ballin / Lachlan Croker (Ballin)
10. Josh Perry / Josh Aloiai (Perry)
11. Anthony Watmough / Olakau'atu (Olakau'atu)
12. Glenn Hall / Ben Trbojevic (Hall)
13. Glenn Stewart / Jake Trbojevic (Gift)

14. Heath Le'Strange / Jazz Tevaga (Le'Strange)
15. Jason King / Taukeiaho (King)
16. Mark Bryant / Ethan Bullemor (Bullemor)
17. Steve Menzies / Nathan Brown (Menzies)

I know everyone will come up with every excuse and reason under the sun for us regressing to where we are now talent wise, but I think the above speaks volumes about our quality in the recruitment ranks.

I really can't get excited about our current 8-17. They just aren't up to scratch. Watching guys like Croker, Jake, Tevaga, Burbo waddle around the field next year is going to be tough.
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All clubs go through change.
Compare the 2008 panthers team to the 2024 panthers team and you will just get the opposite result!
 
Those retired players made a GF in 07. Won the comp in 08. Most still there when they won everything again in 11.

Unless the current crop wins something. I'm not sure it's worth comparing the pair.
 
Ryan said:
Pick your players. I'm looking at the 2008, versus probable (Siebold picked) 2025 team. I wonder if you could pick a player in each position, who would you choose (my choices in brackets) ?

01. Brett Stewart / Tom Trbojevic (Stewart)
02. Michael Robertson/ Jason Saab (Robertson)
03. Steven Bell / Tolu Koula (Bell)
04. Steve Matai / Reuben Garrick (Matai)
05. David Williams / Tommy Talau (Wolfy)
06. Jamie Lyon / Luke Brooks ((Lyon)
07. Matt Orford / DCE (Ox)
08. Brent Kite / Taniela Paseka (Kite)
09. Matt Ballin / Lachlan Croker (Ballin)
10. Josh Perry / Josh Aloiai (Perry)
11. Anthony Watmough / Olakau'atu (Olakau'atu)
12. Glenn Hall / Ben Trbojevic (Hall)
13. Glenn Stewart / Jake Trbojevic (Gift)

14. Heath Le'Strange / Jazz Tevaga (Le'Strange)
15. Jason King / Taukeiaho (King)
16. Mark Bryant / Ethan Bullemor (Bullemor)
17. Steve Menzies / Nathan Brown (Menzies)

I know everyone will come up with every excuse and reason under the sun for us regressing to where we are now talent wise, but I think the above speaks volumes about our quality in the recruitment ranks.

I really can't get excited about our current 8-17. They just aren't up to scratch. Watching guys like Croker, Jake, Tevaga, Burbo waddle around the field next year is going to be tough.
Click to expand...
This is a bit misleading, you are remembering a crop of greats at the peak of their powers vs a much younger squad who are yet to show their peak potential. There are definitely players in that 08 squad that I'd have over our currents (Lyon, Ballin and Kite woud turn our current side into a premiership threat even now) but I think the best is still yet to come for most of our current 17, just as the best of that 08 side was still yet to come in '04, '05, '06.
 
eaglebuzz said:
This is a bit misleading, you are remembering a crop of greats at the peak of their powers vs a much younger squad who are yet to show their peak potential. There are definitely players in that 08 squad that I'd have over our currents (Lyon, Ballin and Kite woud turn our current side into a premiership threat even now) but I think the best is still yet to come for most of our current 17, just as the best of that 08 side was still yet to come in '04, '05, '06.
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Next year (and remember, I think our backs are good):

08. Taniela Paseka (28 years old)
09. Lachlan Croker (29 years old)
10. Josh Aloiai (30 years old)
11. Haumole Olakau'atu (27 years old)
12. Jazz Tevaga (30 years old)
13. Jake Trbojevic (31 years old)

14.
15. Ethan Bullemor (25 years old)
16. Siosiua Taukeiaho (33 years old)
17. Nathan Brown (32 years old)

Most in the twilight of their careers, transitioning to retirement. Our YOUNGEST (and one of our best), unsigned FFS. But you think after over a decade in the game for most, they are magically "yet to show their peak potential".

Ooof. In a team that's averaged 10th - 11th over the past 11 years, and likely to have slowed down with the recruitment in the forwards.
 
Ryan said:
Next year (and remember, I think our backs are good):

08. Taniela Paseka (28 years old)
09. Lachlan Croker (29 years old)
10. Josh Aloiai (30 years old)
11. Haumole Olakau'atu (27 years old)
12. Jazz Tevaga (30 years old)
13. Jake Trbojevic (31 years old)

14.
15. Ethan Bullemor (25 years old)
16. Siosiua Taukeiaho (33 years old)
17. Nathan Brown (32 years old)

Most in the twilight of their careers, transitioning to retirement. Our YOUNGEST (and one of our best), unsigned FFS. But you think after over a decade in the game for most, they are magically "yet to show their peak potential".

Ooof. In a team that's averaged 10th - 11th over the past 11 years, and likely to have slowed down with the recruitment in the forwards.
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I agree the forwards are our Achilles Heel.

But do remember a lot of forwards don’t peak until their late 20’s so it’s not all doom & gloom.

But it’s certainly not “ bright “.
 
Ryan said:
Next year (and remember, I think our backs are good):

08. Taniela Paseka (28 years old)
09. Lachlan Croker (29 years old)
10. Josh Aloiai (30 years old)
11. Haumole Olakau'atu (27 years old)
12. Jazz Tevaga (30 years old)
13. Jake Trbojevic (31 years old)

14.
15. Ethan Bullemor (25 years old)
16. Siosiua Taukeiaho (33 years old)
17. Nathan Brown (32 years old)

Most in the twilight of their careers, transitioning to retirement. Our YOUNGEST (and one of our best), unsigned FFS. But you think after over a decade in the game for most, they are magically "yet to show their peak potential".

Ooof. In a team that's averaged 10th - 11th over the past 11 years, and likely to have slowed down with the recruitment in the forwards.
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Yes we appear to have too many ageing forwards, I agree with that. But I think the plan is to extract the best we can out of this bunch and develop players like Patolo and Navale to come in as they age out. I'd love to sign a marquee prop or second rower but until Jake and DCE retire we don't have the cash
 
eaglebuzz said:
Yes we appear to have too many ageing forwards, I agree with that. But I think the plan is to extract the best we can out of this bunch and develop players like Patolo and Navale to come in as they age out. I'd love to sign a marquee prop or second rower but until Jake and DCE retire we don't have the cash
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It’s the Jake money at $950k that is hurting , DCE at what we now believe is circa $800k is probably okay by current standards.
 
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