Round 1 team so far in 2026

[Justadragon]

100%.... Nothing should be looked at as black and white on a forum... we don't see 99% of what goes on behind closed doors.. conversations between coaches, managers, players, off-field issues, players family situations, non-cap-related incentives, none of it.. I have no doubt that 99% of what we sit here discussing is completely missing the mark... but we can only speculate on what we do know of course.

Well said Rev, and hey lets not forget we are getting 1% right

 

[Dragsters]

Trust me things work a lot better on here, with a lot less heart ache, and as to how it works, well you say your piece and thats that, admin and the mods on here are really good guys and actually get involved. Easy to talk to if you have an issue. Enjoy !!!

Thanks for tips. I was more referring to navigating the various boards etc.

 

[Justadragon]

Thanks for tips. I was more referring to navigating the various boards etc.

In my limited experience, I just go to the "general discussion" tab at the bottom or top of the page then pick any thread you want to go to.

 

[Kim]

This gives a better idea of Nick Tsougranis' speed.

 

[Frank Facer]

Yes, and by extension other stuff we read or hear etc.

Getting back to the reasons why some clubs are very successful and others aren’t, my own view is that it gets back to the calibre of people at management and staff level.

I can’t think of any natural or innate reason why SGI can’t be huge and compete at top levels annually if good people were making good decisions.

So the issue is to identify these folk and work out ways to snare and secure these human assets.

Flanno made an off the cuff comment recently that the board was more footy focused. I haven’t done my homework to work out why he is said this, but it was interesting he should volunteer it.

To help us form impressions ( right or wrong as you submit) these interviews with external groups, I get a lot out of them.

That’s opposed to official club propaganda that talks everything up because it considers it needs to make a good impact.

I Strongly believe I know why some clubs are very successful in recruiting players and or retaining players, but I maybe shouldn't say it as it may be "deemed" slanderous or liable. I will just say, there are numerous ways around the so called salary cap and some clubs are very adept at it, while others aren't.

I have even seen articles saying that some clubs have been denied 3rd party deals they have submitted or things along those lines and it may have even had something to do with their location. I think Canberra was one example.

ps. I hope I am not crossing any lines in this post.

 

[Eric]

I know why some clubs are very successful in recruiting players and or retaining players, but I maybe shouldn't say it as it may be "deemed" slanderous or liable. I will just say, there are numerous ways around the so called salary cap and some clubs are very adept at it, while others aren't.

I have even seen articles saying that some clubs have been denied 3rd party deals they have submitted or things along those lines and it may have even had something to do with their location. I think Canberra was one example.

ps. I hope I am not crossing any lines in this post.

You can just say you strongly believe, as I do too, some clubs cheat the cap. One club in particular raises my suspicions. Not so much now as they've let Manu go, Cronk retired and a few others as well. But to sign Leniu for example when they already had a star-studded team was a bit flagrant. Don't have evidence but I suspect they decided they had taken it too far.

 

[Frank Facer]

This gives a better idea of Nick Tsougranis' speed.

That is a most impressive highlights reel. He looks to have first grade written all over him. He has many very good attributes including, being able to hit a hole, offload in a tackle, pass while running, strength and power, likes contact, good front on defence, good defence when running down players, can score a try or 2, a one handed flick pass, can play both sides of the field and speed for a backrower. The only thing is we are stacked for edge backrowers.

 

[Frank Facer]

You can just say you strongly believe, as I do too, some clubs cheat the cap. One club in particular raises my suspicions. Not so much now as they've let Manu go, Cronk retired and a few others as well. But to sign Leniu for example when they already had a star-studded team was a bit flagrant. Don't have evidence but I suspect they decided they had taken it too far.

Do you suggest I alter my post from know to believe?

 

[TSP]

There’s speculation.

But it wasn’t that long ago that Brisbane had a garbage side. They made a number of changes and now they are premiers.

Their footy department and players didn’t fall from the heavens.

They had a brains trust behind it.

The signing of Madge was one of the most radical decisions in recent league memory. Huge risk. Someone saw something and went all in to convince their high command.

Faced with different options, they made the right choices. Over and over. Maybe not all the time, but enough to bring success.

The SGI board needs to reach out to these faceless and shadowy figures, head hunt the best of them if possible, or just get a few in even. Someone with the good oil of the operations.

You’d have to think, they know their stuff.

sorry for using the h word.

Never be too proud to ask for help for the greater good. Drop the egos and merit up.

 

[redv4life]

Bula’s staying at the tigers

 

[TSP]

Bula’s staying at the tigers

Um, any source and critically, do we have a figure?

 

[redv4life]

Um, any source and critically, do we have a figure?

Herald just now. Just says under a million no exact figure

 

[Eric]

Do you suggest I alter my post from know to believe?

TBH I think it's common sense. You don't know that's why they're successful even if you knew they were cheating the cap.

 

[Kim]

That is a most impressive highlights reel. He looks to have first grade written all over him. He has many very good attributes including, being able to hit a hole, offload in a tackle, pass while running, strength and power, likes contact, good front on defence, good defence when running down players, can score a try or 2, a one handed flick pass, can play both sides of the field and speed for a backrower. The only thing is we are stacked for edge backrowers.

He is six foot and 100 kg but still only 21 years old so I wouldn't rule him out as a prop, especially nowadays as mobility becomes more emphasized (see recent complaints on this topic of nelson solomona and fonua-blake). And he clearly relishes the contact. So who knows?

 

[TSP]

Herald just now. Just says under a million no exact figure

I can’t open it, but I’ll go with and trust you.

A very poor decision that may haunt them I’m afraid.

I thought the dogs would swoop in tbh.

Expert vultures!

 

[Ryan]

Herald just now. Just says under a million no exact figure

Just under a millon l. Shows how much some people underrated him. According to DA he was worth 900k and according to whoever is keeping the books at the Tigers, worth even more.

 

[Dave03]

I say this so often, Nick is literally a Tariq Sims clone.. thats how fans should think of him as a prospect... massive upper body and massive leg drive...that pushes through contact like a block of concrete.. but enough footwork to play 2nd row still.. which Tariq did for many years.. even has that firebrand attitude too which we could do with some of, even if it gets him into strife (once again just like Tariq)...

But I always wonder if Tariq could have played middle.. which im also wondering if Nick can (same as Jacob), cause then we have a way to get them on the bench and there are only 2 x 2nd row positions which are probably Egan and Sua short of injuries....

Yea, I think he'd do well as a middle off the bench. We could use his leg speed & explosiveness against tired oppo defenders. We don't have anyone with quick leg speed on the edges or through the middle. Imo he'd generate quick ptb which would build momentum in our sets. He's had a few seasons in cup which should have him a bit more battle hardened than the other younger players.

 

[Dave03]

This gives a better idea of Nick Tsougranis' speed.

Really like his change of direction and small side steps to find space between defenders. Shows he's got a bit of footy IQ.

 

[Kim]

Really like his change of direction and small side steps to find space between defenders. Shows he's got a bit of footy IQ.

Good acceleration and a step or direction change at the line. Isn't that what every coach wants from a middle?

 

[Frank Facer]

Bula’s staying at the tigers

I think Wests are building. I also think they look like a close knit-squad. I am not convinced of Marshall being a top coach, but that is because he is yet to prove himself. He was thrown into the first grade job, with no prior coaching experience to coach a team that had got the spoon in recent years or finished very low down the ladder. One thing I will say regarding Marshall is. Players look to want to play under him and I think he is one of the major reasons, they are building a close knit-squad. Last year many players threatened to leave West if Marshall was sacked. His contract was then extended. That shows how much they like him and want to play under him. Other players have been quoted as saying they signed for Wests because they wanted to play under Marshall and how they looked up to him while growing up as junior footballers. I also think the May brothers, Luai, Turuva and Koroisau are instrumental in Wests becoming a close-knit squad. Bula re signing with them adds to them being close-knit. They may even press for the semis this year.