2023 Recruitment & Retention Thread

Mapapalangi was the one upgraded into the 30th roster spot at the deadline according to Toohey. Assume that’ll carry over and he’ll be in the top squad next season too.
 
French is just too small to be a first choice winger in the NRL, he gets thrown back on every hit up and kick return. Not a fan of that signing if it happens even as purely depth, which I think he would be.
 
mullenmagic said:
French is just too small to be a first choice winger in the NRL, he gets thrown back on every hit up and kick return. Not a fan of that signing if it happens even as purely depth, which I think he would be.
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where do you get this idea from??? 3 years in the NRL with stats like:
2016 - 19 tries from 13 games with a win rate of 53.85%.
2017 - 9 tries from 16 games with a win rate of 68.75%.
2018 - 7 tries from 18 games with a win rate of 22.22%.

Honestly think that proves that he's a good finisher at NRL level if he's on the end of a quality backline.
 
He’s undoubtedly a great finisher. If that’s all it took to be a modern winger he wouldn’t have been pushed out by Parramatta and only had offers in England in his early 20’s. Unfortunately all other aspects are severely lacking. He’s the same player he was when he left, just thriving in a league that’s still 15 years behind NRL tactically with how they use their outside backs, and also a league where defence is often optional.

If no one better pops up I’d rather give a chance to a young player like Vea’ila, Mapapalangi or Ethan Ferguson even. Don’t think a failed retread is a smart move, even if only for depth.
 
If it’s a bidding war for French I doubt we’ll fight for him, they were just looking for a cheapie who can cover a few positions.
 
www.newcastleknights.com.au

S2, LVL 15: Meet Paul & Oryn

Come along as we visit pathways forwards Oryn Keeley and Paul Bryan at their home. Watch as the boys recap their season so far, discuss playing against each other in U19s State of Origin match and share their hopes of playing in the NRL.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

Clip from the Knights site - interview with Oryn Keeley and Paul Bryan.
Shows some footage of Keeley warming up with the firstgrade side before a home game (probably the last one) and also Keeley and Max Bradbury training with firstgrade yesterday.
The things he was saying right at the end makes me feel they are getting him ready to debut before the year is out.

I'm a bit surprised at how big Bryan is. For some reason I got the impression he was about the same size as Keeley and a bit small for a prop, but he is clearly a lot bigger when you see them together.
 
slotmachine said:
How does any of that address the comment about his kick returns and hitups in yardage?
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If we cant handle getting out of trouble with the like of Young, Best and Gagai in the back 5 then we need to start from scratch. That is better yardage than most other outsides backs in the comp, rabbits don't seem to struggle with it and have room to fit johnston in the side who isn't great coming out of trouble but is one of the games top finishers.
 
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