Forward Depth

[Chook089]

Apologies if this has previously been raised but as you all know we were terrible last night and Robbos press conference was laughable, “ happy with their effort” anyways wonder why the club wouldn’t go after Klemmer we need an established front rower and would be goood for the younger guys in the squad. Thoughts?

[Red.]

I agree with you regarding our forward depth but I don't think Klemmer would help. He appears to be a divisive character and his best days are long gone. We had a great front rower, just hitting his prime but the coach thought he was surplus to our needs.

[Rooster_6]

I'm just not sure David Klemmer is that guy, I believe I'm correct in saying that Klemmer being released by the Tigers will be the 3rd time in his career he's been released out of his contract early by a bottom 8 club.

Losing Radley, Leniu & NButch plus Watson having to play at dummy half this early in the season is rough. I think as those guys come back in they will stabilise the pack rotation.

Our starting pack at full strength seems like it will be;

8 Collins
10 Leniu
11 Crichton
12 Radley
13 Watson

14 N Butcher
15 Whyte
16 E Butcher/Wong/Steep/Foketi/McCathie/Va'a X/Va'a D/Losalu

I don't think our forward depth is actually that concerning, it's obviously very young and I'm under no illusions that they're all pretty much NRL unproven but I think it feels worse than it actually is because they're being exposed quite dramatically at the moment due to injuries/suspensions.

If the more "normal" occurrence of one or two being out at a time were to occur I think it wouldn't feel as bad as it does now.

[RoosterBooster]

Always a pleasure to read your balanced insights

I'm just not sure David Klemmer is that guy, I believe I'm correct in saying that Klemmer being released by the Tigers will be the 3rd time in his career he's been released out of his contract early by a bottom 8 club.

Losing Radley, Leniu & NButch plus Watson having to play at dummy half this early in the season is rough. I think as those guys come back in they will stabilise the pack rotation.

Our starting pack at full strength seems like it will be;

8 Collins
10 Leniu
11 Crichton
12 Radley
13 Watson

14 N Butcher
15 Whyte
16 E Butcher/Wong/Steep/Foketi/McCathie/Va'a X/Va'a D/Losalu

I don't think our forward depth is actually that concerning, it's obviously very young and I'm under no illusions that they're all pretty much NRL unproven but I think it feels worse than it actually is because they're being exposed quite dramatically at the moment due to injuries/suspensions.

If the more "normal" occurrence of one or two being out at a time were to occur I think it wouldn't feel as bad as it does now.

[HunchoRooster]

Klemmer, farrks sake that'll do me. How desperate are we?

He's old, past his best, a journeyman and seems to have issues at every club he goes... come to think of it, he ticks all the coaches boxes for a mid season recruit. He'll be in RWB in no time.

[SamKerrSimp]

The biggest problem with the forward pack is Angus Crichton who is on big money and expected to be a forward leader but has been dogging the hard yards ever since he got his contract extension I would be extremely disappointed if a youngster put in his performances so a 150 odd game first grader playing internationals and origin playing like that is disgraceful to see. He needs to pull his finger out of his arse and start playing tougher or Robinson should punt him for next season.

Spencer Leniu isn't far behind either when he actually plays on the field he's only good for 20 minutes a game at max which is diabolical for a guy on his pay.

[Qld Chook]

Klemmer isn't the answer. There is this bloke at the Tigers though, plays prop, can play long minutes, has an offload. Terrell May?

Oh wait, that's right, he was contracted with us for well under market value and we let him go. Jeez we have some smart operators.

[MKCS]

I think Klemmer is Dragons bound but if it was for this year and maybe next I wouldn't be too upset by it. He has size which we need on our bench, has experience which we need on our bench, tackles well and runs decent enough. I think he'd be much more intimidating for other teams than a 2-3 match rookie.

This might be the thread to mention that Terrell May was the Tigers best forward yesterday in my opinion. Something like Collins, Leniu, May and Klemmer would've been a pretty good prop rotation.

[Rooster90]

lets bring back Matt Lodge while we are at it....

honestly though not signing SST on a 1yr deal was a missed opportunity especially after losing May

[Chook2]

lets bring back Matt Lodge while we are at it....

honestly though not signing SST on a 1yr deal was a missed opportunity especially after losing May

I agree SST would have been massive
starting for manly this week in front of other good front rowers would have been a cheap 1 year deal so a missed opportunity there

[Qld Chook]

lets bring back Matt Lodge while we are at it....

honestly though not signing SST on a 1yr deal was a missed opportunity especially after losing May

*letting go

[roosterchook]

Bad decisions in letting go great players, injuries, suspensions and hospitalisations have stuffed up our season. What I can’t understand is despite losing so many players we let go May and Sitili who both are very good first graders. To let these players go was a very bad decision. Whoever decided this deserves to be sacked. And Brandon Smith instead of Verrills. Now we know he’s a complete dud and Verrills would have done a far better job for half the price. Just too many bad decisions in recruitment and retaining.

[Bates]

I agree SST would have been massive
starting for manly this week in front of other good front rowers would have been a cheap 1 year deal so a missed opportunity there

This is the frustrating thing. There were numerous opportunities to bolster the squad without breaking the budget.

Personally I would've went all out and signed Stefano. He scares me more than our current pack combined!!!

[King Salvo]

SST wanted 500k - Been very injury prone these past few years before being punted by his ESL club - On a min deal at Manly - Failed the Dogs medical prior to the 2024 season when they were wanting to sign him.

Just unfortunate that the Va'a Brothers are unavailable along with Nat and Egan Butcher , Spencer Lenui and Brandon Smith.

Spencer is the only one due back which is in round 3 after serving his 2 game suspension.

[Rooster90]

SST wanted 500k - Been very injury prone these past few years before being punted by his ESL club - On a min deal at Manly - Failed the Dogs medical prior to the 2024 season when they were wanting to sign him.

Just unfortunate that the Va'a Brothers are unavailable along with Nat and Egan Butcher , Spencer Lenui and Brandon Smith.

Spencer is the only one due back which is in round 3 after serving his 2 game suspension.

He ended up at manly originally on a train and trial - why couldn't we have offered that?