Tommy Talau

[Rocky]

Saab's ceiling is much higher than Talau's. He needs to get some confidence back.

Agreed his ceiling is higher. But his floor is barely NSW cup standard, sadly

 

[StuBoot]

I agree. Strikes me a a confidence player with reasonable 1st grade ability. Makes a few mistakes but is a more than adequate back up for the outside backs. Hope there's a re-think and we retain him.

Agree, a lot of us would have him ahead of Saab. He covers more positions, has enough toe and is less mistake prone - to me he is well ahead in the football smarts department too.
The reaction from the crowd on Friday night when he popped up on the screen as a departing player said it all.

Considering he did an ACL at the Tigers he's come back strongly, he's the same age as Faulalo and l know who l'd be prioritising.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So you reckon the club didn't table an offer for Talau. The Talau saga gets stranger by the day.

News about Manly signing Kobe Hetherington puts Talau's departure in a different light.
He's a decent first grade quality player but he's a back and we need forwards. Probably as simple as that.
Who knows, if Saab had been off contract it might have been him moved on? But that wasn't the case.

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Maybe onitoni large is being considered as a possible centre ( well at least a way to get him into FG early) with Brooks going to hooker and Walsh playing with Fogarty in the halves. This might be the reason we have renewed Tommy as I guess we need to allocate cap spend to the forwards.

 

[rich]

Who’s Talau signing with anybody know?

 

[Pete W]

Maybe onitoni large is being considered as a possible centre ( well at least a way to get him into FG early) with Brooks going to hooker and Walsh playing with Fogarty in the halves.

That's what I'd be doing. Large plays right side and is an exceptional athlete. Better get him into grade ASAP before he's poached, and what better way than on an edge with the experience of Fogarty, Ola'akautu, and Garrick. He will be working closely with Fogarty and this would be a smooth transition for when Fogarty eventually leaves.

On the other side, Walsh should be playing that left edge from the get go. Again, may as well use 2026 to flog these guys with experience, and I think Walsh is just as ready as many young halves who've played full seasons. Let's not waste Fogarty's time with us - a perfect transition opportunity. Brooks to 14 also helps our dummy half depth, can add spark until Muagututia has fully stepped up.

 

[Jimmie]

id take run hard tackle hard good hands Talau over Saab any day of the week.