With the news the cowboys are looking to sign ramien and katoa, how can it be that every club is looking to, and actually executing signings and the eels have zero. I just can't for the life of me understand what's going on.
Is it a case we have a few in the pipeline, or we plan to go big after 30 November? I'm starting to be genuinely concerned about what next year will look for an already weak eels roster?
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Can I ask, with losing Drinkwater and Taulagi, replacing them with Katoa and Ramien, anyone consider NQ either getting better or staying the same if the other two stayed? I would rather the two that left.
But mind you, I would put my mortgage on it. If we signed Katoa, many would say "Jenkins is better why not get him? Typical Parra" or if we signed Ramien "Xerri and Timoko are available, this club getting bad players again"
It's either pissed off for not getting them or pissed off we got them. Let's get annoyed when a decent name we do not get like KK, Barnett, Galvin. That's fair, but can we not for every player not signed? Taulagi would be a better option.
Im more concerned about the lack of anyone being signed, so many players let go, and to be let go with who coming in? Are we planning on relying on our juniors?
Its not the who is getting bought, more the fact that there is not alot coming in to replace the outgoings. Surely there is cash in the bank, im just hoping we have a few in the pipeline, or are going big for 2028.
Not who we haven't bought and not replacing people are the same thing. We just don't sign for sake of it. Many here loved the Kelly signing when it happened as we signed someone. When there is better on the market. Now if we miss those on the market or set to be, then yeah that's ridiculous.
In terms of relying on juniors, well I'm not sure what they are doing. Lorenzo made sense with that philosophy but then rumours are we want Burton.
if NQ signed Jenkins and Tago for example, I would be pissed. But I just don't want people to lose the plot over signings that many here would criticize if we made them. Not saying you, but there would be plenty here hating the signing of either Ramien and/or Katoa.
I agree LB, not too fussed that we didn't go for Ramien and Katoa.
The real concerning thing is that we haven't really had any big signings in YEARS so it feels like the club is stuck in a cycle of indecisiveness and inaction.
We keep bringing in back ups and stopgap players which means they're either:
1. holding out for big names, but they've consistently failed at closing deals for
or
2. investing in our juniors, but they've been slow to lock up and end up losing to other clubs
so can't blame fans for doubting
I mean who knows maybe we have names already signed. As i said before, Jenkins for example is yet to have a deal for 2027. Only thing we have heard is Penrith could only offer $350k. But other than that all quiet. Could we have already signed him? Maybe. We can announce it but also players and management can also agree when to release it too.
I am so hopeful going big after November 30 ....if not I really have no more to say on this matter at that point that will be useless
been hopeful since 1994 😪
Ffs these two will be backups there.
Our fans either complain when we sign players towards the end of their careers who are just steady eddies like Katoa because we should sign guys in their prime who are game changers, but they complain again when we don't go for a Katoa.
Focusing on signing game changers means waiting and a slow process and seeing who becomes available. There are lots of players off contract "who can do a job". But so can Jake fucking Tago so what's the fucking point.
Ramien and katoa ain't going there to be back ups. Katoa replacing tuilagi who will join the chooks. Ramien to replace purdue who will be the cows fullback in 27
Look, a lot will be known by season end for me; like a few I am concerned we have not signed anyone of note yet, besides Sua, and with aging leaders too (Moses and Paulo) we need to see what is happening for the future.
I have mentioned before we need a pack mongrel leader and I cannot see it at the moment and we need more than Sua; with reports Walker and probably JDB looking elsewhere we need a Yeo type player to come in with some experience with a few more for me.
Five eight also needs to be looked at along with a good back up for Moses, and outside backs too. Surely the club has some guys they are talking with.
Oh, I forgot Jack Williams also being linked with PNG.