2020 Squad, Signings and Rumours Thread

[willhelm]

I couldn't agree more. I've seen so many juniors have their tyres pumped up on here, then to see very average players turn out when they get a chance at nrl level. I've always had the view that if juniors are good enough then they'll make it regardless of who we buy. How many young forwards have been given a chance in the last couple of seasons and we haven't had any great prospects stand out. I certainly think junior development is a high priority but we must recruit externally as well. Juniors who develop can and be poached by other clubs just as much as any other player so thinking they'll stay regardless is misplaced thinking. That's not to say we should just buy any discard on the market.
The secret seems to be ensuring that imports we buy don't go backwards when they get here.

Agree, and I must say that it’s not an all or nothing situation. We can and should promote juniors, but not too many all at once. I believe there’s an idiom about eggs and baskets or something like that...

[Bayside Titan]

Why Ryan James could be Titans secret weapon in landing Latrell
Nic Darveniza, Gold Coast Bulletin
December 13, 2019 10:34am
Subscriber only
The bond between Indigenous All-Stars teammates Ryan James and Latrell Mitchell could prove the key to delivering the New South Wales ace to the Gold Coast Titans in 2020.

Titans skipper Ryan James has spent a week in close proximity to the Roosters star at a cultural camp ahead of the All-Stars clash with the New Zealand Maori All Stars at CBUS Super Stadium in February.


James said attendees spent the retreat giving back to country and connecting with ancestral ways of life, but he couldn’t resist the chance to sell Mitchell on life at the Titans.


“I think everyone was trying to get in his ear,” James said.

“It would be great to have him, he’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime players.

“He is his own player but he does remind you of Greg Inglis.

Ryan James has advocated for the Titans with Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“He’s a goalkicker too and they’re invaluable because he guarantees you two points after a try.

“Those players that can score the tries and (convert) them, especially coming off last year when he had 200 or something points … it’s amazing what he can do.

“If he was to come up here it would be pretty great.”

Time will tell if James’ salesmanship will deliver the signature of the hottest backline prospect on the market.

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The front rower said Mitchell had dropped no hints on his final decision, only that he would join the club that best provides for him and his family.

If that means the club with the deepest coffers, the Titans are behind the eight-ball with the cashed-up Wests Tigers armed with the largest war chest for 2020.

If Mitchell judges the chance to play alongside fellow indigenous stars James, Tyrone Peachey, Tyrone Roberts, Nathan Peats and Leilani Latu to be worth more than the Tigers money, the Titans will land their biggest ever signing.

“Coming out of the camp last week he told us how much this game meant to him and what it is to represent your people,” he said.

“Just what it means to him and his family being indigenous.

“He’s one of the brightest stars in our game and whatever decision he chooses will be the best for him and his family.”


https://twitter.com/rhys_oneill_/sta...580484608?s=21

[Mr Bods]

If he turned his back on bigger money at Wests and/or other clubs to play for us then I would get around him and encourage everyone else to do the same.

[willhelm]

If he turned his back on bigger money at Wests and/or other clubs to play for us then I would get around him and encourage everyone else to do the same.

I would

He won’t

[ozynorts]

The longer his saga drags on the lower his price will be. Not a single club in the league is offering a cent for him right now, including the club he has been at since he was 15 years old, has to say something...