Ethan Sanders signs three year deal with Canberra Raiders

[Botman]

The worry I have is that we have a glaring need at hooker and some very very talented kids
We need a 2-3 year bridge and I’m extremely worried Stuart think Levi is good enough for that. He’s not and where I think Colk is 1000% correct, if we are planning on a spine that includes Strange, Sanders and Stewart, and I believe that’s exactly the plan, we need really high quality hooker play to take the pressure off

And specifically we need creativity out of hooker, either as a ball player or runner. Assuming Sanders gets done, I believe the clubs biggest priority should be finding a hooker upgrade. And unfortunately I don’t know where to find it.

[NoMan]

Austin wasn't a plodder. He carved up at the Tigers, which is why we poached him. He had flaws in his game, but he was no plodder.

Ok, yeah fair calling him a plodder is harsh but he was in and out of first grade for 4 years and they let him walk in the end. He definitely was a high risk/high return signing vs Fog or Sezer for example and definitely not near a Maloney or Reynolds. At least they got one really good year out of it though.

[Finchy]

The worry I have is that we have a glaring need at hooker and some very very talented kids
We need a 2-3 year bridge and I’m extremely worried Stuart think Levi is good enough for that. He’s not and where I think Colk is 1000% correct, if we are planning on a spine that includes Strange, Sanders and Stewart, and I believe that’s exactly the plan, we need really high quality hooker play to take the pressure off

And specifically we need creativity out of hooker, either as a ball player or runner. Assuming Sanders gets done, I believe the clubs biggest priority should be finding a hooker upgrade. And unfortunately I don’t know where to find it.

And to think we could have had a go at Koroisau or Mahoney, who only left their clubs for $650k. We had $900k approx from Hodgo leaving.

[Bluesbrother]

The worry I have is that we have a glaring need at hooker and some very very talented kids
We need a 2-3 year bridge and I’m extremely worried Stuart think Levi is good enough for that. He’s not and where I think Colk is 1000% correct, if we are planning on a spine that includes Strange, Sanders and Stewart, and I believe that’s exactly the plan, we need really high quality hooker play to take the pressure off

And specifically we need creativity out of hooker, either as a ball player or runner. Assuming Sanders gets done, I believe the clubs biggest priority should be finding a hooker upgrade. And unfortunately I don’t know where to find it.

And to think we could have had a go at Koroisau or Mahoney, who only left their clubs for $650k. We had $900k approx from Hodgo leaving.

I get what you're saying but honestly where would that have left us? We would of had to pay them more - minimum 750k, more likely 900k to lure then away from Sydney. Which would have made it difficult to upgrade Tapine, Young and Timoko whilst bringing in Strange and Stewart.

If we had those guys slot into our team now it would be outstanding but what would have been more likely is we would have lost one or 2 of the 5 I mentioned above. With Mahoney or Api over the past 2 seasons would have we really pushed for a premiership? I don't think so. So essentially, we lose some elite talent in one area to gain it in another and it doesn't position us better in the long term. We have a short term crack, like most idiot clubs do and we fail.

The reason Storm, Panthers, Roosters have been such a premiership force is because of their long term focus on development. We need to do the same, and that is what's happening.

[Finchy]

The worry I have is that we have a glaring need at hooker and some very very talented kids
We need a 2-3 year bridge and I’m extremely worried Stuart think Levi is good enough for that. He’s not and where I think Colk is 1000% correct, if we are planning on a spine that includes Strange, Sanders and Stewart, and I believe that’s exactly the plan, we need really high quality hooker play to take the pressure off

And specifically we need creativity out of hooker, either as a ball player or runner. Assuming Sanders gets done, I believe the clubs biggest priority should be finding a hooker upgrade. And unfortunately I don’t know where to find it.

And to think we could have had a go at Koroisau or Mahoney, who only left their clubs for $650k. We had $900k approx from Hodgo leaving.

I get what you're saying but honestly where would that have left us? We would of had to pay them more - minimum 750k, more likely 900k to lure then away from Sydney. Which would have made it difficult to upgrade Tapine, Young and Timoko whilst bringing in Strange and Stewart.

If we had those guys slot into our team now it would be outstanding but what would have been more likely is we would have lost one or 2 of the 5 I mentioned above. With Mahoney or Api over the past 2 seasons would have we really pushed for a premiership? I don't think so. So essentially, we lose some elite talent in one area to gain it in another and it doesn't position us better in the long term. We have a short term crack, like most idiot clubs do and we fail.

The reason Storm, Panthers, Roosters have been such a premiership force is because of their long term focus on development. We need to do the same, and that is what's happening.

I particularly agree with the last part. We can't recruit elite talent, every time we've tried we've failed. The four options for us as I see it are:

1) Develop our own
2) Recruit junior elite talent and hope it translates to first grade elite talent
3) Moneyball - recruit talented players stuck behind better talent elsewhere (can include juniors which fits into option 2)
4) ESL

[Botman]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

[Leebola]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

I was just thinking the same thing. Giving the Bunnies a real headache.

[NoMan]

Massive dart throw but any chance Cook becomes decent again behind a better pack? Souffs will surely blow it up soon.

They could go for Egan from november but the Warriors don’t seem to ever release players early.

[Bluesbrother]

The worry I have is that we have a glaring need at hooker and some very very talented kids
We need a 2-3 year bridge and I’m extremely worried Stuart think Levi is good enough for that. He’s not and where I think Colk is 1000% correct, if we are planning on a spine that includes Strange, Sanders and Stewart, and I believe that’s exactly the plan, we need really high quality hooker play to take the pressure off

And specifically we need creativity out of hooker, either as a ball player or runner. Assuming Sanders gets done, I believe the clubs biggest priority should be finding a hooker upgrade. And unfortunately I don’t know where to find it.

And to think we could have had a go at Koroisau or Mahoney, who only left their clubs for $650k. We had $900k approx from Hodgo leaving.

I get what you're saying but honestly where would that have left us? We would of had to pay them more - minimum 750k, more likely 900k to lure then away from Sydney. Which would have made it difficult to upgrade Tapine, Young and Timoko whilst bringing in Strange and Stewart.

If we had those guys slot into our team now it would be outstanding but what would have been more likely is we would have lost one or 2 of the 5 I mentioned above. With Mahoney or Api over the past 2 seasons would have we really pushed for a premiership? I don't think so. So essentially, we lose some elite talent in one area to gain it in another and it doesn't position us better in the long term. We have a short term crack, like most idiot clubs do and we fail.

The reason Storm, Panthers, Roosters have been such a premiership force is because of their long term focus on development. We need to do the same, and that is what's happening.

I particularly agree with the last part. We can't recruit elite talent, every time we've tried we've failed. The four options for us as I see it are:

1) Develop our own
2) Recruit junior elite talent and hope it translates to first grade elite talent
3) Moneyball - recruit talented players stuck behind better talent elsewhere (can include juniors which fits into option 2)
4) ESL

For sure. A combination of the 4 is what we seem to be doing. Would be nice to add a cherry on top now and again ala Fifita.

[Bluesbrother]

Massive dart throw but any chance Cook becomes decent again behind a better pack? Souffs will surely blow it up soon.

They could go for Egan from november but the Warriors don’t seem to ever release players early.

Wrong side of 30 for mine.

[Bluesbrother]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Absolute gun. The Warriors are a serious contender IMO.

[Bluesbrother]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Measure him up for a blue jersey too. Egan at 9, Api at 14 would be quite lethal.

[dubby]

Let's hope Stewart is the goods. He doesn't have that explosive speed of the elite fullbacks in the comp, but he is a smart ballplayer and seems to read the game well.

It will be a very different looking attack with a player like him in the side. I think it works if you have power and speed on the wings, with the likes of Savage and Asomua.

Hopefully we eventually see a nice combo with the kicking game of Sanders and running game of Strange.

Sent from my CPH2021 using Tapatalk

That is my concern with Stewart. He looks a good footballer but as an athlete I’m not sure. He doesn’t have the explosive speed of a Walsh or a Ponga or a few others. It is why I am not so sure he is going to be a great player. He will have the smarts to be a good dependable fullback but his lack of size and relative pace might limit him.

Agreed. He's clearly a smart player and from what I've seen courageous in defence. It's that out and out pace which limits him, given he's not a huge unit.

Perhaps he ends up like Schifcofske. If that's the case we'll have struck gold. Otherwise, who knows.

This is a big year for his development. There's every chance he makes his debut later this season.



Sent from my CPH2021 using Tapatalk

I'd love it if he was as good as Shif.

Shif was actually quite fast IIRC. But he was all heart. A great defender

[dubby]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Webster really has made a big impact on that team.

[reptar]

Let's hope Stewart is the goods. He doesn't have that explosive speed of the elite fullbacks in the comp, but he is a smart ballplayer and seems to read the game well.

It will be a very different looking attack with a player like him in the side. I think it works if you have power and speed on the wings, with the likes of Savage and Asomua.

Hopefully we eventually see a nice combo with the kicking game of Sanders and running game of Strange.

Sent from my CPH2021 using Tapatalk

That is my concern with Stewart. He looks a good footballer but as an athlete I’m not sure. He doesn’t have the explosive speed of a Walsh or a Ponga or a few others. It is why I am not so sure he is going to be a great player. He will have the smarts to be a good dependable fullback but his lack of size and relative pace might limit him.

Agreed. He's clearly a smart player and from what I've seen courageous in defence. It's that out and out pace which limits him, given he's not a huge unit.

Perhaps he ends up like Schifcofske. If that's the case we'll have struck gold. Otherwise, who knows.

This is a big year for his development. There's every chance he makes his debut later this season.



Sent from my CPH2021 using Tapatalk

I'd love it if he was as good as Shif.

Shif was actually quite fast IIRC. But he was all heart. A great defender

Schifcofske is a legend!

[BadnMean]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

[dubby]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

[BadnMean]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

Fair enough. Didn't remember Milne as super quick, or maybe it was just he couldn't change direction was his issue.

Shif used to just do that little crow hop stop and then zoom away through a newly minted barely gap.

[reptar]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

Fair enough. Didn't remember Milne as super quick, or maybe it was just he couldn't change direction was his issue.

Shif used to just do that little crow hop stop and then zoom away through a newly minted barely gap.

The Schif Shuffle

[gangrenous]

But that’s the bloody point mate
We can recruit hookers, halves and fullbacks who are FG level, we’ve done that and guess what? It doesn’t get you premierships
Fog, Sezer, G Willy, CNK (hodgo being the exception in that he was top tier elite)

CNK was elite in 2019

[gangrenous]

Andrew Johns has suggested St George use the money from releasing Lomax to buy Sanders. John’s has said he has been watching a lot more Jnr football over the past couple of years and if he was to buy anyone it would be Sanders.


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Well there goes my hopes that Sanders will be any good

[Finchy]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

Fair enough. Didn't remember Milne as super quick, or maybe it was just he couldn't change direction was his issue.

Shif used to just do that little crow hop stop and then zoom away through a newly minted barely gap.

The Schif Shuffle

Some Schif highlights. First few minutes are Union. Raiders highlights after 5 mins. Good memories.

[dubby]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

Fair enough. Didn't remember Milne as super quick, or maybe it was just he couldn't change direction was his issue.

Shif used to just do that little crow hop stop and then zoom away through a newly minted barely gap.

Milne was explosive over 20 - 40

[Seiffert82]

Schif had good acceleration which could put him through the line. Top speed over distance nothing special. Didn't matter because he was pretty good when he made a break and usually managed to stand up the FB or find a good pass anyway.

I remember the footy show did a sprint for raiders players.

Phil Graham won.

Shif and Milne weren't far behind.

Fair enough. Didn't remember Milne as super quick, or maybe it was just he couldn't change direction was his issue.

Shif used to just do that little crow hop stop and then zoom away through a newly minted barely gap.

Milne was explosive over 20 - 40

Yeah, Milne was explosive. Schif was quick off the mark too, but never blisteringly fast from memory.

It was the ball playing role which turned Schif into a classic modern day fullback. He was like a third half. That's what I see in Stewart.

Chevy isn't a slug, he's just not a jet. Basically the same height and build as Schif, has the vision to play what's in front of him too. There's a few similarities there. Hopefully his defence gets to the same level as Choc.

[Hong Kong Raider]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Absolute gun. The Warriors are a serious contender IMO.

Egan, DWZ, CNK, Jackson Ford, even Mitch Barnett, have all been better players since the coaching of Andrew Webster. people were calling Egan a plodder 3 years ago and were not complimentary about Ford.

People discussed and dismissed Shaun Johnson in 2021 when we were looking for a half back. He's played his best football since Webster's coaching.

We couldn't even beat them with Egan, Dylan Walker, Niukore and CNK out and their FB suffering a HIA.

[Colk]

Andrew Johns has suggested St George use the money from releasing Lomax to buy Sanders. John’s has said he has been watching a lot more Jnr football over the past couple of years and if he was to buy anyone it would be Sanders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well there goes my hopes that Sanders will be any good

Haha yes the Joey mark of approval. Who could forget Josh McCrone should play Origin remark

[Wiki Special]

Andrew Johns has suggested St George use the money from releasing Lomax to buy Sanders. John’s has said he has been watching a lot more Jnr football over the past couple of years and if he was to buy anyone it would be Sanders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well there goes my hopes that Sanders will be any good

Haha yes the Joey mark of approval. Who could forget Josh McCrone should play Origin remark

I could be wrong but I have a recollection he said the same about Joe Picker.

[-PJ-]

Andrew Johns is entitled to his opinion.

He’s a dill, along with his dill mate.

I’m expecting some good news ref The Colonel any day now.

[julian87]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

We’d need the pokie money for the alastoplast and his own personal on field trainer though.

[Rick]

Last question in the Eels post match interview with Brad Arthur was will you look at selecting a ball playing half, say, Ethan Sanders to free up Dylan Brown?

Arthur shut it down immediately replying something similar to;

No. Brown was good tonight. Everyone else just did not do their jobs.

He seemed a bit pissed he was asked the question.

I expect an announcement soon.


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[nachopants]

Whether Sanders comes to us or not, he's not staying at Parra, that is clear.

He's being petulantly blocked

[Canberra Milk]

All he has to do is what Fogarty is doing now. If he can do more, that's a bonus

I'm getting more confident in Strange, and Stewart will round out our attack nicely I feel. So we won't need him to come in and re-invent the wheel

I mean it's easy to say that after a nice attacking win, but, there are signs too in NSW Cup etc that we have some good attacking nous in the next batch of youngsters

[Seiffert82]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Absolute gun. The Warriors are a serious contender IMO.

Egan, DWZ, CNK, Jackson Ford, even Mitch Barnett, have all been better players since the coaching of Andrew Webster. people were calling Egan a plodder 3 years ago and were not complimentary about Ford.

People discussed and dismissed Shaun Johnson in 2021 when we were looking for a half back. He's played his best football since Webster's coaching.

We couldn't even beat them with Egan, Dylan Walker, Niukore and CNK out and their FB suffering a HIA.

If people were calling Egan a plodder three years ago it actually says a lot more about their ability to judge a player, lol.

That aside Webster is clearly a fantastic coach.

One of the signs of good coaching is getting your players to play consistently well - not have a chasm between their best and their worst. That's been a major part of the Warriors success, you generally know what to expect of them every week these days.

[papabear]

Like a speed bump Lockyer.

Coming is as the second man as someone’s already hit schiffa a small man and made him stumble. Still gets trampled.

And qlders still try and argue he was a better rugby league player then John’s.

[Northern Raider]

I’d kill a man for Wayde Egan
God he’s improved out of sight over the last 18 months
Exactly the type of player we need to try and find at 9.

Absolute gun. The Warriors are a serious contender IMO.

Egan, DWZ, CNK, Jackson Ford, even Mitch Barnett, have all been better players since the coaching of Andrew Webster. people were calling Egan a plodder 3 years ago and were not complimentary about Ford.

People discussed and dismissed Shaun Johnson in 2021 when we were looking for a half back. He's played his best football since Webster's coaching.

We couldn't even beat them with Egan, Dylan Walker, Niukore and CNK out and their FB suffering a HIA.

If people were calling Egan a plodder three years ago it actually says a lot more about their ability to judge a player, lol.

That aside Webster is clearly a fantastic coach.

One of the signs of good coaching is getting your players to play consistently well - not have a chasm between their best and their worst. That's been a major part of the Warriors success, you generally know what to expect of them every week these days.

Bit harsh. Egan was a plodder 3 years ago. Poor service and decision making were constant issues. He's developed his game the past couple of seasons and become an excellent NRL dummy half. He's a late bloomer and good on him for getting to that next level when manu players start taper off.