Coach Smith keen on Tahu

[theGman]

Ah, my bad.

I didn't know Crossy did "the dirty" on us.

Not long after Ryan, his manager & Uncle Nick had serious discussions about staying on at the Roosters, Politis hit the roof when he found out they were also talking to Rugby despite assurances they were not negotiating elsewhere.
Politis immediately withdrew the offer leaving Ryan no other option but to head west to the Western Force.
My gut feeling is that Ryan would love to return to League. Just to piss us of, it wouldn't surprise me if Fatso & Rusty attempt to lure him to Redfern! They tried with Craig Wing and we all know how it unfolded!

[Headless Chook]

Not long after Ryan, his manager & Uncle Nick had serious discussions about staying on at the Roosters, Politis hit the roof when he found out they were also talking to Rugby despite assurances they were not negotiating elsewhere.
Politis immediately withdrew the offer leaving Ryan no other option but to head west to the Western Force.
My gut feeling is that Ryan would love to return to League. Just to piss us of, it wouldn't surprise me if Fatso & Rusty attempt to lure him to Redfern! They tried with Craig Wing and we all know how it unfolded!

I thought it was more along the lines of Cross and his manager agreeing to terms to extend his deal, then his manager coming back and saying ahem...rugby have just offered an extra $100k (figure totally made up, not sure exactly how much it was) and Nick said, well take it. We're not interested any more.

[theGman]

I thought it was more along the lines of Cross and his manager agreeing to terms to extend his deal, then his manager coming back and saying ahem...rugby have just offered an extra $100k (figure totally made up, not sure exactly how much it was) and Nick said, well take it. We're not interested any more.

Headless,
Our accounts are more or less saying the same thing.
If one thing, Uncle Nick doesn't like to be screwed over.

[Vasco]

I know Ryan's brother well through my years at Waverley College. A good friend of mine was Clay's shot putt coach for many years.

There were other factors as to why he left.

[Guest]

Linnett is a player of the future with untapped ability and an eagerness to match.

Tahu is a player of the past with serious issues and an overinflated ego that matches his overrated hype.

The choice is obvious.

Chook.

[Guest]

1. Minichiello
2. Perrett
3. Kenny-Dowall
4. Linnett
5. Tahu / Graham

I would be completely fine with this. Tahu being signed wouldn't be awful (for the right price, of course) BUT it cannot be at the expense of an outstanding developing player in Linnett. Linnett should not be dropped, or played out of position on the wing, to accommodate someone like Tahu or Graham - both of whom are clearly past their best, and provide little more than experience.

And for TOK who keeps justifying Tahu with the Origin selection he 'earned' this year, it was a very contentious selection that was proved to be an awful mistake.

[Guest]

After a short 3 match debut season in 1999, Tahu came into his own in 2000. He played 26 games (missing only 2), with 20 tries and 28 linebreaks. He backed it up with a tremendous season in 2001, playing 25 games (missing only 4), with 18 tries and 27 linebreaks. Another strong season followed in 2002, playing 21 games (missing only 5), with 21 tries and 30 linebreaks.

2000-2002 were his prime years, definitely. 2003 was when injuries began to really eat into his career. He only played 14 games in 2003 (missing 11 games), although he was still effective in his appearances with 14 tries and 18 linebreaks. Another injury-plagued season followed in 2004, playing only 8 games (missing 16 games), with 8 tries and 7 linebreaks.

After a struggle in 2004, he shifted to the Eels, having a somewhat more successful season after a relatively slow start. He played 19 games (missing 7 games) with only 10 tries and 10 linebreaks, but most of these came at the backend of the season when Eels had a golden run. He had another absent season in 2006, playing only 9 games (missing 15 games) with 3 tries and 8 linebreaks, before a decent 2007 where he played 18 games (missing 9 games) with 7 tries and 8 linebreaks, again most of these in a late season surge to form.

In summary, he has not really put together anything resembling consistency since his last fully fit season in 2002. He was effective when on the field in 2003, 2004 and 2006, but barely played enough games to have an impact. 2005 and 2007 were examples of his fitness leading to very slow starts to the season, only finding solid form at the backend of the year.

Since returning from rugby, he has looked sluggish, unimpressive, lacking spark, and has put on far too much muscle for his own good. However, he can still score a try, and has experience and aggression that our backline does sorely lack. I wouldn't mind him as a bargain barrel signing, but it won't happen, and shouldn't be at the expense of Linnett.

[Guest]

I'd much rather see -

1. Minichiello
2. Perrett
3. Linnett
4. SKD
5. Carney

Linnett and Carney will be a great combination IMO.

[Guest]

There was talk a couple of months ago about Graham -> Eels. With Grothe and Tahu gone I assume that is probably pretty attractive to them now.

So I'd say the only way it's gonna happen is if the Eels offer up something good enough to Graham that he is keen to move to free up the cash for the Roosters to get Tahu (if they want him).

An in-form Tahu on the cheap would obviously benefit a club that got him. Gone walkabout Tahu would just be like throwing the money away in which case you'd rather have Graham who trains hard and is a good influence on the boys, will always be solid and can play both centre and wing.

[melon....]

Melon's criptic clue.

One of our boys will do a Matt King. We may well let him go if thats what he wants.

And my bet is it wont be Tahu that will replace him.

But it could all be another storm in a tea cup for Easts.

If the Shoe doesnt fit those south of the border.

[Spirit of 66]

Melon's criptic clue.

One of our boys will do a Matt King. We may well let him go if thats what he wants.

And my bet is it wont be Tahu that will replace him.

But it could all be another storm in a tea cup for Easts.

If the Shoe doesnt fit those south of the border.

I'm not that keen on signing Mr I, but, in these circumstances, it would be worth it just for the laughs.

[Guest]

Melon's criptic clue.

One of our boys will do a Matt King. We may well let him go if thats what he wants.And my bet is it wont be Tahu that will replace him.

But it could all be another storm in a tea cup for Easts.

If the Shoe doesnt fit those south of the border.

please let it be Braith

[melon....]

please let it be Braith

Nope.

[Guest]

Nope.

Based purely on your clues, I would have to go SKD. I hope this is wrong though....

[Guest]

you can't let SKD go. He is the closest thing we have had to a local Jr since Ricko and Crossy!