There is a rumour getting around that Junior Paulo will retire at the end of the year!
We have heard, been sent it by about 50 different people and there has been all different reasons stated. Stress fractures in his feet is a popular one, other health concerns, body failing him to name some.
Look nothing is confirmed yet in regards to this. I was hoping there would be some kind of announcements in the weeks I have known about it but still nothing.
Make of it what you will but the noise is getting louder
Talking Parra FB Page
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Edge before middles.
I was thinking that too, we could also move Kelma into the middle and bring in an edge?
We definitely need to add to our middle forwards even if Paulo isn't retiring.
I doubt we go into the market for a middle forward. Daniel has been a loose canon throughout his career. Lazarus wouldn't be a bad player to pursue, but given the development of Tuivaiti and Mataele alongside the middles in our lower grades I think it would be more cost-effective to use juniors in the middle.
This is exactly how we go about this I see some of these fantasies fans have around this.We should just buy a team.It's why I'm of and have been of the mindset that we get our development and pathways correct so we can be strategic when we go to market not just here there and everywhere buying the most sexiest name on the market.
Tuivaiti and Mataele are exactly who we should be promoting and pushing through young hard charging youngsters putting them around the experience of Paulo this to me is the strategy we need to see more of.
I mean I was screaming out for a JoJo Fifita attacking the GC outside depth instead we end up with Morgan Harper for me that's a failed strategy god knows who came up with him.
Ryles is of the Melbourne mould, and they don't tend to buy teams like other clubs do. Melbourne are very targetted in who they add to the squad and I believe Parra will try to do likewise. We've already seen Ryles promoting youth to give them NRL experience, and this will set us up for the next few years, much like Brisbane from a few years ago. Regarding that $4M to spend, a lot of that will go towards upgrading existing contracts.
JR will prioritise the spine no doubt and since he has 2 possibly 3 in place with Galvin being the third hooker is the next spot unless Smith makes it his own.Walkers the 14 then I see edge as being the next need.If we haven't got that coming then go get the best edge available.
Hey BEM, thought it was posted that KPP had already signed elsewhere. I think it might have been the Tigers. Love to get Cobbo. I also like the look of the Junior NSAMBA from the UK. Looks like a beast and has years ahead.
I always liked Paulo. Sorry to see him go with the usual applause after a Parra player is reaching the end of his career with possible issues around physical injuries which may haunt him in his later life .
A lot of people are saying Junior is past it, but I actually think he's played some of his better footy this year. He seems to be back to running off the back fence again. In recent years I felt too often he looked to ball play 1st rather than hit the line and let his ball playing develop off him making tough carries. I reckon we can squeeze a couple of good years out him while the youngsters develop around him
Agree AE, some of this rubbish we have in these discussions is heavily influenced by the squeakiest wheels on here.