I thought it’d be interesting to guess at how Richo is thinking about the club. It’s obvious to me that his tenure at the Tigers will most likely be his last, it’s basically his last hurrah, a final(s) legacy in some ways. So how is he, & Benji etc, going to go about it? Well, he’s come in last year and looked at the club as a whole, the admin & football side of things. As we were 2 time wooden spooners at that time & followed it with another he must’ve understood how big a task it’d be, it wasn’t going to change overnight but could he change it over the following 3 years of his tenure? Maybe he’s looked back at his Souths days. So he begins, with Benji, at bringing a more positive culture to the playing group, in comes Luai, the “Asitasi” leader of change with Tito of course, winners. They bring in a few others to help that change too & offload some others. They tweak here and there, putting some of the pieces of the puzzle together, in comes KPP to hopefully add impact on the right edge. They build depth at the club, signing guys to strengthen the top 30 as well as bringing through the likes of Makasini, Luke Laulilii, Haywood, Godinet, Tapau-Moors etc whilst also adding Andrews & Roberts. Surrounding those guys with better quality as they come through. But what else is needed? Centres & middles, Taylan May comes in, a risk but potentially a fix as well. But what is the priority now? The Sam Burgess & GI of Souths back in 2014, the class that can provide the success Richo wants before he’s finished. Ok, extend Bula & make sure he’s here 2027 & beyond, he’s the GI. But who is the Burgess? Well, there’s not really that kind out there available for 2026 but there’s a few off contract for 2027 Richo’s final year in charge. He knows he wants a Burgess but it’ll cost so what to do? Let’s take a bit of a hit now, offload a few & front load others with the money freed up. Let’s have a crack at Tino or Haas, a NAS or Koloamatangi or? That’s the Burgess, that’s what will bring success.
Perhaps the Sam Burgess needed is already there, Samuela. Maybe a good, solid middle is needed rather than an elite one. Or do they see Samuela as the middle come 2027 & look at a Kikau? My guess is they’ll look at a middle & keep Samuela on that left edge.
If we have 600ish to spend I feel like with a few tweaks we might be able to jag a NAS perhaps for 2026 but not another marquee prob
Possibly although I think that might be unders given other clubs need middles eg Eels, Knights, Manly.If we have 600ish to spend I feel like with a few tweaks we might be able to jag a NAS perhaps for 2026 but not another marquee prob
Here’s a question, if given the choice between a Kikau for $750,000 a year over 2 seasons and move Samuela to middle OR NSA for the same amount & keep Samuela on the edge what would you do? Kikau is fitter & played 40 games less than NAS but is a year older. Just curious as to which people would go for.
Possibly although I think that might be unders given other clubs need middles eg Eels, Knights, Manly.If we have 600ish to spend I feel like with a few tweaks we might be able to jag a NAS perhaps for 2026 but not another marquee prob
Here’s a question, if given the choice between a Kikau for $750,000 a year over 2 seasons and move Samuela to middle OR NSA for the same amount & keep Samuela on the edge what would you do? Kikau is fitter & played 40 games less than NAS but is a year older. Just curious as to which people would go for.
id take NAS
It’s an interesting one isn’t it. I think if you look at the Storm you could make a strong argument that Katoa is more important to them than NAS although they are obviously better with NAS. You could make that argument at a number of clubs although clubs with elite middles, Haas, Tino, AFB are more reliant on them than they might be on their edges. But the Sharks without Nikora, an elite edge, are not as good when he’s missing neither are they as good without AFB. The Dogs without Kikau, an elite edge, aren’t as good when he’s not there. But if one of their middles were missing is it as big a blow? Yeo is more important to Panthers than Martin but Yeo is captain & plays 80 minutes, he’s not an impact middle. The Raiders without Young or Nicholson can cover but without Tapane, an elite middle, aren’t as good. Manly are probably more reliant on Olakau’atu then they are Paseka. So if you’re unable to attract an elite middle do you try to attract an elite edge & adjust your team slightly? I’m not sure but I do believe Samuela would be very good on the edge or middle.Possibly although I think that might be unders given other clubs need middles eg Eels, Knights, Manly.If we have 600ish to spend I feel like with a few tweaks we might be able to jag a NAS perhaps for 2026 but not another marquee prob
Here’s a question, if given the choice between a Kikau for $750,000 a year over 2 seasons and move Samuela to middle OR NSA for the same amount & keep Samuela on the edge what would you do? Kikau is fitter & played 40 games less than NAS but is a year older. Just curious as to which people would go for.
id take NAS
Possibly although I think that might be unders given other clubs need middles eg Eels, Knights, Manly.If we have 600ish to spend I feel like with a few tweaks we might be able to jag a NAS perhaps for 2026 but not another marquee prob
Here’s a question, if given the choice between a Kikau for $750,000 a year over 2 seasons and move Samuela to middle OR NSA for the same amount & keep Samuela on the edge what would you do? Kikau is fitter & played 40 games less than NAS but is a year older. Just curious as to which people would go for.
NAS every day
Storm have been briefing to journos the last couple of weeks about big Nelson and is available. He is on a big wicket of 900k till 2027 with a mutual option in 2028. Key indicator will be if he's in the starting 17 come finals time.
He's a distressed asset and Melbourne could pay up to half his salary to move him on like we did with David Klemmer.
Personally I believe we're well stocked with edge forwards next year but still lacking in grunt and size in the middle.
NAS and Terrell May is an elite starting prop partnership with Twal, Pole, Fainu and Hunt in rotation.
Fitness is my only question with NAS. He’s had times at Storm when he’s been dropped back to Cup to get minutes into him. They obviously want him playing a decent role there, more than 20 minutes if they can and he has most of the time once he is fit enough. No question on his impact though.
Storm have been briefing to journos the last couple of weeks about big Nelson and is available. He is on a big wicket of 900k till 2027 with a mutual option in 2028. Key indicator will be if he's in the starting 17 come finals time.
He's a distressed asset and Melbourne could pay up to half his salary to move him on like we did with David Klemmer.
Personally I believe we're well stocked with edge forwards next year but still lacking in grunt and size in the middle.
NAS and Terrell May is an elite starting prop partnership with Twal, Pole, Fainu and Hunt in rotation.
I always enjoy reading your posts @russtutty63. You've almost convinced me that Richardson has a plan, apart from top up his superannuation from this unexpected CEO gig. Let's hope you're right.
Fitness is my only question with NAS. He’s had times at Storm when he’s been dropped back to Cup to get minutes into him. They obviously want him playing a decent role there, more than 20 minutes if they can and he has most of the time once he is fit enough. No question on his impact though.
Storm have been briefing to journos the last couple of weeks about big Nelson and is available. He is on a big wicket of 900k till 2027 with a mutual option in 2028. Key indicator will be if he's in the starting 17 come finals time.
He's a distressed asset and Melbourne could pay up to half his salary to move him on like we did with David Klemmer.
Personally I believe we're well stocked with edge forwards next year but still lacking in grunt and size in the middle.
NAS and Terrell May is an elite starting prop partnership with Twal, Pole, Fainu and Hunt in rotation.
like a better, starting Hunt.
hunt drops out of the 17 and the rest of the rotation is May, Pole, Sione, twal.
there was talk nas might be a name attached to this r360 comp. I think he will move somewhere in the off season.
Hello all - just been looking at Ethan Roberts and his stint playing 15 mins at this year's All Star game. First thing you notice is his size; 6'5 and filled out. Didn't get much ball in attack on the edges and looked more at home playing in the middle taking hit ups.
The key positive was his defence which looks special in a very small sample size. Could be in the rotation mid season next year. Plays in 2 spells, after the 20 mins and 60 mins. Game below 👇
Hello all - just been looking at Ethan Roberts and his stint playing 15 mins at this year's All Star game. First thing you notice is his size; 6'5 and filled out. Didn't get much ball in attack on the edges and looked more at home playing in the middle taking hit ups.
The key positive was his defence which looks special in a very small sample size. Could be in the rotation mid season next year. Plays in 2 spells, after the 20 mins and 60 mins. Game below 👇
he could be a bolter. We have one of the weaker prop rotations in the comp and roosters one of the stronger so not surprising he would come here for an opportunity. Roosters have a knack for developing giant FRFs
Storm have been briefing to journos the last couple of weeks about big Nelson and is available. He is on a big wicket of 900k till 2027 with a mutual option in 2028. Key indicator will be if he's in the starting 17 come finals time.
He's a distressed asset and Melbourne could pay up to half his salary to move him on like we did with David Klemmer.
Personally I believe we're well stocked with edge forwards next year but still lacking in grunt and size in the middle.
NAS and Terrell May is an elite starting prop partnership with Twal, Pole, Fainu and Hunt in rotation.
Im having second thoughts about NAS tbh. he is 30 next year and a frame like that will fall off a cliff pretty early. Remember the last player they let go to the Tigers. I think Storm are a step ahead when it comes to injury treatment and I think that like with Olam, they might know when NAS is done. Id think about it at $500K
Hello all - just been looking at Ethan Roberts and his stint playing 15 mins at this year's All Star game. First thing you notice is his size; 6'5 and filled out. Didn't get much ball in attack on the edges and looked more at home playing in the middle taking hit ups.
The key positive was his defence which looks special in a very small sample size. Could be in the rotation mid season next year. Plays in 2 spells, after the 20 mins and 60 mins. Game below 👇
Big boy
