geez, I would expect we should have a wealth of hard running big bodied players across the Macarthur region we could recruit yet we seem to only have smaller bodies and our players look like they are running on sand most of the time. Hopefully Makasini breaks the trend.
I agree with most here that Latu’s style would suit Luai better than Galvin & the chemistry between the two would probably be better. But there would have to be another option as well. Reynolds would seem a good choice, his kicking game is great (and we still need that) plus his ability to organise is terrific. I think it’d benefit Lua’s game a lot. But Reynolds has a young family & seems entrenched in Brisbane but who knows for sure. Another option is another May, Tyrone. He has plenty of experience, has matured and settled into playing good footy in the Super League. If he’s available he would not cost as much as Reynolds & he is turning 29 this year. He could also cover other spots in the backline. At worst he’d be a good back up to both halves, at best he’d provide better balance with Luai if Latu needs to build his game in Cup.
Good suggestion. Tyrone is playing in the challenge cup final on June 8. He’s got a big game to play in that day but Willie Peters has told the media that May “wants to go back to Australia to play with his brothers.” Maybe we could secure a release after the final?
Personally I would only sign Taylan with Tyrone to join as well and chaperone him.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YYL8IuT85o4Q4ImiXFqXT?si=c7a7eaebb6bc4b70
Riccio has mail Tigers are making a play for Adam Reynolds. Listen from around 24-25 mins. 2 year contract. I'd offer one year with a transition to coaching if I was WT.
EDIT - new podcast released today. Reynolds says he'll be staying at the Broncos as a player or retire to become a coach and that his family are settled in Qld.
Surely we have to go with Latu and see if we can develop him. I agree that I like his straightening of attack and like his defensive attitude. If Latu is injured or needs some time in NSW cup then Api should play 7 and TDs can spend more time at 9. Api has a nice kicking game, is strong defensively and is deceptive. I just can’t imagine you can out Reynolds into our squad even for 1 year because it really hampers Latu’s development
I doubt reno would uproot his family and come back to Sydney. Hopefully we see a more confident and assertive Luai when he gets to play with his preferred halves partner. Injuries aside, from what I have seen Latu is more structured and direct and I think Luai ( and the team) needs this to flourish.
We had Christian Tapau-Moors & Levictus Lovia in the u18s games last Saturday, both big kids, probably about 190cm. Godinet is smaller than those guys who are front rowers, he’s about average height for a backrower his age.geez, I would expect we should have a wealth of hard running big bodied players across the Macarthur region we could recruit yet we seem to only have smaller bodies and our players look like they are running on sand most of the time. Hopefully Makasini breaks the trend.
Just remembered we developed the Sironens who were good back rowers.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YYL8IuT85o4Q4ImiXFqXT?si=c7a7eaebb6bc4b70
Riccio has mail Tigers are making a play for Adam Reynolds. Listen from around 24-25 mins. 2 year contract. I'd offer one year with a transition to coaching if I was WT.
EDIT - new podcast released today. Reynolds says he'll be staying at the Broncos as a player or retire to become a coach and that his family are settled in Qld.
I don't think he is a big fan of Madge so don't see him going into coaching with him next year.
Money talks as well so you never know.
Yes, certainly get the impression the older brothers might be good for Taylan. But if the group, particularly the leaders, are a well connected bunch that would surely help as well. Assuming anything comes of it of course.I agree with most here that Latu’s style would suit Luai better than Galvin & the chemistry between the two would probably be better. But there would have to be another option as well. Reynolds would seem a good choice, his kicking game is great (and we still need that) plus his ability to organise is terrific. I think it’d benefit Lua’s game a lot. But Reynolds has a young family & seems entrenched in Brisbane but who knows for sure. Another option is another May, Tyrone. He has plenty of experience, has matured and settled into playing good footy in the Super League. If he’s available he would not cost as much as Reynolds & he is turning 29 this year. He could also cover other spots in the backline. At worst he’d be a good back up to both halves, at best he’d provide better balance with Luai if Latu needs to build his game in Cup.
Good suggestion. Tyrone is playing in the challenge cup final on June 8. He’s got a big game to play in that day but Willie Peters has told the media that May “wants to go back to Australia to play with his brothers.” Maybe we could secure a release after the final?
Personally I would only sign Taylan with Tyrone to join as well and chaperone him.
We will hopefully strengthen the squad for next year with a couple of signings, KPP & May most likely going by reports. But let’s say we have $1 million or so to spend for 2027, which is possible depending on what Api & the club decides. I think both off contract after 2026. Here’s a list of possible targets for 2027 & players who could be difference makers.
Payne Haas
Kikau
Curran
Mahoney
McInnes
Iro
Talakai
Farnworth
Fermor
Fifita
Garrick
Koula
Grant
Hughes
Papenhuyzen
Blore
Coates
Purdue
L Henry
L Smith
Sua
Humphreys
Gray
Koloamatangi
A Chrichton
Nawaaqanitawase
S Wong
Capewell
Niukore
RTS
If you were going to target one who might be the difference between top 4 and not who would you target? I’d go Haas, Farnworth or Koloamatangi as the Storm guys are unlikely to leave except Papenhuyzen. But Haas would be the one.
I think you can see by the list of off contract players going into 2027 that the Storm have quite a few big names they will need to upgrade unless they all are ok to stay for unders. Grant, Hughes, Papenhuyzen, Coates, Warbrick all off contract. They also have the likes of Suli Pole who would be one of the most promising middles coming through the grades so unless they’ve contracted him for more than a couple of years he’ll need an upgrade. They must have some turnover like the Panthers have had past few years but it’s the Storm so never can be quite sure what’s going on there. But we lack physicality (right Joel) so would they consider an early release of NAS ? Probably not. Could we look at Kamikamica? Would he make a difference? Should we make a play for Fonua’s brother, Suli, if he’s available post 2026? We need a middle to make a real difference in terms of physicality. Koloamatangi, do we go all in on him? Surely Souths will upgrade him. Do we look at making a big play for Haas? Richo got arguably the two best players in the world to come to Souths when they won in 2014, GI and Burgess. Or do we look at 3 or 4 good, solid NRL players to fill our squad?We will hopefully strengthen the squad for next year with a couple of signings, KPP & May most likely going by reports. But let’s say we have $1 million or so to spend for 2027, which is possible depending on what Api & the club decides. I think both off contract after 2026. Here’s a list of possible targets for 2027 & players who could be difference makers.
Payne Haas
Kikau
Curran
Mahoney
McInnes
Iro
Talakai
Farnworth
Fermor
Fifita
Garrick
Koula
Grant
Hughes
Papenhuyzen
Blore
Coates
Purdue
L Henry
L Smith
Sua
Humphreys
Gray
Koloamatangi
A Chrichton
Nawaaqanitawase
S Wong
Capewell
Niukore
RTS
If you were going to target one who might be the difference between top 4 and not who would you target? I’d go Haas, Farnworth or Koloamatangi as the Storm guys are unlikely to leave except Papenhuyzen. But Haas would be the one.
Would you entertain this idea? KPP comes to the club 2026. We bring in Ativalu Lisati from the Storm to play left edge with Sukkar & Seyfarth for one year & move Samuela to middle where he’s spent most of his youth? But only if we have a crack at Koloamatangi or Blore or Fermor or Fifita to come 2027. Lemuelu & Talakai other options. If we had KPP & one of those on our edges plus Samuela, Terrell, Fonua, Sione, Hunt & Twal as middles could that work? It would mean we don’t look for a middle but instead look at another edge as there seems to be more of them who could really strengthen our squad & make us a potential top 4 side. If you were to offer Blore a 4 year deal of something like $700,000 a year it’d save looking for a middle & you’d lose nothing on that left edge imo. You’d have a stronger 17.
Bula
Skelton
Star
Taylan May?
Turuva
Luai
Latu
Twal or Sione
Blore
KPP
Terrell
Api?
Samuela
Bench: Pole, Twal, Hunt & TDS
No need to worry about the collision with the Fainu brothers in that pack, both hit hard & run hard.
Thanks @russtutty63 your last couple of posts have given me some hope that Richo may after all be able to procure who we need to become a finals team!
Unfortunately 25,26 & 27 will be difficult years for all teams trying to retain or sign players with the new teams coming into the comp. All players will be thinking ‘pay day’ has arrived.
@tigertragic56 This is where clubs with a large junior base and good pathways should be ok ..yes they can be poached but these new clubs want established players off the bat for the first few years .
