Raiders player signing speculation 2021

[gerg]

I'd like us to go with a back five of 1. Savage 2. CNK 3. Timoko 4. Kris 5. HSS, with Rapana, Bailey and Semi as back up. Although not the speediest backline in the comp, it's still above average, and better than what we currently have / are playing. CNK can play fullback in defence and alternate with Savage. Don't mind signing Tesi Niu as well for extra X factor, although he's far from the polished and complete article. Savage deserves his chance at fullback and Timoko in the centres from what we have seen. We need to resign HSS quick as I'm sure other clubs like Wests and Brisbane will be looking at him. We need a goalkicker as well.

Im not sold on Kris. Big body. Strong front on defence, but laterally has issues.

He doesn't seem to break many tackles either. I reckon Timoko has broken more tackles in less than half as many games.

Kris is actually pretty consistent with a few tackle breaks a game but he does need to work on his defence. I believe he is targeted a little because he is often trying to put on a big hit and occasionally doesn't maintain 'the line' which can create a gap either side of him. I like his hitting power, both in attack and defence but he needs to maintain 'the line'.

We probably have more backs coming through than we need in the longer term. I think we are currently managing their development okay. We'll see in the next 18 months - hopefully - which are the best to keep and hopefully we can keep them.

Kris and Croker are the incumbents and until the younger guys are smashing down the selection door those two will be picked.

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[gangrenous]

One thing that I've noticed in the past few games is that we suck under the high ball. The Parra, Gold Coast and Easts games come to mind. I have not looked back at the stats for the % of bomb defusals but we seem to either not contest kicks or spill them. Also we don't seem to contest and win attacking kicks. In fact I cannot remember when we last scored off a bomb or an attacking kick. We need more practice.

This is a good call out. Croker used to be a target for attacking bombs, but it’s been a long time since I remember him landing one. No one else coming through seems to be a threat in the air at all.

[Hong Kong Raider]

We should look at signing Tesi Niu who is off contract with the Scott money (after he's gone). Still young with plenty of upside, speed, and X factor.

[bonehead]

We should look at signing Tesi Niu who is off contract with the Scott money (after he's gone). Still young with plenty of upside, speed, and X factor.

kid is a freak

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[zim]

Just don't play the speed bump at centre.

[Northern Raider]

Just don't play the speed bump at centre.

Speed bump is not a fair description. Speed bumps at least get in the way. When Niu was at centre he was completely MIA on so many defensive plays.

[Northern Raider]

Don't think its been posted anywhere before. Here is the NRL Top 100 rich list from the Telegraph for 2021. Probably more overpaid than under paid on the list.

100: Brodie Croft ($423k)

99: Josh Mansour ($432k)

98: Dylan Walker ($465k)

97: Kodi Nikorima ($470k)

96: Ryan Matterson ($470k)

95: Apisai Koroisau ($470k)

94: Coen Hess ($470k)

93: Blake Ferguson ($470k)

92: Jarrod Croker ($470k)

91: Christian Welch ($480k)

90: Victor Radley ($500k)

89: David Fusitu'a ($510k)

88: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ($512k)

87: Corey Oates ($517k)

86: Payne Haas ($517k)

85: Waqa Blake ($517k)

84: Chad Townsend ($520k)

83: David Nofoaluma ($525k)

82: Dylan Brown ($540k)

81: Cameron McInnes ($550k)

80: Joseph Leilua ($550k)

79: Tyrone Peachey ($564k)

78: Dale Finucane ($580k)

77: Nathan Brown ($580k)

76: Elliott Whitehead ($582k)

75: Aaron Woods ($600k)

74: Andrew McCullough ($600k)

73: Josh Jackson ($600k)

72: Nick Cotric ($600k)

71: Junior Paulo ($610k)

70: Jarred Wallace ($611k)

69: Joseph Tapine ($611k)

68: Adam Doueihi ($625k)

67: Viliame Kikau ($635k)

66: Felise Kaufusi ($640k)

65: Cody Walker ($650k)

64: Tariq Sims ($650k)

63: Joe Ofahengaue ($650k)

62: Dylan Napa ($650k)

61: Cameron Murray (650k)

60: Zac Lomax ($650k)

59: Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($655k)

58: Josh Papalii ($658k)

57: Jordan McLean ($658k)

56: Jesse Bromwich ($660k)

55: Nelson Asofa-Solomona ($675k)

54: Martin Taupau ($680k)

53: Tevita Pangai Jr ($682k)

52: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k)

51: Josh McGuire (700k)

50: Jahrome Hughes ($700k)

49: Tohu Harris ($700k)

48: Tyson Frizell ($700k)

47: Damien Cook ($700k)

46: Thomas Burgess ($700k)

45: Jai Arrow ($700k)

44: Josh Hodgson ($705k)

43: Joseph Manu ($720k)

42: Angus Crichton ($720k)

41: Luke Thompson ($725k)

40: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ($750k)

39: Paul Vaughan ($750k)

38: Russell Packer ($750k)

37: Latrell Mitchell ($750k)

36: Wade Graham ($750k)

35: Dane Gagai ($750k)

34: Jack de Belin ($750k)

33: Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($750k)

32: Valentine Holmes ($752k)

31: Matt Lodge ($752k)

30: Clint Gutherson ($780k)

29: Shaun Johnston ($800k)

28: David Klemmer ($800k)

27: Moses Mbye ($815k)

26: Jack Wighton ($846k)

25: Luke Brooks ($850k)

24: Addin Fonua-Blake ($850k)

23: Josh Dugan ($850k)

22: Andrew Fifita ($850k)

21: Matt Moylan ($850k)

20: Corey Norman ($850k)

19: Luke Keary ($850k)

18: Jason Taumalolo ($893k)

17: Jake Trbojevic ($900k)

16: Mitchell Pearce ($900k)

15: Jack Bird ($900k)

14: Mitchell Moses ($920k)

13: Michael Morgan ($940k)

12: Anthony Milford ($940k)

11: Nathan Cleary ($940k)

10: Ashley Taylor ($964k)

9: Adam Reynolds ($1m)

8: Kalyn Ponga ($1m)

7: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($1m)

6: Cameron Munster ($1m)

5: David Fifita ($1.05m)

4: Thomas Trbojevic ($1.1m)

3: James Tedesco ($1.1m)

2: Ben Hunt ($1.1m)

1: Daly Cherry-Evans (1.175m)

[Botman]

Haha thanks NR, i spent... 20 minutes trying to find that list on the internet SOMEWHERE and could only get the 50-100 scanned page
VERY much appreciated!

[Seiffert82]

Hunt+Bird+Norman=$2.85m



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[Seiffert82]

Papalii is a bloody good deal for us.

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[bonehead]

So what are our areas of need in our roster other than halfback?

I'm thinking edge backrower is probably the second spot and fullback the 3rd.

We seem pretty good in the backs with recent and pending extensions.

Have heard noises we are still active in the pommy market so will be interesting to see if anyone eventuates.

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[bonehead]

Hunt+Bird+Norman=$2.85m



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add Vaughan and JDB and their cap was smashed. $4.4M (bird getting discounted by broncos though)

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[afgtnk]

So what are our areas of need in our roster other than halfback?

I'm thinking edge backrower is probably the second spot and fullback the 3rd.

We seem pretty good in the backs with recent and pending extensions.

Have heard noises we are still active in the pommy market so will be interesting to see if anyone eventuates.

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Personally, I would go:

1. Fullback
2. Halfback
3. Edge
4. Winger/Centre

I feel the club's is

1. Halfback
2. ???

I think they've got their sights set on Savage playing one, and if that doesn't work out, will keep running with CNK. Between them they've possibly lost their appetite signing a new guy.

Backs they're probably thinking they've got enough ability and cover. Edge there doesn't seem to be any appetite to recruit for, which is in stark contrast to Stuart's recruitment policy in his early coaching career.

[Hong Kong Raider]

Thanks, Northern - interesting list. You can really see which clubs have stuffed up their roster and salary cap with that list. Cannot believe some of the sums paid to players that rarely deliver, are not current rep players, or are always injured. Not so sure about the accuracy though - I had always thought Croker was on $600,000.

I think most on that list are overpaid, except Papa, Payne Haas, Christian Welch, Matterson, Radley, and Api.

[Northern Raider]

Thanks, Northern - interesting list. You can really see which clubs have stuffed up their roster and salary cap with that list. Cannot believe some of the sums paid to players that rarely deliver, are not current rep players, or are always injured. Not so sure about the accuracy though - I had always thought Croker was on $600,000.

I think most on that list are overpaid, except Papa, Payne Haas, Christian Welch, Matterson, Radley, and Api.

Turbo is worth every cent Manly are paying him. A guy who's presence lifts the entire teams is exactly what you want from a $1m player. Same goes for Cleary and Teddy at their respective clubs. I wouldn't hesitate to sign them on their current contract values.

[SeeBee101]

Thanks, Northern - interesting list. You can really see which clubs have stuffed up their roster and salary cap with that list. Cannot believe some of the sums paid to players that rarely deliver, are not current rep players, or are always injured. Not so sure about the accuracy though - I had always thought Croker was on $600,000.

I think most on that list are overpaid, except Papa, Payne Haas, Christian Welch, Matterson, Radley, and Api.

I believe Croker was using some of the 'homegrown' kitty (i think it was roughly 200k extra). I'd say Papa and Wighton are getting some of that as well.

[Schifty]

Josh Macguire on 700k is the opposite of fixing the books to get under the cap.

Imagine thinking he is worth more than Papalii.

He shouldn't even be worth 700 yen.

[GreenMachine]

Thanks, Northern - interesting list. You can really see which clubs have stuffed up their roster and salary cap with that list. Cannot believe some of the sums paid to players that rarely deliver, are not current rep players, or are always injured. Not so sure about the accuracy though - I had always thought Croker was on $600,000.

I think most on that list are overpaid, except Papa, Payne Haas, Christian Welch, Matterson, Radley, and Api.

Turbo is worth every cent Manly are paying him. A guy who's presence lifts the entire teams is exactly what you want from a $1m player. Same goes for Cleary and Teddy at their respective clubs. I wouldn't hesitate to sign them on their current contract values.

Agree.
They would be the best value at the top end.

[Northern Raider]

Thanks, Northern - interesting list. You can really see which clubs have stuffed up their roster and salary cap with that list. Cannot believe some of the sums paid to players that rarely deliver, are not current rep players, or are always injured. Not so sure about the accuracy though - I had always thought Croker was on $600,000.

I think most on that list are overpaid, except Papa, Payne Haas, Christian Welch, Matterson, Radley, and Api.

I believe Croker was using some of the 'homegrown' kitty (i think it was roughly 200k extra). I'd say Papa and Wighton are getting some of that as well.

Those guys don't receive an extra. It's an amount that doesn't count against the Raider's cap. Players only receive their contract amount. If Croker retired and Paps got "homesick" and went to Broncos, Jack wouldn't suddenly be eligible for an extra $200k.

[BadnMean]

We got great value out of Jack the last 2 seasons imo, he really delivered. Gone off the boil a bit this season which is one of the factors of us not doing so well.

We've been disrupted in every spine position really, so not all on Jack, just a contributing factor.

I'd need to know how Ricky intends to use Whitehead before speculating on our recruiting. If he seems him as an edge over that extension period then we'd only need a backup type backrower- with Young maybe being the first choice fill in if required.

If Ricky sees Young as an edge or lock effects it similarly. I'd try Young before buying in a big dollar edge in that case and go for a backup.

So I don't really expect us to go for a proven bigger name edge. Maybe a youngster or opportunity type.

I actually think we should recruit a winger. They are plentiful and don't have to break the bank. But there is no guarantee Rapa will hold up a whole season. Semi is unconvincing so far, promising yes, but not a lockdown selection prospect. And we are currently playing young centres on the wing. Especially if Savage is a FB, we need a quick winger (assuming Rapa or Semi will be the "power" winger). Or at least a taller winger for some aerial threat variety to round out our options.

I'd probably recruit a prop if we lose Nami and James and Sia- just to freshen things up. A bargain type for the youngsters to push past or serve in injury/suspension times.

I think with Savage and CNK we are ok for fullbacks. I'd be happy with either CNK getting the chance to come back (in a rejigged, freshened up back 5 with Savage on a wing and young centres) or giving Savage a shot and backing his talent. Simo as the 3rd backup and backup winger as well so I wouldn't recruit there now we've missed the boat on Hynes.

So it's halfback priority 1, 2 and 3 for me. Then a viable wing proposition for competition and an edge possibly. A backup prop is dime a dozen.

I think we are set for hookers and young middles and centres. Just light on edges.

[Matt]

IMO priorities are:
1. Halfback
2. FB
3. Winger
4. Edge (Raiders have this as very low)

Now... you could argue that between CNK, Savage and Simmo we are ok at FB pending a splash at half. HOWEVER... If we roll out Sammy and Jack next yr, I'm not sure these guys will cut it for 25 Rds.

Savage looks a real prospect, and I certainly don't want to put anything in his way progress wise. So if he isnt at 1, I'd have him on the wing. We need to strengthen our flanks. Semi is good in yardage, but hopeless catching bombs, and becoming a bit of a liability in that regard. We need another genuine wing option, but I think its fringe FGer/ youngster wanting an opportunity, not an established guy.

Whitey and Huddo are solid edges, and having locked down both, you'd have to think we aren't looking there anymore. Esp if we continue with Hodgo at 13 for 50+ mins a game. That said, I'd argue edge forward is now the most important attacking weapon you have outside of FB.

[Botman]

I agree with askjaklha and matt

IMO, we need:

1. Halfback: No one in the team right now is a capable short or long term option imo.

2. Fullback: We MIGHT have one in house. Unfortunately injury has hurt our chances to further evaluate. I love Savage, i am very keen to see him play his career out at this club. I believe ball playing in the fullback position is vital given our situation in the halves, we havent seen that yet from Savage, but im very open and willing to give him the #1 jersey in 2022 and see what he has there. It maybe that we don't need a fullback at all. But until i see that, it's a position on my radar

3. Edge: We need some youth... Maybe we have that in house too, with Caleb Esera and Ruston. Hard to know what we have in them yet. But Whitehead, Young and CHN is just a very thin group, and i would argue at least 1, maybe at the back of a career now, even 2 of those guys are better in the middle.

4. Wing: Im extremely confident we've got an extremely good winger in Savage at worst. If he pans out at fullback, which is entirely possible, then i think this group could use some stiff competition. Simo, Semi... whilst i think both have the ability and talent to nail down one a spot, there is some concerns about them delivering on that. HSS has looked good in that spot in limited FG time. I like him. But we need at least 1 long term guy to replace Rapana eventually, and maybe another if Savage is a fullback.

I actually like our centres, even excluding Scott and Croker. I think Timoko, HSS and Kris are all viable NRL options there and worth perusing. Our middles are fine and we've got some young guys coming through there. Wighton is locked into the 6, and Starling, Hodgson and the young hooker have us well set up there long term too.

[Northern Raider]

Do we really need to prioritise fullback as a recruitment target? We're currently using our 4th string player in the position and he was MOTM last week against a top 4 side. Week prior our 3rd stringer was MOTM against the Sharks. Simo was MOTM a few weeks earlier against the Broncos. I just don't see the position as a gap in our roster. I recognise none of them are a Teddy, Turbo or Papenhuysen. Realistically how often to those guys viable options for us to sign? No point shuffling deck chairs with a next tier down given our current coverage in the position.

[-TW-]

No, we need a halfback

We have 2 (at a pinch 4 with Simon and HSS) who can play FB

We have 1 half, and Schneider who I'm not really sold on

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[Coastalraider]

What we need is creativity.

If we can get that in a recruited half, we are fine FKT fullback. If we can’t recruit a suitable half, we may need to recruit a fullback with some ball playing ability so we actually have someone in the spine who can pass, because as it stands, Jack and CNK aren’t those guys.

[Canberra Milk]

Hodgson at 13 as predicted, has relaxed our need for creativity in the 7 and 1. He's a bit of a faux 7. With him, Starling and Savage on the field at the same time, we won't want for attack

Of course I'd like an upgrade there, but it's not as pressing at least as it was a month ago

[Raiders_Pat]

Hodgson at 13 as predicted, has relaxed our need for creativity in the 7 and 1. He's a bit of a faux 7. With him, Starling and Savage on the field at the same time, we won't want for attack

Of course I'd like an upgrade there, but it's not as pressing at least as it was a month ago

I agree with you here. We need to pose more of an attacking threat but I don't think that necessarily means it must come from 1 and 7. We missed the boat with Reynolds at 7 and Hynes at 1, and there's not a lot of quality on the market there. Shift Whitehead to lock in a rotation with Hodgson and there's plenty of creativity there. Then target a gun second rower. It will cost us some cash but they're easier to find than a gun 7 or 1. We can bring in a halfback that we can rely on for kicking, he doesn't have to be anything fancy. And I'm happy to roll the dice on Savage at 1 for now. That being said, if we were able to get Papenhuyzen here then I'd be going all in on that of course.

[Canberra Milk]

Hmm kicking specialist... I thought Jacob Arthur has looked good in that area actually

[bonehead]

Hmm kicking specialist... I thought Jacob Arthur has looked good in that area actually

only in that area fortunately.



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[nachopants]

Just heard Zac Lomax has parted ways with the Dragons.

...a handy replacement for Curtis Scott anyone?!?

[Raiders666]

Just heard Zac Lomax has parted ways with the Dragons.

...a handy replacement for Curtis Scott anyone?!?

Really?

[Raiders666]

Haven't we tried to get him to the club before? Would be an amazing addition and can kick goals also

[BadnMean]

Just heard Zac Lomax has parted ways with the Dragons.

...a handy replacement for Curtis Scott anyone?!?

Really?

Possible. He was one of the "odd men out" who refused to sign the stat dec about what went on/who was at the party...

One possibility is 2 players wouldn't sign it because they did not want to sign an untrue stat dec...

[gerg]

Interesting. Wasn't there an issue with him refusing to sign some sort of declaration of what occurred at Vaughan's bbq?

Edit... echoing BnM with half the info..

[greeneyed]

Give the Dragons Curtis Scott and we'll take Zac Lomax! Would love to see Zac Lomax in green.