Recruitment And Retention Discussion

Hughes was replaced by Thompson because he wasn’t good enough at the bulldogs

We have to do better then Sam Hughes
 
Hughes was replaced by Thompson because he wasn’t good enough at the bulldogs

We have to do better then Sam Hughes
nothings proved that Thompson is better tho, Hughes has started prop for about 10 games for a top 4 club just this year gone and a year younger than Leo. Will be 25 next year and props start to peak just after that 25/26 mark. Best option available
 
I don’t think Hughes & Curran is really the profile of recruit that POS targets. Seems to be either proven talent and he doesn’t care the cost, big potential or athletic traits that the rest of the market undervalues.
 
Hughes a huge no. Curran on $400k yes, great clubman, Kurt Mann mould. Will try his guts out and a handy bench player.
 
And yet he is better than every single person here…

Not bad for a “absolutely rubbish player”
Are you saying our whole forward pack is Rubbish! 😂

Can’t say I’ve see him play or know who he is. And I think that’s part of the problem. We don’t have the money or position either to get a prop/forward who is better than we have. We need some money ball deal. Maybe this Hugh’s dude is the guy or he is just the same as what we have.

I saw we signed a forward from ESL to play cup. Development deal I think.
 
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Would be interesting to see our full train-and-trial player list, Titans have just released theirs which features Ryan Gray (5 NRL games), Michael Milo (36 NRL games), Logan Bayliss-Brow (4 Scottish caps, 29 English Championship games) and Max Bradbury (ex Newy junior) plus a few other young guys. The three I named are all props with Gray being a hooker. Surprised big Shaq Mitchell wasn't brought in (considering he's now at Tweed) just to give him an NRL pre season for fitness as well.

I do think for "just" train-and-trial guys that they're some pretty handy pickups to have around the squad.

I believe I also read that Jordan's cousin Preston Riki (3 NRL games for Penrith) and Gehamat's brother Jamal Shibasaki (2 NRL games for NQ) are both on train-and-trials at Brisbane.
 
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What do we reckon is missing for 2026, all over its a well rounded, though hardly exciting squad.

Still think we lack at least 2 more props, though potentially some could step up.

Safiti, Mooney and Psaulo are the best of a average or highly inexperienced bunch.

Hooking is weak, Crossland and Arthurs. Unless JH decides to go with Sandon there.

Halve are still a huge question mark, Brown is a given, Sharpe and Sandon lots to prove.

Backs we are fine.

Backrow is good.

Bench lacks impact.
 
What do we reckon is missing for 2026, all over its a well rounded, though hardly exciting squad.

Still think we lack at least 2 more props, though potentially some could step up.

Safiti, Mooney and Psaulo are the best of a average or highly inexperienced bunch.

Hooking is weak, Crossland and Arthurs. Unless JH decides to go with Sandon there.

Halve are still a huge question mark, Brown is a given, Sharpe and Sandon lots to prove.

Backs we are fine.

Backrow is good.

Bench lacks impact.
We need Mooney to perform well to be competitive in the forwards, which is a bit harsh given it's his first season likely starting. He has all the ability, i'm hoping that with consistent gametime he can improve as the year goes by. Also need the likes of Saulo, ESL, Crouch to be very solid.
 
We're missing a dominant and dynamic middle forward, we're at least one short.

We're short an edge backrower, but I feel like we can cover than rotationally, if not by promoting ESL or Manulelua

Could do with a hooker but again not as necessary as a gun middle forward.

It'll be depth in the forwards that largely determines our success next year. Our preferred 17 is worthy of the top 8 but whether that's realistic or not will come down to injuries and the progression of juniors like Hopwood.
 
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