Recruitment & Retention 2027

[Eric]

Would be a waste of him IMO, had played career best footy as a half the last 2 years and then to move him to hooker to make 45 tackles a game

It’s a no from me personally

He'd be Liddle's backup. Playing about 30 min a game.

 

[TheRev]

Whatever happened to that young hooker from the panthers we where apparently after?

I keep thinking maybe it will be announced end of year.. unless things have changed which they often do.. seemed a good fit.. 12mths in cup and fill in for an injury to Liddle/Watson.

Assume we missed out on Pattie as a 2028 target given the Raiders let him go rather than Pattie or Starling.

 

[Dave03]

Riccio reckons Loko extension will happen soon

 

[jodragon40]

Well in my day there was an old saying, "Forwards win games, the backs decide by how much".

So with our current backline I would expect a dozen golden point wins next season.

 

[RedV01]

Perth have signed Shonkies latest reserve grade halfback. Who is going to be their 5/8? Surely we can pay part of Atkinson's contract to ship him off to Perth.

It's fascinating that Ilias copped it big time. He was bad, very, very bad but protected species Atkinson has been just as bad. I believe he's on significantly more money than Ilias was on as well.

At least he's been dropped now. Better late than never. I'd still have him play halfback and LKT 5/8 but I understand Flanno set it up so there are no decent halfbacks unless Reed was going to be rushed before his time.

 

[Saints11]

Very intrigued to see what the plan is for Hooker after ‘27 when Watson leaves and it’s just Liddle as a ‘Senior’ hooker

I know Anderson and the higher ups would definitely be planning this succession for 2-3 years from now

Almost certainly not the case that we’re after him but that Bowden kid down in Melbourne looks fantastic, they’ve got an eye for hookers and don’t think he’d want to sit behind Grant for the next 5 years.

Would be a top tier signing for us IMO.

Not ready for week in week out NRL now or next year I think but ‘28 and beyond he could be the guy to share that dual hooker role with Liddle

Storm must’ve saw your comment just saw he extended till 2030

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Frank ponissi and Paul Bunn know what their watching

Elite retention by them

 

[GCRV]

Frank ponissi and Paul Bunn know what their watching

Elite retention by them

He is going to sit behind Grant for 5 years?

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Who knows, Grant might move within the next 2 years and there’s an umderstanding that he’s next in line

A bit like papenhuyzen and Faa’logo

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

He is going to sit behind Grant for 5 years?

If he is good enough and has the potential he will be on the bench, the Storm know how to bring up players and keep them in their system until they take over the incumbent , sure they may lose one here or there but 90% of them stay..

 

[Justadragon]

If he is good enough and has the potential he will be on the bench, the Storm know how to bring up players and keep them in their system until they take over the incumbent , sure they may lose one here or there but 90% of them stay..

Yep it was a pretty smooth transition for Smith Cronk and Slater

 

[RufusRex]

 

[jodragon40]

 

[jodragon40]

View attachment 1271

Wow this engine room injuries barring with natural improvement will be the envy of every club for years to come.

 

[Mug Fan]

I believe Loko extensions are progressing well.

So Loko extensions official announced
Crickets from Big Rig on this one too and crickets from RedVHeartbeat too

 

[RufusRex]

KK/Loko/Couch x 2/Egan/Stewart all locked in until at least 2029

Just need to get hooker right

Extending Jake and grabbing another edge forward would look pretty good too.

 

[redv13]

So Loko extensions official announced
Crickets from Big Rig on this one too and crickets from RedVHeartbeat too

Let’s sort out Halangahu and Tsougranis. That’s a forward pack to take us forward over the next 5-10 years

 

[redv13]

KK/Loko/Couch x 2/Egan/Stewart all locked in until at least 2029

Just need to get hooker right

Extending Jake and grabbing another edge forward would look pretty good too.

Jacob and Nick the last 2. Let’s get it done

 

[Zen]

Amazing.

I don't think anyone would've predicted this when he was left off the plane to Vegas, let alone when his manager asked for the release. Huge kudos to DA for getting the deal done and we must also give flowers to Dean Young for this. Loko was heading out the back gate and Dean's convinced him to stay home without even looking over the fence

 

[Eric]

Jacob and Nick the last 2. Let’s get it done

I'm just a bit worried about so much cap money tied up in the forwards. Then again, it would be a foolish person to doubt Dan Anderson now. But I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in mind for the backs.