Quote ="asmadasa"Linked to James Tamou but so are Huddersfield, Leigh and North Queensland Cowboys…… https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/huddersf ... fer-59799/'" Just silly speculation. They have just picked three SL clubs with free spots, that’s not journalism that’s just guessing. FWIW I reckon our signings won’t be regular NRL players but fringe players like Whitbread. Only the most dedicated NRL watchers will have heard of them. Good is what I say if our previous fringe signings are anything to go by. Of course he could be a target but I think we will likely not enter a bidding war.

Quote ="asmadasa"Linked to James Tamou but so are Huddersfield, Leigh and North Queensland Cowboys…… https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/huddersf ... fer-59799/'" Just silly speculation. They have just picked three SL clubs with free spots, that’s not journalism that’s just guessing. FWIW I reckon our signings won’t be regular NRL players but fringe players like Whitbread. Only the most dedicated NRL watchers will have heard of them. Good is what I say if our previous fringe signings are anything to go by. Of course he could be a target but I think we will likely not enter a bidding war.

Not writing off Pitts myself but next season I would start with Ashurst and Tanginoa.

Pitts is a professional and is a good solid squad option . He can offer good rotation/bench options for SR/13.

He’s probably is in his last year at 33, hasn't it already been confirmed he’s extended?

Quote ="Trojan Horse"Not writing off Pitts myself but next season I would start with Ashurst and Tanginoa. Pitts is a professional and is a good solid squad option . He can offer good rotation/bench options for SR/13. He’s probably is in his last year at 33, hasn't it already been confirmed he’s extended?'" https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... ODpTlklQbE I think running the ball in like this would get the North stand rocking

Quote ="Trojan Horse"Not writing off Pitts myself but next season I would start with Ashurst and Tanginoa. Pitts is a professional and is a good solid squad option . He can offer good rotation/bench options for SR/13. He’s probably is in his last year at 33, hasn't it already been confirmed he’s extended?'" https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... ODpTlklQbE I think running the ball in like this would get the North stand rocking

Don't we look pretty much like we did last season at the present time?

Not a dig at you but…

Funny how Ashurst is now back in fashion after a decent season with no injuries. Pitts is now out of fashion when in 2021 he was hailed as one of our best and we were chuffed we he was with us for another year. One injury and he’s written off.

To me this shows a fundamental misunderstanding as to how sport works. Age is irrelevant, I know of plenty of players who have lost their desire in their mid twenties. So long as you are reasonably fit and healthy desire to play is all you need. Loss of and agility can be come sated by knowledge and toughness that comes with age.

Ashurst and Pitts are the same age and have similar game time. To me they are both equally valuable and we are lucky to have them both assuming Pitts signs.

No.

We are missing five excellent players, Fifita, Miller, Arona, Tupou
And of course TJ.

At the moment we are a shadow of what we were at the start of last season.

However on the plus side we know reinforcements will arrive.

We also know that the likes of Murphy, Hall and Kershaw have really established themselves.

Two of last seasons mid season signings in Bowden and Butler look useful.

Also a number of Youngsters like Eseh, Shaw and Windrow look ready to step up.

So no point speculating for now until we know what we have which won’t be for a month or so.

Pele is well thought of here in Aus… but has yet to make any ripples when selected in first grade… he was one of those guys who matures early and looks impressive in his age group…

I y try bought he would have broken the sharks first grade team this year… but for whatever reason… he hasn’t!

I know it’s not a dig I’m happy to share my opinion.

Not written either off but Ashurst I’m of the same opinion. Both are solid professionals who give nothing less than 100%. They’re both strong in defence but a little limited in attack recent years.

I’m happy for both to be part of the squad next year but I wouldn’t play both in the second row. We lack a bit of punch out wide and we get that with Tanginoa. That’s nothing against either but they’re quite similar in what they offer.

Neither Ashurst or Pitts let the team down but I just think Tanginoa draws more defenders out wide and it creates more gaps and stretches the defensive line that bit more.

As i said I am happy both are at trinity next season in 2023 but I wouldn’t play both at the same time for the full 80. I think Pitts showed promise at 13 so I’d be happy to see him interchange there with Crowther instead of signing another player for that position.

I have nothing but respect for good pro’s like Ashurst and Pitts. Every club needs them. I was surprised Ashurst got an extension but he proved he’s still got it in him so if his body is good then we may see him for another year or two yet.

If Tanginoa is as devastating as people think, why doesn't he score more tries?
I like him but he needs to hit gaps more than people.

Of course, that could be to do with his service.

I thought the real Tanginoa returned in the last games of the season, shame he missed 3 due to a ban.

For players like him service is as you say vital. He's not a creator but put on the end of a good pass with a little bit of space and he's unstoppable.

Some is service. Reality is that he’s been playing about 80% of all his games at prop for us. To a solid if unremarkable standard.

When he came over and featured left second row he won 5/6? MOTM awards in 2020. Started 2021 at prop as we were short (average) and then back end of 2021 I think he got put back to SR (found form) and we won a stretch and he played better. Then 2022 we put him back to prop (average) and again back end SR (found form) which amazingly he started playing better again. He’s not the reason we won but he attracts defenders and takes some putting down for opposition edge forwards/halfbacks.

He’s just more effective wide running and running at edge players but as Vastman says he needs some early ball to get some steam up.

I just feel he’s a player we have mis managed. He needs to be at SR which is what he is but there’s always the option to move him to prop in emergency needs.

Again watching Leigh there’s a few cracking forwards I hope we are looking at in O’Donnell and Nakubwaii

I’m not dismissing them but let’s get some perspective here.

They are playing Championship opposition and although that’s still tough it’s not the same as SL.

They are on a full season roll in a final series so again they will. Look good.

Everyone you mention may be a gem or they may flatter to deceive.

I know we picked up Whitebread from them but oddly he didn’t shine when with them. Basically when your in the runaway team in any comp they all look good but that doesn’t mean they all are.

Maybe so, they are least seem like options for us to consider.

I expect now all the games are done we will probably see some movement and signings. It’s been quite tight lipped from the club which is probably a good thing.

I’m quite excited to see who we sign or have signed.

Seems to me we're waiting to see what the WC has on display?

Bit of a red herring is this one, and I think JM didn't mean it to sound that way.

Let's be clear about this. The reason no signings are being announced is because Applegarth is reviewing them as the new head coach, which is what you'd expect. What he isn't doing is sitting waiting for the WC, that's not the case at all. Any quota players he wants will now be in contract talks of some kind with the club. The WC refers to the fact that if we can't sign all the players we want then we can look at the WC and see if there is anyone who fits the bill. You have to remember that we often get outbid on players, even those we were in the running for first, it's how it is. So there is every chance that come the WC we may have a spot free. That spot may prove to be an absolute blessing or maybe not.

Do you know this or is this just a suggestion?

There’s a good chance we are looking at a few players who are at the World Cup… which might enable a few face to face chats…

In this case, a bit of both, or as close as you can get from what you hear without actually being part of the staff. But tbh it would make sense anyway. Applegarth is bound to want to review signing, you'd assume he was in agreement with Poching but he may wish to take another look, I would.

FWIW, I reckon we will have at least one or two spots still free whilst the WC is on, that by the way is speculation. That's not so much to do with the WC but historically we don't seem to have signed a lot of players right up November anyway. I think Whitbread came late?

That's all I can say.

I'd guess we already have a list of players to look at, during the WC, ones already on the list but who we'd love to see up close. I'd go with that, makes sense.

Funny, we have an obsession at this club about making signings ASAP, but when we did with Hood, Gaskell and Lineham, that didn't go down well or end up especially well. It's a no win for the club it seems.

It's not like all WC players are there for the signing. Some will be under contract and some will have no interest is SL. I guess the agents will have given the club a list of ones who might be available in our price range. I guess MA will be going through the lists.

All the clubs will be looking at the better players and a strong WC doesn't mean they will fit into our plans/budget.

Most of Tonga and Samoa are already in the NRL. PNG or Fiji maybe but it's not like the days when you could pick up an unknown livewire scrum half.

It's more about the WC freeing some up that wouldn't get visas previously.

I think that's about it.
I tend to agree having given it some thought, we can't just rely on the WC throwing a few gems up, although it would be good to pick up a Stanley Gene type!

Signings sell season tickets, quality signings will sell more.

Would like to see the proof of that..........