Second rowers 2023 - 2025

[Cliffycomeback]

These are the backrow options we had when Seibs and his recruitment team took control. This list is compiled from our top 30 to start the season only. Not juniors or reserve graders.

// Haumole Olakau'atu
// Ben Condon
// Samuela Fainu
// Kelma Tuilagi
// Karl Lawton
// Josh Schuster
// Ben Trbojevic
// Zac Fulton

Since Seibs took control he has punted

// Ben Condon
// Samuela Fainu
// Kelma Tuilagi
// Karl Lawton
// Josh Schuster (after extending and upgrading)
// Zac Fulton

Since Seibs took control he has added

// Corey Waddell

Now you can call me cynical BUT!

/* I dont think this will work */

 

[nightster]

You could add Nathan Brown and Jaz Tevaga

 

[Cliffycomeback]

You could add Nathan Brown and Jaz Tevaga

Sorry, I'm thinking second row options only. I'll change the title. Edge forwards not middles.

 

[nightster]

Sorry, I'm thinking second row options only. I'll change the title. Edge forwards not middles.

Yeah those two played a few positions

 

[double hoops]

Condon, Fulton even Fainu none played many A grade games did they? Fulton was 1. Granted they all played some.

But we are talking Ressies edges than does Seibs list can then include:

Bullemor
Cheekam
Navale
Hart
Dunford
Matterson
Patalo.

That's it club have young blokes, below hopefully we see a few play A grade before the seasons done.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Condon, Fulton even Fainu none played many A grade games did they? Fulton was 1. Granted they all played some.

But we are talking Ressies edges than does Seibs list can then include:

Bullemor
Cheekam
Navale
Hart
Dunford
Matterson
Patalo.

That's it club have young blokes, below hopefully we see a few play A grade before the seasons done.

Top 30 start of season only. Bullemor, Navale and Patolo are middle forwards not edge forwards. And it's also not about how many games they played. It's about the fact we shipped out all our top squad second row options and added Waddell. It's not difficult to understand. This year we had two genuine edge forwards for the first twelve rounds and Waddell. Then we added Chee Kam.

It should be clear our recruitment strategy is a massive failure.

 

[Dion Johnson]

These are the backrow options we had when Seibs and his recruitment team took control. This list is compiled by our top 30 to start the season only.

// Haumole Olakau'atu
// Ben Condon
// Samuela Fainu
// Kelma Tuilagi
// Karl Lawton
// Josh Schuster
// Ben Trbojevic
// Zac Fulton

Since Seibs took control he has punted

// Ben Condon
// Samuela Fainu
// Kelma Tuilagi
// Karl Lawton
// Josh Schuster (after extending and upgrading)
// Zac Fulton

Since Seibs took control he has added

// Corey Waddell

Now you can call me cynical BUT!

/* I dont think this will work */

I don’t understand why the club couldn’t snag a backrower after Schuster got punted, Mestrov at the time said it was a priority, all I can gather from recent recruitment that it has been impacted by what dollars are available and not moving a three quarter on to facilitate it.

I agree with the below being moved on though,

• Condon, never looked likely.
• Schuster, reasons of moving on are self explanatory.
• Kelma, inconsistent and has defensive areas to work on.
• Lawton, did a job there though him being let go hasn’t hurt, been very quiet at the Cowboy’s.
• Fulton, Never had the physique to be a permanent NRL player.

Sammy that one hurt, though he has been inconsistent at the Tigers he has the ability to be a very good footballer.

The three year deal for Waddell I don’t understand, normally three year deals are for players with high potential or who have played extremely well, a one year deal based on last season I understand but a three year deal is hard to fathom.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

I don’t understand why the club couldn’t snag a backrower after Schuster got punted, Mestrov at the time said it was a priority, all I can gather from recent recruitment that it has been impacted by what dollars are available and not moving a three quarter on to facilitate it.

I agree with the below being moved on though,

• Condon, never looked likely.
• Schuster, reasons of moving on are self explanatory.
• Kelma, inconsistent and has defensive areas to work on.
• Lawton, did a job there though him being let go hasn’t hurt, been very quiet at the Cowboy’s.
• Fulton, Never had the physique to be a permanent NRL player.

Sammy that one hurt, though he has been inconsistent at the Tigers he has the ability to be a very good footballer.

The three year deal for Waddell I don’t understand, normally three year deals are for players with high potential or who have played extremely well, a one year deal based on last season I understand but a three year deal is hard to fathom.

Nicely summarised.

// Schuster should not have been upgraded, that was a huge recruitment stuff up.
// Tuilagi is a better second rower than Waddell.
// Lawton is a better second rower than Waddell.

We definitely needed to find a Schuster replacement and Mestrov seemed to recognise the massive recruitment failure. But after stating the club were prioritising a finding replacement, nothing has transpired. Instead we upgraded Chee Kham into the roster, effectively ruling any late inclusion out.

I agree that we should have used a back to get a decent second rower.

 

[madmax]

Top 30 start of season only. Bullemor, Navale and Patolo are middle forwards not edge forwards. And it's also not about how many games they played. It's about the fact we shipped out all our top squad second row options and added Waddell. It's not difficult to understand. This year we had two genuine edge forwards for the first twelve rounds and Waddell. Then we added Chee Kam.

It should be clear our recruitment strategy is a massive failure.

Navale is not a middle!

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Navale is not a middle!

Yes he is.