Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 8:02 pm  

49er wrote:

Happy with McGuire and Doolan to support Walker as we badly need to use the money to strengthen centre and back row. We really do need a strong running second row and use Currie on the bench if he is retained.
As well as Wrench, a class centre to give Ashton more space is a must.
Tanginoa and Whitbread please plus Aussie centre.

All three of the above are quota, we have Mikaele and potentially Mata’utia out of contract, to sign the above would need one of Dufty, Vaughan, McGuire, Kasiano or Drinkwater to leave…?

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 8:58 pm  

Yes didn’t factor that in although would like to see Riley Dean back next year to put pressure on Drinkwater. Rumour about Kruise Leeming signed now anyway.

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 9:05 pm  

As difficult as I find it, I think Clark leaving (assuming he isn’t willing to take the drop in salary and extended time at 13 rather than hooker which would be my preference) is the right call. Walker is ready to be our 9 long term, and I think he is capable to be a 9 for a Grand Final winning team. With an additional marquee potentially next year, we can’t keep Clark on significant money when w e need to be looking to spend elsewhere.

He’s been great, no complaints and while I hope he doesn’t have success at Saints, if he did I’d be pleased for him.

(Assuming this is all confirmed of course!)

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 9:59 pm  

Alffi_7 wrote:

As difficult as I find it, I think Clark leaving (assuming he isn’t willing to take the drop in salary and extended time at 13 rather than hooker which would be my preference) is the right call. Walker is ready to be our 9 long term, and I think he is capable to be a 9 for a Grand Final winning team. With an additional marquee potentially next year, we can’t keep Clark on significant money when w e need to be looking to spend elsewhere.

He’s been great, no complaints and while I hope he doesn’t have success at Saints, if he did I’d be pleased for him.

(Assuming this is all confirmed of course!)

Ok but Walker won’t win a Grand Final at 9 least ways not with us because Phil Clarke said we can’t win a Grand Final with Dufty at Fullback

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 10:01 pm  

49er wrote:

Yes didn’t factor that in although would like to see Riley Dean back next year to put pressure on Drinkwater. Rumour about Kruise Leeming signed now anyway.

Where as the Leeming rumour come from, did he not leave Leeds because he wanted the starting spot. Guess Walker would not be best pleased if Leeming as been guaranteed that.

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 10:15 pm  

Just a rumour at this point but he has not been picked for Gold Coast in their last two games….neither has Mikaele for that matter.
Am sure Danny Walker would be starting at 9.

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Mon May 08, 2023 10:32 pm  

49er wrote:

Just a rumour at this point but he has not been picked for Gold Coast in their last two games….neither has Mikaele for that matter.
Am sure Danny Walker would be starting at 9.

Ok fair, for me centre and 2nd row/prop needed. Tanginoa would fit the previous just need a centre bad pref 2 although hopeful Wrench gets going ok. From the match of Friday I was fuming at Mata’uatia never saw him once put an effort in on a kick chase and Ratchford would not pass the ball even with people in the stand shouting at him.

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Tue May 09, 2023 5:50 pm  

Honest thoughts on Peta Hiku? There's some early albeit tentative talk about him signing for HKR (maybe as Marquee) for next year. Scored 10 in 11 in 2017 for the Wire, I remember him getting rave reviews in a poor season for you. The fact he covers FB, Centre and Wing is definitely why I'd like him to sign. Early days though with that one

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Tue May 09, 2023 6:00 pm  

ChampagneSuperRovers wrote:

Honest thoughts on Peta Hiku? There's some early albeit tentative talk about him signing for HKR (maybe as Marquee) for next year. Scored 10 in 11 in 2017 for the Wire, I remember him getting rave reviews in a poor season for you. The fact he covers FB, Centre and Wing is definitely why I'd like him to sign. Early days though with that one

Yeh good player but marquee money at 31 nah, anyways played 11 times for us and went home on compassionate grounds, tbh I would give him a swerve.

Re: Recruitment and Retention. : Tue May 09, 2023 6:16 pm  

karetaker wrote:

Yeh good player but marquee money at 31 nah, anyways played 11 times for us and went home on compassionate grounds, tbh I would give him a swerve.

That was my initial concern too, the marquee aspect. But we haven't ever had one as even Coote isn't one, I think it's easier to sign someone in that bracket if it's a first. I believe we'll use both marquees next year..The positive is that he has sampled at least some SL in the past and looked like he handled it well. We will see.