NRL Player Movement and Rumours 2016

[Unbreakable]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Sure, but (and I know the table suggests otherwise), the top four are a level above the other teams in the comp at present. I don't see much changing next year unless the Raiders and Eels get their act together.

I never said they would be in the top 4 for 2017.

 

[bb_gun]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

[TWEET]735308764375437312[/TWEET]

 

[Morkel]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

The Titans rumour has been around for months, I wonder why it took so long to happen. I'm also surprised the Titans had enough left in the cap for both Peats and Hurrell. Obviously they'd planned for Hurrell, but Peats was literally an overnight decision.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

How many times did we hear that about teams like Canberra or Newcastle?

They made the 8 with these spuds! Imagine what they'll be like with minor improvements!

Usually they ended up being a 12th placed side. Some players didn't kick on as expected, others lost form while other teams simply got better.

Gold Coast strike me as a similar team. They're playing to potential right now and they still have issues in their roster that need to be addressed.

If anything, Hurrell's signing comes off as really risky and has a Jamal Idris type of smell to it.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

How many times did we hear that about teams like Canberra or Newcastle?

They made the 8 with these spuds! Imagine what they'll be like with minor improvements!

True, I'd probably call replacing Friend, Roberts & Davis with Peats, Elgey & Hurrell as slightly more than minor though. As I said before, if they can somehow land a Fullback that can actually ball play (Zillman has 0 try assists this year!), they'll be around come playoffs time.

 

[Morkel]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

How many times did we hear that about teams like Canberra or Newcastle?

They made the 8 with these spuds! Imagine what they'll be like with minor improvements!

Usually they ended up being a 12th placed side. Some players didn't kick on as expected, others lost form while other teams simply got better.

Gold Coast strike me as a similar team. They're playing to potential right now and they still have issues in their roster that need to be addressed.

If anything, Hurrell's signing comes off as really risky and has a Jamal Idris type of smell to it.

Extremely similar. Gun player, supremely talented, just lacking motivation and/or work ethic. Still, if you're a Titans fan, you certainly ring up the other one to share the excitement.

 

[Sproj]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

But any team has a chance of being around come finals time...except the Knights and Tigers. Hurrell is absolutely no way a 'major' improvement on Roberts, he is a 'major' regression UNLESS he some how decides to pull his finger out and that hasn't happened in his career thus far. Peats is definitely an upgrade on Friend but we are not talking a top level hooker replacing a plodder here, we are talking a second-to-top-tier hooker replacing a veteran. Elgey is absolutely a 'major' upgrade on Roberts though that's for sure. All-in-all, they will be fighting for position 6-12, I would be VERY surprised if they are in with a sniff of top four come the end of next season with their current roster. As good as Taylor and Elgey should become together, one will be coming back from a major injury and the other could suffer second-year syndrome (as much as I hope he doesn't). 2018 and beyond, they may well be up there but I highly doubt it will happen next year.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Peats is the only upgrade worth getting excited about at this juncture. Jury is out on Elgey after his injury setback and Hurrell is a wildcard. Their pack is their biggest concern. In 2017 you've got Shillington (34), Bird (33), Taia (33), McQueen (30) all getting up there and past their use by without much coming through. Players like Paasi and Pulu maybe able to do a job this season, but I don't buy either as long term prospects.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

But any team has a chance of being around come finals time...except the Knights and Tigers. Hurrell is absolutely no way a 'major' improvement on Roberts, he is a 'major' regression UNLESS he some how decides to pull his finger out and that hasn't happened in his career thus far. Peats is definitely an upgrade on Friend but we are not talking a top level hooker replacing a plodder here, we are talking a second-to-top-tier hooker replacing a veteran. Elgey is absolutely a 'major' upgrade on Roberts though that's for sure. All-in-all, they will be fighting for position 6-12, I would be VERY surprised if they are in with a sniff of top four come the end of next season with their current roster. As good as Taylor and Elgey should become together, one will be coming back from a major injury and the other could suffer second-year syndrome (as much as I hope he doesn't). 2018 and beyond, they may well be up there but I highly doubt it will happen next year.

Why would you compare a Centre with a Five-Eighth? He'd be replacing Nathan Davis on the right edge.

 

[Sproj]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Why would you compare a Centre with a Five-Eighth? He'd be replacing Nathan Davis on the right edge.

Sorry, I was referring to James Roberts. In any case, it is still not necessarily a major improvement given Hurrell couldn't even game a game before Wright or Ayshford at the Warriors.

 

[BroncosAlways]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Peats is the only upgrade worth getting excited about at this juncture. Jury is out on Elgey after his injury setback and Hurrell is a wildcard. Their pack is their biggest concern. In 2016 you've got Shillington (34), Bird (33), Taia (33), McQueen (30) all getting up there and past their use by without much coming through. Players like Paasi and Pulu maybe able to do a job this season, but I don't buy either as long term prospects.

Jesus christ McQueens 30?!

 

[Clintos]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

He's 28 or 29. I played with him for a season at Wynnum.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Let me be clear as well, I get the optimism surrounding the Titans. A lot of people had them tipped to finish with the wooden spoon and yet they're a fair chance of making the 8 and have some upside about them. I just wanted to put that thought out there because I've seen similar things said about those teams I've mentioned.

I tend to agree with the sentiment, if they can replace Zillman at fullback they could give 2017 a genuine shake. The question is, who can fill that role?

There's only a handful of fullbacks off contract in Michael Gordon, Matthew Dufty, Omar Slaimankhel. Apart from them the cupboard is bare. Of course there's Jarryd Hayne, the 2014 Dally M medalist. The Titans prospects of signing him would have to be considered weaker than others weighing Jarryd's goals with money. Plus, will any club get their return when they decide to invest in Hayne?

Unless they can arrange an early release or capitilise on another salary cap issue, the Titans may have to lie in that bed.

Another thing, the more I think about the potential Hurrell signing, the more issues I seem to find. Yes, Hurrell in theory could be the most destructive centre in the competition. In reality, he was a player that struggled to push Ayshford, Allwood, Wright and Kata from the centre position. It wasn't like it was a position of need for the Titans either. They've got a handful of bright prospects in Nene McDonald, John Olive, Nathan Davis and Brian Kelly. With Josh Hoffman, Dan Sarginson and Greg Leleisiuao in the mix it seems like an awfully risky move.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Jesus christ McQueens 30?!

My bad, meant 2017.

He's 29 in August, but most importantly he's down on his 2013 form.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Another thing, the more I think about the potential Hurrell signing, the more issues I seem to find. Yes, Hurrell in theory could be the most destructive centre in the competition. In reality, he was a player that struggled to push Ayshford, Allwood, Wright and Kata from the centre position

Probably worth noting that his non selection behind those players had very little to do with on field performances. His only opportunities this season came in the form of trash minutes off the bench, McFadden has been looking for a reason to get rid of him since the day he got there.

 

[Morkel]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Probably worth noting that his non selection behind those players had very little to do with on field performances. His only opportunities this season came in the form of trash minutes off the bench, McFadden has been looking for a reason to get rid of him since the day he got there.

And you can't really blame McFadden. Talent in that team has never been an issue, it's been attitude and complacency. Hurrell moving on may be exactly what both parties need.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

Probably worth noting that his non selection behind those players had very little to do with on field performances. His only opportunities this season came in the form of trash minutes off the bench, McFadden has been looking for a reason to get rid of him since the day he got there.

But even before this season Hurrell had been dropped for form related reasons.

Last year he was dropped in favour of Wright, Kata and Peyroux.

Going back before McFadden, to 2013, he was dropped for Nielsen, Henry and Tuimavave.

Then the next year (2014) he started the year behind Nielsen, Tuimavave and Ropati.

It isn't just a vendetta against him or a Sisa Waqa situation where the coach knows he's out of there, fact of the matter is he's a player that struggled to make centre his own position and coaches were compelled to look elsewhere.

 

[BroncosAlways]

Re: NRL Player Movements and Rumours 2016

To be fair though Kata is soon becoming an elite centre of the game. He's basically Hurrell with half the errors and twice the defence.