James Tamou linked to Canberra Raiders

[-PJ-]

I'd take Daryl Brohman before Roy Asotasi.

Good grief.

[-GD-]

Hopefully Shillos form has opened Stuarts eyes and we are trying to keep him for another year.

[CJ42]

Pritchard play prop?

[greeneyed]

Tamou's going nowhere,'' next year, insists Cowboys coach Paul Green

North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green has emphatically quashed any chance of James Tamou joining the Canberra Raiders next year, declaring "Jimmy is not going anywhere".

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-l ... hqzcb.html

[Big Jack]

Roy Asotasi. Honestly?

He was great for the Bulldogs when they won the premiership ... in 2004

[Lui_Bon]

The newspaper player ratings for Origin last night gave Tamou more points than I would have; thought he was pretty ordinary in attack. I didn't notice his defence but I'm not sure he was actually called upon much. And I'd second Rick's post also. Doesn't seem like family considerations are going to sway him... I'd really rather give Shillo a bonus year and see what(who) else is going to be available for 2017.

[Cranky Old Man]

All the evidence is that Tamou is a front row version of Dugan, whilst whatever your opinion of Shillo nobody questions his personal behaviour characteristics. That plus Shillos very good form since his recovery from injury means he is a much better bet for the Raiders.

[greeneyed]

Tim Gavel on Twitter

@TimGavel: I am hearing Tamou's decision to stay with Cowboys won't result in David Shillington being offered a new deal from Raiders.

[Big Jack]

I'd take Daryl Brohman before Roy Asotasi.

Good grief.

Brohman was good but he has lost a bit of pace over the past year or two. Incentive deal only

[Brew]

Roy Asotasi. Honestly?

I wasn't suggesting him just stating he is looking for a gig but is too old

[Thombre]

Tim Gavel on Twitter

@TimGavel: I am hearing Tamou's decision to stay with Cowboys won't result in David Shillington being offered a new deal from Raiders.

PAGE???

[VictorTheViking]

Strange

[Fair Cop]

If Tamou ain't coming and we're not re-signing Shillo then it may be a case of utilising Papa in the front row next year. Other than that I'd like to see TPJ or PAGE brought into the rotation and maybe keep Nicholls. Forget wasting money on "elite" props.

[VictorTheViking]

If Tamou ain't coming and we're not re-signing Shillo then it may be a case of utilising Papa in the front row next year. Other than that I'd like to see TPJ or PAGE brought into the rotation and maybe keep Nicholls. Forget wasting money on "elite" props.

That leaves us money to keep wighton and co next year

[IBG]

Would make sense to move Papa upfront to accomodate Whitehead at #11.

I also know Ricky rates TPJ very highly and wants him in the middle.

I have no issue with it, I think the days of us overspending on front-rowers is long gone which IMO is a good thing.

[greeneyed]

But Papalii has shown he doesn't perform at prop.

[reptar]

But Papalii has shown he doesn't perform at prop.

This is true, but more importantly, does Whitehead have moisturiser soft hands?

[Seiffert82]

Tim Gavel on Twitter

@TimGavel: I am hearing Tamou's decision to stay with Cowboys won't result in David Shillington being offered a new deal from Raiders.

Absolutely no surprises there.

You've got to give Stuart kudos for being decisive in his roster management decisions. If you're on the OHP list there isn't much that is going to save you - however if you're in the good books it will take a bucketload of crap performances for him to give you the punt *cough*McCrone*cough*.

I don't think Vaughan, Boyd, FPN and Nicholls/O'Donnell/Lynch/Edwards is good enough to cut it for an entire season. We'll absolutely need to bring somebody else in to fill Shillington's spot.

[gerg]

Has Green run this past Mrs Tamou? James old mate, you tried to win the war by getting the media to fight your battles for you, that failed. Now you're pulling your coach into the trenches with you? Good luck buddy. The Cruel Sea wrote a song just for you.

[Northern Raider]

Leilua to prop

[Love4Noa]

Leilua will end up in the second row with Lachlan Croker being the opposite centre.

Clear as day.

[ultramikele]

Pauli Pauli to Canberra?

[Makaveli]

I'm not sold with Papa up front. No coincidence he has refound damaging form on the edge, and was surely close to be being dropped at the start of the year. I don't agree with Shilington not being resigned, he has been close to our best prop for the past month. If we don't want to commit, then as already mentioned on here, give him a yearly deal. But we know how Stuart is and if you're on the outer, you're gone. We need to sign a decent prop and then our squad for next year will be complete.

[shuuraider]

YEa, no Paps at prop. 60 mins each for Paps, sia and whitehead sounds like the money for me.

[Fair Cop]

But Papalii has shown he doesn't perform at prop.

It's not that he doesn't perform at prop, he's just not as effective as he is on the edge as a backrower. My preference would be to keep Shillo but stick obviously doesn't want to spend that sort of money on another prop. Papa has a massive tank so it might be an option to rotate him between the edge and prop, would I've us a bit more flexibility on the bench.

[Stuat]

If this year has taught us anything it's that Papali is far more valuable as a second rower. I personally thought he was fine at prop, but just fine. Since moving back to his preferred position he has been excellent.

[Manchild]

If this year has taught us anything it's that Papali is far more valuable as a second rower. I personally thought he was fine at prop, but just fine. Since moving back to his preferred position he has been excellent.

Yeah he was getting better while playing prop after losing a few kg's but is very damaging on the edge. Hasn't he score 5 or so tries? With Austin playing the way he is, he is constantly putting the defenders in two minds and add to that Papalii running hard at the line outside him it is just working so well.

[Green eyed Mick]

I think TPJ might be the guy Sticky has pencilled in as Shillo's replacement.

He is probably a little bit young but next year I wouldn't have a problem with him coming off the bench and playing in the middle.

[Please]

Fensom would make a solid, hard running prop. I'd like to see him moved there to fit Papalii, Whitehead and Sia into our back row. They are far superior attacking players from what I have seen and Fensom is a straight running, tackling machine and would fit well into our rotation as an impact small forward who is mobile but adds the defence of a back rower when on the field.

[simo]

Lacks size though. You need your props to get you over the advantage line and quick play the balls

[CJ42]

Fensom being one out from ruck would ensure better meters and quicker play the balls though. He is always doing dirty runs around the ruck.

[woppadingo]

I somehow think that Ricky will come round and see the sense in retaining Shillington for atleast 1 more year, if we dont get Tamou.
I dont see Boyd, FPN, Nichols, O'Donnell, TPJ or Page suddenly turning into starting props.

A year down the track and its a different story.

[Green eyed Mick]

I somehow think that Ricky will come round and see the sense in retaining Shillington for atleast 1 more year, if we dont get Tamou.
I dont see Boyd, FPN, Nichols, O'Donnell, TPJ or Page suddenly turning into starting props.

A year down the track and its a different story.

Shillo has to be willing to sign for a year though. Given his recent form I doubt we would get him to the negotiation table without offering him at least 2 years.

[Green_Hammock]

I somehow think that Ricky will come round and see the sense in retaining Shillington for atleast 1 more year, if we dont get Tamou.
I dont see Boyd, FPN, Nichols, O'Donnell, TPJ or Page suddenly turning into starting props.

A year down the track and its a different story.

Shillo has to be willing to sign for a year though. Given his recent form I doubt we would get him to the negotiation table without offering him at least 2 years.

Yeah, the one year deal is a really bad option for Shillo at his age. You would have to think there are a few clubs who will be willing to offer him a better deal.

[ak47]

Shillo is only going large because his income is at risk for next season.
He's been doing it since he was 23. Only gives that extra 20% when an Origin jumper or a contract is on the table.

You only sign these types of people on 1 year contracts.