Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:29 am  

Irregular Hoops wrote:

May as well stick with what we have to be honest.

I wouldn't, this type of player wouldn't be who I'd sign, but if we go into next season with Houghton and Johnstone at hooker we might as well not bother.

So if the choice is a reserve NRL player or Johnstone I know what I'd do.

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:02 am  

Just don’t see the point in potentially paying off Johnstone, to replace him with a utility hooker / back row who hasn’t played an NRL game.

I’m not saying we need to keep Johnstone, but if replaced, it has to be someone markedly better.

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:29 am  

Irregular Hoops wrote:

Just don’t see the point in potentially paying off Johnstone, to replace him with a utility hooker / back row who hasn’t played an NRL game.

I’m not saying we need to keep Johnstone, but if replaced, it has to be someone markedly better.

Be a good challenge to sign worst

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:49 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Be a good challenge to sign worst

I agree. Paying players off is expensive though, even if we can offload them to another club. The net gain has to be worth the expense involved.

Also wouldn’t use a quota place on a utility with zero NRL appearances.

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:27 pm  

Brandon Smith and Cameron Munster might be needing to find new clubs soon...

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:45 pm  

To be fair, long gone are the days when all but the richest of SL clubs sign first grade NRL players, even then the ones that do come across are either finishing or off contract, with no real NRL opportunities left open to them, so maybe we have to hope Brett Hodgson has a good idea about the players we may be linked with.
It has turned out okay with some relative unknowns and fringe players, like Sam Moa and Carlos but it is a gamble. Get the impression we are shopping in Boyes with expectations of Harrods' quality. Last season was a very chastening experience and most people did warn of the gamble of going with such a small squad, with 1-17 first choice looking good when fit, but beyond that did look weak and so it proved.

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 12:46 pm  

Unless we plan to use him as a utility/9 and get peats? But that might be asking too much. He had some decent games for Fiji against PNG, Lebanon and Samoa in 2019. Played hooker in all 3. Scored 2 and got 3 assists. 83% tackle completion over the 3 games too. Managed to find some highlights, he certainly looks to make things happen if that's in the backrow or at 9. https://vimeo.com/470541378

Unless we plan to use him as a utility/9 and get peats? But that might be asking too much. He had some decent games for Fiji against PNG, Lebanon and Samoa in 2019. Played hooker in all 3. Scored 2 and got 3 assists. 83% tackle completion over the 3 games too. Managed to find some highlights, he certainly looks to make things happen if that's in the backrow or at 9. https://vimeo.com/470541378

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:06 pm  

R.B.A wrote:

There are a couple of clubs who have signed overseas players for 2022 who don't qualify for a Visa/work permit due to lack of NRL appearances but would have qualified had they played a minimum of 2 (I think) games in the 2021 World Cup.

Their National Federations have had to submit statements that the said players would have made the required appearances.

Still ongoing as far as I know.

Just tell the Government they can drive HGV's

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:36 pm  

Michael Shenton in as 'Head of emerging talent' with Yeamo to assist him

Didnt see that coming, good to see investment being made in the youth setup as we simply haven't produced enough over the last decade, and good to see someone completely new at the club.

Re: What now? : Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:07 pm  

Wonder if we will see a week or so worth of announcements?

First Griffin, then McNamara, Wynne, Brown and now Shenton all in 3/4 days