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My take: We only need 2 or 3 signings (or juniors breaking through like Galvin this year and Bula last year) to make us a competitive top 8 side. 2025 1. Jahream Bula 2. Israel Leota 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Justin Olam 5. X-factor winger (or placeholder until Heamasi Makasini in 2026) 6...

Samoan International just like Luai... Would look great running of Jerome...

Api working double time as our recuitment officer! Another reason to love him. Thanks Captain.

Realistically, the goal for this year is 'don't finish last.' 2025 it is 'push for top 8.' 2026, with a year to settle into combinations with Luai and the other recruits it is Top 8 or bust. Benji is not going anywhere for the next 3 years but come mid-26 and we still look like not making the...

Agreed. Plus one elite forward (a 2nd rower as I think Papalii was great at 13). Then we can have Pole and S Fainu off the bench. Maybe an impact prop (Miller?) too. I love Twal's but doesn't offer much impact. As for off-field, I'd love to see Payten come back as assistant coach. Unlikely as...

I would take Angus Crichton in a heartbeat and move Papalii to 13 permanently. With another break-out prop of the bench, this would round out our forward pack nicely. With Olam and Turuva supposedly getting first crack at centres, we desperately need a game-breaking winger (not just competent)...

Agree we need height and threat out wide but please no more offcuts passed their used-by dates. Is Lobb a genuine contender? He seemed great in the air in the trials. Anyone watching him with a better grasp on his potential?

Also, having Bateman as lock could solve our issues in the middle. IE. Prop rotation is Klem/Stef starting replaced by Twal/Pole (best positions). We could have Latu Fainu on the bench to give Bateman a spell late in the game with fresh legs, creating another attacking threat without draining...

Good news if the Turuva signing is true. Fixes one of our issues for 2025. Still need at least one, possibly two, high-quality wingers. Staines can do a job but yet to see him do anything more than that.

This is our strongest team going on this year's form, with only Naden the unknown. But he's a big body and I think will do a job for us on the right. Still think it will be hard to roll the Riff but as long as we see a gritty performance like against the Sharks and Eels then I'd be happy. A win...

Perth Pirates. It evens out the teams (ie. fewer byes), makes us truly a national game, the time difference works well for TV and fans, great new stadium already built, cashed up city and heaps of corporate dollars, it's a no-brainer. Also, I think the Pirates is a killer name for a NRL team...

David Fifita anyone? Talk that Des may be keen to use that cash for a half back. Could get him for a little cheaper but still probably $800k...

Sione Fainu will probably come in for Twal. Still think Lobb would offer more on the wing than Staines but wouldn't argue if they kept the same team as Saturday. Was a dominate performance from the team.

Agreed. He's our weak link at the moment. I'd give Lobb a go. Bigger body, better hit-ups, amazing in the air... the only thing he doesn't have that Staines does is speed, but we are yet to see that from Charlie so I'd make the swap.

Looks like Olam and Naden aren't due back toll round 4. From the website:

Loved Bateman today. We've been screaming out for some fire in the belly then when one of ours shows it they get bagged. Each their own I guess. If he didn't carry on after the Stains high tackle the ref misses that. Canberra player should have been a sent off though.

Turned out about as expected. Thought we had a crack but never looked like winning. WARNING WINGE INCOMING... That Ref was blatantly woeful. High tackle in a try-scoring position has ALWAYS been a professional foul and a sin bin. Doesn't even look when Stef is shoulder-charged in the head but...

Honestly, I don't think we beat Canberra in Canberra but I just want to see some combinations forming, smart choices in the attacking 20 and solid defence. We all know this is a building year and there will always be some who spit the dummy when we don't win but we need to see the light at the...

If Bennett has one eye on the next new NRL team (be that Perth, PNG, whoever) then he has at least two years to kill before then. I'd love him as GM of Football here for that period but my gut says he will take a head coaching gig somewhere (if Parra miss the finals he may take over there in 25).

I expect Sezer to bring some organisation and thus more wins. Check this out (scroll to bottom): https://rugbyleaguewriters.com/nrl-2024/nrl-round-1-big-questions-dolphins-cowboys-tigers/ Watch the videos at the bottom. Sezer tells Galving to stay behind the ruck until the defence line is down...