Joe Mellor for me too

Darcy lussick for me somtimes our forwards can lack a bit of agression somthing he has

Apart from o brien who is already spoken for and in a position we dont need any extra cover for i dont fancy any of their team remember where they were before covid and those players responsible for it all listed there

Just because the team performed poorly it doesn't mean they are poor players, I think we have had this point time after time but there are some quality players in that squad.

Despite the endless lessons that we’ve seen some fans persist in this belief. I’ve said it a thousand times, a player can be a nobody at one club, even a laughing stock in some cases, then for no obvious reason a star at his new club. Ditto the other way, a high profile, high reputation flop.

Look at Fifita, you won’t find many Cronulla fans who didn’t think of Dave as Andrew’s amusing but generally useless brother.

You have to buy the player not the reputation to fit the job you wish them to do. Obviously past reputation counts but it has to be weighed against circumstances. One of those has to be the state of the players previous club. So long as there are good reasons why said player underperformed then if Chester or whoever is satisfied that those issues won’t be repeated the it’s a coaches call as to whether the player can do a job.

My belief is that with about 90% of players if they had the potential to get signed as kids then it’s still there somewhere, it just needs to right catalyst.

That said it’s a gamble but all signings are even the very best can fail if it’s not right.

Think Mellor looks to have joined Leigh with what looks like a hopeful SL entry squad. Lussick going home isn’t he?

Chase Stanley? Big 6ft 2 tall 15 stone centre with lots of NRL experience. Relative of Tim Cahill who is a close friend of Tanginoa?

MC said that we are looking at strengthening the back line and we could certainly do a lot worse than Chase Stanley

Slightly related to th3 thread, but it’s great to see the majority of our sponsors signing on for next year considering these precarious financial times we find ourselves in. Say what you want about our on field performances, but the club seem to be doing a pretty damn good job off it.

He said other than half back he looking into forwards hoefully battye and yhen a back rower said we have enough backs esp if bishop agrees

Would be a great signing but it’s not really the area we are weak in imho.
I’d rather a HB and a prop or two.

I’m told the second row signing is almost done. Played in the NRL this year.

My worry is another second row means Tanginoa will be at prop!

Any more clues SC

I could tell you but i’d have to kill you!!

Comes with a good rugby pedigree though from a family member who played in both hemispheres.

Got my research head on now

It seems bizarre if we are signing a second row.

We have Kalepi who is an absolute beast in SR.

Batchelor for me was in excellent form and looks like he’s now ready. Same with Crowther.

We also have Ashurst. That’s at least 4 with options in Walker etc.

It’s prop that worries me.

As it stands we are going into 2021 with 3 props when we at least need 5/6.

Arona
Fifita
Aydin

For me we are in dire need of some big brute with some punch up front and a few other solid props.

A organising half
3 props
Battye

Would be perfect.

If it’s a quality second rower in his prime years from NRL it’s good I suppose but I honestly think Batch/Crowther are turning the corner and becoming good SL players and don’t want to stifle that.

Jay Pitts as well.

Damn, that’s at least 5. Looks like there could be some movement in the forwards then maybe.

Pitt’s is a strange one to me. Our right side was leaking trys in defence almost up until Pitts came out and batch came in. I personally thought Batch was putting in much more impressive displays than pits had.

No slight on Pitts as he was solid but batch has that hard of pace that allows him to poke through the line and in those last 5 games or so looked as fit as a butchers dog.

We have time in the off season and I’m sure the squad will hopefully end up more balanced come December.

Surely Crowther is a LF/stand in hooker, rather than SR.

Having 4 frontline SRs would be standard, as would having 6 Props.

They're long season and depth is needed.

I agree. You usually play 3 SR in a game anyway so need at least 4 you'd happily play with some backup too.
LF Westerman, Crowther and Walker assuming Arona is front row but I'd happily start him at 13.
SR Ashurst Tanginoa, Batch and Pitts is a string setup. I think we could do with another.
Props we do need to pick up if it's true that Kopi and Green are on their way out. I'd love Battye back. Think Tangata goes back to Halifax but I think Navarette is still with us isn't he?

I’m sure Crowther can play SR and has in the past so he’s an option giving us enough depth and quality in the SR.

It’s prop we are in dire need.

Fifita
Arona
Green
Aydin

Are with us 2021 though Green seems to be a bit injury prone and Aydin is a young lad.

Koppy - OOC
Tangata - Loan ends
Navarette - Loan ends
Gwaze - OOC
Battye - Loan ends

If we don’t get at least 2 good quality props for 2021 signed I think we will struggle down the middle like we did a lot of 2020 for yards.

Other than Battye and maybe Navarette I think we need to be looking to improve the quality in this area.

I agree about the props.

In terms SR. Yes of course Crowther can cover, as can Westerman, but they are not the 1st choice because they are more valuable at 13.

Aydin is not a prop imho, he might have played there in youth RL and according to wiki and the Trinity site he is but he is a back row all day long for me.

Unless my eyes deceive me he’s not big enough, then again neither was JT or a few others so maybe he is. It will be a while before we know that’s for sure, so I personally wouldn’t place him in the props list for now, unless he has a growth spurt.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Westerman used in the front row at times next season.

That’s not actually a bad call if needed with Crowther and Brad Walker good options for 13.

If we get recruitment right and if the players hit pre season in good shape (with the new added support of another physio) then we could be in for much improved year).

Oh and a Vastman I get your point on Aydin. He’s not a small lad but he’s probably more in the frame of a second row presently. He’s got plenty of time on his side though.