Raiders retention targets

[greeneyed]

NRL arms race: Six months to sign rugby league’s biggest names

A group of elite players who at midnight on Sunday, will be six months away from being free to ink deals elsewhere. The group includes Tom Dearden, Jacob Kiraz, Tevita Pangai Junior, Josh Schuster, Tolutau Koula, Jaydn Su’A, Campbell Graham, Jai Arrow, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola, Angus Crichton, Brandon Smith, Luke Keary, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Nick Meaney, Moeaki Fotuaika, Jayden Campbell and Adam Doueihi.

Others such as Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Stefano Utoikamanu, Api Koroisau have mutual options in their deals, which means they could hit the market, depending on the stance of their existing clubs.

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 3a48019e7d

RAIDERS

Top target: Now that the Jack Wighton dust has settled, the Raiders need to get moving on a host of influential members of their current squad. There’s none more important than outstanding forward Hudson Young, who only has 2024 on-contract. The Raiders are poised to commence talks with Young over the next fortnight.

Other players: Nick Cotric, Jamal Fogarty, Peter Hola, Sebastian Kris, Danny Levi, Ata Mariota, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo, James Schiller, Harley Smith-Shields, Tom Starling, Semi Valemei, Elliott Whitehead, Zac Woolford, Hudson Young.

[Green Machine 2011]

I’ll take Api, Keon and Dearden please lol

[mick63]

Whether it’s a signal ,Timoko leading the team victory song,that Jordan will retire I could only guess.
But with the way JR is playing he surely has another year in him if he wants.If anything the gap between him and who would replace him at the club has only widened and unless they are going to splash big money on a winger from elsewhere he should be a certainty to be retained.

[NoMan]

Kris and Young are the obvious priorities. If they don't want to play Kris at fullback permanently they might end up having to overpay him as a center though.

Mariota, Mooney and Woolford are all keepers, and Fogarty unless they can bring over someone like Dodd. The rest would need to still earn a deal. I would think that players like Asomua, Morkos, Stewart and Puru are likely penciled in for the 25 squad already.

Cotric will be an interesting one and a good indicator for how serious they are about rebuilding. I would think unless he really turns things around he would be due a big pay cut and no guarantee of a starting spot.

[jimmy82]

1. Edwards
6. Luai
9. Api
12. Koloamatangi/Martin
That would be all please, Savage can play wing.

[julian87]

If Luai ever leaves Penrith he will be a monumental flop. He’s an ok player but he’s incredibly over rated.

With Cleary carrying a groin injury and in the pouring rain he kicked the ball twice last night and made a crucial error or two. I think it’s pretty clear he’s not close to the top 5 or 6 pivots in the competition. He’s been lost without Kikau just like he was all at sea for NSW in Origin. If he’s picked over Hynes there it will be a disaster for NSW.

[Scared Hitless]

If Luai ever leaves Penrith he will be a monumental flop. He’s an ok player but he’s incredibly over rated.

With Cleary carrying a groin injury and in the pouring rain he kicked the ball twice last night and made a crucial error or two. I think it’s pretty clear he’s not close to the top 5 or 6 pivots in the competition. He’s been lost without Kikau just like he was all at sea for NSW in Origin. If he’s picked over Hynes there it will be a disaster for NSW.

Absolutely agree. I have been saying this since day one. He rides on the coattails of Cleary and a stacked side.

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[dubby]

If Luai ever leaves Penrith he will be a monumental flop. He’s an ok player but he’s incredibly over rated.

With Cleary carrying a groin injury and in the pouring rain he kicked the ball twice last night and made a crucial error or two. I think it’s pretty clear he’s not close to the top 5 or 6 pivots in the competition. He’s been lost without Kikau just like he was all at sea for NSW in Origin. If he’s picked over Hynes there it will be a disaster for NSW.

Absolutely agree. I have been saying this since day one. He rides on the coattails of Cleary and a stacked side.

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I'll third this.

Luai is in the same vain as Feliti Meteo when it comes to flat track bullies. The guy is a mug.

[Neeeegz]

If Luai ever leaves Penrith he will be a monumental flop. He’s an ok player but he’s incredibly over rated.

With Cleary carrying a groin injury and in the pouring rain he kicked the ball twice last night and made a crucial error or two. I think it’s pretty clear he’s not close to the top 5 or 6 pivots in the competition. He’s been lost without Kikau just like he was all at sea for NSW in Origin. If he’s picked over Hynes there it will be a disaster for NSW.

Absolutely agree. I have been saying this since day one. He rides on the coattails of Cleary and a stacked side.

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I'll third this.

Luai is in the same vain as Feliti Meteo when it comes to flat track bullies. The guy is a mug.

Yep, I will burn every bit of raiders gear I have at the front door of raiders headquarters if we sign that drongo

[kona_dream]

What is everyone’s opinion on Josh Schuster? Broken down hack or a BJ Leilua redemption story?

[Raider Azz]

What is everyone’s opinion on Josh Schuster? Broken down hack or a BJ Leilua redemption story?

**** no.
Not to mention he was one of the drongos that sat out due to the pride jersey and cost manly their season

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[julian87]

He’s a good player but the stories and odds are very quickly stacking against him. Manly wouldn’t have signed Flanagan if they had faith in him.

[Botman]

I continue to think Laui is under-rated by most people because they hate him.
Should he play SOO ahead of Hynes? or Burton? No he shouldnt. He's also had a pretty rough start to the year and is out of form... could that be related to Kikau, sure. And it's a risk because getting spine players from a good teams is always risky. But he can play. He's a good NRL running 5/8th.

Frankly he's better 5/8th than Jack right now. He's not a better ball runner (Jack at his best is much better) but he's more consistently impactful as a ball runner. He's a better and more creative ball player.
We swap Jack for Laui right now and we're a better team imo. He's not going to come, if he has to leave the Panthers there will no lacking of suitors in sydney for him, so its fine. I just think people hate him as a personality so much (and fair enough) that they pretend he cant play. It's just not the case.

My issue with him is he's a little like Jack, in that you really have to pair him with the right half and i'd just like to do something different than build a team around that sort of player. So he's not my favourite target with this money... but if Stuart wants to forge forward with the current roster build and plan, Laui as a direct Wighton replacement makes a ton of sense.

[julian87]

Nah no way. Wighton is a better 6 in every single aspect other than color of the jersey and being arrogant on social media.

Luai plays with the best halfback since Johns. Wighton plays with a bloke who’s lucky to be the 13th best 7 in the competition. And even in ‘19 Sezer was good but mid range.

Put Wighton into 6 at Penrith and they’re way, way better imo. Nothing will change my mind on that given the footy I’ve watched in the past 4 years.

[julian87]

And just on Origin. Luai shouldn’t be in the first 5 or 6 options imo.

Yes I hate the bloke. But I’m old enough now to think I’m pretty objective on player ratings consistent to what I think about them as peopl.

[bonehead]

Luai has absolute bums on his edge, Garner/Sorensen/WGD

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[Botman]

Yes I hate the bloke. But I’m old enough now to think I’m pretty objective on player ratings consistent to what I think about them as peopl.

Based on assessment above, i have my doubts
There is NO **** way you think Wighton is a better ball player. Kikau would be on 400k a year and still a panther sitting outside Wighton.

But maybe we'll find out. Think there is a reasonable chance Laui is forced out of the panthers. I think he'll be good as long as he lands in a spot with a proper half next to him... If he's forced to be a primary half like Jack Wighton, he'll look a lot like Jack Wighton... hit and miss.

[Canberra Milk]

There was the end of that year, what was it, 2021 maybe, where Luai was just dynamite. He's got talent

He does seem to have gone a little cold, but it could just be his role in that Panthers setup

[Botman]

There was the end of that year, what was it, 2021 maybe, where Luai was just dynamite. He's got talent

He does seem to have gone a little cold, but it could just be his role in that Panthers setup

He's been the primary half in games with the panthers without Cleary (injury and suspension) and he's been awesome. Anyone doubting his talent is too in their feelings about him as a bloke. Again, i'd pick Hynes AND Burton ahead of him NSW #6. Not not Cleary, he's not Burton, he's not Hynes. But he can play, he's a good NRL running 5/8th. Form right now is pretty rank though.

[GreenMachine]

Lmao people think Wighton is a better half than Luai…
Would take Luai any day of the week but there is no chance Penrith let him go.
They’d let Edwards leave before Luai..

[Roger Kenworthy]

There was the end of that year, what was it, 2021 maybe, where Luai was just dynamite. He's got talent

He does seem to have gone a little cold, but it could just be his role in that Panthers setup

He's been the primary half in games with the panthers without Cleary (injury and suspension) and he's been awesome. Anyone doubting his talent is too in their feelings about him as a bloke. Again, i'd pick Hynes AND Burton ahead of him NSW #6. Not not Cleary, he's not Burton, he's not Hynes. But he can play, he's a good NRL running 5/8th. Form right now is pretty rank though.

He's a better half than Burton IMO. Burton is a centre.

[Botman]

There was the end of that year, what was it, 2021 maybe, where Luai was just dynamite. He's got talent

He does seem to have gone a little cold, but it could just be his role in that Panthers setup

He's been the primary half in games with the panthers without Cleary (injury and suspension) and he's been awesome. Anyone doubting his talent is too in their feelings about him as a bloke. Again, i'd pick Hynes AND Burton ahead of him NSW #6. Not not Cleary, he's not Burton, he's not Hynes. But he can play, he's a good NRL running 5/8th. Form right now is pretty rank though.

He's a better half than Burton IMO. Burton is a centre.

Haha. Good one.

[dubby]

What is everyone’s opinion on Josh Schuster? Broken down hack or a BJ Leilua redemption story?

Owen Craigie #2

[Finchy]

Burton is a half that also plays very well at centre. Wighton is a centre that plays ok at 5/8th.

[dubby]

If luia is the answer, what's the question?

[Finchy]

If luia is the answer, what's the question?

I can think of a few unsavoury questions...

[Botman]

If luia is the answer, what's the question?

The exact question is this

If you’d like to continue the trajectory of the current Canberra Raiders post Jack Wighton, who is best suited to replace him?


That answer is unquestionably Luai. It’s not a question I’d want to ask but I bet our coach does

[Raider of d Lost Ark]

Jeez, some decent names on this list……don’t we have a bit of free cash now???

Api would be my top target
Edwards and Dearden to strengthen our spine
Koloamatangi to replace Whitehead
Campbell Graham to replace Croker
Tino to replace Papa when he decides to retire - I like his mongrel

This of course would never happen but would be nice.

[Robert the Bruce]

Dylan Edwards could maybe? Maaaaybe? Come to Canberra. He’s the salt of the earth country boy who could suit the Canberra bush surrounds. Though it’s completely possible he already lives on some acreage and commutes not far into Penrith , he could get some acreage near Canberra and do the same. Honestly, that Clive Churchill medal ceremony was pretty suspect as far as how he fits in up there in Penrith, I think he’d suit our family club vibe.


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[MrPosh]

Luai is the kind of player who turns a very good side into a great one and has little impact on a good or average team.

[Wiki Special]

Luai is the kind of player who turns a very good side into a great one and has little impact on a good or average team.

This.

[The Nickman]

Nah no way. Wighton is a better 6 in every single aspect other than color of the jersey and being arrogant on social media.

Luai plays with the best halfback since Johns. Wighton plays with a bloke who’s lucky to be the 13th best 7 in the competition. And even in ‘19 Sezer was good but mid range.

Put Wighton into 6 at Penrith and they’re way, way better imo. Nothing will change my mind on that given the footy I’ve watched in the past 4 years.

*best NEW SOUTH WALES halfback since Johns.

[reptar]

What is everyone’s opinion on Josh Schuster? Broken down hack or a BJ Leilua redemption story?

Owen Craigie #2

That’s not nice towards Owen

[zim]

I continue to think Laui is under-rated by most people because they hate him.
Should he play SOO ahead of Hynes? or Burton? No he shouldnt. He's also had a pretty rough start to the year and is out of form... could that be related to Kikau, sure. And it's a risk because getting spine players from a good teams is always risky. But he can play. He's a good NRL running 5/8th.

Frankly he's better 5/8th than Jack right now. He's not a better ball runner (Jack at his best is much better) but he's more consistently impactful as a ball runner. He's a better and more creative ball player.
We swap Jack for Laui right now and we're a better team imo. He's not going to come, if he has to leave the Panthers there will no lacking of suitors in sydney for him, so its fine. I just think people hate him as a personality so much (and fair enough) that they pretend he cant play. It's just not the case.

My issue with him is he's a little like Jack, in that you really have to pair him with the right half and i'd just like to do something different than build a team around that sort of player. So he's not my favourite target with this money... but if Stuart wants to forge forward with the current roster build and plan, Laui as a direct Wighton replacement makes a ton of sense.

After their initial embarrassment Luai was incredible in the world cup. If you didn't see those games you'd rightly conclude he can't string together consistent high level performances.
For Penrith he really only needs 1 in 6 or so performances to make a difference and even then he can usually drift in and out and they get the chocolates.
He's better now than he was 2 years ago owing to Cleary being out.
All that said I hate his guts and don't want to have to support him

[Billy Walker]

Wow - it seems beggars think they can be choosers with some of these comments