A lot of information swirling around the off season. Ive seen club interviews where officals "Ryles" has stated we have 1 spot left. Many of us took that as 1 spot left in the top 30. A look at our signed lists shows we have signed 27 players to our top 30, and 4 development players. So do we take the 1 spot left as meaning Ryles sees that we need to sign 1 more first choice 1st grader / Starter to the team. If this is the case, what position is he thinking. My mind casts straight away to our missing spine position, a Dummy Half, but I could be wrong.
Having 3 spots open and by my basic calculations, we have some significant money still available after Gutho leaving, means we should be in the hunt still for last minute trades. Our season gets away very soon, first game is only 10 or so weeks away. our first offical trial 6 or 7 weeks away. There should be another round of trades and movements when teams start pre season games and work out where they are and what they need moving forward. What are others thinking re 27 players signed and who we may seriously target from here.
Here is our current list as far as I can make out from internet sources.
2025 squad: Bailey Simonsson (2027), Brendan Hands (2026), Bryce Cartwright (2025), Dean Hawkins (2026), Dylan Brown (2025, PO until 2031), Haze Dunster (MO 2025), J’maine Hopgood (2027), Josh Addo-Carr (2025, CO 2026), Isaiah Iongi (2027), Jack Williams (2027), Joash Papalii (2026), Joey Lussick (2025), Joe Ofahengaue (2025), Jordan Samrani (2026), Junior Paulo (2026), Kelma Tuilagi (2026), Luca Moretti (2025), Matt Doorey (2025), Mitchell Moses (2026, PO 2029), Ryan Matterson (2025, PO 2026), Sam Tuivaiti (2025), Sean Russell (2026), Shaun Lane (2025, MO 2026), Toni Mataele (2025), Will Penisini (2025, PO 2026), Wiremu Greig (2025), Zac Lomax (2028)
Development players: Charlie Guymer (2025, NRL 2026), Kitione Kautoga (2025, NRL 2026), Richard Penisini (2025, NRL 2026), Saxon Pyke (2025)
Replies
Freshie, I don't where you went to in 24 but have a look at the injury list???...... futher to that the poor coaching and systems were hardly Brown's fault.
Every team has injuries! At no point did I lay the blame on Brown for the poor coaching structures/systems. It's just my opinion that he went missing at times and I'm sure there are others on here that share that view. I think the same could be said for Lane, Matterson and a few others. Maybe my expectations are too high.
And Paulo for me has not been consistent for a year or two! And he's a leader / I agree abt Brown / Lane and Matterson. I also felt put on field leadership was not good at times - we've always needed a pack leader and haven't had one since Pay and Beau Scott were here for me.
Yeah Pops, Good post, I read somewhere or heard it on SEN radio that Ryles wanted Williams to play a quicker / leg speed Prop role, with Matterson staying on an edge with ball skills when required.
Really you heard Matto might be on the edge again with Ryles? Well could make sense since Matto's name came up when it was mentioned about players on the outer then Ryles retracted that to keep Matterson. Honestly though i feel we have seen Matto play his best in the middle, 2022 showed that. Even got a NSW jersey playing as an impact middle forward off the bench.
But maybe Williams will be that replacement allowing Matterson to go back to an edge. At least Ryles can trust that Matterson can see out a full 80 on an edge and seemlessly go into the middle during the game if needed. Plus defensively he is one our strongest.
Matterson gets a lot of crap on here, i at times join in with a joke or two about him with money, but overall he is still a quality player. Worth the $600k or so we are paying? Not really but not like we are paying massive overs, maybe $50-100k overs. He has averaged 95% in tackle effeciency in his 5 years at the club.
Also, i know Mutts had a not so pleasant run in with him a bit back where he was stand offish, i myself have only met him once in 2020 when he returned and he was really nice to me. Not saying Mutts is wrong or anything but that is something Matterson can be like. But i will say his work with kids of need is inspiring and should 100% be commended at the least.
Leg speed, aggression, power and intimidation. A player who can rally the troops with a strong run or a damaging hit.
DT article
Canterbury have landed a massive blow on the player market by securing the most in-demand star available and signing Newcastle prop Leo Thompson after the Raiders were told he would not join them.
Yeah apparently took 200k plus pay cut per year to join canterbury. What a load of bollocks
Complete BS, deal is probably 800k per season
While ever the dogs have a average fb and halfback they will be competitive but not in the hunt for a title
Nothing to see here, move right along "2025 Gus Gould ". lol
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