edwahu wrote: ↑July 1, 2020, 8:25 am
Yeah we should aim higher. I know we lost a couple of games but the club would still be an attractive destination for players.
I agree. Any top quality player would have the mindset that, "Raiders have a pretty good squad, I bet I can add what Scott isn't/what they miss from Bateman etc". Titans and Dogs have to sell on "we can turn this around, we are building something."- meanwhile you look at their roster and... nuh.
We can sell on "You can be the difference in making a premiership happen here..."
It's a fortunate position and we should use it. I honestly think if we were good 4 years ago, Teddy would happily have chosen Raiders over Roosters.
edwahu wrote: ↑July 1, 2020, 8:25 am
Yeah we should aim higher. I know we lost a couple of games but the club would still be an attractive destination for players.
I agree. Any top quality player would have the mindset that, "Raiders have a pretty good squad, I bet I can add what Scott isn't/what they miss from Bateman etc". Titans and Dogs have to sell on "we can turn this around, we are building something."- meanwhile you look at their roster and... nuh.
We can sell on "You can be the difference in making a premiership happen here..."
It's a fortunate position and we should use it. I honestly think if we were good 4 years ago, Teddy would happily have chosen Raiders over Roosters.
This probably won't be a popular opinion but I think no Bateman has shown that we are genuinely a bit too rigid across the squad with the change that comes with age in Papalii, Whitehead and Soliola. While these players were always pretty bloody versatile they've all become very much locked down in their current positions. Gone are the days where we could get away with Whitehead filling in at five-eighth or centre or one of the other 2 filling in on an edge. In less than a season Bateman became our genuine utility and Mr.Fix-It whilst also being a world class second rower or lock. It was a comfort we probably won't have again. I know we've carried a back on the bench for a season now but Stuart's reluctance in using that back to chase points when need be really makes it a wasted bench spot. Bateman literally covered an injury in the halves, at hooker and the back 5.
Without him the outside back #17 covers a backline injury but that's about it. There's no genuine half cover and if Tapine is gassed, suspended or injured, no genuine second row cover either. I've thought that Croker or Rapana would probably have to become the back up half in these cases purely due to experience and bit of natural talent with ball in hand and on foot. Whitehead at 6 and Rapana in the second row trying to chase points 3 weeks ago really made me cringe as an avid supporter. Meanwhile last week Parramatta were able to bring on Brad Takairangi (a much maligned player yes, but indeed a solid squad member) to fill in and do a good enough job in the halves. The beauty of him on their bench is he also covers second row and the outside backs.
I know they're not exactly common players but without Bateman it'd be nice if the squad had a genuine utility to play that bench role. Someone who can fill in on an edge or in the halves at a pinch. A Peachey/May/Takairangi type player would definitely make the gameday squad a bit more secure than it stands currently. (not advocating the signing of those players I just feel we're desperate for that utility without JB). This rigidity trickles down in the squad to the back up halves and hooker Williams, Frawley and Starling too as they're not capable of filling in anywhere else at NRL level at all. This means they are nothing but injury reserves and give Stuart no options of a shift at all considering the spine is very much locked in.
I don't know what the answer is but I see it as a continuing problem while Bateman is out this year and rolling into next as well. A second rower will be easy to find but being able to cover that genuine utility will definitely not.
Neeeegz wrote:Alex Johnson if we don't re sign raps ? And even jhn and okenbor too... would be a bit ironic tho if the money pig goes to the bulldogs
Alex Johnson would be massive overs for a winger, I don't rate him an upgrade on CNK.
Haerawira Naira only broke protocol by taking someone into camp, he's got unlucky imo, she was over 18 and he didn't meet her at any school. If Okunbor didn't stuff up CHN probably cops a slap on the wrist. I'd have him in our set-up.
So do we have a war chest now? How much would Scott be on do you guys reckon? Bj and Bateman gone.. A bunch of 2nd stringers this yr also..Cotric possibly?
Surely we have money to be bringing a player or 2 in. Juniors are fine but if they aren't ready they aren't helping.
Raiders666 wrote:So do we have a war chest now? How much would Scott be on do you guys reckon? Bj and Bateman gone.. A bunch of 2nd stringers this yr also..Cotric possibly?
Surely we have money to be bringing a player or 2 in. Juniors are fine but if they aren't ready they aren't helping.
Don said we'd be in the market possibly even this year
Raiders666 wrote: ↑July 1, 2020, 8:15 pm
So do we have a war chest now? How much would Scott be on do you guys reckon? Bj and Bateman gone.. A bunch of 2nd stringers this yr also..Cotric possibly?
Surely we have money to be bringing a player or 2 in. Juniors are fine but if they aren't ready they aren't helping.
Raiders666 wrote: ↑July 1, 2020, 8:15 pm
So do we have a war chest now? How much would Scott be on do you guys reckon? Bj and Bateman gone.. A bunch of 2nd stringers this yr also..Cotric possibly?
Surely we have money to be bringing a player or 2 in. Juniors are fine but if they aren't ready they aren't helping.
I'd think we have the 750k we offered Bateman.
We don’t have all that, as the upgrade portion ha# gone somewhere else.
So I’ve been thinking about Batemans replacement and I like Dale Finucane from the Storm. Played under Bellamy for quite a while, SOO representative as well. Off contract for 2021 and he and his wife are from the Bega Valley, 3 hours from Canberra. Just had his first baby, I think he would fit in nicely. Never let you down either.
Bidding war erupts for Cowboys powerhouse: Cowboys premiership forward John Asiata is on the verge of quitting North Queensland with four NRL rivals tabling offers to one of the most skilled big men in the competition: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nr ... d0a6a3d45b
A Cowboys premiership forward is on the verge of quitting North Queensland with four NRL rivals tabling offers to one of the most skilled big men in the competition.
The Raiders are in the frame with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart having cash to spend after British star John Bateman‘s decision to leave the Green Machine at the end of the season.
Where do you reckon Asiata's position is? Ball playing lock? Mobile enough for right edge? Handy enough #14 but we have Havilii.
I'm not totally convinced Elliot isn't a ploder. Asiata hasn't done much at all this year either though. At his best Asiata adds a layer of skills that very few other forwards add. I'm just not sure he's very good at one primary job- bit of a Tyrone Peachy issue, good player but where do you put him.
Finucane would be a fine option. Very different player to bateman but like what he will bring in terms of experience.
If i could dream for a moment naturally if love to get fifita, but you'd have to pay him a lot. I'd also love for us to have a crack at wade Graham. Getting on and has his injury problems but he is an absolute stud and could be lured for another tilt at a premiership. While i appreciate he is on contract im sure they'd be a way he could break it if both us and he were willing.
Both are squad fillers. Not overly excited about signing either but OK if we did. Our middle forward depth has taken a hit this year so might need somebody to fill the space. Longer term we need to replace Sia so I'd rather look at a decent quality starting option.
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I would be pretty disappointed if Elliott was the JB replacement.
He's a solid footballer but has limited upside imo, and he's never going to really impact games.
Looking at Zero Tackle website and the off contract edge backrowers. Not a lot of walk up starters there. Might be worth looking at a short term deal for the guys nearing the end of their career like Aubsusson or Proctor. Otherwise Isaiah Papali'i would be worth an enquiry. Only 21 and has a fair bit of talent. Might do better in a more settled environment than he has a the Warriors.
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