Raiders signing speculation 2025

[Botman]

There is one single poster kind of ripping him, and everyone is somewhere between "yeah he's solid" to "i think he's quite good and just doesnt get a lot of good ball"


What the **** are we doing here?!

[The Nickman]

Yeah, 100%. He looked good with some clean early ball and players attempting to run lines around him, as did Timoko.

He will look poor again if we revert to one-out crashball styles, as Timoko will.

It's not rocket surgery.

[Raiders_Pat]

Worth noting that this is a footy forum and we're in the thread for discussing speculation on player signings lol the whole Kris discussion came about because I suggested we should target Talau to add to our outside back stocks.

For the record, I don't see Kris as another Levi who shouldn't be seen anywhere near first grade. I had the guy in all of my round 1 team lists. Our depth in the outside backs is not good though - our options to replace Savage next week are Hopoate, Jed Stuart and Asomua (who I think has potential but seems to have many errors in his game)... that's poor quality compared to what the top teams are able to roll out as back ups. If we had Talau at left centre and Kris coming in for Savage for instance, that would be far better for us. And if you're looking for spots to upgrade when we've got some money to spend then that's the obvious spot, as I've stated before. Having one more quality outside back in the squad would improve the competition for spots too which I think there isn't much of currently for the centre position. Waitere looks like a decent prospect but he's not ready right now imo.

I thought Kris played well last weekend but let's not forget that Strange put on 3 tries which is pretty good for a guy who supposedly can't ball play, who was allegedly making Kris look bad last year.

[bonehead]

I'm always happy to speculate strengthening weaknesses

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[papabear]

Kris is a **** gun.

He is probably my my favourite outside back.

Our first try was all him.

He can make something out of nothing with his power, good hands, good pass.

Defence awareness has improved greatly and is a good enough tackler.

I like how he moves and plays.

The only thing he doesn’t do is go hunting the ball but really we run to many outside back hit ups already.

Honestly, Kris is pretty important to the balance of our footy side, anyone trying to can a player who isn’t on huge bucks but plays pretty good is just a numpty.

Kris you are a legend!!

[papabear]

Worth noting that this is a footy forum and we're in the thread for discussing speculation on player signings lol the whole Kris discussion came about because I suggested we should target Talau to add to our outside back stocks.

For the record, I don't see Kris as another Levi who shouldn't be seen anywhere near first grade. I had the guy in all of my round 1 team lists. Our depth in the outside backs is not good though - our options to replace Savage next week are Hopoate, Jed Stuart and Asomua (who I think has potential but seems to have many errors in his game)... that's poor quality compared to what the top teams are able to roll out as back ups. If we had Talau at left centre and Kris coming in for Savage for instance, that would be far better for us. And if you're looking for spots to upgrade when we've got some money to spend then that's the obvious spot, as I've stated before. Having one more quality outside back in the squad would improve the competition for spots too which I think there isn't much of currently for the centre position. Waitere looks like a decent prospect but he's not ready right now imo.

I thought Kris played well last weekend but let's not forget that Strange put on 3 tries which is pretty good for a guy who supposedly can't ball play, who was allegedly making Kris look bad last year.

It’s not Kris’ fault we are one quality outside back short when our most talented bloke took a kickers leg out.

Kris is a better left centre than Talau by far. If you want to upgrade our centres you need a weapon like Joey manu who plays on the right… Bradman best … you don’t get a **** player so you can stick a good player in cup in case another good player does something stupid or gets injured.

Honestly ****.

I like football analysis but the Kris hating is just overcooked Bull. Are you a raiders fan or some sort of undercover terrorist.

[Raiders_Pat]

It’s not Kris’ fault we are one quality outside back short when our most talented bloke took a kickers leg out.

Kris is a better left centre than Talau by far. If you want to upgrade our centres you need a weapon like Joey manu who plays on the right… Bradman best … you don’t get a **** player so you can stick a good player in cup in case another good player does something stupid or gets injured.

Honestly ****.

I like football analysis but the Kris hating is just overcooked Bull. Are you a raiders fan or some sort of undercover terrorist.

"Terrorist"

I'm not sure Kris is the better centre "by far" especially if we're going on last season's form - where Talau was the better centre by far and it wasn't even close.

I'm interested to know which positions you're upgrading to improve the squad, or do you think we will be good enough to challenge for a premiership in a couple of years time as long as our young spine keeps developing on their current trajectory? I personally think with Brailey coming in, one quality forward would boost our squad into the next tier and we're one quality outside back short.

[papabear]

I think Kris could easily win a premiership playing for the panthers storm chooks. Kris was fine last year he was just playing out of position and catching a cold because the ball didn’t shift further then the left second rower

The problem we have is our spine, we may have the solutions in our squad maybe not, we will see this year.

[BadnMean]

Kris is a **** gun.

He is probably my my favourite outside back.

Our first try was all him.

He can make something out of nothing with his power, good hands, good pass.

Defence awareness has improved greatly and is a good enough tackler.

I like how he moves and plays.

The only thing he doesn’t do is go hunting the ball but really we run to many outside back hit ups already.

Honestly, Kris is pretty important to the balance of our footy side, anyone trying to can a player who isn’t on huge bucks but plays pretty good is just a numpty.

Kris you are a legend!!

I'd only add it's so clear he's a natural centre and struggles slightly when moved. Look at the sheer # of "johnny on the spot" type of tries he scoops up at centre. He just knows where to be and is in the flow of the game. He can't seem to replicate that at wing or fb- probably thinking too hard about other positional things that don't come as easily.

[papabear]

Kris is a **** gun.

He is probably my my favourite outside back.

Our first try was all him.

He can make something out of nothing with his power, good hands, good pass.

Defence awareness has improved greatly and is a good enough tackler.

I like how he moves and plays.

The only thing he doesn’t do is go hunting the ball but really we run to many outside back hit ups already.

Honestly, Kris is pretty important to the balance of our footy side, anyone trying to can a player who isn’t on huge bucks but plays pretty good is just a numpty.

Kris you are a legend!!

I'd only add it's so clear he's a natural centre and struggles slightly when moved. Look at the sheer # of "johnny on the spot" type of tries he scoops up at centre. He just knows where to be and is in the flow of the game. He can't seem to replicate that at wing or fb- probably thinking too hard about other positional things that don't come as easily.

I think him being in the flow of the game is spot on.

There is something beautiful about a player who is always doing exactly what you need of them!

[Kitchen Steve]

Both our centres were not at their best last year. Timoko was clearly injured, and our clunky makeshift spine affected the entire back 5.

[Hong Kong Raider]

Interesting to read Alex MacKinnon's views on Will Kennedy and Chevy Stewart. For my part, he's a promising player but not that fast compared to some other FB

"As for who slots into Hynes’ spot in the halves? I don’t think Will Kennedy has the speed to be an elite fullback anymore but he could be an impactful No. 6. Or you could throw Daniel Atkinson in there for the rest of this season before he heads to the Dragons.

Raiders teenager Chevy Stewart is a Cronulla junior who isn’t getting a crack in Canberra. Bring Stewart home and hand him the No. 1 jersey, his speed is electric.

If the Sharks are brave enough to make some big decisions then it could reap some even bigger rewards."

Why Sharks must move Hynes to have shot at glory: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... dc94674297

[Andymachine]

Alex McKinnon has got some of the worst takes in all of rugby league journalism. I don't know that I've ever read one of his articles and agreed with his analysis. I think they may just move Nicho to fullback if they decide to move away from Will Kennedy.

[BJ]

Alex McKinnon has got some of the worst takes in all of rugby league journalism. I don't know that I've ever read one of his articles and agreed with his analysis. I think they may just move Nicho to fullback if they decide to move away from Will Kennedy.

Agree on Alex McKinnon having some terrible takes, I’m not sure if he got dropped on his head or something.

I’ll see myself out……

[julian87]

Interesting to read Alex MacKinnon's views on Will Kennedy and Chevy Stewart. For my part, he's a promising player but not that fast compared to some other FB

"As for who slots into Hynes’ spot in the halves? I don’t think Will Kennedy has the speed to be an elite fullback anymore but he could be an impactful No. 6. Or you could throw Daniel Atkinson in there for the rest of this season before he heads to the Dragons.

Raiders teenager Chevy Stewart is a Cronulla junior who isn’t getting a crack in Canberra. Bring Stewart home and hand him the No. 1 jersey, his speed is electric.

If the Sharks are brave enough to make some big decisions then it could reap some even bigger rewards."

Why Sharks must move Hynes to have shot at glory: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... dc94674297

Lol all of these ‘ideas’ are centred around moving Hynes to 13 which is the stupidest thing I’ve read in quite some time.

[-TW-]

If he's not playing 7 then he's playing 1.

13 is cooked

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[dubby]

Interesting to read Alex MacKinnon's views on Will Kennedy and Chevy Stewart. For my part, he's a promising player but not that fast compared to some other FB

"As for who slots into Hynes’ spot in the halves? I don’t think Will Kennedy has the speed to be an elite fullback anymore but he could be an impactful No. 6. Or you could throw Daniel Atkinson in there for the rest of this season before he heads to the Dragons.

Raiders teenager Chevy Stewart is a Cronulla junior who isn’t getting a crack in Canberra. Bring Stewart home and hand him the No. 1 jersey, his speed is electric.

If the Sharks are brave enough to make some big decisions then it could reap some even bigger rewards."

Why Sharks must move Hynes to have shot at glory: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... dc94674297

Geez
What an idiot

[dubby]

Hynes is a flat track bully. He's a good ball player but allergic to tackling and hard contact. Him a 13 is like Api at prop

[Canberra Milk]

Hynes to #13 could be the worst take I've ever seen. They shouldn't have even printed that article, they've defamed themselves

[Botman]

Hynes to #13 could be the worst take I've ever seen. They shouldn't have even printed that article, they've defamed themselves

McKinnon must have got dropped on his head again.
Rubbish

[Bluesbrother]

What Mckinnon did say was that Chevy could return to Cronulla which is true. However, they have gone all in on Liam Ison who has just done an ACL. I think Chevy's next 12 months will tell us a lot about what sort of future he has. The thing that gives me hope is his performance in the 19's origin last year. He was well above those other talented youngsters. However, it was his best game in some time and his form hasn't translated to NSW Cup in recent times. He looks a yard slower than Kaeo and not a slick mover like Fletcher Sharpe either. His future is very intriguing to me.

[LimeGreenMachine]

His point about moving Hynes from the halves isn't wrong though. He isn't a good enough half. I don't think lock suits him either. Back to bench utility is where I would land him. I dont really rate him highly.

[Brew]

His point about moving Hynes from the halves isn't wrong though. He isn't a good enough half. I don't think lock suits him either. Back to bench utility is where I would land him. I dont really rate him highly.

Big contract and big coin for a Bench Utility. Sharks have dug themselves in a hole if it doesn’t work out.

I gotta say, I like Hynes as a guy and as a person, but he has to be one of the most structured and robotic halves in the NRL.


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[Botman]

There are a lot of worse halves than Nicho Hynes rolling out for footy teams this weekend

[Canberra Milk]

There are a lot of worse halves than Nicho Hynes rolling out for footy teams this weekend

Oh yeah. But the Sharks are top 4 thereabouts and the question is whether Hynes is a #7 who can take them further than that. I think no

Kennedy has hit a plateau too to be fair. Come to think of it, no one in their spine is top tier

[Botman]

There are a lot of worse halves than Nicho Hynes rolling out for footy teams this weekend

Oh yeah. But the Sharks are top 4 thereabouts and the question is whether Hynes is a #7 who can take them further than that. I think no

Kennedy has hit a plateau too to be fair. Come to think of it, no one in their spine is top tier

I think upgrading Kennedy would be my first port of call for the Sharks right now. Getting someone more dynamic would open things right up for Hynes as a ball player and runner.
And maybe the best upgrade there is actually Hynes himself and finding another half and he becomes the dynamic sweep player

But honestly, i dont think Nicho Hynes is the one preventing them from winning a title. I think in most other eras, this Sharks team, with Hynes would be more than capable of winning a title... Unfortunately Hynes is playing during the peak of (imo) the greatest dynasty in rugby league history and even if you dont agree with me on that, unquestionably the greatest dynasty in the salary cap era

I listen to a lot of podcasts about American sports and people are constantly talking about the players who didnt win a title or win as many titles because of dynasties like Brady Patriots, Mahomes Chiefs, MJ Bulls, LeBron etc

Reckon we're going to be having those RL conversations in 10 years time about the Cleary's Panthers.

[LimeGreenMachine]

His point about moving Hynes from the halves isn't wrong though. He isn't a good enough half. I don't think lock suits him either. Back to bench utility is where I would land him. I dont really rate him highly.

Big contract and big coin for a Bench Utility. Sharks have dug themselves in a hole if it doesn’t work out.

I gotta say, I like Hynes as a guy and as a person, but he has to be one of the most structured and robotic halves in the NRL.


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Agree and that's why they are stuck with him in the halves.
If I criticise or don't like a player it's not because they are who they are as a person. Even Danny Levi. It's purely footy related.

[Raidernation]

The hynes hate is kinda crazy. Hes a playmaker and he will create tries. You cant have your whole game revolve around him which is why having him play more like a 6/6.5 is what the sharks are doing. I think the sharks looked really good against a panthers side that went after the game in vegas. There were a couple of last ditch try saving efforts which gave panthers the win. My guess is the panthers might fall to 4/5 this season with the sharks battling melbourne for the minor premiership and probably the premiership. They need to get rid of their fullback and find someone more dynamic.

anyhoo what do people think of Jacob laban as a signing. He isnt playing for the warriors.

[julian87]

There are a lot of worse halves than Nicho Hynes rolling out for footy teams this weekend

Lol absolutely there are.

[Cranky Old Man]

My mate says that Canberra have signed an additional young player from Newcastle at the same time as the Brailey signing. Apparently he is a young hooker as well and only about 18.
Does anybody know anything about this? He usually knows what is what with the Raiders.

[Botman]

Interesting
Haven’t heard or seen anything about it. Would think it’s unlikely given our current hooker stocks around that age, but can never have too much talent I suppose

[reptar]

Interesting
Haven’t heard or seen anything about it. Would think it’s unlikely given our current hooker stocks around that age, but can never have too much talent I suppose

[reptar]

Cranky DID ask twice, so I thought it worth responding twice.

[Cranky Old Man]

I REALLY wanted to know!

[NoMan]

My mate says that Canberra have signed an additional young player from Newcastle at the same time as the Brailey signing. Apparently he is a young hooker as well and only about 18.
Does anybody know anything about this? He usually knows what is what with the Raiders.

Yeah, Malachi Smith. Played last week off the bench in Flegg. He would be 20 I think. I don't really get the signing with Cacciotti there and it didn't work last week, but its only week 1. Brophy isn't cited since rd 1 so if that's a long term injury it would make more sense.



They also signed two from Sydney for SG Ball, maybe they figure eventually one will have to work out.