2024 Backline

[Demps]

Looking forward, what do you think our 2024 backline should be ?

Lots of question marks, like if Staines is re-signed, other potential recruits and possible releases.

Who could we realistically bring in? And what do you think the most ideal 2024 backline could be?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. To'oa
4. Feledy / Olam (if storm release him)
5. Tupou
6. Fainu
7. Sullivan

 

[Todd Packer]

Desperate for a Best or Lomax or Tracey.
Staines has to be signed.

 

[chiranth]

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. Tracey
4. Olam
5. Tupou
6. Bud
7. Sezer
14. Fainu

Would be going all out for Tracey and Olam. Pay em extra if need be! They are such good players not getting too much of a chance. You seen what Tracey did in his last match! Absolute devastating ball runners

 

[Tucker]

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?

 

[Tom Shines]

Who they shouldn’t play:

AJK- release him at the end of this year…surely he couldn’t be on more than $250k next season… they need that spot.

Nofo- 2 years of reserve grade ahead…Needs to be no higher than 4th winger at the club, so that means signing Stains. and probably someone else…move him on at half price if you can find a sucker to take him off our hands..

The other depth I haven’t seen play other than 1 game of Reilly yesterday … who seemed so so at best…( not overly quick and didn’t want to / can’t pass the ball ), but i could probably be convinced to keep him as depth on what is a likely cheap deal..

Toa and Tupou… both need to improve… but maybe they can…they have a bit of pace which is in short supply although neither is lightning quick. It would be nice if there is another option for both , either waiting in the wings at the club ( which seems unlikely they will be ready Round 1) or they buy someone and bring them in..

Staines - what the hell is the problem here with getting him under contract ? Quickest outside back at the club and seems competent defensively compared with the rest… also fullback depth,

I’ve said this for a few years now..collectively the outside backs are weak in attack and defense, lack confidence and there won’t be any big strides in the overall performance of the team unless there is improvement next season… they win despite of, not because of them…

Other teams seem to have little trouble finding competent wingers … not sure what our troubles are here… but Nofo costs them at least 1 try a game...

Brooks and Laurie moving on… two of the teams quickest... the club is in desperate need for speed,

 

[earl]

1. Bula
2. Nofo
3. To'oa
4. Tupou
5. Staines
6. Fainu
7. Sullivan

If those players somehow play to their best and not their worst that backline will do the job. The problem is the difference between their best and worst games is going to be huge.

 

[KingRobbie]

Staines - what the hell is the problem here with getting him under contract ?

I think it’s a money thing.

Is apparently on pretty big dollars for a winger.

 

[rihannafan1]

They need to go out and find some decent centres and if possible get off Nofa's contract. Toa goes missing way too much for me.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

1. Bula
2. Nofo
3. To'oa
4. Tupou
5. Staines
6. Fainu
7. Sullivan

If those players somehow play to their best and not their worst that backline will do the job. The problem is the difference between their best and worst games is going to be huge.

1 Bula
2 Staines
3 Reilly/Feredy/To'a
4 Feredy/Reilly
5 Tupou
6 Fainu
7 Sullivan

 

[Roar_Power]

1 Bula
2 Staines
3 Olam
4 Feledy
5 Tupou
6 Fainu
7 Sezer
14 Sullivan

Reilly never to be seen again in first grade.
Pay freight for the next two years to get rid of Nofo.
Toa is no longer a goer. Need stronger.
We have forgotten about Naden but if he screws his head on he can add value. Just needs to get that 1-2 costly errors each game out of his system.
AJ Kepaoa I had high hopes but he hasn't risen as expected. Keep as depth only or move on.

 

[colinbh]

1 Bula
2 Staines
3 Olam
4 Feledy
5 Tupou
6 Fainu
7 Sezer
14 Sullivan

Reilly never to be seen again in first grade.
Pay freight for the next two years to get rid of Nofo.
Toa is no longer a goer. Need stronger.
We have forgotten about Naden but if he screws his head on he can add value. Just needs to get that 1-2 costly errors each game out of his system.
AJ Kepaoa I had high hopes but he hasn't risen as expected. Keep as depth only or move on.

I thought that Reilly went ok. AJK will go ok in the forwards.

 

[weststigerman]

We have very limited top 30 spots so I'm not expecting any more external outside back signings unfortunately. I hope we can move Nofa on.

I think it will be something like this:

1. Bula
2. Tupou
3. Feledy
4. To'a
5. Staines
6. Sullivan
7. Sezer

 

[bythebeardofzeus]

We have very limited top 30 spots so I'm not expecting any more external outside back signings unfortunately. I hope we can move Nofa on.

I think it will be something like this:

1. Bula
2. Tupou
3. Feledy
4. To'a
5. Staines
6. Sullivan
7. Sezer

Yep I’d like to see this too, unless we can recruit better.

Are there any kids coming up through the grades who might be pushing for a spot? Weren’t there a couple who did their ACLs earlier in the year?

 

[The Chad]

I'd like to retain Staines but the cost has to be realistic. He's simply NOT a $500k a year player, no matter how fast he might be.

There are too many 'almost' players at the Tigers. There would be a market out there for someone like To'a, who shows flashes, but doesn't look dominant to me at all.

1. Bula
2. Nofoaluma (Dirty carry specialist)
3. Naden (best line runner in our backline currently)
4. Momorovski (steady influence that can kick goals- lost in the wilderness back at the Roosters)
5. Tupou (best skill player in the backline)

6. Sullivan
7. Sezar

In the mix-
Kepaoa- bigger body with questionable hands
Feledy- Will eventually take one of the centre spots
Luilili'i- future winger
Reilly- similar to Naden in line running
ADD- Hymel Hunt- big body, strong defence, plays wing & centre at a low cost.
ADD- Dean Ieriema- Storm winger/fullback stuck behind a long line of others. I'd expect him to push Nofa right away.

Fainu will get some gametime for sure.

 

[Demps]

Bump

Backline needs improving drastically

2024, we need something fresh.
Wonder if Fulton has anyone in mind we can bring over?

 

[Halbrowne61]

I think it should be “anyone’s”coz we need quite a few.

 

[crazycat]

I think it’s a money thing.

Is apparently on pretty big dollars for a winger.

What is it with League....

Fullback/5-8/Halfback can get 700k-1mil.

Winger/Centers get 200-500k. Maybe the best out there get 600-800.

A Gun center changes an entire team. You suddenly have another attacking option, like GI at Melbourne or Jamie Lyon at Manly.

Pat Richards was insanely good for us on the wing. Totally revolutionalised our side and IMHO would have been diabolical at Origin level.

 

[crazycat]

For my money:
1. Bula...
2. Naden (can defend on the backline, needs to improve but is better then others)
3. Staines
4. To'a*/Feledy(Feledy isn't ready yet)
5. Nofo* ....

^I am changing the above to add Tristan Reilly in. He has proved his worth so far.
We need gutsy Centers and wings who don't give away tries.

I can't believe I am saying it. Nofo makes fewer errors then Tupou on our backline. We just can't have so many tries giving up.

* Replace or upgrade. I would almost play Bateman in the centers just to get some OOMPH in our backline.

 

[ancient_magpie]

For my money:
1. Bula...
2. Naden (can defend on the backline, needs to improve but is better then others)
3. Staines
4. To'a*/Feledy(Feledy isn't ready yet)
5. Nofo* ....

I can't believe I am saying it. Nofo makes fewer errors then Tupou on our backline. We just can't have so many tries giving up.

* Replace or upgrade. I would almost play Bateman in the centers just to get some OOMPH in our backline.

The only 2 from tonight's backline next year Tupoa and Bula I hope