Five Recruitment Head Scratches For 2016

http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/five-recruitment-head-scratches-for-2016-18631/Looking forward to 2016, there have been some magnificent recruitment decisions.Sezer to the Raiders, RTS to the Warriors, Maloney to the Sharks, the list goes on. I will cover this at same stage soon and rank the top 10.That being said, there have been more than a few absolute head scratchers. Without giving anything away, here are our top five:5. Beau Scott to the EelsOn the surface, signing a current Origin back-rower isn’t exactly a head scratcher per say, but when looking close, it’s one of the stranger decisions made recruitment wise.Heading into 2015, the Eels invested big money in Anthony Watmough, who has unfortunately not lived up to expectation.VIEW: Highest paid players in the NRLFor the second year straight the Eels will entrust big dollars into a forward the wrong side of 30.It’s not like the squad is short on talented young forwards either. You have to wonder where this leaves them, with both Watmough and Scott set to be in the starting 13 when fit.19 year-old Tepai Moeroa is one of the best young forwards in the game, and should be a major priority for the Eels.Manu Ma’u, at 26, is also a great long-term option at Parramatta. David Gower at 29 has plenty of years left in him. Not to mention 21 year-old Pauli Pauli and 23 year-old Peni Terepo.Scott’s form has been all over the shop in 2015, although at his best, he can definitely provide plenty in terms of ability and experience.That being said, his recruitment is a short-term one, and may cost them elsewhere. Plus his recent injury history is of major concern.4. Todd Lowrie to the KnightsThis is a similar, albeit much cheaper, version of the Beau Scott recruitment. Lowrie is 32 years old, and will replace the 31 year-old Scott on the Hunter.Looking at the Newcastle pack, I’m not sure where Lowrie fits in. Jeremy Smith and Chris Houston provide plenty of experience, while Tariq Sims and young Joseph Tapine are absolute priorities.The main reasoning behind the signing, I believe, is that they have recruited an experienced forward to replace Beau Scott, at a fraction of the price.That and the fact that Lowrie is a Newcastle junior, and a former member of the club.I don’t see this a bad signing per say, just a strange one.With Newcastle’s well documented squad concerns, I would have thought a younger forward was the way to go.Then again, perhaps Lowrie has been signed as a squad player, and will chime in when needed.As long as he doesn’t take a spot away from Tapine, Mataora, or one of the expected NYC graduates, then I suppose the risk factor isn’t huge on this one.3. Ian Henderson to the RoostersFor those who don’t remember Henderson, he is a 32 year old hooker who has spent the past four years playing for Catalans in the ESL.He has played plenty of NRL, with 65 games under his belt at the Warriors, but his main experience comes in the form of the Super League.The Roosters don’t need a front line hooker, they have the brilliant Jake Friend. There is no chance he will be usurped as the first choice number nine.Given he is 32, I can only guess the Roosters coaching staff aren’t confident with their back up options should Friend suffer an injury.With the very talented Jackson Hastings on the books, as well as the reported signing of equally talented Jayden Nikorima, Henderson’s signing becomes all the stranger.If Nikorima is confirmed, either he or Hastings will join Mitchell Pearce in the halves, with the other playing off the bench.Once again, I suppose Henderson’s signing is a squad signing. That said, at 32, it’s a short term one to say the least.2. Tyrone Roberts to the TitansThe Titans, after missing out on Daly Cherry-Evans, have embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive to replace the player they believed would lead them into the future.Unfortunately they also missed out on a list of big name halves to partner the brilliant Kane Elgey from 2016 onwards.The future started to look quite a bit brighter when the Titans announced the signing of Brisbane prodigy Ashley Taylor.The 20 year-old heads south carrying huge wraps from some of the best judges of talent in the game.Tyrone Roberts big money signing means he will now surely partner Elgey in the halves next season, which asks questions over Taylor’s future.I doubt the youngster was moving clubs to play QLD Cup, and I don’t believe Roberts is the king of player worth risking the future of such a talented youngster for.Don’t get me wrong, at his best, Roberts can play, but his good performances have been few and far between over the past two-or-so years.If the reports of Roberts’ $400,000 worth are true, he’s certainly not going to sit in QLD Cup.Unless the plan is to play Roberts at nine, with new recruit Nathan Friend off the bench, I don’t really see a need to sign Roberts.If Roberts is happy to play reserves, and mentor the two young halves, then fair play to him, but the Titans have over spent if that is the plan.1. Tim Moltzen to the Sea EaglesThe Sea Eagles will say goodbye the premiership winning five-eight Kieran Foran, and will replace him with a man who hasn’t even been able to put together consistent NSW Cup appearances together over the past few seasons.Moltzen is a talented player, but injuries and lack of form have meant he is hasn’t been sighted in first grade for the Tigers.The Sea Eagles trumpeted his signing as a utility, so there may be a thought of moving Jamie Lyon to the halves and playing Moltzen at centre, or use him in case of injuries.Either way, the Eagles have the brilliant Tom Trbojevic in the waiting. If not for a brilliant hattrick against Souths, I believe Peta Hiku, a New Zealand representative no less, would have made way for Trbojevic this weekend.I understand the appeal of signing a player who can play anywhere across the back, as well as in the halves, but I would have thought a younger, less injury prone player, was the way to go for Manly.http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/five-recruitment-head-scratches-for-2016-18631/

Beau Scott and Choc were signed for MORE than one reason (help win us games). They were ALSO bought to
1) Help with Jnrs - teach them, mentor them, fast track development etc. The key point being - when Choc and Scott, Gordon etc retire, we will have a lot of players who have then played 100+ games. We won't need older blokes to add the experience, it will come from within.Edwards, Ma'u, Junior etc can be the Chocs, Glenn Stewarts etc that made Manly and other clubs so strong for so long. We are still inexperienced. Many guys under 50 games. They will get better and do so FASTER with these guys there. That is only a good thing for us.
2) Club culture - off the field, and on it. These guys are tough. Choc should have had surgery in the pre-season of last year, chose not to. It instills a bit of toughness, and shows players not to take the easy way. Juniors will be SHOWN the way, not told the way, there is no substitute for someone who has been there and done it.

I will judge these guys on their form BUT also what legacy they leave after they retire. If we are a consistent finals side, these guys will have been the building blocks of it, creating and developing the club culture. We have many good young forwards. Choc and Scott can help them become GREAT in a way that coaching simply cannot.

"I think Braith respects Ryles as a coach and what he's doing at Parra and obviously believes Lomax did the wrong thing, listened to poor advice and brought this all upon himself and did the wrong thing to Parra"

"I'm putting last year down to the new style of attack and defence that had been implemented, as well as relying on Volkman at half. It was a disatorous 1st half without doubt, but I can't see that happening again. We should be much better prepared…"

Replies

Gower Power August 17, 2015 at 10:50pm

Maybe you should change the title, as you're only listing Beau Scott.

I thought this was something you wrote yourself and then got confused when it cuts off after the one player.
The French Fullback #1 August 17, 2015 at 10:55pm

Beau Scott and Choc were signed for MORE than one reason (help win us games). They were ALSO bought to
1) Help with Jnrs - teach them, mentor them, fast track development etc. The key point being - when Choc and Scott, Gordon etc retire, we will have a lot of players who have then played 100+ games. We won't need older blokes to add the experience, it will come from within.Edwards, Ma'u, Junior etc can be the Chocs, Glenn Stewarts etc that made Manly and other clubs so strong for so long. We are still inexperienced. Many guys under 50 games. They will get better and do so FASTER with these guys there. That is only a good thing for us.
2) Club culture - off the field, and on it. These guys are tough. Choc should have had surgery in the pre-season of last year, chose not to. It instills a bit of toughness, and shows players not to take the easy way. Juniors will be SHOWN the way, not told the way, there is no substitute for someone who has been there and done it.

I will judge these guys on their form BUT also what legacy they leave after they retire. If we are a consistent finals side, these guys will have been the building blocks of it, creating and developing the club culture. We have many good young forwards. Choc and Scott can help them become GREAT in a way that coaching simply cannot.
- Tragiceel > The French Fullback #1 August 18, 2015 at 6:46am
  
  I agree also but just hope the juniors are prepared to stay with the club and wait for these guys to retire. There will be a lot of money thrown there way when off contract and if there is no money available because of the amount we are paying Watmough, Scott and Hoppa, if he stays, then we will struggle to keep them, then all of this will be for nothing.
- Mapik > The French Fullback #1 August 18, 2015 at 1:47pm
  
  Couldn't agree more The King. It is a similar situation to when Cayliss, Hindy ,Bobcat and co were coming on and had Pay, Dymock and Smith to learn from.
  That worked out pretty well.
Eel for life August 17, 2015 at 11:43pm

I think parra fot this one wrong. Probably about 3 years too late
RIDER August 18, 2015 at 5:40am

The guy is a recent SOO player.
Tough as they come
Tackles himself to a standstill
And not a bad hole runner.

That's everything our guys are not at this stage.

We want some mongrel, we want some niggle, well we've got it.

We have the core of a great forward pack, but we just need a couple of old heads to lead the way and guess what, how can you go wrong with 2 ex Rep players who have both played at the highest level.

And just so we are clear, there is no way they we would have got them a few years ago, we don't need someone to win us games, we need someone who will teach us how to win games and therefore keep winning for years to come.
ParraLAD August 18, 2015 at 6:56am

Beau Scott will prove to be the biggest waste of money.
Couldn't agree more with what they said about him. He puts a rather large dent in our salary cap which could hurt us over the next few seasons.
Camo73 August 18, 2015 at 8:57am

I disagree ParraLAD. I think it's a master stroke. He's what we need right now and our side in 2016 will look very different. Our forward pack will be one of the best.
I really hope we can sort out the Hoppa rubbish to allow us to also put together a top shelf backline. There were rumours about Munster coming to Parra. He would be much cheaper and looks like he could be a star.
- ParraLAD > Camo73 August 18, 2015 at 12:58pm
  
  Have you seen Beau Scott play this season? He is well and truly past it. Injury prone and offers nothing in attack, yes our defence out wide will be better off, but we could have got someone much cheaper to play defence.
- Glenn Lifetime Eel > Camo73 August 18, 2015 at 4:09pm
  
  I agree with Parralad, Scott will be very much like Watmough imo, a waste of money and signed for much too long, both should have been 2 year signings at max. Munster won't come here Storm have him pencilled in to replace Slater. Yes we should have bitten bullet with Hoppa and let his contract run out and sign much cheaper and quicker backs.