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2023 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread

H

Hail Sezer

Moderator
Hello friends. Welcome to season 2023.

Will keep this updated.

2023 Squad

Top 30

Fullback:
AJ Brimson
Jayden Campbell
Keano Kini

Wing:
Phil Sami
Lofi Khan-Pereira
Ken Maumalo

Centre:
Brian Kelly
Jojo Fifita
Treymain Spry
Aaron Schoupp

Halves:
Kieran Foran
Tanah Boyd
Toby Sexton
Tom Weaver

Hooker:
Sam Verrills
Chris Randall

Middles:
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Moeaki Fotuaika
Isaac Liu
Jaimin Joliffe
Sam Mcintyre
Erin Clark
Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

Back Row:
David Fifita
Beau Fermor
Klese Haas
Joe Stimson
Joe Vuna
Jacob Alick

Total confirmed: 29/30

In: Kieran Foran, Sam Verrills, Joe Stimson, Aaron Schoupp, Treymain Spry, Ken Maumalo

2023 NRL Development Players (full-time with NRL, eligible for selection after round 11):
Tony Francis (Centre)
Josiah Pahulu (Middle)
Seth Nikotemo (Backrower)

Re-signed: Jojo Fifita (2025), Josiah Pahulu (2025), David Fifita (2026)

Off Contract end of 2023:
Jacob Alick (CO), Brian Kelly, Sam Mcintyre, Joe Vuna

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Our recruitment has been small scale but I think Foran and Verrills will have a big impact. Finally some experience and organisation in the spine, which was far too green in 2022.

Thanks for starting the thread HS. New car smell.
 
Is our club still looking at Kobe Hetherington for 2024 or a player similar to him?

- - - Updated - - -

Also for everyones fancy, when talking about player signing for the future we have to look at the players off contract in 2023. According to zero tackle this is the list to choose from.


CENTRE
Paul Alamoti, Grant Anderson, Jake Averillo, Zane Bijorac, Waqa Blake, Jed Cartwright, Stephen Crichton, Brendan Elliot, Oliver Gildart, Morgan Harper, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, Hymel Hunt, Matt Ikuvalu, Thomas Jenkins, Brian Kelly, Marcelo Montoya, Tesi Niu, Brad Parker, Will Penisini, Adam Pompey, Jesse Ramien, Billy Smith, Harley Smith-Shields, Jenson Taumoepeau, Valynce Te Whare, Enari Tuala, Dominic Young

28 players off contract

FULLBACK
Corey Allan, Jesse Arthars, Adam Doueihi, Trai Fuller, Bailey Hodgson, Albert Hopoate, William Kennedy, Daine Laurie, Moses Mbye, Nick Meaney, Latrell Mitchell, Sean Russell, Siteni Taukamo, Kaeo Weekes

14 players off contract

FIVE-EIGHTH
Dylan Brown, Matt Frawley, Ben Hampton, Jackson Hastings, Adam Keighran, Kurt Mann, Paul Turner, Cody Walker

8 players off contract

HALFBACK
Jakob Arthur, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Luke Brooks, Jake Clifford, Adam Clune, Kyle Flanagan, Dean Hawkins, Cody Hunter, Drew Hutchison, Shaun Johnson, Lachlan Miller, Cory Paix, Jonah Pezet, Brad Schneider, Blake Taaffe, Braydon Trindall, Sam Walker, Tyran Wishart

18 players off contract

HOOKER
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Joshua Cook, Lachlan Croker, Jake Granville, Siliva Havili, Kobe Hetherington, Jacob Liddle, Soni Luke, Andrew McCullough, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Randall, Mitch Rein, Reece Robson

14 players off contract

LOCK
Nathan Brown, Tyrone Peachey, Victor Radley, Hame Sele, Mason Teague, Jazz Tevaga, Connor Watson

7 players off contract

PROP
Bunty Afoa, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Renouf Atoni, Eddie Blacker, Ethan Bullemor, George Burgess, Thomas Burgess, JJ Collins, Thomas Flegler, Jordan Grant, Wiremu Greig, Emre Guler, David Hollis, Royce Hunt, Corey Jensen, Tui Kamikamica, Josh Kerr, Josh King, David Klemmer, Liam Knight, Blake Lawrie, Spencer Leniu, Tepai Moeroa, Chris Patolo, Aaron Pene, Ava Seumanu***ai, Tukimihia Simpkins, Toafofoa Sipley, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Luke Thompson, Alec Tuitavake, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aaron Woods

33 players off contract

SECOND-ROW
Fletcher Baker, Billy Burns, Egan Butcher, Bryce Cartwright, Michael Chee-Kam, Ben Condon, Mitchell Dunn, Tom Eisenhuth, David Fifita, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Brendan Frei, Tyson Frizell, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host, Josh Jackson, Jack Johns, Brodie Jones, Shaun Lane, Liam Martin, Sam McIntyre, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jeremiah Nanai, Keenan Palasia, Riley Price, Alex Seyfarth, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen, Chris Smith, Scott Sorensen, Joe Stimson, Siosifa Talakai, Ben Trbojevic, Joseph Vuna, Corey Waddell, Teig Wilton

35 players off contract

WING
Braidon Burns, Herbie Farnworth, Jojo Fifita, Reuben Garrick, Dean Ieremia, George Jennings, Sione Katoa, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Edward Kosi, Greg Marzhew, Laitia Moceidreke, Corey Oates, Jayden Okunbor, Jordan Pereira, Ethan Quai-Ward, Jordan Rapana, Jason Saab, Taniela Sadrugu, Maika Sivo, Charlie Staines, Brian To'o, Setu Tu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick

24 players off contract
 
hungryjacks said:
Is our club still looking at Kobe Hetherington for 2024 or a player similar to him?

- - - Updated - - -

Also for everyones fancy, when talking about player signing for the future we have to look at the players off contract in 2023. According to zero tackle this is the list to choose from.


CENTRE
Paul Alamoti, Grant Anderson, Jake Averillo, Zane Bijorac, Waqa Blake, Jed Cartwright, Stephen Crichton, Brendan Elliot, Oliver Gildart, Morgan Harper, Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku, Hymel Hunt, Matt Ikuvalu, Thomas Jenkins, Brian Kelly, Marcelo Montoya, Tesi Niu, Brad Parker, Will Penisini, Adam Pompey, Jesse Ramien, Billy Smith, Harley Smith-Shields, Jenson Taumoepeau, Valynce Te Whare, Enari Tuala, Dominic Young

28 players off contract

FULLBACK
Corey Allan, Jesse Arthars, Adam Doueihi, Trai Fuller, Bailey Hodgson, Albert Hopoate, William Kennedy, Daine Laurie, Moses Mbye, Nick Meaney, Latrell Mitchell, Sean Russell, Siteni Taukamo, Kaeo Weekes

14 players off contract

FIVE-EIGHTH
Dylan Brown, Matt Frawley, Ben Hampton, Jackson Hastings, Adam Keighran, Kurt Mann, Paul Turner, Cody Walker

8 players off contract

HALFBACK
Jakob Arthur, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Luke Brooks, Jake Clifford, Adam Clune, Kyle Flanagan, Dean Hawkins, Cody Hunter, Drew Hutchison, Shaun Johnson, Lachlan Miller, Cory Paix, Jonah Pezet, Brad Schneider, Blake Taaffe, Braydon Trindall, Sam Walker, Tyran Wishart

18 players off contract

HOOKER
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Joshua Cook, Lachlan Croker, Jake Granville, Siliva Havili, Kobe Hetherington, Jacob Liddle, Soni Luke, Andrew McCullough, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Randall, Mitch Rein, Reece Robson

14 players off contract

LOCK
Nathan Brown, Tyrone Peachey, Victor Radley, Hame Sele, Mason Teague, Jazz Tevaga, Connor Watson

7 players off contract

PROP
Bunty Afoa, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Renouf Atoni, Eddie Blacker, Ethan Bullemor, George Burgess, Thomas Burgess, JJ Collins, Thomas Flegler, Jordan Grant, Wiremu Greig, Emre Guler, David Hollis, Royce Hunt, Corey Jensen, Tui Kamikamica, Josh Kerr, Josh King, David Klemmer, Liam Knight, Blake Lawrie, Spencer Leniu, Tepai Moeroa, Chris Patolo, Aaron Pene, Ava Seumanu***ai, Tukimihia Simpkins, Toafofoa Sipley, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Luke Thompson, Alec Tuitavake, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Aaron Woods

33 players off contract

SECOND-ROW
Fletcher Baker, Billy Burns, Egan Butcher, Bryce Cartwright, Michael Chee-Kam, Ben Condon, Mitchell Dunn, Tom Eisenhuth, David Fifita, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Brendan Frei, Tyson Frizell, Tyrell Fuimaono, Jacob Host, Josh Jackson, Jack Johns, Brodie Jones, Shaun Lane, Liam Martin, Sam McIntyre, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jeremiah Nanai, Keenan Palasia, Riley Price, Alex Seyfarth, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen, Chris Smith, Scott Sorensen, Joe Stimson, Siosifa Talakai, Ben Trbojevic, Joseph Vuna, Corey Waddell, Teig Wilton

35 players off contract

WING
Braidon Burns, Herbie Farnworth, Jojo Fifita, Reuben Garrick, Dean Ieremia, George Jennings, Sione Katoa, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Edward Kosi, Greg Marzhew, Laitia Moceidreke, Corey Oates, Jayden Okunbor, Jordan Pereira, Ethan Quai-Ward, Jordan Rapana, Jason Saab, Taniela Sadrugu, Maika Sivo, Charlie Staines, Brian To'o, Setu Tu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick

24 players off contract
Click to expand...

Thank you for this mate. Just to clarify for anyone reading that this list is showing players off-contract end of 2023 and thus available for 2024 season.

Re Hetherington - I'm not sure of the clubs pursuit of him for 2024 but I do think a player like Hetherington would be a valuable addition and not too costly on the cap. He'd need a release for 2023, though.

Personally I think an outside back (ideally winger) with some defensive IQ, experience and a tall/athletic profile is needed as a priority too. If they can kick goals, that'd be best case scenario. Off-contract 2023 options don't offer much there though so the club is going to have to get creative if they're targeting that sort of player.

It's been speculated but it looks as if the club is actively trying to offload Sam Lisone and replace that roster spot too:
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sam-lisone-wakefield-trinity-titans-25197788
 
From our current roster I am of the view we need urgently for 2023 a starting/1st change Prop, back up hooker to Verrills and as HS suggests a goal kicking winger
 
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Whats Doing said:
From our current roster I am of the view we need urgently for 2023 a starting/1st change Prop, back up hooker to Verrills and as HS suggests a goal kicking winger
Click to expand...

I agree we badly need those three types of players. Though I'd say winger OR centre with goal kicking ability would be ideal.
 
The Birdman said:
I agree we badly need those three types of players. Though I'd say winger OR centre with goal kicking ability would be ideal.
Click to expand...

Agree with either a winger or centre providing they also a NRL standard goal kicker.

Whilst it would never happen, it would be fantastic to get as a package deal: Lenui (Prop), Stephen Crighton ( Centre, goal kicker) and Soni Luke ( Hooker). All Polynesians so they will feel like home and all are outstanding players in their respective positions.

One can only dream
 
Give Rat Rogers a title, a kicking tee and a brief to manufacture a kicker out of Marzhew or any other hopeful starter.
 
Pains me to use the Mole as a source but here I am:

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/mole-c...on-irish/68f839d1-2b05-40cd-9a7a-5a5cb56ade56

Apparently we're favourites for Curtis Rona who could be returning to the NRL

Likes: 6'4 and gives us a body shape we are in desperate need of in the outside backs. Would be a cheap contract. Experienced albeit with a while out of the game.
Dislikes: It's not 2016 any more and he's 30. Doesn't solve our goal kicking dilemma

He was playing top div RU in the UK for London Irish. Most recent highlight tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLHMNWI3Jg&t=100s
 
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Hail Sezer said:
Pains me to use the Mole as a source but here I am:

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/mole-c...on-irish/68f839d1-2b05-40cd-9a7a-5a5cb56ade56

Apparently we're favourites for Curtis Rona who could be returning to the NRL

Likes: 6'4 and gives us a body shape we are in desperate need of in the outside backs. Would be a cheap contract. Experienced albeit with a while out of the game.
Dislikes: It's not 2016 any more and he's 30. Doesn't solve our goal kicking dilemma

He was playing top div RU in the UK for London Irish. Most recent highlight tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLHMNWI3Jg&t=100s
Click to expand...

Unless he is a goal kicker which he isnt, then it makes no sense and has more downsize and very little upsize.
 
Whats Doing said:
Unless he is a goal kicker which he isnt, then it makes no sense and has more downsize and very little upsize.
Click to expand...

For a cheap contract I can see the logic when you look at our current wing options being Sami (first choice), Spry (unproven), Lofi (unproven and needs signifcant defensive improvement to play NRL), Marzhew (defensive liability), Francis (unproven), Jojo (probably start at centre), Herbert (ACL).

A capable goal kicking winger/centre would be amazing but there isn't exactly a heap of them around let alone off-contract and available unless we can get another club to release someone.
 
I don’t think we have a goalkicking dilemma because I think Tanah will be our 7 :)

I’m ok with signing Rona. He’s not bad, complements our current roster of backs, and wouldn’t be on huge coin.
 
I agree with you WD. Signing Rona doesn't make any sense to me. Why not upgrade Francis and show another junior the faith we have in them?

I used to like Rona as a player but that's a long time ago. How quick and fit is he now? It's easier to look good with all the stoppages and slowpokes in rah rah.

HS - I would say Rona is unproven at current NRL level and while he might be cheap, so would a junior in his place. I hope you're right and if we sign him, he brains it but Francis sounds like he's very close to ready and while it was only one trial, he looked like he belonged. I think signing Rona would send the wrong message to some of our young guys on the way up.

Thanks for the new thread. I'm happy to see Spry get another shot and those Development players upgraded.
 
MaroonTitan said:
I agree with you WD. Signing Rona doesn't make any sense to me. Why not upgrade Francis and show another junior the faith we have in them?

I used to like Rona as a player but that's a long time ago. How quick and fit is he now? It's easier to look good with all the stoppages and slowpokes in rah rah.

HS - I would say Rona is unproven at current NRL level and while he might be cheap, so would a junior in his place. I hope you're right and if we sign him, he brains it but Francis sounds like he's very close to ready and while it was only one trial, he looked like he belonged. I think signing Rona would send the wrong message to some of our young guys on the way up.

Thanks for the new thread. I'm happy to see Spry get another shot and those Development players upgraded.
Click to expand...

I think there's a few misunderstandings here with the roster makeup..

To answer your first Q, Francis was already contracted on an NRL development deal for '23 and it makes little sense to upgrade him from that when he's already in the NRL picture and able to compete for a spot (albeit not week 1). I'm a big fan of his but he's still a work in progress based on his Qcup form. If they made the decision to upgrade him, you're giving up another top 30 spot occupied by someone without a single NRL game, and in a position that's already skinny on experience.

Most clubs seem pretty comfortable recruiting from rugby union and I'd be really disappointed if we took the approach of choosing not to because it's an apparent inferior sport. If NRL clubs can recruit out of Qcup, NSW Cup and Schoolboy footy straight into NRL rosters, I'd think by the same process a club could make a fair assessment of whether a professional Rugby Union player who's played NRL was worthy of competing for a spot.

I'm not sure if you think by signing another outside back we're in turn sacrificing a junior because that's not the case. We needed more depth in the outside backs regardless - winger and centre - and we really needed that with some experience. We aren't losing any juniors by potentially signing him, they're still there, it's just adding a different dynamic to the group to compete for a spot. It absolutely shouldn't send the wrong message because the guys on the way up haven't proven anything and should have to compete for a spot, not walk into it. Think of signing Rona as a bit of extra motivation for these guys to prove themselves, and a bit of a cushion in the instance they don't..really just a direct replacement for CT with a bit of height :?)

I know it sounds like I'm going in to bat for a guy that in all honesty I hope (if signed) plays little NRL for us anyway because I'm hopeful our younger guys earn a spot, but I'm just trying to give a bit of perspective as to how I assume they're approaching building the roster to create competition with consideration for cost, experience, player profile, term (i.e. how long the player is projected to be with us) and opportunity cost. It's a short-term gap filler if anything while there isn't much else available on the market to fill that need.
 
Yep, in these days of having to have news every day, any and all recruitments will get some sort of attention-grabbing headline ... hardly a blip on the radar.
 
I think the NRL needs to sign more union players. The NRL with 16 and now 17 and soon 18 clubs needs more talent. I'd probably prefer signing younger union talent and juniors though.

I don't know much about him, but it'll be an interesting experiment. He has some experience in rugby league.

Of course, you can't beat building a first class juniors system though and we have the raw materials for that.
 
Thanks HS. I hope you're right and our young guys step up and our best outside backs stay fit until at least Round 11. I might be unreasonable wanting NRL quality across our entire 30. There are guys in the 17 for lots of clubs that are lucky to be called first graders.
 
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