2023 Recruitment & Retention Thread

I don’t see us getting Garrick so if Ponga is to move to 5/8 then it’s Mann or Hodgson for f/b or we go with any two at 6 & 7, not good,
Dont see a serious problem if Klem goes but why not keep him for final year unless we are paid big bucks, time we played hard ball on release/transfers.
Our failure to develop players, coach problem, has failed to prepare the likes of Mapapalangi and Sasagi along with a few other young guys in readiness for 1st grade.
Our failure goes back to signing Pearce, it was good but his time was always limited, no thought of developing someone to take over and then the fiasco of extending and then allowing to leave.
We need a hard driving leader no matter what position, it doesn’t look like happening this coming season and possibly the one after, it takes time to develop
 
So in summary:

Garrick is not coming for 2023

Tigers still saying Brooks will not be here for 2023.

As far as we know Klem is saying for 2023.

Looks like Clifford will not be here for 2023.

As far as we can tell 2023 will be a very difficult year for the Knights.
 
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Frank McWilliams said:
I don’t see us getting Garrick so if Ponga is to move to 5/8 then it’s Mann or Hodgson for f/b or we go with any two at 6 & 7, not good,
Dont see a serious problem if Klem goes but why not keep him for final year unless we are paid big bucks, time we played hard ball on release/transfers.
Our failure to develop players, coach problem, has failed to prepare the likes of Mapapalangi and Sasagi along with a few other young guys in readiness for 1st grade.
Our failure goes back to signing Pearce, it was good but his time was always limited, no thought of developing someone to take over and then the fiasco of extending and then allowing to leave.
We need a hard driving leader no matter what position, it doesn’t look like happening this coming season and possibly the one after, it takes time to develop
Click to expand...
Mapa has played well in the games he has played in first grade.

I agree with what you were said about Pearce fiasco, it has caused the mess we are in now.
 
Lefty said:
So in summary:

Garrick is not coming for 2023

Tigers still saying Brooks will not be here for 2023.

As far as we know Klem is saying for 2023.

Looks like Clifford will not be here for 2023.

As far as we can tell 2023 will be a very difficult year for the Knights.
Click to expand...
It's only late October. We've often recruited late into the offseason. We've got some 4 months before season kicks off, so plenty of movement to happen yet.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about what the newspapers are saying, or what the Tigers are saying.

All BS until it isn't.

If they were open to Brooks leaving for Klem, then they are fine with losing him. They could force him to stay. So now they are saying they will keep Brooks and apparently take Klem for 2023! So, the question then is why are we releasing Klem for nix?

I still think a swap is likely with them paying some of the freight with Brooks. Brooks rumour keeps happening, Klem rumour keeps happening.

Something about smoke and fire!
 
Owey said:
Not at all mate, I was being sarcastic, I won't judge him for another couple of seasons yet. I don't understand how some are so quick to judge.
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It‘s part of our problem, we write off some players too quickly.
 
Perfect case scenario the way I see It would be this.

Hastings/Brooks Signed (Prefer Hastings but each to their own.)

Garrick Signed

Ponga To 5/8

Joey's DNA Is Injected In some up and coming player as part of an experiment. (Injection Is something along the lines of a Red Mitsubishi) 🤣

Aim for a Premiership

(Before you all beat me senseless over the last one, no point aiming for a Top 8 or Prelim Final because of how **** a state we are In.

If we all decide to settle for a "good year" than that Is exactly what we will get. "INSERT IMAGE OF BAG OF DOG **** ON FIRE")
 
NRL:
1. Rueben Garrick
2. Dom Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Krystian Mapapalangi
6. Kalyn Ponga
7. Luke Brooks
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mat Croker
13. Adam Elliott

14. Kurt Mann/Tyson Gamble
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Simi Sasagi

CUP:
1. Bailey Hodgson
2.
3. Enari Tuala
4. Dylan Lucas
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Tyson Gamble/Kurt Mann
7. Adam Clune
8. Leo Thompson
9. Chris Randall
10.
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Brodie Jones
13. Jack Johns

14. Phoenix Crossland
15.

That will be a squad with 29/30 spots filled in the top 30.
A few points from my predicted sides:
- Looks like we need another front rower for some depth, but other than that, the side looks well-rounded. That is if all reports turn out to be true.
- I would use Sasagi as a bench back row/lock he's a big boy now, and could transform into a dangerous second row with ball skills. Finish with the utility experiment and put him in the forward pack.
- Mapa, Best and Tuala will fight out the final two back line spots and as much as everyone hates it i think we will be seeing Gagai start the season at 3. Maybe with a full pre-season injury free, we could see the gagai of old return.
- Gamble and Mann to fight out the utility spot, depending on what AOB needs each game. Also depending on how long Brailey can play as Gamble isn't known as a hooker.
- I feel like many of our troops may surprise us this year with the disappointment of last season plus a lot of boys fighting for new contracts with us or in the NRL e.g. Johns, Frizell, Fitz, Clune, Jones, Tuala, Hodgson, Klemmer, Mann and Randy.
 
Hill FC confirmed the Clifford signing…

Interesting quote from Clifford in this article too..

Speaking to hullfc.com, Clifford said: “I’m really excited to have signed. When Hull approached me, they made me feel like I was really wanted and that was a massive appealing factor for me.”

www.totalrl.com

Newcastle Knights star Jake Clifford reveals why he has chosen to join Hull FC

NEWCASTLE Knights halfback Jake Clifford will be wearing the Black and White of Hull FC in 2023 after joining the club on a two-year deal. Clifford will be at the MKM Stadium for 2023 and 2024 and …
www.totalrl.com www.totalrl.com
 
JuniorFromNewyy said:
NRL:
1. Rueben Garrick
2. Dom Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Krystian Mapapalangi
6. Kalyn Ponga
7. Luke Brooks
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mat Croker
13. Adam Elliott

14. Kurt Mann/Tyson Gamble
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Simi Sasagi

CUP:
1. Bailey Hodgson
2.
3. Enari Tuala
4. Dylan Lucas
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Tyson Gamble/Kurt Mann
7. Adam Clune
8. Leo Thompson
9. Chris Randall
10.
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Brodie Jones
13. Jack Johns

14. Phoenix Crossland
15.

That will be a squad with 29/30 spots filled in the top 30.
A few points from my predicted sides:
- Looks like we need another front rower for some depth, but other than that, the side looks well-rounded. That is if all reports turn out to be true.
- I would use Sasagi as a bench back row/lock he's a big boy now, and could transform into a dangerous second row with ball skills. Finish with the utility experiment and put him in the forward pack.
- Mapa, Best and Tuala will fight out the final two back line spots and as much as everyone hates it i think we will be seeing Gagai start the season at 3. Maybe with a full pre-season injury free, we could see the gagai of old return.
- Gamble and Mann to fight out the utility spot, depending on what AOB needs each game. Also depending on how long Brailey can play as Gamble isn't known as a hooker.
- I feel like many of our troops may surprise us this year with the disappointment of last season plus a lot of boys fighting for new contracts with us or in the NRL e.g. Johns, Frizell, Fitz, Clune, Jones, Tuala, Hodgson, Klemmer, Mann and Randy.
Click to expand...
Frizell has exercised a player option for 2024.
 
cheese said:
Fairly certain the player option he took up was for the upcoming 2023 season. He signed a 3 year deal for 2021, 2022 and a PO for 2023.
Click to expand...
I hope that is correct. He has been underperforming but this may have been due to him carrying injuries.
 
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