2025 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread

It's funny that we all seem to let our minds wander to the edges when it comes to areas we need to strengthen. In all honesty, we need to improve from wing to wing if we're going to do anything this year. In saying that, I thought I'd take a look at the stats.

Looking at where all sides conceded tries last year (left, middle and right sides) we can get a glimpse at how we stacked up against other clubs. Please bear in mind that according to the stats, if an opposition left side winger happened to burn us, and then ran around to score under the posts, that is still classed as a right side conceded try for us. (not a middle) Hope that makes sense.

So, our right side conceded 34% of tries scored against us last year (39 tries). For interest's sake, that put us equal with the sharks (also 34%) as the best right side defence in the NRL. All the other teams right sides were above 34%.

Our left side conceded 37% of tries scored against us last year (43 tries). Not too flash, but still better than the sharks, raiders, broncos, sea eagles, storm, knights, eels, rabbits, roosters and warriors left side defences.

Our middle was soft and let in 29% of tries scored against us (34 tries). When I say soft, I mean in comparison to other teams middles. We conceded the most tries through the middle than any other side in the comp. In equal second place were the cowboys, dolphins and dragons all on 25%.

Anyway, I'm sure that's all been fixed up over the off season. Lolopatamus! 🤞😊
I have been watching replays of a fair few of our games last year. Some of the things that really stood out are how a lazy effort at kick chase or losing a tackle on the ground just killed us. The top sides are just clinical executing set after set. One game that we won Moe gave away 2 lazy penalties stepped of the mark on multiple occasions stifling our attack lost the tackle allowing the momentum for the other side to score a couple times. I was listening to BK talk the other day he said he has to improve his defence. I may add ball control second effforts captains challenges.
I am sure Des gives them detailed feedback but some of them are last chance saloon if they don’t deliver this season.
 
There is so little evidence of successful or any for that matter transitions from a rugby 9 to a league 7, except at school boy level, except Sticky. My argument is based on several things: (1) CG seems to have backed himself on a development pathway as compared to other high profile code-hoppers who have tried for instant stardom, (2) he has the size, body shape (maybe better to confer with NZT on that one) and the basic skill set, and (3) the Des influence. Fingers crossed.
 
The bits I've seen of CG he looks more suited to being a 2nd/3rd receiver with how he ball plays to me (I reckon he could be a gun fullback), I reckon as a 13 or halfback it could take away from what his best assets with the ball are, One thing I'm pretty sure about him is he wouldn't survive long defensively at all in the middle, Even in cup and it was very small sample size but he's got to work on his second defensive efforts a lot but how many games ever would he have made more then 15 tackles?

There's only a very small sample size and he's obviously very talented but I think it's a bit more of a project then is being presumed, He still has to work on his tackling technique and things that are just basic league skills.

Him braining it also wouldn't surprise me.
 
You echo my concerns about CG defending in the middle, Cow.

Did the boy from Baralaba say that he could tackle in the middle, Meno? He oughta know.
 
I’m going to introduce a new end of season award in 2025: the Splinters Gong. I will diligently record, starting at Round 2, all those who take a fence-sitting position throughout the season, including moi. The rules: (1) you can dob yourself and other people in, (2) I will create a thread and enter candidates there, and (3) my decision will be final … or maybe not.
 
You echo my concerns about CG defending in the middle, Cow.

Did the boy from Baralaba say that he could tackle in the middle, Meno? He oughta know.
I'm another boy from Baralaba, mate. Maybe we're just tougher than the average player lol. CG is not that small from memory. In fact, he'd be one of the bigger halfbacks in the NRL.

Kobe H is a good example. He was a hooker, and a bloody good one until finally getting a run with the broncos. Now he's a sort after backrower. Transitioning to different positions comes down to heart and ability. Jase reckons CG would handle back row.

On another note...how many on here thought Erin C would have such an impact in the front row?? Heart and ability, peeps!

I hope Carter explodes onto the scene, wherever he ends up.
 
There is so little evidence of successful or any for that matter transitions from a rugby 9 to a league 7, except at school boy level, except Sticky. My argument is based on several things: (1) CG seems to have backed himself on a development pathway as compared to other high profile code-hoppers who have tried for instant stardom, (2) he has the size, body shape (maybe better to confer with NZT on that one) and the basic skill set, and (3) the Des influence. Fingers crossed.
I agree. Here's another one that NZT might be able to weigh in on...his eyes. Carter has that intent stare when listening to instruction, and the eyes of a true warrior when playing. He reminds me of a young Foz in that regard. It may sound silly...but in the fight game...I can judge a young fighter by his eyes. A brawler looks like a rough knockabout. A fighter has intelligent, hungry, determined and fear/respect invoking eyes. I've never judged one wrong yet!

Carter Gordon has the eye of the tiger! Funny, but true! LOL!
 
Now we’re talking Meno.

Allow me to distribute some elite-tier bro science on this forum right now. Physiognomy.

physiognomy
/ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmi/
noun
a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin.


Carter passes that test in droves. As Meno has just highlighted, Carter has that piercing gaze, coupled with his low brow, and brutal cheekbone/long jawline combination, he’s primed to take this team to the next level. You can tell. He’s almost carved out of the marble Michelangelo had molded David from, he’s sharp looking, like a Barracuda, where, as you stare into the depths of the ocean, you see him staring back at you. Unflinching. Hungry. He's driven, he wants it, he wants it bad, he's not just a pretty boy (he is, trust me), he's a force to be reckoned with in all realms of human endeavour, not just this one, but in all others.

Imagine, being an opposition half, 5’9”, 81kg, and you look up at your marker and you see a 6’2”, sub-100kg, with the gaze and intent of the most dominant apex predators in the animal kingdom manifesting itself as a first receiver.

Take Adam Reynolds for example, of likely some Greco-Italian heritage down the line, staring 30 metres across the park and experiencing a deep, visceral blood memory as he lays eyes upon a Roman lord which took fierce control of his land and ancestors thousands of years ago. Zero chance he wins that matchup. Zero.

Almost every single half in the game crumbles immediately mentally to CG beneath his physiognomy, with his determination and exceptional focus laid bare it’s a terrifying mental edge he has… the Emperor directing his troops around the Colosseum (Cbus Super Stadium).

MAXIMUS!! MAXIMUS!! MAXIMUS!!

cg.png
 
I've also heard he is a direct descendant of the roman Biggus Dickus, discussed in the python classic. More intimidation factor...this time in our own change rooms

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Well, people have been commenting on his energy around the club.

Thanks for the art NZT and Meno. You gave me a big laugh to start the day. Life of Brian is one of my favourite Religious Education resources.
 
Now we’re talking Meno.

Allow me to distribute some elite-tier bro science on this forum right now. Physiognomy.

physiognomy
/ˌfɪzɪˈɒnəmi/
noun
a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin.


Carter passes that test in droves. As Meno has just highlighted, Carter has that piercing gaze, coupled with his low brow, and brutal cheekbone/long jawline combination, he’s primed to take this team to the next level. You can tell. He’s almost carved out of the marble Michelangelo had molded David from, he’s sharp looking, like a Barracuda, where, as you stare into the depths of the ocean, you see him staring back at you. Unflinching. Hungry. He's driven, he wants it, he wants it bad, he's not just a pretty boy (he is, trust me), he's a force to be reckoned with in all realms of human endeavour, not just this one, but in all others.

Imagine, being an opposition half, 5’9”, 81kg, and you look up at your marker and you see a 6’2”, sub-100kg, with the gaze and intent of the most dominant apex predators in the animal kingdom manifesting itself as a first receiver.

Take Adam Reynolds for example, of likely some Greco-Italian heritage down the line, staring 30 metres across the park and experiencing a deep, visceral blood memory as he lays eyes upon a Roman lord which took fierce control of his land and ancestors thousands of years ago. Zero chance he wins that matchup. Zero.

Almost every single half in the game crumbles immediately mentally to CG beneath his physiognomy, with his determination and exceptional focus laid bare it’s a terrifying mental edge he has… the Emperor directing his troops around the Colosseum (Cbus Super Stadium).

MAXIMUS!! MAXIMUS!! MAXIMUS!!

View attachment 1133

@DIEHARD pin this post to the front page

@NZTITAN can you do Marnus Labuschagne’s physiognomy now?
 
Some of your best guys ... Incontentia Buttocks has cracked me up for over half a century. When we first signed CG I compared him in a positive way to the Long Necked Goose in potential and got laughed at (boo hoo) but I stick by my original assessment PLUS "CG" is a lot more user-friendly than DCE.

Physiognomy is like all sciences: using Latin derivatives to deliberately make names difficult to pronounce while sounding erudite and disguising the fact that their expertise is largely guesswork :geek: ... the Roman's had it right, keep it simple and call it as you see it e.g. Biggus Dickus and Titan Uranus (see what I did there).

Ps. For those of you who don't know your Greek mythology Uranus was the father of the Titans.
 
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Menoitios or Menoetius...depending on how deep your nerd flows, was the Titan that represented rash decision making, human mortality and tremendous outbursts of violent anger (all of which cut my rugby league career very nearly at the bud lol) Zeus, being the spoil sport that he was, struck Meno down with a thunderbolt and sent him to the underworld.

Around that time a vile and quite dispicable rumour started to circulate around the underworld that Zeus was the Greek patron saint of excessive masturbation.
Those who were in the underworld at that time, those of low brow and seemingly in possession of a deliberate inability to grasp levity claimed that Meno started that rumour! Through the use of innuendo and deflection methods however, Menoitios cleverly shifted the blame onto Erebos, who always seemed to have shit on his liver about something...and had no friends anyway.

And now to modern science...did you know that the male human has the largest penis in the entire primate family?!!

Cop that you big silverback piece of shit!!
 
'Confident' De Groot eager to push for more NRL after Knights taste test

Young gun No. 1 Jaylan De Groot has his target on more game time in the NRL in 2025 after an impressive introduction against the Newcastle Knights last season.

After two previous stints as 18th man, the 22-year-old officially became Titan #192 in Round 26 and wasted no time making his mark, delivering a debut performance that justified the faith placed in him by Titans coach Des Hasler.

Recently revealed to have clocked the second-fastest speed in the NRL in 2024 during his debut match, De Groot reached 37.2km/h on the radar gun, ranking just behind Manly flyer Jason Saab.

The winger has his sights set higher in 2025, aiming to build on his first taste of top grade rugby league.

"The debut at the end of last year was an awesome experience," he said.

"It has helped me come into this year a lot more confident and ready to reset and go again.

"I got a really decent stint playing Hostplus Cup but [the NRL experience] has taught me that you need to get your body right and be physically and mentally right to go out there every week [and play NRL].

"That’s what I’ve brought into this pre-season, coming in every day ready to go so hopefully I can get a few more games in this year."

Whilst he is behind incumbent Keano Kini, De Groot admires the Paul Broughton medallist for his relentless energy and work ethic, using it as motivation to elevate his own game.

"K has been unreal and the way he plays, there’s not many people who play like him," he said.

"Just his effort, enthusiasm and energy... he’s everywhere and the things I take away from his game are always putting his best foot forward.

"No matter how sore he is or how tired he is, he keeps rolling into work and is always there.

"He’s just one of those players."

Now deep into pre-season and with a trip to Toowoomba to face the Broncos in their first trial just around the corner, the promising rookie is relishing the strengthened team connection and believes the squad is fully aligned in its pursuit of premiership success.

"It’s been good and I feel like we’re a lot tighter this year," he said.

"Even with the new boys coming in, I feel like everyone has bought into what we’re going for here, which is to win a premiership."
 
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