Official thread and signing news

[blazza18]

Sua must be the option, upgrade Harry and have a shot at a big name like Tino for 2027 I’d imagine.

Alternatively Munster could still make a switch back there and Wishart could be seen as a 6.

Maybe a free agent like Bula gets picked up potentially, will be interesting to see what way they go, sad day for the club though.

Yeah has to be Sua and I believe roster management wise that it makes so much sense for the club to move away from paying the spine so much. Need to upgrade in other areas to improve the team.

[Bullucked]

With this degree of ruthlessness I think they have a star of the future already identified and within the ranks.

[Papenhuyzen23]

Foxsports saying we have been linked with Jaxson Purdue from the Cowboys, now that would be a great pick up, always thought he would make an outstanding fullback.

[Lucas]

Very sad to see him go. Hopefully signing up Harry isn't the only major move we make. 3 big names departing now, 4 if you include Tui soon. Must be something in the works.

[yanjarra]

" If the contract rumours are true i reckon its second best result to letting him go. 1 year on a reduced contract with option to reassess his form and suas development - perfect. I'm pretty confident if his form remains same /go's down or he gets reinjured he'll be let go ahead of the 26 season and i rekon there'll be some clauses in there. The extra year secures his services more for 2025 imo, 26 will be sketchy depending on how 25 go's despite extension." Nov 20, 2024. Yanjarra.

A great decision by the club today. For the first time since the gf, I threw on a storm top for my daily run and felt pride. I commend the coaching staff and management on what no doubt was a very tough decision to handle with a club icon and legend. I'm sure several very tough and emotional conversations have been had at the club over the last few weeks. It's 1 or 2 seasons too late for mine, and may of just missed our premiership window depending on some critical calls we now have to make, but the end result was always inevitable to an astute eye. Some are calling it ruthless - perhaps; but what it does show, is our club is willing to make tough calls in their pursuit of premierships, that is our expectation, and the decision makers are still identifying the right way to go about that. Great!

Now that the biggest issue at the club is resolved, we can turn our attention fairly to what's next- moving someone on is only half the answer, what comes in has to be better. What's the fb plan now, and what are the next most important areas for improvement in the team. We are now quite literally loaded, there must be approx. 2.5 million cap space heading into next season- quite incredible! To think we are the most cashed up club which I don't think has ever been the case in our history is exciting! A real opportunity to ensure our ongoing success if done right. Obviously we have to head to market, who knows what might pop up on the market unexpectedly when the silly season starts in a few days.

I don't think sua is the sure thing some think is the plan. It doesn't sit right with me that the plan was to move munster to fb to accommodate pezet, if they really thought they had a gem ready to go in sua that wouldn't have been the discussion. Not ruling it out, and likely it might be wait and see with how he develops this very off season, but I think the spine I've been calling for for 2 years now is more likely to trot out rd 1 (if we retain wish, which sounds like it will be a big question as some other big offers coming his way) - 9 grant, 7 hughes, 6 wish, 1 munster. I think that's a great spine and a big improvement. Again, i don't think Wish gets enough credit, nor do some realise the regard he's held at in the club. Hard work, character, team first - he's everything the storm believe in. For those who have doubts, I'd implore you to go back in the off season and watch his full game performances at 6 from rd 12-21 2024 paired with hughes, he was quite simply brilliant, and for mine, that run of games is the best the teams looked over the last 2 seasons. We won 7 in a row, and only dropped his first game there. Munster is more an off the cuff runner who will do well with freedom and can pop up all over the field, wish - well he plays direct, engages the line, and can give his outside men more time and space with clever short balls. I think he would unlock blore/howarth/lisati- an edge which offensively just isn't causing enough threat atm, that's what wish did in that run of games. Anyway, its going to be interesting to see how the club handle it, all options are really open- all in on sua, munster/wish, or go to market for a fb. I'm not sure that we would go back to Meaney, as much as he's improved offensively, i think that's been tried and had it's chance.

Just another little point that I realise is highly unlikely but worth a mention, does anyone find it odd this came out today, supposedly the day after pezet officially signed papers? Don't forget, there's a 10 day cooling off period now mandatory with current club having final offer rights. Supposedly paps was the sticking point in pezet staying as they had to find a way to shift munster. Well, that doors open now, and theres 2.5 million reasons for pezet to reconsider. We've seen huge backflips before.

[yanjarra]

Tbh - hard to wish Pezet the best. I think the deal is a disgrace.

I find this general sentiment on here really hard to swallow. I really hope its not reflective of our wider supporter base. What about it is a disgrace in particular? I understand people are disappointed to lose him, but it does kind of seem sour grapes to me to not wish him well.

The guy wanted to play halfback, at a strong club, set up a clear future for himself and have some certainty. He feels he was ready and good enough. Storm basically laid out a rough plan that hughes would not extend as his intent was to return to Qld at that time, and Jonah would become the half back. As it was not 100% assured, his management rightly put in a clause that if Hughes resigns he can explore other options, which storm agreed to. Hughes resigned, clause activated, storm could find no assurance of first grade spot for Jonah. Where was he going to play next year until the pap news today exactly? The club slept on pap. Anasta very transparently and honestly said the club was trying to move munster to 1, but they didn't know what was happening with pap/sua- which left the situation for jonah unclear. Meanwhile he received assurance of the half back/7 at the defending premiers on a million+ deal, with a guaranteed first grade spot at a club with ryles who he has a great relationship with in the year between. I honestly can't stomach how anyone could think Jonah hasn't done what's best for himself, or at the very least- made a reasonable decision that shouldn't be begrudged with that being the situation.

[Papenhuyzen23]

Looks like our 1st grade and NSW Cup sides are becoming clearer for next season:

1. Sua FA’ALOGO
2. Xavier COATES
3. Jack HOWARTH
4. Nick MEANEY
5. Will WARBRICK
6. Cameron MUNSTER
7. Jahrome HUGHES
8. Stefano UTOIKAMANU
9. Harry GRANT (c)
10. Josh KING
11. Shawn BLORE
12. Elisea KATOA
13. Trent LOIERO

14. Tyran WISHART
15. Alec MACDONALD
16. Tui KAMIKAMIKA (for now)
17. Ativalu LISATI


NSW Cup

1. Hugo PEEL
2. Suilagi TUIMALATU-BROWN
3. Marion SEVE
4. Moses LEO
5. Kane BRADLEY
6. Stanley HUEN
7. Keagan RUSSELL-SMITH
8. Josiah PAHULU
9. Gabriel SATRICK
10. Lazarus VAALEPU
11. Preston CONN
12. Joe CHAN (for now)
13. Angus HINCHEY

14. Jai BOWDEN
15. Mitchell JENNINGS
16. K-ci WHARE
17. Zayvian LANGKILDE-FALE



Still got a lot of money to spend I’m sure we will pick up more than a few more pieces before next season kicks off.

[Storm Spirit]

Looks like our 1st grade and NSW Cup sides are becoming clearer for next season:

1. Sua FA’ALOGO
2. Xavier COATES
3. Jack HOWARTH
4. Nick MEANEY
5. Will WARBRICK
6. Cameron MUNSTER
7. Jahrome HUGHES
8. Stefano UTOIKAMANU
9. Harry GRANT (c)
10. Josh KING
11. Shawn BLORE
12. Elisea KATOA
13. Trent LOIERO

14. Tyran WISHART
15. Alec MACDONALD
16. Tui KAMIKAMIKA (for now)
17. Ativalu LISATI


NSW Cup

1. Hugo PEEL
2. Suilagi TUIMALATU-BROWN
3. Marion SEVE
4. Moses LEO
5. Kane BRADLEY
6. Stanley HUEN
7. Keagan RUSSELL-SMITH
8. Josiah PAHULU
9. Gabriel SATRICK
10. Lazarus VAALEPU
11. Preston CONN
12. Joe CHAN (for now)
13. Angus HINCHEY

14. Jai BOWDEN
15. Mitchell JENNINGS
16. K-ci WHARE
17. Zayvian LANGKILDE-FALE



Still got a lot of money to spend I’m sure we will pick up more than a few more pieces before next season kicks off.

lima lima lima duck NOOOOOOOO.....Pahulu before Tui

[Papenhuyzen23]

Looks like our 1st grade and NSW Cup sides are becoming clearer for next season:

1. Sua FA’ALOGO
2. Xavier COATES
3. Jack HOWARTH
4. Nick MEANEY
5. Will WARBRICK
6. Cameron MUNSTER
7. Jahrome HUGHES
8. Stefano UTOIKAMANU
9. Harry GRANT (c)
10. Josh KING
11. Shawn BLORE
12. Elisea KATOA
13. Trent LOIERO

14. Tyran WISHART
15. Alec MACDONALD
16. Tui KAMIKAMIKA (for now)
17. Ativalu LISATI


NSW Cup

1. Hugo PEEL
2. Suilagi TUIMALATU-BROWN
3. Marion SEVE
4. Moses LEO
5. Kane BRADLEY
6. Stanley HUEN
7. Keagan RUSSELL-SMITH
8. Josiah PAHULU
9. Gabriel SATRICK
10. Lazarus VAALEPU
11. Preston CONN
12. Joe CHAN (for now)
13. Angus HINCHEY

14. Jai BOWDEN
15. Mitchell JENNINGS
16. K-ci WHARE
17. Zayvian LANGKILDE-FALE



Still got a lot of money to spend I’m sure we will pick up more than a few more pieces before next season kicks off.

*lima lima lima duck* NOOOOOOOO.....Pahulu before Tui

Obviously haha, I was more channeling towards what Craig will do, not even close to the top 17 I’d be trotting out.

[Papenhuyzen23]

CEO Justin Rodski has been quoted on the radio when pressed about Tino saying “We would love to have him at our club again, we will explore it and see where it lands”

Tino might just be coming home!

[Insomniac]

I don't think sua is the sure thing some think is the plan. It doesn't sit right with me that the plan was to move munster to fb to accommodate pezet, if they really thought they had a gem ready to go in sua that wouldn't have been the discussion. Not ruling it out, and likely it might be wait and see with how he develops this very off season, but I think the spine I've been calling for for 2 years now is more likely to trot out rd 1 (if we retain wish, which sounds like it will be a big question as some other big offers coming his way) - 9 grant, 7 hughes, 6 wish, 1 munster.

Agreed; I don't think Sua is the long-term answer at FB either - he is too small and will be found out in defence, and his injury history is already a major concern. I'd much rather see Munster at FB, with Wishart at 5/8 (unless we sign/have a better first grade-ready option available) and Sua as the impact gun off the bench (when available), similar to how Mam was used by Brisbane.

In regard to Pezet, I guess time will tell whether it is a huge loss for us or not; can he stay healthy enough to justify all of the hype that he is more than ready to lead a premiership-contending NRL team? I think he has loads of potential, and he was definitely our best in-game kicking option, but that's all that is for certain at this point - he hasn't been able to stay injury free long enough for us to know for sure.

[blazza18]

The plan wasn't to move Munster to fullback. He offered to as a way to keep Pezet.

Sua was given a 5 year contract. At some point the club has to see if he's good enough to start full time.

[Papenhuyzen23]

The plan wasn't to move Munster to fullback. He offered to as a way to keep Pezet.

Sua was given a 5 year contract. At some point the club has to see if he's good enough to start full time.

Exactly.

Also what’s with the height thing? He is 175cm Reece Walsh is 177cm and destroyed us from the back, it’s not indicative of a fullbacks ability. Sua is built solid too, much more robust than Paps.

I just can’t see Wishart sticking around, he is going to market and the bottom feeders and even the new franchise clubs will throw the kitchen sink at him, we aren’t going to pay overs for a bit part player.

Sua/Munster/Hughes/Grant settles the spine for the next 2/3 years at least, I still think Hugo Peel is a wildcard in all this, kid can play.

[yanjarra]

The plan wasn't to move Munster to fullback. He offered to as a way to keep Pezet.

Sua was given a 5 year contract. At some point the club has to see if he's good enough to start full time.

Clearly the club entertained it as a plan for a period there, and likely still are.
It wasn't all munster driven and most likely he didnt initiate it. Why would the club even consider it if they were all in on paps/sua?

The quote from kangaroos you mentioned from munster was ' there was chat around me going to fb if paps left, there were obviously conversations around it, i'm not going to lie, and i just said whatevers best for the squad.

Also, anasta referenced storm trying to make this occur to keep pezet. I dont think this was all driven by munster, bloke probabaly wouldnt realise what was going on unless someone told him

When munster played fb in round 24 was sua available?

Whether it was a plan previously or not, and in what circumstance; I bet it's something they are considering heavily as we speak.

[Lucas]

For mine, Sua has 2026 to make fullback his. If not, we go to market for 2027.